Addressing a Lady That Desired I Would Love Her

Since you've bestowed me consent to love,
What will you respond?
Will I your delight, or ardor stir,
Once I begin to pursue;
Do you torment, or mock, or love me too?

All trivial charm can disdain, and I
In spite of your hate
Lacking your permission can perceive, and succumb;
Grant a grander Fate!
It's simple to demolish, you may form.

Thus grant me consent to love, & love me too
Without design
To elevate, as Love's accursed insurgents act
When complaining Poets lament,
Renown to their charm, from their blubber’d eyes.

Sadness is a puddle and reflects not clear
Thy beauty’s lights;
Joyes are pure currents, your gaze seem
Morose in gloomier verses,
Through cheerfull numbers they radiate brilliant with acclaim.

Which shall not refer to describe you fayr
Injuries, fires, and arrows,
Tempests in your brow, traps in your hayr,
Corrupting all your attributes,
Or to deceive, or afflict trapped affections.

I’ll make your vision like morning orbs appear,
Just as mild, and lovely;
Thy brow as Crystall smooth, and transparent,
Whereas your tousled hair
Will flow like a calm Zone of the Ayr.

Abundant Nature’s hoard (which is the Writer's Riches)
I’l expend, to embellish
Your charms, if your Mine of Joy
In equal thankfulness
You but open, so we each other favor.

Examining the Work's Themes

This work delves the relationship of love and praise, as the poet addresses a woman who requests his affection. Instead, he proposes a reciprocal agreement of poetic admiration for intimate favors. The phraseology is graceful, combining courtly conventions with frank statements of desire.

Through the lines, the poet spurns common motifs of one-sided affection, such as grief and lamentation, stating they dim true beauty. He prefers delight and acclaim to emphasize the lady's qualities, promising to depict her eyes as radiant stars and her locks as streaming atmosphere. The method emphasizes a realistic yet artful perspective on bonds.

Important Elements of the Piece

  • Mutual Exchange: The poem revolves on a suggestion of admiration in exchange for enjoyment, highlighting balance between the parties.
  • Spurning of Standard Motifs: The poet disparages usual literary tools like grief and similes of suffering, preferring upbeat imagery.
  • Creative Artistry: The application of varied line lengths and cadence displays the author's mastery in poetry, forming a smooth and compelling experience.
Abundant Nature’s store (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I’l use, to dress
Your charms, if your Mine of Pleasure
In equall appreciation
One but release, so we each other favor.

The verse encapsulates the core bargain, in which the poet vows to use his inventive abilities to praise the woman, in exchange for her openness. The wording mixes devout overtones with earthly yearnings, giving complexity to the work's message.

Karina Burch
Karina Burch

A passionate writer and artist exploring themes of intimacy and self-expression through creative works and personal narratives.