Addressing a Lady Who Requested Me to Love Her

Given that you bestowed me consent to love,
What will you act?
Am I to your mirth, or passion arouse,
As I commence court;
Shall you trouble, or mock, or cherish me too?

Every minor grace can scorn, and I
Despite your dislike
Absent your consent can perceive, and succumb;
Bestow a loftier Fate!
It's simple to ruin, you can fashion.

Thus give me consent to adore, & love me too
Without design
To raise, as Love's cursed defiers act
While puling Versifiers lament,
Renown to their grace, from their tearful eyne.

Sorrow is a pool and mirrors not clear
Thy beauty’s lights;
Joyes are clear streams, your gaze seem
Sullen in more sorrowful verses,
Through happy verses they shine bright with prayse.

What may not mention to portray you fayr
Injuries, blazes, and shafts,
Storms in your brow, snares in your hayr,
Bribing all your attributes,
Or to deceive, or torture ensnared hearts.

I will make your vision like sunrise stars seem,
Like soft, and fair;
One's brow as Crystall smooth, and pure,
Whereas your dishevelled hayr
Will flow like a serene Region of the Air.

Wealthy Nature’s treasury (which is the Poet’s Riches)
I will expend, to dress
Thy beauties, if your Mine of Delight
With equall appreciation
You but unlock, so we mutually favor.

Exploring the Work's Themes

The work explores the interplay of passion and praise, where the poet speaks to a lady who seeks his love. Instead, he suggests a mutual exchange of artistic tribute for private pleasures. The language is refined, mixing polished conventions with frank expressions of desire.

Within the verses, the writer dismisses typical tropes of unrequited affection, such as sadness and tears, claiming they obscure true grace. The speaker favors joy and acclaim to emphasize the woman's qualities, promising to render her vision as shining orbs and her tresses as streaming atmosphere. This method emphasizes a realistic yet artful view on bonds.

Key Elements of the Composition

  • Reciprocal Agreement: The verse revolves on a suggestion of tribute in exchange for delight, stressing equality between the persons.
  • Dismissal of Traditional Ideas: The poet criticizes common poetic devices like sadness and imagery of anguish, choosing optimistic imagery.
  • Creative Craftsmanship: The application of diverse line patterns and rhythm displays the author's expertise in poetry, producing a smooth and compelling read.
Wealthy Nature's store (which is the Bard's Treasure)
I’l spend, to embellish
Your beauties, if your Mine of Joy
Through equal appreciation
One but release, so we each other favor.

This verse encapsulates the essential arrangement, in which the poet vows to use his creative gifts to praise the woman, as compensation for her receptiveness. This phraseology mixes devout overtones with earthly desires, providing complexity to the work's meaning.

Kurt Leon
Kurt Leon

A tech enthusiast and indie game developer passionate about sharing knowledge and fostering creativity in digital spaces.