To a Lady That Wished Me to Show Affection

Now you have bestowed me permission to love,
What will you do?
Will I your delight, or emotion arouse,
When I begin to court;
Will you torment, or scorn, or adore me too?

All trivial charm can disdain, and I
Despite your hate
Without your leave can observe, and perish;
Grant a grander Destiny!
’Tis easy to destroy, you could fashion.

Then allow me consent to love, & love me too
Not with intent
To uplift, as Loves damned rebels act
As whining Versifiers moan,
Fame to their beauty, from their weeping eyne.

Sadness is a puddle and reflects not clear
One's charm's beams;
Joyes are clear streams, your eyes appear
Gloomy in gloomier layes,
In cheerfull verses they radiate bright with acclaim.

Which shall not allude to express you fayr
Wounds, flames, and arrows,
Tempests in your brow, snares in your locks,
Suborning all your parts,
Or else to betray, or afflict ensnared souls.

I shall cause your vision like dawn orbs appear,
Like gentle, and fair;
One's forehead as glass even, and clear,
And your dishevelled hayr
Will stream like a calm Zone of the Atmosphere.

Abundant Nature’s store (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I will use, to adorn
Your graces, if your Wellspring of Delight
Through equall gratitude
You but unlock, so we each other bless.

Exploring the Work's Motifs

This work explores the interplay of affection and acclaim, in which the poet engages with a woman who desires his devotion. Rather, he offers a shared agreement of poetic praise for personal delights. The phraseology is graceful, blending refined traditions with candid expressions of yearning.

Within the lines, the author dismisses typical themes of unreturned passion, including sadness and lamentation, claiming they dim true charm. He favors happiness and acclaim to highlight the maiden's features, promising to portray her gaze as bright suns and her tresses as streaming breeze. This technique highlights a practical yet artful perspective on bonds.

Significant Components of the Composition

  • Mutual Agreement: The poem focuses on a proposal of praise in return for enjoyment, highlighting parity between the persons.
  • Dismissal of Traditional Ideas: The narrator criticizes usual literary techniques like sorrow and similes of anguish, preferring upbeat depictions.
  • Creative Skill: The employment of diverse verse patterns and cadence displays the author's proficiency in verse, creating a smooth and compelling read.
Wealthy Nature’s treasury (which is the Poet’s Riches)
I shall spend, to embellish
Your charms, if your Mine of Pleasure
Through equal gratitude
You but open, so we one another favor.

The stanza captures the essential deal, where the writer promises to utilize his artistic gifts to celebrate the maiden, as compensation for her willingness. This phraseology blends pious overtones with earthly yearnings, adding depth to the work's message.

Blake Mason
Blake Mason

A wellness coach and writer passionate about holistic health and mindful living, sharing evidence-based strategies for personal transformation.