For a Lady That Requested I Would Show Affection
Now you have granted me permission to love,
What shall you respond?
Am I to your joy, or passion arouse,
Once I begin to court;
Will you torment, or disdain, or love me too?
Every minor grace can scorn, and I
In spite of your hate
Lacking your permission can see, and perish;
Bestow a grander Lot!
It is effortless to demolish, you may create.
Thus allow me leave to adore, & adore me too
Without design
To raise, as Affection's accursed defiers behave
When complaining Versifiers whine,
Renown to their charm, from their blubber’d gaze.
Grief is a puddle and reflects not bright
One's charm's rayes;
Joys are pure streams, your eyes seem
Sullen in more sorrowful songs,
In cheerfull numbers they shine brilliant with prayse.
That shall not allude to portray you lovely
Harms, flames, and darts,
Gales in your forehead, nets in your hayr,
Corrupting all your features,
Or to betray, or torment trapped souls.
I’ll make your gaze like morning stars seem,
As mild, and fair;
Thy forehead as glass smooth, and transparent,
While your unkempt hayr
Will stream like a tranquil Area of the Ayr.
Wealthy The natural world's store (which is the Writer's Riches)
I shall use, to adorn
Your beauties, if your Wellspring of Pleasure
With matching thankfulness
You but open, so we each other grace.
Delving into the Poem's Themes
The composition delves the relationship of affection and praise, where the speaker engages with a maiden who requests his devotion. Conversely, he suggests a reciprocal exchange of artistic tribute for private favors. This wording is refined, combining polished traditions with direct expressions of longing.
Within the stanzas, the author rejects usual motifs of unrequited affection, like sadness and lamentation, arguing they obscure true charm. He prefers happiness and admiration to showcase the woman's qualities, vowing to depict her gaze as shining orbs and her locks as drifting air. The technique highlights a realistic yet artful outlook on relationships.
Key Components of the Composition
- Shared Arrangement: The work focuses on a proposal of tribute in trade for enjoyment, highlighting parity between the individuals.
- Dismissal of Standard Ideas: The narrator disparages typical poetic tools like sorrow and metaphors of suffering, preferring optimistic imagery.
- Artistic Craftsmanship: The application of mixed meter measures and cadence displays the poet's proficiency in composition, producing a graceful and captivating text.
Wealthy Nature's treasury (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I will use, to embellish
One's beauties, if your Wellspring of Joy
With equall gratitude
One but unlock, so we each other bless.
This stanza captures the core arrangement, where the writer promises to employ his inventive gifts to honor the lady, as compensation for her receptiveness. The language mixes pious overtones with earthly desires, giving complexity to the work's message.