Addressing a Lady Who Desired I Would Show Affection
Given that you granted me consent to love,
What will you do?
Shall I your mirth, or passion move,
When I begin to pursue;
Will you torment, or mock, or adore me too?
All trivial charm can scorn, and I
Spight of your aversion
Without your leave can observe, and die;
Dispense a grander Destiny!
’Tis easy to ruin, you can form.
Therefore grant me permission to cherish, & love me too
Without purpose
To elevate, as Affection's accursed insurgents act
While puling Bards lament,
Renown to their grace, from their tearful eyes.
Grief is a puddle and shows not distinct
Thy charm's beams;
Joyes are clear streams, your vision seem
Gloomy in more sorrowful songs,
Through cheerfull verses they shine bright with acclaim.
That shall not mention to describe you lovely
Injuries, blazes, and arrows,
Tempests in your countenance, nets in your hair,
Suborning all your attributes,
Or else to trick, or afflict ensnared souls.
I will render your vision like sunrise orbs appear,
Like mild, and lovely;
Thy countenance as crystal polished, and pure,
Whereas your tousled locks
Will drift like a tranquil Zone of the Ayr.
Wealthy The natural world's store (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I will expend, to adorn
Thy graces, if your Wellspring of Delight
Through equal gratitude
You but release, so we one another favor.
Exploring the Verse's Motifs
This work delves the interplay of love and admiration, where the speaker speaks to a maiden who seeks his love. Instead, he proposes a shared arrangement of literary praise for intimate favors. This wording is refined, combining refined traditions with candid utterances of longing.
Through the stanzas, the author rejects common motifs of unrequited affection, such as grief and weeping, claiming they cloud true grace. The speaker chooses joy and admiration to highlight the woman's features, vowing to render her vision as radiant stars and her tresses as streaming breeze. The method highlights a practical yet artful view on connections.
Key Elements of the Piece
- Mutual Exchange: The verse revolves on a suggestion of tribute in trade for pleasure, highlighting balance between the persons.
- Spurning of Conventional Themes: The narrator disparages usual literary tools like grief and similes of anguish, preferring positive imagery.
- Artistic Craftsmanship: The application of diverse meter patterns and rhythm showcases the poet's proficiency in composition, producing a smooth and engaging experience.
Rich The natural world's hoard (which is the Bard's Riches)
I shall expend, to dress
Your graces, if your Source of Delight
In matching appreciation
One but unlock, so we each other favor.
This stanza captures the essential deal, as the poet promises to use his artistic gifts to praise the woman, in return for her willingness. This language combines devout hints with earthly desires, adding depth to the poem's theme.