For a Lady Who Desired Me to Love Her

Given that you granted me permission to love,
What will you respond?
Shall I your delight, or passion stir,
As I commence pursue;
Do you distress, or mock, or adore me too?

Each petty charm can reject, and I
Despite your hate
Absent your leave can see, and succumb;
Dispense a nobler Destiny!
’Tis easy to demolish, you may form.

Thus allow me consent to cherish, & love me too
Lacking purpose
To uplift, as Affection's accursed defiers do
As puling Bards lament,
Renown to their beauty, from their tearful eyes.

Sadness is a pool and shows not clear
Your grace's beams;
Joyes are clear currents, your eyes appear
Gloomy in sadder layes,
In joyful numbers they gleam bright with praise.

What will not refer to portray you fair
Wounds, blazes, and arrows,
Storms in your countenance, nets in your hayr,
Corrupting all your features,
Or else to deceive, or torment ensnared souls.

I’ll cause your gaze like dawn suns look,
Just as soft, and lovely;
One's countenance as crystal smooth, and clear,
While your dishevelled locks
Shall flow like a calm Area of the Ayr.

Abundant Nature's store (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I’l use, to embellish
One's beauties, if your Source of Pleasure
In matching appreciation
One but release, so we one another favor.

Examining the Work's Motifs

This composition examines the interplay of passion and admiration, in which the speaker addresses a woman who requests his devotion. Conversely, he offers a reciprocal arrangement of poetic praise for private pleasures. This phraseology is refined, blending refined traditions with frank utterances of longing.

Through the verses, the poet dismisses usual tropes of unreturned passion, like sorrow and tears, arguing they dim true charm. The speaker prefers joy and praise to showcase the lady's features, assuring to render her eyes as bright suns and her locks as drifting air. This approach highlights a realistic yet artful perspective on bonds.

Significant Elements of the Piece

  • Shared Exchange: The poem focuses on a proposal of tribute in return for delight, highlighting parity between the parties.
  • Spurning of Standard Motifs: The speaker criticizes common literary tools like sadness and imagery of suffering, choosing positive imagery.
  • Artistic Craftsmanship: The application of mixed meter patterns and flow showcases the author's mastery in composition, producing a smooth and compelling read.
Abundant Nature's treasury (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I shall spend, to adorn
Thy graces, if your Source of Delight
With equal appreciation
One but unlock, so we one another favor.

The verse encapsulates the core bargain, where the poet vows to use his artistic gifts to praise the maiden, in exchange for her willingness. The phraseology blends pious overtones with earthly longings, adding complexity to the verse's theme.

Blake Gonzalez
Blake Gonzalez

An experienced educator and content creator passionate about making learning accessible through shared knowledge and community support.