To a Lady Who Desired I Would Love Her

Now you have granted me permission to love,
How will you respond?
Am I to your delight, or passion move,
Once I start to woo;
Will you torment, or mock, or adore me too?

All trivial beauty can reject, and I
Spight of your hate
Lacking your leave can observe, and die;
Bestow a grander Fate!
It is effortless to demolish, you can create.

Thus give me leave to cherish, & cherish me too
Lacking intent
To elevate, as Loves accursed defiers do
When puling Bards lament,
Renown to their charm, from their blubber’d eyne.

Sadness is a pond and reflects not clear
Thy grace's rayes;
Joyes are pure currents, your vision appear
Sullen in gloomier layes,
Through happy verses they radiate brilliant with praise.

That may not allude to portray you lovely
Wounds, blazes, and arrows,
Tempests in your forehead, snares in your hayr,
Bribing all your parts,
Either to betray, or afflict ensnared affections.

I’ll make your gaze like sunrise stars look,
Like mild, and lovely;
Your countenance as Crystall polished, and transparent,
Whereas your tousled hayr
Shall flow like a calm Area of the Ayr.

Rich Nature's store (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I shall use, to embellish
Thy charms, if your Source of Delight
Through equall gratitude
One but open, so we mutually favor.

Exploring the Poem's Ideas

The composition delves the interplay of passion and acclaim, where the speaker engages with a woman who requests his affection. Conversely, he offers a mutual exchange of poetic admiration for private pleasures. This language is refined, combining courtly traditions with frank expressions of longing.

Within the lines, the poet spurns typical motifs of one-sided love, such as grief and lamentation, arguing they dim true beauty. He prefers joy and acclaim to highlight the woman's attributes, vowing to depict her eyes as shining suns and her locks as flowing atmosphere. This method emphasizes a pragmatic yet skillful perspective on bonds.

Significant Aspects of the Work

  • Reciprocal Arrangement: The poem centers on a proposal of praise in return for pleasure, highlighting equality between the parties.
  • Spurning of Conventional Themes: The poet disparages common poetic tools like grief and imagery of suffering, favoring optimistic depictions.
  • Artistic Artistry: The application of varied verse lengths and rhythm showcases the author's proficiency in composition, forming a smooth and compelling experience.
Rich The natural world's hoard (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I shall spend, to dress
Your beauties, if your Wellspring of Pleasure
With equal gratitude
Thou but release, so we each other grace.

The verse summarizes the essential bargain, where the writer promises to utilize his creative talents to celebrate the woman, as compensation for her willingness. The phraseology mixes pious hints with physical yearnings, providing complexity to the work's meaning.

Mary Lowe
Mary Lowe

A forward-thinking tech enthusiast and writer, passionate about AI ethics and emerging technologies, with a background in software development and digital strategy.