To a Lady That Requested I Would Show Affection
Now you have freely given me consent to love,
What will you respond?
Will I your mirth, or passion arouse,
Once I commence woo;
Shall you distress, or mock, or cherish me too?
All trivial charm can reject, and I
Despite your hate
Lacking your consent can observe, and succumb;
Bestow a nobler Lot!
’Tis easy to ruin, you can form.
Then give me consent to adore, & adore me too
Lacking intent
To uplift, as Love's accursed defiers behave
As whining Bards moan,
Acclaim to their beauty, from their tearful eyne.
Grief is a puddle and mirrors not distinct
One's grace's beams;
Delights are clear streams, your eyes look
Sullen in more sorrowful layes,
In happy numbers they shine luminous with praise.
That may not refer to express you fayr
Harms, fires, and arrows,
Storms in your forehead, snares in your hair,
Bribing all your parts,
Either to trick, or afflict trapped affections.
I will make your vision like sunrise suns seem,
Just as gentle, and fayr;
Your forehead as Crystall even, and pure,
And your dishevelled hair
Shall flow like a calm Area of the Ayr.
Abundant Nature’s store (which is the Bard's Riches)
I shall spend, to adorn
Your beauties, if your Source of Joy
In equal thankfulness
One but release, so we each other grace.
Examining the Verse's Ideas
This work examines the dynamics of love and admiration, in which the narrator engages with a lady who desires his love. Conversely, he offers a reciprocal exchange of literary admiration for private pleasures. This language is graceful, combining polished norms with frank expressions of desire.
Through the verses, the poet dismisses usual motifs of unrequited affection, like sadness and tears, arguing they obscure true charm. The speaker chooses happiness and praise to emphasize the woman's qualities, promising to portray her gaze as bright suns and her locks as flowing breeze. This technique underscores a realistic yet clever perspective on relationships.
Significant Elements of the Piece
- Reciprocal Arrangement: The poem focuses on a proposal of praise in return for pleasure, highlighting balance between the individuals.
- Rejection of Traditional Themes: The poet disparages common literary techniques like grief and metaphors of suffering, preferring upbeat imagery.
- Artistic Craftsmanship: The application of varied meter patterns and rhythm showcases the author's proficiency in composition, creating a fluid and compelling text.
Wealthy The natural world's treasury (which is the Poet’s Riches)
I’l expend, to dress
One's beauties, if your Wellspring of Joy
In equall thankfulness
Thou but release, so we each other favor.
This section captures the central deal, where the poet promises to employ his inventive talents to praise the woman, in exchange for her receptiveness. The language mixes devout hints with earthly longings, adding complexity to the poem's theme.