To a Lady That Desired I Would Show Affection
Given that you bestowed me consent to love,
How will you do?
Shall I your joy, or ardor move,
When I begin to court;
Do you trouble, or scorn, or cherish me too?
All trivial charm can scorn, and I
Despite your aversion
Lacking your leave can observe, and succumb;
Grant a nobler Lot!
It's simple to ruin, you may fashion.
Thus give me leave to adore, & love me too
Not with intent
To raise, as Loves cursed defiers act
When puling Bards lament,
Renown to their grace, from their blubber’d gaze.
Sorrow is a puddle and mirrors not clear
Thy beauty’s beams;
Joys are untainted currents, your gaze seem
Sullen in more sorrowful songs,
In cheerfull numbers they gleam bright with prayse.
That shall not refer to describe you fair
Injuries, flames, and arrows,
Gales in your forehead, traps in your hayr,
Bribing all your parts,
Or to betray, or afflict trapped hearts.
I will cause your vision like sunrise orbs appear,
Like gentle, and lovely;
Thy forehead as crystal polished, and transparent,
And your tousled locks
May stream like a calm Area of the Air.
Abundant The natural world's store (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I’l spend, to adorn
Your beauties, if your Wellspring of Delight
In matching thankfulness
You but release, so we one another grace.
Examining the Verse's Motifs
The work explores the dynamics of love and acclaim, as the speaker addresses a maiden who desires his affection. Conversely, he proposes a mutual agreement of poetic tribute for personal pleasures. This phraseology is graceful, combining polished traditions with direct expressions of desire.
Within the lines, the author spurns usual themes of unreturned affection, including sorrow and lamentation, arguing they dim true charm. He prefers happiness and acclaim to highlight the maiden's attributes, assuring to portray her vision as shining stars and her hair as flowing air. The approach emphasizes a realistic yet clever view on bonds.
Key Aspects of the Work
- Shared Arrangement: The poem centers on a offer of admiration in exchange for enjoyment, emphasizing balance between the persons.
- Rejection of Conventional Ideas: The narrator disparages usual poetic techniques like sorrow and metaphors of suffering, preferring positive depictions.
- Poetic Craftsmanship: The use of diverse line patterns and rhythm showcases the writer's expertise in poetry, forming a graceful and compelling read.
Abundant The natural world's hoard (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I shall expend, to embellish
One's graces, if your Source of Delight
In equal appreciation
Thou but open, so we one another bless.
This section captures the essential bargain, in which the writer promises to utilize his creative talents to celebrate the woman, in return for her willingness. The language combines spiritual hints with worldly desires, giving profundity to the poem's message.