To a Lady That Wished I Would Love Her
Given that you granted me leave to love,
What will you respond?
Will I your mirth, or passion stir,
When I begin to pursue;
Will you torment, or mock, or adore me too?
Each petty grace can reject, and I
In spite of your aversion
Without your consent can see, and succumb;
Bestow a nobler Fate!
It's simple to destroy, you can fashion.
Therefore give me permission to love, & cherish me too
Lacking intent
To uplift, as Love's cursed rebels do
While whining Bards lament,
Fame to their grace, from their blubber’d gaze.
Sadness is a puddle and shows not distinct
Your charm's lights;
Joys are pure currents, your eyes appear
Morose in sadder layes,
Through joyful lines they gleam bright with acclaim.
Which may not refer to portray you fair
Injuries, fires, and shafts,
Storms in your brow, traps in your locks,
Bribing all your features,
Or else to trick, or torture ensnared affections.
I’ll cause your eyes like morning stars look,
Like soft, and fair;
Thy forehead as Crystall even, and clear,
While your unkempt hair
May stream like a serene Region of the Atmosphere.
Wealthy The natural world's hoard (which is the Poet’s Riches)
I shall spend, to embellish
One's graces, if your Mine of Delight
Through equall appreciation
Thou but open, so we one another grace.
Delving into the Poem's Themes
This work examines the interplay of passion and admiration, as the poet addresses a maiden who requests his devotion. Instead, he proposes a shared exchange of poetic admiration for personal favors. This language is refined, mixing polished norms with frank statements of yearning.
In the verses, the poet spurns common themes of unrequited passion, like sorrow and tears, arguing they obscure true charm. He favors delight and acclaim to emphasize the woman's qualities, vowing to portray her eyes as bright orbs and her locks as drifting breeze. This technique emphasizes a pragmatic yet skillful perspective on connections.
Key Aspects of the Work
- Mutual Arrangement: The poem revolves on a suggestion of tribute in exchange for delight, emphasizing balance between the persons.
- Dismissal of Traditional Themes: The speaker condemns usual poetic devices like sorrow and metaphors of pain, preferring optimistic depictions.
- Poetic Skill: The use of diverse verse patterns and rhythm demonstrates the author's mastery in verse, producing a fluid and compelling read.
Rich The natural world's hoard (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I shall expend, to embellish
Thy charms, if your Wellspring of Pleasure
In equall appreciation
Thou but open, so we mutually favor.
The section captures the central deal, as the writer promises to use his creative talents to celebrate the woman, as compensation for her receptiveness. The wording blends spiritual overtones with earthly desires, adding profundity to the poem's theme.