Addressing a Lady That Requested I Would Love Her
Now you have freely given me permission to love,
What shall you act?
Shall I your joy, or emotion arouse,
Once I begin to pursue;
Do you trouble, or disdain, or cherish me too?
Every minor charm can reject, and I
Spight of your hate
Lacking your leave can see, and die;
Grant a nobler Destiny!
It is effortless to demolish, you could fashion.
Thus grant me leave to adore, & adore me too
Not with intent
To uplift, as Affection's accursed defiers act
When puling Bards moan,
Renown to their beauty, from their blubber’d gaze.
Sadness is a pool and reflects not distinct
Your charm's rayes;
Joys are untainted streams, your gaze appear
Gloomy in gloomier layes,
In cheerfull verses they radiate brilliant with acclaim.
Which will not allude to portray you fair
Wounds, flames, and arrows,
Storms in your brow, traps in your locks,
Bribing all your attributes,
Or else to trick, or torture captive hearts.
I will render your gaze like sunrise suns look,
Just as mild, and fair;
One's forehead as crystal polished, and clear,
And your unkempt hair
Will stream like a tranquil Zone of the Atmosphere.
Wealthy The natural world's treasury (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I’l expend, to dress
One's graces, if your Mine of Pleasure
Through equall gratitude
Thou but release, so we one another grace.
Delving into the Verse's Themes
The work explores the interplay of love and admiration, where the poet addresses a lady who desires his devotion. Conversely, he proposes a shared arrangement of artistic praise for intimate delights. The wording is elegant, combining polished traditions with direct utterances of desire.
In the stanzas, the writer rejects typical themes of unreturned affection, such as sorrow and weeping, claiming they cloud true charm. The speaker chooses joy and acclaim to highlight the woman's qualities, assuring to portray her gaze as radiant suns and her tresses as drifting atmosphere. This approach highlights a pragmatic yet artful perspective on bonds.
Important Elements of the Piece
- Reciprocal Agreement: The work revolves on a proposal of admiration in return for delight, stressing equality between the persons.
- Rejection of Standard Themes: The speaker condemns common artistic tools like grief and imagery of pain, preferring positive depictions.
- Creative Skill: The employment of diverse verse measures and flow demonstrates the poet's proficiency in composition, forming a graceful and captivating read.
Wealthy Nature's treasury (which is the Writer's Riches)
I shall spend, to embellish
Thy charms, if your Wellspring of Pleasure
With equall thankfulness
Thou but open, so we one another favor.
The verse summarizes the essential deal, as the author vows to use his creative gifts to honor the lady, in return for her openness. The phraseology mixes pious overtones with physical yearnings, adding depth to the poem's meaning.
