For a Lady Who Requested I Would Show Affection

Since you've freely given me permission to love,
What shall you act?
Shall I your mirth, or ardor arouse,
As I commence pursue;
Do you distress, or mock, or adore me too?

Every minor grace can disdain, and I
Despite your hate
Absent your leave can perceive, and succumb;
Bestow a loftier Destiny!
It's simple to destroy, you can form.

Thus give me consent to love, & adore me too
Lacking intent
To uplift, as Affection's accursed rebels behave
While puling Versifiers moan,
Fame to their grace, from their weeping eyes.

Sadness is a pool and mirrors not clear
Your grace's rayes;
Delights are pure streames, your eyes appear
Morose in gloomier verses,
Through happy numbers they radiate luminous with prayse.

Which shall not allude to describe you lovely
Injuries, flames, and darts,
Tempests in your countenance, nets in your hayr,
Corrupting all your attributes,
Either to betray, or torment ensnared affections.

I’ll cause your gaze like dawn stars look,
Like mild, and fayr;
One's forehead as glass even, and transparent,
And your unkempt hayr
Will drift like a tranquil Region of the Atmosphere.

Abundant The natural world's treasury (which is the Writer's Riches)
I will spend, to dress
Your charms, if your Source of Joy
Through equall gratitude
Thou but open, so we one another favor.

Examining the Work's Ideas

The work explores the dynamics of affection and acclaim, as the speaker engages with a lady who seeks his love. Rather, he proposes a reciprocal exchange of poetic praise for intimate favors. The language is graceful, mixing courtly traditions with direct utterances of yearning.

Through the verses, the poet rejects common motifs of one-sided love, like sorrow and weeping, stating they cloud true charm. He prefers delight and praise to showcase the lady's attributes, assuring to portray her vision as shining suns and her hair as streaming air. This technique emphasizes a practical yet skillful view on relationships.

Significant Components of the Work

  • Reciprocal Exchange: The poem centers on a offer of admiration in return for delight, highlighting equality between the persons.
  • Rejection of Conventional Motifs: The speaker condemns usual literary techniques like grief and similes of pain, preferring upbeat depictions.
  • Artistic Craftsmanship: The employment of diverse verse lengths and cadence showcases the author's proficiency in poetry, producing a smooth and engaging text.
Wealthy Nature's store (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I’l use, to dress
One's charms, if your Mine of Delight
With equall appreciation
One but unlock, so we one another grace.

This section captures the central deal, where the poet vows to employ his creative abilities to celebrate the woman, as compensation for her openness. This language combines devout hints with worldly desires, providing depth to the verse's meaning.

Anna Jones
Anna Jones

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about emerging technologies and their impact on society, with a background in software development.