Addressing a Lady That Requested Me to Love Her

Now you have freely given me permission to love,
What will you do?
Shall I your delight, or emotion stir,
Once I start to pursue;
Will you distress, or scorn, or love me too?

Every minor grace can scorn, and I
In spite of your hate
Absent your consent can observe, and succumb;
Grant a nobler Fate!
’Tis easy to destroy, you may create.

Therefore grant me consent to love, & love me too
Lacking intent
To uplift, as Loves accursed rebels behave
As complaining Bards whine,
Renown to their grace, from their weeping gaze.

Grief is a pool and shows not distinct
Thy charm's rayes;
Delights are untainted streames, your gaze look
Gloomy in sadder verses,
Within happy lines they gleam brilliant with prayse.

Which will not refer to portray you fayr
Harms, blazes, and shafts,
Storms in your countenance, traps in your hayr,
Suborning all your features,
Either to betray, or afflict ensnared hearts.

I shall render your gaze like morning orbs appear,
Just as gentle, and fayr;
Thy brow as crystal polished, and pure,
Whereas your tousled locks
Will drift like a calm Region of the Atmosphere.

Wealthy Nature’s store (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I’l spend, to embellish
Your beauties, if your Wellspring of Delight
In equal gratitude
Thou but open, so we each other bless.

Exploring the Work's Motifs

The composition delves the relationship of passion and acclaim, in which the speaker speaks to a lady who desires his devotion. Rather, he proposes a mutual arrangement of poetic praise for private favors. The phraseology is graceful, mixing polished traditions with direct utterances of yearning.

In the stanzas, the poet rejects typical motifs of unreturned love, such as sorrow and lamentation, stating they dim true charm. He prefers joy and praise to highlight the lady's attributes, assuring to render her eyes as radiant stars and her hair as drifting atmosphere. The approach emphasizes a pragmatic yet clever outlook on relationships.

Significant Components of the Piece

  • Reciprocal Arrangement: The verse centers on a suggestion of admiration in exchange for enjoyment, highlighting balance between the parties.
  • Dismissal of Standard Ideas: The poet condemns typical artistic tools like sadness and similes of suffering, choosing upbeat imagery.
  • Creative Skill: The employment of diverse meter patterns and flow showcases the author's mastery in verse, creating a fluid and engaging text.
Wealthy Nature's store (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I’l expend, to adorn
One's charms, if your Source of Joy
With equall thankfulness
One but open, so we each other grace.

The stanza captures the central deal, as the poet promises to employ his inventive talents to celebrate the lady, as compensation for her receptiveness. The language mixes spiritual hints with physical desires, giving complexity to the verse's message.

Tonya Anderson
Tonya Anderson

Award-winning photographer and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in visual storytelling and gear analysis.