To a Lady Who Desired Me to Love Her
Since you've freely given me leave to love,
What will you do?
Shall I your delight, or ardor stir,
Once I begin to pursue;
Do you torment, or disdain, or love me too?
Every minor beauty can scorn, and I
Despite your dislike
Lacking your leave can observe, and die;
Dispense a grander Fate!
It is effortless to destroy, you may create.
Therefore give me permission to adore, & love me too
Without design
To uplift, as Affection's cursed insurgents act
When whining Versifiers lament,
Renown to their charm, from their weeping gaze.
Sadness is a pond and reflects not bright
One's charm's lights;
Joys are clear streames, your vision seem
Morose in more sorrowful songs,
Through joyful verses they radiate brilliant with acclaim.
Which shall not allude to describe you lovely
Harms, blazes, and darts,
Tempests in your countenance, snares in your hair,
Corrupting all your features,
Or to trick, or afflict captive hearts.
I shall make your eyes like sunrise orbs appear,
Like soft, and fair;
Thy brow as glass polished, and pure,
And your unkempt locks
May flow like a serene Region of the Air.
Wealthy Nature’s treasury (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I shall use, to adorn
Thy beauties, if your Mine of Joy
In equall gratitude
One but open, so we mutually favor.
Delving into the Verse's Ideas
The composition examines the dynamics of passion and acclaim, in which the speaker engages with a lady who requests his affection. Rather, he suggests a reciprocal arrangement of literary tribute for private delights. The phraseology is elegant, blending polished conventions with direct statements of desire.
Within the lines, the poet spurns typical motifs of one-sided love, such as sadness and weeping, claiming they dim true beauty. He chooses happiness and praise to highlight the lady's attributes, assuring to portray her vision as shining stars and her locks as flowing breeze. The technique emphasizes a pragmatic yet clever outlook on relationships.
Significant Elements of the Work
- Shared Exchange: The work focuses on a proposal of tribute in exchange for delight, stressing parity between the parties.
- Dismissal of Conventional Motifs: The narrator disparages common artistic tools like sorrow and similes of pain, preferring upbeat depictions.
- Creative Skill: The application of varied line patterns and flow displays the author's mastery in poetry, forming a smooth and engaging text.
Wealthy Nature's store (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I will spend, to embellish
Thy beauties, if your Wellspring of Delight
With equal thankfulness
Thou but open, so we each other bless.
This stanza summarizes the essential arrangement, in which the poet pledges to employ his creative gifts to praise the lady, as compensation for her receptiveness. This language blends spiritual hints with physical yearnings, adding profundity to the verse's theme.
