For a Lady Who Requested I Would Show Affection

Given that you bestowed me leave to love,
What will you respond?
Am I to your joy, or ardor stir,
Once I commence pursue;
Will you distress, or scorn, or love me too?

Every minor charm can disdain, and I
Spight of your aversion
Without your permission can perceive, and succumb;
Grant a grander Destiny!
’Tis easy to demolish, you can fashion.

Therefore allow me permission to adore, & cherish me too
Without intent
To elevate, as Loves damned rebels behave
While puling Bards moan,
Acclaim to their charm, from their blubber’d gaze.

Sadness is a puddle and shows not clear
One's beauty’s lights;
Delights are untainted streames, your gaze seem
Gloomy in gloomier verses,
Through cheerfull verses they shine brilliant with prayse.

That may not allude to describe you fayr
Injuries, flames, and shafts,
Storms in your forehead, nets in your hayr,
Corrupting all your parts,
Or to deceive, or torture ensnared hearts.

I’ll make your vision like morning suns seem,
Like mild, and lovely;
Your countenance as crystal polished, and pure,
Whereas your tousled hayr
Shall stream like a calm Area of the Ayr.

Rich The natural world's treasury (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I shall spend, to dress
One's charms, if your Mine of Joy
In equall thankfulness
You but open, so we one another grace.

Examining the Work's Motifs

The work explores the relationship of passion and praise, where the poet addresses a maiden who requests his love. Instead, he suggests a shared agreement of literary praise for personal favors. This language is graceful, mixing polished traditions with candid utterances of desire.

Through the verses, the author dismisses usual tropes of unrequited affection, like sorrow and lamentation, claiming they cloud true charm. The speaker favors joy and acclaim to highlight the woman's qualities, promising to depict her vision as radiant stars and her hair as streaming air. This approach underscores a practical yet clever perspective on connections.

Significant Components of the Composition

  • Reciprocal Exchange: The poem revolves on a suggestion of praise in trade for delight, highlighting parity between the parties.
  • Spurning of Traditional Motifs: The poet criticizes typical literary techniques like grief and metaphors of pain, choosing optimistic depictions.
  • Artistic Skill: The employment of diverse meter measures and cadence showcases the poet's expertise in composition, producing a fluid and compelling text.
Abundant Nature’s store (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I shall use, to dress
Your graces, if your Source of Joy
With matching gratitude
You but open, so we mutually grace.

This section summarizes the core arrangement, in which the author pledges to use his creative gifts to honor the lady, in return for her receptiveness. This phraseology combines pious undertones with worldly longings, adding profundity to the work's message.

Kyle Cooper
Kyle Cooper

Tech strategist and writer passionate about AI advancements and digital solutions.