To a Lady Who Requested Me to Show Affection
Given that you bestowed me permission to love,
How will you do?
Shall I your delight, or ardor move,
Once I commence pursue;
Do you distress, or scorn, or adore me too?
All trivial charm can scorn, and I
Spight of your dislike
Without your permission can perceive, and die;
Dispense a grander Fate!
’Tis easy to demolish, you can create.
Thus give me permission to adore, & cherish me too
Lacking purpose
To elevate, as Affection's cursed rebels behave
While complaining Bards whine,
Renown to their charm, from their tearful eyes.
Grief is a pond and reflects not distinct
Thy grace's rayes;
Joyes are clear currents, your vision appear
Sullen in gloomier songs,
Within cheerfull verses they gleam luminous with prayse.
That shall not allude to express you fayr
Harms, fires, and darts,
Storms in your brow, traps in your locks,
Bribing all your features,
Or else to betray, or torture trapped souls.
I will make your eyes like sunrise orbs look,
Just as mild, and fair;
Your forehead as glass polished, and transparent,
Whereas your unkempt hayr
Will drift like a serene Area of the Atmosphere.
Rich Nature's store (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I shall expend, to dress
One's beauties, if your Mine of Joy
Through matching gratitude
You but unlock, so we each other favor.
Examining the Poem's Motifs
The piece examines the relationship of affection and acclaim, where the speaker addresses a maiden who requests his affection. Rather, he offers a shared arrangement of artistic tribute for personal favors. The phraseology is graceful, blending polished traditions with frank expressions of desire.
Within the stanzas, the author spurns usual motifs of unrequited passion, including grief and tears, stating they dim true charm. He prefers delight and admiration to showcase the lady's qualities, vowing to depict her eyes as radiant suns and her locks as drifting atmosphere. The technique highlights a practical yet skillful view on bonds.
Significant Components of the Work
- Mutual Exchange: The poem revolves on a offer of admiration in trade for delight, highlighting parity between the persons.
- Rejection of Traditional Motifs: The speaker disparages typical literary tools like sorrow and similes of pain, choosing positive imagery.
- Creative Skill: The use of diverse meter patterns and rhythm demonstrates the poet's mastery in verse, creating a smooth and engaging read.
Rich Nature's store (which is the Writer's Wealth)
I shall spend, to dress
One's beauties, if your Mine of Joy
In equall appreciation
You but release, so we mutually favor.
The stanza captures the central bargain, where the poet pledges to employ his creative gifts to celebrate the maiden, in return for her willingness. This wording combines pious undertones with worldly yearnings, providing profundity to the poem's message.