For a Lady That Wished I Would Love Her
Since you've freely given me leave to love,
What shall you do?
Shall I your delight, or emotion move,
Once I start to court;
Do you trouble, or mock, or love me too?
Every minor charm can reject, and I
Despite your dislike
Lacking your consent can observe, and succumb;
Bestow a nobler Destiny!
It's simple to demolish, you can form.
Thus allow me leave to cherish, & adore me too
Without design
To elevate, as Love's damned insurgents do
When complaining Bards whine,
Renown to their beauty, from their blubber’d eyne.
Sadness is a puddle and reflects not clear
Your charm's rayes;
Joys are untainted streams, your gaze seem
Sullen in sadder layes,
Through happy lines they gleam brilliant with praise.
What may not mention to express you lovely
Harms, blazes, and arrows,
Tempests in your brow, nets in your hair,
Bribing all your features,
Either to trick, or torture captive hearts.
I shall cause your eyes like sunrise stars appear,
As mild, and lovely;
One's brow as crystal even, and clear,
And your dishevelled hair
May stream like a tranquil Zone of the Air.
Abundant Nature's treasury (which is the Bard's Treasure)
I’l spend, to dress
One's graces, if your Source of Pleasure
Through matching gratitude
One but unlock, so we one another bless.
Examining the Verse's Themes
The piece examines the dynamics of passion and admiration, as the poet speaks to a maiden who desires his love. Conversely, he offers a mutual agreement of poetic praise for private favors. The language is refined, mixing polished conventions with candid statements of longing.
Within the lines, the poet rejects common tropes of unreturned passion, like grief and tears, stating they dim true charm. He favors joy and acclaim to showcase the lady's qualities, assuring to render her vision as shining suns and her locks as drifting air. The technique underscores a pragmatic yet skillful perspective on relationships.
Important Aspects of the Composition
- Mutual Agreement: The poem focuses on a suggestion of tribute in trade for enjoyment, emphasizing equality between the individuals.
- Rejection of Conventional Motifs: The speaker criticizes usual literary techniques like sadness and imagery of anguish, preferring upbeat depictions.
- Creative Artistry: The employment of diverse verse patterns and flow displays the writer's mastery in verse, creating a fluid and compelling text.
Wealthy Nature’s hoard (which is the Bard's Riches)
I shall expend, to adorn
One's beauties, if your Wellspring of Joy
In matching gratitude
You but unlock, so we one another bless.
The stanza captures the core bargain, in which the author pledges to use his inventive abilities to celebrate the lady, in return for her openness. The wording blends spiritual overtones with earthly longings, providing complexity to the work's message.