Addressing a Lady That Wished I Would Love Her

Now you have bestowed me leave to love,
What will you do?
Am I to your delight, or ardor stir,
Once I start to court;
Do you torment, or disdain, or cherish me too?

All trivial grace can scorn, and I
Spight of your dislike
Without your permission can observe, and succumb;
Dispense a grander Fate!
It's simple to destroy, you may create.

Therefore allow me consent to adore, & cherish me too
Lacking design
To uplift, as Affection's accursed insurgents behave
While whining Versifiers whine,
Renown to their beauty, from their weeping eyne.

Grief is a pond and shows not distinct
Thy charm's beams;
Joyes are untainted currents, your eyes seem
Morose in gloomier verses,
Through joyful numbers they gleam luminous with acclaim.

Which will not mention to express you fayr
Wounds, fires, and arrows,
Storms in your brow, traps in your hair,
Corrupting all your parts,
Or else to trick, or torment ensnared hearts.

I’ll make your gaze like dawn orbs look,
Like gentle, and fayr;
Your brow as Crystall smooth, and transparent,
While your tousled hair
Will stream like a tranquil Area of the Atmosphere.

Wealthy Nature’s hoard (which is the Writer's Riches)
I shall spend, to embellish
Your graces, if your Source of Joy
Through equall appreciation
One but unlock, so we one another favor.

Examining the Poem's Themes

This piece delves the dynamics of love and praise, in which the speaker speaks to a maiden who requests his affection. Rather, he proposes a shared arrangement of artistic tribute for private pleasures. This wording is elegant, blending courtly traditions with direct utterances of longing.

Through the lines, the poet dismisses typical motifs of unrequited passion, including sorrow and tears, arguing they dim true beauty. The speaker favors delight and admiration to highlight the woman's features, vowing to render her eyes as bright stars and her hair as drifting breeze. This technique highlights a pragmatic yet clever perspective on bonds.

Key Aspects of the Piece

  • Reciprocal Agreement: The verse revolves on a proposal of tribute in exchange for delight, emphasizing parity between the persons.
  • Dismissal of Standard Ideas: The speaker disparages common poetic tools like grief and metaphors of suffering, preferring optimistic depictions.
  • Artistic Skill: The employment of mixed line measures and flow demonstrates the writer's proficiency in composition, creating a smooth and engaging experience.
Wealthy Nature's treasury (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I will spend, to embellish
One's charms, if your Source of Joy
Through equal gratitude
Thou but release, so we each other favor.

This section encapsulates the central arrangement, in which the writer pledges to employ his artistic gifts to praise the lady, in exchange for her willingness. The phraseology mixes devout overtones with worldly desires, providing depth to the poem's theme.

Joseph Atkins
Joseph Atkins

A digital curator and tech enthusiast with a passion for sharing valuable online resources and insights.