For a Lady That Wished I Would Love Her

Now you have granted me leave to love,
How will you act?
Shall I your delight, or emotion arouse,
As I start to court;
Do you distress, or disdain, or love me too?

Each petty beauty can scorn, and I
In spite of your hate
Without your leave can observe, and die;
Dispense a nobler Lot!
It's simple to demolish, you may form.

Thus give me permission to love, & adore me too
Not with intent
To uplift, as Affection's accursed defiers behave
When puling Bards moan,
Renown to their grace, from their blubber’d eyne.

Sadness is a pond and reflects not clear
Thy beauty’s beams;
Delights are untainted streams, your vision appear
Gloomy in gloomier verses,
In cheerfull lines they shine luminous with prayse.

What may not mention to express you fayr
Harms, flames, and shafts,
Storms in your brow, traps in your hayr,
Bribing all your parts,
Or else to betray, or torture ensnared hearts.

I shall make your vision like sunrise orbs seem,
Just as soft, and fayr;
Thy brow as glass smooth, and clear,
Whereas your unkempt locks
Will drift like a serene Area of the Ayr.

Rich Nature's treasury (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I will expend, to dress
Your charms, if your Source of Joy
With equal thankfulness
One but open, so we each other grace.

Examining the Verse's Motifs

The piece explores the relationship of affection and acclaim, where the poet engages with a lady who desires his devotion. Conversely, he proposes a shared agreement of literary praise for intimate favors. The phraseology is graceful, mixing courtly conventions with candid expressions of longing.

Through the lines, the poet rejects common themes of unrequited passion, such as sorrow and tears, stating they obscure true grace. He favors delight and praise to showcase the lady's attributes, assuring to render her gaze as bright stars and her tresses as drifting breeze. This approach underscores a pragmatic yet skillful outlook on relationships.

Key Elements of the Piece

  • Shared Agreement: The poem centers on a proposal of tribute in exchange for enjoyment, emphasizing equality between the persons.
  • Rejection of Conventional Motifs: The poet criticizes usual poetic tools like grief and metaphors of anguish, choosing upbeat imagery.
  • Poetic Artistry: The use of mixed meter measures and rhythm showcases the author's proficiency in composition, producing a graceful and engaging text.
Wealthy Nature’s store (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I shall spend, to dress
One's charms, if your Mine of Pleasure
Through equal gratitude
Thou but release, so we one another bless.

The stanza captures the essential deal, as the author pledges to employ his artistic gifts to praise the lady, in exchange for her receptiveness. The language mixes devout hints with physical longings, adding complexity to the work's message.

Cynthia Mcdowell
Cynthia Mcdowell

An avid skier and travel writer with a passion for exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations and sharing practical tips.