Addressing a Lady Who Desired Me to Show Affection

Since you've freely given me consent to love,
What shall you act?
Am I to your delight, or ardor arouse,
As I begin to court;
Do you torment, or scorn, or love me too?

Every minor beauty can reject, and I
In spite of your dislike
Absent your permission can perceive, and perish;
Grant a nobler Fate!
It's simple to ruin, you could create.

Then give me leave to adore, & adore me too
Not with design
To elevate, as Love's damned defiers do
While complaining Versifiers lament,
Renown to their charm, from their tearful eyne.

Sorrow is a puddle and mirrors not bright
Your beauty’s lights;
Joyes are clear currents, your gaze seem
Sullen in more sorrowful verses,
Within happy verses they radiate brilliant with praise.

What may not mention to portray you fayr
Injuries, blazes, and darts,
Storms in your countenance, nets in your hayr,
Corrupting all your attributes,
Either to deceive, or afflict trapped hearts.

I will render your gaze like sunrise stars appear,
Just as gentle, and lovely;
One's countenance as Crystall smooth, and transparent,
Whereas your unkempt hair
May flow like a calm Zone of the Ayr.

Wealthy The natural world's hoard (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I shall expend, to embellish
Your graces, if your Source of Delight
With matching thankfulness
One but open, so we mutually favor.

Exploring the Poem's Motifs

This work examines the dynamics of passion and praise, as the poet addresses a woman who desires his devotion. Rather, he proposes a shared arrangement of poetic praise for intimate pleasures. The wording is elegant, mixing polished conventions with frank utterances of desire.

In the stanzas, the poet dismisses typical motifs of unrequited passion, including sorrow and weeping, stating they obscure true charm. The speaker favors joy and praise to highlight the maiden's attributes, vowing to render her gaze as bright orbs and her locks as streaming breeze. This technique underscores a realistic yet clever view on relationships.

Significant Components of the Composition

  • Reciprocal Exchange: The verse focuses on a proposal of praise in trade for pleasure, emphasizing parity between the individuals.
  • Spurning of Traditional Themes: The narrator criticizes usual artistic techniques like grief and imagery of suffering, favoring positive imagery.
  • Poetic Artistry: The application of diverse line measures and cadence demonstrates the author's mastery in verse, forming a smooth and compelling text.
Rich Nature's treasury (which is the Writer's Riches)
I will expend, to embellish
Thy graces, if your Mine of Joy
With equall appreciation
You but unlock, so we one another favor.

This stanza encapsulates the core arrangement, as the writer pledges to utilize his artistic talents to praise the woman, in return for her receptiveness. The language blends pious overtones with earthly longings, providing profundity to the verse's theme.

Gina Mcguire
Gina Mcguire

A certified fitness trainer and nutritionist specializing in cold-weather adaptations and holistic health practices.