To a Lady That Desired I Would Love Her

Since you've freely given me permission to love,
How will you respond?
Shall I your delight, or emotion arouse,
When I begin to pursue;
Shall you torment, or disdain, or love me too?

All trivial charm can scorn, and I
Spight of your hate
Absent your permission can observe, and succumb;
Dispense a grander Lot!
It's simple to destroy, you may form.

Then allow me consent to cherish, & love me too
Not with purpose
To raise, as Affection's damned insurgents do
As puling Poets moan,
Acclaim to their grace, from their weeping gaze.

Grief is a pond and shows not distinct
One's charm's beams;
Joyes are pure currents, your gaze seem
Sullen in gloomier verses,
Within cheerfull verses they radiate bright with prayse.

What may not allude to portray you fayr
Harms, blazes, and darts,
Tempests in your brow, nets in your locks,
Bribing all your parts,
Either to betray, or torture ensnared hearts.

I shall make your gaze like dawn stars appear,
As soft, and fayr;
Your countenance as crystal even, and transparent,
And your dishevelled locks
May stream like a calm Region of the Atmosphere.

Rich Nature’s treasury (which is the Writer's Wealth)
I will use, to dress
One's beauties, if your Mine of Pleasure
With equal thankfulness
You but unlock, so we one another favor.

Examining the Verse's Motifs

The piece delves the relationship of love and praise, in which the poet addresses a maiden who seeks his love. Rather, he offers a reciprocal exchange of literary tribute for personal delights. The wording is refined, blending refined traditions with candid expressions of desire.

In the stanzas, the writer rejects common tropes of unreturned love, like sadness and weeping, arguing they dim true grace. The speaker favors delight and acclaim to showcase the woman's attributes, promising to portray her eyes as bright stars and her locks as flowing atmosphere. The approach underscores a realistic yet artful outlook on bonds.

Key Aspects of the Piece

  • Reciprocal Agreement: The verse focuses on a offer of praise in return for enjoyment, stressing parity between the individuals.
  • Rejection of Conventional Motifs: The poet criticizes usual poetic devices like sorrow and similes of pain, choosing optimistic descriptions.
  • Artistic Craftsmanship: The use of mixed verse lengths and flow showcases the poet's mastery in verse, producing a graceful and engaging experience.
Wealthy The natural world's store (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I will spend, to dress
Your charms, if your Source of Delight
Through equal thankfulness
One but open, so we each other grace.

This section summarizes the essential arrangement, where the writer vows to employ his artistic gifts to celebrate the maiden, in return for her openness. This phraseology combines spiritual hints with physical longings, giving profundity to the work's meaning.

Barbara Booth
Barbara Booth

A passionate curator and gift expert with over a decade of experience in sourcing unique products for subscription services.