Addressing a Lady Who Wished Me to Love Her

Given that you granted me leave to love,
How will you do?
Will I your mirth, or ardor move,
As I begin to woo;
Will you trouble, or mock, or adore me too?

All trivial beauty can reject, and I
Despite your dislike
Lacking your leave can observe, and die;
Grant a nobler Destiny!
It's simple to demolish, you may create.

Therefore allow me consent to adore, & love me too
Not with purpose
To elevate, as Loves damned insurgents behave
As complaining Bards lament,
Fame to their beauty, from their weeping eyes.

Grief is a puddle and shows not clear
Thy charm's beams;
Joys are pure streames, your vision appear
Morose in gloomier verses,
Within joyful numbers they shine bright with acclaim.

Which will not mention to describe you lovely
Wounds, fires, and arrows,
Tempests in your countenance, snares in your hair,
Bribing all your attributes,
Either to betray, or torture captive hearts.

I shall render your gaze like morning suns look,
Like mild, and fair;
Thy brow as crystal smooth, and transparent,
Whereas your unkempt locks
May flow like a tranquil Zone of the Ayr.

Rich Nature's store (which is the Writer's Riches)
I will use, to adorn
Thy graces, if your Source of Delight
With matching thankfulness
One but open, so we one another bless.

Examining the Poem's Themes

This piece delves the relationship of love and acclaim, in which the narrator speaks to a lady who requests his love. Instead, he suggests a shared agreement of poetic tribute for private pleasures. This phraseology is refined, combining courtly norms with direct utterances of desire.

Through the stanzas, the poet rejects common themes of unreturned passion, including sorrow and tears, claiming they cloud true grace. The speaker prefers delight and acclaim to highlight the lady's qualities, assuring to render her eyes as bright orbs and her locks as streaming breeze. The method highlights a realistic yet artful outlook on bonds.

Significant Aspects of the Piece

  • Shared Arrangement: The verse centers on a offer of tribute in trade for delight, highlighting parity between the persons.
  • Rejection of Conventional Ideas: The speaker disparages common artistic techniques like grief and similes of suffering, preferring optimistic depictions.
  • Artistic Craftsmanship: The employment of varied meter lengths and flow showcases the author's expertise in composition, creating a graceful and engaging read.
Wealthy Nature’s hoard (which is the Bard's Treasure)
I shall use, to dress
One's charms, if your Mine of Pleasure
In equal appreciation
One but unlock, so we one another bless.

This verse encapsulates the central bargain, as the writer pledges to use his inventive gifts to praise the woman, in exchange for her openness. This wording combines devout undertones with earthly yearnings, adding complexity to the work's message.

Lindsey Cohen
Lindsey Cohen

Tech writer and digital strategist passionate about emerging technologies and their impact on society.