For a Lady That Wished Me to Love Her
Now you have granted me leave to love,
How will you do?
Will I your joy, or passion arouse,
As I start to court;
Shall you trouble, or scorn, or love me too?
Every minor charm can disdain, and I
Spight of your dislike
Without your consent can perceive, and perish;
Bestow a grander Fate!
It's simple to destroy, you can create.
Thus allow me consent to cherish, & adore me too
Lacking intent
To raise, as Love's accursed insurgents behave
As complaining Versifiers whine,
Acclaim to their charm, from their blubber’d eyes.
Sadness is a pool and reflects not bright
One's charm's beams;
Joyes are untainted streames, your gaze appear
Sullen in gloomier verses,
Through cheerfull numbers they shine brilliant with prayse.
That shall not refer to express you fair
Wounds, blazes, and arrows,
Tempests in your countenance, nets in your hayr,
Bribing all your parts,
Or to betray, or afflict trapped hearts.
I’ll render your eyes like morning suns appear,
Just as gentle, and fair;
One's countenance as Crystall polished, and transparent,
Whereas your dishevelled hair
Will stream like a calm Area of the Atmosphere.
Abundant Nature’s store (which is the Bard's Treasure)
I’l expend, to dress
Thy charms, if your Wellspring of Joy
With equall appreciation
You but open, so we one another bless.
Delving into the Poem's Motifs
This composition explores the dynamics of passion and praise, where the poet speaks to a maiden who requests his affection. Conversely, he suggests a reciprocal agreement of poetic tribute for private delights. This phraseology is elegant, blending refined conventions with frank expressions of longing.
Through the verses, the writer spurns typical themes of unrequited love, like sorrow and weeping, arguing they obscure true grace. He favors happiness and praise to showcase the lady's qualities, vowing to portray her gaze as shining suns and her hair as drifting air. The method underscores a pragmatic yet artful view on connections.
Key Elements of the Work
- Mutual Arrangement: The poem centers on a suggestion of tribute in trade for pleasure, emphasizing equality between the persons.
- Rejection of Conventional Motifs: The narrator criticizes common poetic tools like sadness and similes of anguish, preferring upbeat descriptions.
- Creative Skill: The employment of diverse meter measures and rhythm demonstrates the author's mastery in verse, creating a graceful and compelling read.
Rich Nature’s store (which is the Writer's Wealth)
I’l expend, to dress
Thy beauties, if your Wellspring of Pleasure
Through equal thankfulness
Thou but open, so we each other favor.
This stanza summarizes the essential deal, where the author vows to utilize his inventive abilities to honor the woman, in exchange for her openness. This language mixes spiritual overtones with earthly desires, giving depth to the work's message.