To a Lady That Requested I Would Love Her

Now you have granted me permission to love,
How will you respond?
Will I your joy, or ardor stir,
Once I begin to woo;
Will you trouble, or mock, or adore me too?

Every minor charm can reject, and I
Spight of your aversion
Without your consent can observe, and die;
Grant a grander Fate!
It's simple to destroy, you can create.

Then give me leave to love, & cherish me too
Without design
To elevate, as Loves damned rebels act
While complaining Bards lament,
Acclaim to their beauty, from their weeping gaze.

Sadness is a pond and shows not clear
Your grace's lights;
Delights are pure streams, your vision appear
Morose in sadder layes,
In joyful lines they shine luminous with praise.

That shall not allude to portray you lovely
Injuries, flames, and arrows,
Tempests in your forehead, traps in your hair,
Suborning all your attributes,
Either to deceive, or torture ensnared hearts.

I shall make your vision like dawn suns look,
As soft, and fayr;
Your countenance as Crystall smooth, and transparent,
And your dishevelled hair
Will flow like a serene Area of the Atmosphere.

Abundant The natural world's treasury (which is the Bard's Treasure)
I’l spend, to embellish
Thy beauties, if your Mine of Joy
Through equall appreciation
You but open, so we one another grace.

Examining the Verse's Motifs

The composition explores the interplay of passion and admiration, as the poet addresses a woman who desires his affection. Conversely, he offers a mutual agreement of artistic tribute for intimate pleasures. This phraseology is elegant, mixing courtly norms with candid expressions of yearning.

Through the lines, the writer rejects usual themes of unrequited affection, such as sadness and lamentation, claiming they dim true grace. The speaker chooses joy and admiration to showcase the maiden's features, assuring to depict her gaze as shining suns and her tresses as streaming air. The method underscores a pragmatic yet skillful outlook on connections.

Key Aspects of the Work

  • Shared Agreement: The poem focuses on a proposal of admiration in trade for delight, stressing balance between the persons.
  • Rejection of Traditional Themes: The poet disparages common poetic devices like sorrow and similes of suffering, choosing upbeat imagery.
  • Creative Craftsmanship: The use of mixed line measures and cadence demonstrates the author's expertise in verse, forming a fluid and engaging experience.
Abundant Nature’s treasury (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I’l use, to adorn
Thy charms, if your Mine of Pleasure
With matching appreciation
One but unlock, so we one another grace.

The section captures the essential bargain, as the author promises to utilize his inventive abilities to honor the woman, in exchange for her openness. The phraseology combines pious overtones with physical desires, adding profundity to the verse's meaning.

Mark Fox
Mark Fox

A tech enthusiast and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in emerging technologies and innovation.