To a Lady That Wished I Would Show Affection
Given that you bestowed me consent to love,
What shall you do?
Shall I your delight, or emotion arouse,
As I begin to pursue;
Do you torment, or mock, or love me too?
Every minor beauty can scorn, and I
Despite your aversion
Without your leave can see, and die;
Bestow a grander Destiny!
’Tis easy to ruin, you may form.
Then allow me leave to adore, & cherish me too
Lacking intent
To raise, as Affection's damned defiers act
While complaining Versifiers whine,
Renown to their charm, from their weeping eyes.
Sadness is a pool and mirrors not bright
Thy grace's lights;
Joys are untainted currents, your gaze appear
Morose in more sorrowful verses,
Within cheerfull numbers they gleam bright with praise.
That shall not allude to express you fair
Injuries, blazes, and darts,
Tempests in your brow, traps in your hayr,
Suborning all your features,
Either to betray, or torture trapped souls.
I shall make your vision like morning stars look,
As soft, and fayr;
Your forehead as Crystall smooth, and pure,
While your dishevelled hair
Shall stream like a tranquil Region of the Atmosphere.
Abundant The natural world's hoard (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I shall spend, to adorn
Thy charms, if your Mine of Pleasure
With matching gratitude
Thou but unlock, so we mutually grace.
Delving into the Poem's Ideas
This piece examines the relationship of affection and admiration, where the narrator engages with a woman who desires his affection. Conversely, he proposes a shared agreement of artistic admiration for intimate pleasures. This language is graceful, combining courtly norms with direct statements of desire.
In the lines, the poet dismisses usual motifs of unrequited passion, including grief and tears, arguing they obscure true beauty. The speaker prefers joy and acclaim to emphasize the maiden's attributes, assuring to depict her vision as bright orbs and her locks as drifting atmosphere. This approach highlights a pragmatic yet skillful perspective on relationships.
Key Elements of the Piece
- Shared Agreement: The work centers on a offer of tribute in return for enjoyment, highlighting equality between the individuals.
- Spurning of Standard Ideas: The speaker disparages common poetic devices like grief and imagery of anguish, choosing positive depictions.
- Poetic Craftsmanship: The use of mixed verse lengths and flow displays the poet's expertise in poetry, creating a fluid and captivating read.
Abundant The natural world's store (which is the Bard's Treasure)
I’l use, to embellish
Your charms, if your Source of Pleasure
In equal appreciation
You but open, so we mutually grace.
The stanza summarizes the essential bargain, where the writer vows to utilize his creative talents to praise the maiden, as compensation for her willingness. The phraseology blends devout undertones with earthly longings, providing complexity to the verse's message.