Addressing a Lady That Wished Me to Show Affection

Given that you bestowed me leave to love,
How will you act?
Will I your joy, or passion stir,
As I commence pursue;
Will you distress, or scorn, or adore me too?

Each petty charm can disdain, and I
In spite of your aversion
Lacking your leave can observe, and perish;
Dispense a grander Fate!
It is effortless to demolish, you can create.

Then grant me consent to adore, & love me too
Not with intent
To elevate, as Love's accursed insurgents do
As whining Poets moan,
Fame to their charm, from their blubber’d gaze.

Grief is a pool and reflects not distinct
Thy charm's beams;
Delights are clear streams, your gaze appear
Gloomy in sadder verses,
Within joyful lines they shine bright with prayse.

What shall not allude to describe you fair
Harms, flames, and arrows,
Tempests in your forehead, nets in your hayr,
Suborning all your attributes,
Either to deceive, or torment trapped affections.

I shall make your vision like sunrise suns appear,
Just as soft, and lovely;
Your brow as glass even, and clear,
While your unkempt locks
Shall drift like a tranquil Area of the Ayr.

Wealthy Nature’s store (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I shall spend, to embellish
Your beauties, if your Mine of Joy
Through equall thankfulness
You but open, so we each other grace.

Exploring the Work's Ideas

The work delves the interplay of affection and praise, in which the poet addresses a woman who seeks his love. Instead, he proposes a mutual exchange of literary tribute for personal favors. This language is elegant, blending polished conventions with frank expressions of desire.

Through the stanzas, the writer dismisses common themes of unrequited passion, including sorrow and tears, arguing they dim true beauty. He favors joy and acclaim to emphasize the lady's features, assuring to render her eyes as radiant suns and her tresses as drifting air. This approach emphasizes a pragmatic yet artful perspective on connections.

Important Aspects of the Piece

  • Mutual Arrangement: The work revolves on a suggestion of praise in trade for enjoyment, highlighting equality between the parties.
  • Spurning of Standard Ideas: The narrator criticizes usual literary devices like grief and imagery of anguish, preferring upbeat depictions.
  • Artistic Skill: The use of mixed verse measures and cadence demonstrates the writer's proficiency in composition, producing a graceful and captivating read.
Abundant Nature’s treasury (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I will spend, to dress
Thy charms, if your Wellspring of Joy
With equal gratitude
Thou but release, so we one another favor.

This section summarizes the core arrangement, in which the poet pledges to utilize his artistic talents to honor the maiden, in exchange for her openness. The phraseology combines spiritual hints with physical desires, providing depth to the work's theme.

Carla Klein
Carla Klein

A relationship coach with over a decade of experience, passionate about helping individuals navigate the complexities of modern dating.