For a Lady That Wished Me to Show Affection
Since you've granted me permission to love,
How will you respond?
Shall I your joy, or passion arouse,
When I commence pursue;
Do you trouble, or mock, or cherish me too?
All trivial beauty can reject, and I
In spite of your hate
Absent your leave can see, and die;
Dispense a nobler Lot!
’Tis easy to ruin, you could form.
Therefore grant me leave to adore, & love me too
Without intent
To raise, as Affection's damned defiers act
While puling Bards whine,
Fame to their grace, from their tearful eyes.
Sadness is a pool and shows not clear
Your beauty’s rayes;
Joyes are pure streames, your gaze seem
Sullen in sadder verses,
Through happy numbers they shine brilliant with prayse.
What shall not allude to express you fair
Injuries, fires, and shafts,
Gales in your countenance, traps in your hair,
Bribing all your parts,
Or to betray, or torture captive souls.
I shall cause your eyes like sunrise suns seem,
Like mild, and fair;
One's brow as crystal smooth, and pure,
Whereas your unkempt hair
May flow like a tranquil Area of the Ayr.
Rich Nature’s treasury (which is the Bard's Riches)
I will spend, to adorn
One's beauties, if your Wellspring of Joy
Through equall thankfulness
You but unlock, so we each other bless.
Examining the Poem's Motifs
The composition explores the relationship of passion and acclaim, as the poet addresses a lady who requests his affection. Instead, he proposes a reciprocal arrangement of literary tribute for private delights. The wording is graceful, combining courtly norms with frank utterances of longing.
In the verses, the poet dismisses usual motifs of unrequited affection, such as grief and tears, stating they cloud true charm. He chooses joy and admiration to emphasize the lady's features, vowing to depict her vision as bright orbs and her hair as flowing air. The method emphasizes a practical yet skillful view on relationships.
Key Elements of the Work
- Reciprocal Arrangement: The poem revolves on a suggestion of praise in trade for pleasure, highlighting parity between the persons.
- Rejection of Conventional Ideas: The poet condemns typical poetic tools like sadness and imagery of anguish, preferring optimistic imagery.
- Poetic Skill: The application of varied meter measures and rhythm demonstrates the writer's mastery in verse, producing a graceful and compelling read.
Wealthy Nature’s store (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I’l use, to dress
One's graces, if your Source of Joy
In equal appreciation
You but open, so we each other grace.
This section encapsulates the central deal, where the poet pledges to use his creative abilities to celebrate the woman, in exchange for her openness. The wording blends spiritual hints with worldly desires, giving profundity to the work's message.