For a Lady Who Desired Me to Show Affection

Since you've freely given me consent to love,
How will you act?
Shall I your delight, or emotion stir,
When I start to court;
Shall you trouble, or mock, or cherish me too?

Every minor beauty can reject, and I
Despite your dislike
Absent your consent can see, and perish;
Bestow a nobler Destiny!
’Tis easy to ruin, you may create.

Thus give me consent to love, & cherish me too
Not with intent
To raise, as Love's cursed defiers do
When complaining Versifiers moan,
Acclaim to their grace, from their weeping gaze.

Sadness is a pond and reflects not bright
Thy charm's beams;
Delights are untainted streams, your gaze look
Morose in sadder songs,
Within happy numbers they radiate luminous with prayse.

What shall not refer to describe you fayr
Harms, fires, and shafts,
Storms in your forehead, nets in your hayr,
Bribing all your attributes,
Or to betray, or torment captive affections.

I’ll render your vision like sunrise stars look,
As mild, and fair;
Thy brow as crystal smooth, and pure,
And your unkempt hayr
May flow like a calm Region of the Atmosphere.

Rich The natural world's store (which is the Poet’s Riches)
I’l use, to embellish
Your charms, if your Mine of Joy
With equal thankfulness
Thou but release, so we each other grace.

Delving into the Poem's Motifs

The piece examines the relationship of passion and praise, in which the poet speaks to a maiden who desires his love. Conversely, he suggests a shared agreement of artistic tribute for personal favors. This phraseology is refined, mixing polished traditions with frank expressions of longing.

Within the lines, the writer rejects typical themes of unreturned passion, including sorrow and weeping, claiming they cloud true charm. He chooses delight and praise to showcase the maiden's features, vowing to render her gaze as bright stars and her tresses as flowing air. The approach emphasizes a practical yet clever outlook on bonds.

Significant Components of the Composition

  • Mutual Agreement: The poem revolves on a offer of admiration in exchange for pleasure, highlighting equality between the parties.
  • Dismissal of Standard Themes: The speaker criticizes common poetic devices like sorrow and metaphors of pain, preferring upbeat imagery.
  • Creative Skill: The application of mixed meter measures and flow showcases the author's mastery in verse, creating a fluid and compelling text.
Abundant The natural world's hoard (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I’l use, to embellish
Your charms, if your Mine of Delight
In equal appreciation
One but release, so we one another favor.

The section captures the central deal, as the poet promises to utilize his artistic talents to praise the woman, as compensation for her receptiveness. The wording combines pious hints with earthly yearnings, adding profundity to the work's theme.

Phyllis Hansen
Phyllis Hansen

Tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring how innovation shapes our daily lives and future possibilities.