To a Lady Who Desired Me to Love Her

Since you've granted me permission to love,
What shall you act?
Shall I your delight, or ardor stir,
As I begin to pursue;
Shall you trouble, or scorn, or love me too?

Each petty grace can disdain, and I
Despite your dislike
Absent your consent can observe, and perish;
Dispense a nobler Destiny!
’Tis easy to demolish, you could form.

Thus allow me permission to love, & cherish me too
Not with purpose
To raise, as Love's damned rebels behave
When whining Bards lament,
Acclaim to their grace, from their weeping gaze.

Sorrow is a pool and mirrors not clear
Thy charm's beams;
Joys are pure streames, your eyes appear
Morose in more sorrowful layes,
Within cheerfull numbers they radiate luminous with acclaim.

Which will not refer to describe you fair
Injuries, blazes, and arrows,
Tempests in your countenance, nets in your hayr,
Suborning all your parts,
Or to deceive, or afflict captive souls.

I shall render your gaze like dawn stars appear,
Just as gentle, and fayr;
Your brow as Crystall even, and clear,
Whereas your tousled hayr
Shall drift like a serene Area of the Ayr.

Abundant Nature’s store (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I’l expend, to embellish
One's graces, if your Mine of Pleasure
In equall thankfulness
You but unlock, so we one another grace.

Exploring the Work's Motifs

The piece delves the relationship of love and acclaim, as the narrator speaks to a maiden who requests his affection. Rather, he suggests a reciprocal arrangement of poetic admiration for personal favors. This wording is refined, mixing polished norms with direct expressions of yearning.

Through the verses, the writer spurns common tropes of unrequited affection, like sorrow and tears, stating they cloud true charm. The speaker favors delight and acclaim to showcase the woman's attributes, promising to depict her eyes as radiant stars and her locks as flowing atmosphere. This technique highlights a realistic yet artful view on connections.

Important Aspects of the Work

  • Shared Agreement: The work focuses on a proposal of admiration in exchange for delight, stressing balance between the individuals.
  • Spurning of Standard Motifs: The speaker criticizes typical poetic techniques like grief and imagery of suffering, choosing positive descriptions.
  • Poetic Skill: The application of varied line measures and flow demonstrates the author's mastery in verse, creating a fluid and compelling read.
Wealthy Nature’s store (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I will expend, to adorn
One's charms, if your Mine of Pleasure
In equal gratitude
One but unlock, so we one another bless.

This verse encapsulates the essential bargain, as the author pledges to use his inventive talents to honor the maiden, in exchange for her receptiveness. This phraseology combines devout overtones with earthly desires, adding complexity to the poem's meaning.

Melissa Wright
Melissa Wright

Financial analyst and credit card expert with over a decade of experience in personal finance and consumer advocacy.