To a Lady That Requested Me to Love Her
Given that you freely given me permission to love,
What shall you act?
Am I to your mirth, or ardor arouse,
When I begin to pursue;
Shall you torment, or mock, or adore me too?
All trivial grace can disdain, and I
In spite of your hate
Without your permission can see, and perish;
Dispense a nobler Fate!
It is effortless to ruin, you can form.
Then grant me leave to cherish, & love me too
Without purpose
To elevate, as Love's damned rebels act
While puling Versifiers moan,
Renown to their charm, from their blubber’d gaze.
Sorrow is a pool and reflects not distinct
Your charm's lights;
Joyes are untainted streames, your gaze appear
Morose in more sorrowful verses,
Within cheerfull lines they gleam bright with prayse.
What shall not allude to express you fayr
Harms, blazes, and darts,
Storms in your brow, traps in your hayr,
Corrupting all your attributes,
Either to betray, or afflict trapped affections.
I’ll make your vision like sunrise suns appear,
As soft, and lovely;
One's forehead as crystal polished, and clear,
And your dishevelled locks
Shall drift like a serene Zone of the Atmosphere.
Rich Nature’s hoard (which is the Poet’s Riches)
I’l expend, to adorn
One's graces, if your Wellspring of Pleasure
Through equal thankfulness
Thou but unlock, so we each other favor.
Exploring the Work's Ideas
The piece examines the dynamics of affection and praise, where the speaker addresses a maiden who requests his love. Conversely, he suggests a reciprocal arrangement of artistic praise for intimate favors. The wording is graceful, blending courtly conventions with direct utterances of desire.
Through the verses, the poet dismisses common motifs of one-sided passion, including sadness and lamentation, stating they dim true beauty. He chooses delight and admiration to highlight the maiden's features, vowing to portray her vision as bright orbs and her locks as drifting air. This technique underscores a realistic yet clever view on bonds.
Important Elements of the Composition
- Reciprocal Exchange: The verse revolves on a offer of praise in exchange for delight, highlighting parity between the parties.
- Spurning of Conventional Ideas: The poet disparages common artistic tools like grief and similes of anguish, preferring optimistic depictions.
- Creative Skill: The application of mixed meter measures and cadence demonstrates the author's expertise in composition, producing a smooth and captivating text.
Abundant Nature's store (which is the Bard's Riches)
I shall spend, to dress
One's beauties, if your Mine of Delight
Through equall thankfulness
Thou but release, so we mutually bless.
The section summarizes the core arrangement, as the writer pledges to employ his inventive talents to praise the woman, in return for her openness. The wording blends spiritual overtones with physical yearnings, giving profundity to the work's message.