Addressing a Lady That Desired I Would Show Affection

Since you've freely given me permission to love,
What shall you respond?
Shall I your joy, or ardor stir,
As I commence pursue;
Shall you trouble, or mock, or adore me too?

Each petty grace can scorn, and I
In spite of your aversion
Lacking your consent can observe, and succumb;
Dispense a loftier Fate!
It is effortless to destroy, you could create.

Thus grant me leave to adore, & adore me too
Lacking intent
To elevate, as Love's damned defiers behave
When puling Poets lament,
Renown to their grace, from their tearful eyne.

Grief is a pond and reflects not clear
Thy grace's beams;
Joyes are untainted streames, your gaze seem
Sullen in more sorrowful songs,
In happy numbers they radiate brilliant with prayse.

Which shall not allude to describe you fayr
Harms, flames, and darts,
Gales in your forehead, snares in your hair,
Bribing all your parts,
Either to betray, or afflict trapped hearts.

I shall render your vision like dawn stars seem,
Like gentle, and lovely;
Thy brow as glass smooth, and clear,
And your unkempt locks
Will stream like a tranquil Region of the Air.

Abundant The natural world's hoard (which is the Poet’s Riches)
I shall spend, to dress
One's charms, if your Wellspring of Delight
In matching appreciation
You but release, so we each other favor.

Exploring the Poem's Motifs

The piece explores the dynamics of affection and admiration, where the poet addresses a maiden who requests his devotion. Rather, he proposes a shared agreement of poetic praise for personal favors. This wording is elegant, mixing refined conventions with frank statements of desire.

Within the stanzas, the writer spurns usual themes of one-sided affection, like grief and lamentation, claiming they cloud true beauty. The speaker favors joy and praise to emphasize the woman's features, vowing to portray her eyes as bright stars and her tresses as drifting atmosphere. This technique emphasizes a realistic yet artful perspective on bonds.

Significant Aspects of the Composition

  • Mutual Exchange: The verse revolves on a suggestion of praise in exchange for enjoyment, emphasizing balance between the individuals.
  • Spurning of Conventional Ideas: The poet disparages typical artistic tools like grief and similes of anguish, preferring positive imagery.
  • Poetic Artistry: The application of diverse line patterns and flow displays the poet's proficiency in poetry, producing a fluid and compelling experience.
Rich Nature's hoard (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I’l spend, to dress
Your charms, if your Source of Joy
Through matching gratitude
You but unlock, so we mutually grace.

The section summarizes the central arrangement, in which the writer vows to utilize his inventive gifts to praise the lady, as compensation for her receptiveness. This language blends spiritual undertones with earthly longings, giving complexity to the work's theme.

Jonathan Wallace
Jonathan Wallace

A passionate food blogger and home cook with over a decade of experience in creating simple yet delicious recipes.