For a Lady Who Requested Me to Love Her

Now you have granted me permission to love,
How will you respond?
Shall I your joy, or ardor arouse,
When I commence court;
Shall you torment, or mock, or adore me too?

Every minor grace can disdain, and I
Spight of your hate
Lacking your consent can observe, and succumb;
Grant a loftier Destiny!
’Tis easy to demolish, you may fashion.

Then allow me permission to cherish, & adore me too
Without intent
To uplift, as Love's accursed rebels behave
When whining Bards whine,
Fame to their beauty, from their tearful eyes.

Sorrow is a pool and shows not clear
One's grace's rayes;
Delights are untainted currents, your eyes look
Gloomy in more sorrowful verses,
In happy lines they gleam luminous with acclaim.

What shall not mention to portray you fayr
Wounds, blazes, and arrows,
Gales in your brow, snares in your hair,
Suborning all your attributes,
Either to betray, or afflict captive hearts.

I’ll render your vision like morning suns seem,
Just as soft, and fayr;
One's forehead as crystal even, and clear,
And your unkempt locks
Shall flow like a calm Area of the Ayr.

Abundant Nature's treasury (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I will expend, to adorn
One's charms, if your Mine of Pleasure
With matching appreciation
Thou but open, so we one another favor.

Examining the Poem's Ideas

The composition explores the relationship of passion and admiration, where the speaker speaks to a maiden who seeks his devotion. Conversely, he proposes a reciprocal arrangement of literary praise for private favors. This wording is elegant, combining refined conventions with direct statements of yearning.

Through the lines, the poet dismisses typical motifs of unreturned passion, like sadness and lamentation, claiming they dim true grace. He favors delight and praise to highlight the maiden's attributes, promising to depict her gaze as radiant orbs and her tresses as drifting air. This method underscores a pragmatic yet clever perspective on bonds.

Key Aspects of the Piece

  • Mutual Arrangement: The verse focuses on a suggestion of tribute in trade for delight, highlighting parity between the parties.
  • Dismissal of Traditional Motifs: The speaker criticizes usual literary techniques like sorrow and metaphors of anguish, preferring upbeat depictions.
  • Artistic Craftsmanship: The employment of varied meter measures and rhythm showcases the writer's proficiency in verse, creating a smooth and compelling read.
Abundant The natural world's hoard (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I’l spend, to adorn
One's charms, if your Source of Pleasure
Through equal gratitude
One but unlock, so we mutually bless.

The stanza captures the core bargain, in which the writer vows to use his inventive gifts to praise the lady, as compensation for her willingness. The wording mixes pious undertones with physical desires, providing depth to the verse's theme.

Heather Dalton
Heather Dalton

Award-winning journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter, bringing over a decade of experience in digital media.

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