To a Lady That Desired Me to Love Her

Now you have granted me permission to love,
What will you do?
Will I your joy, or emotion stir,
When I start to woo;
Shall you distress, or scorn, or love me too?

All trivial charm can disdain, and I
Spight of your hate
Lacking your leave can observe, and succumb;
Bestow a nobler Destiny!
It is effortless to demolish, you may form.

Therefore grant me permission to love, & love me too
Not with intent
To raise, as Affection's damned rebels behave
As puling Bards lament,
Fame to their charm, from their tearful gaze.

Grief is a pool and shows not clear
One's grace's rayes;
Joyes are pure streames, your eyes appear
Morose in sadder songs,
In cheerfull lines they shine bright with prayse.

Which may not mention to portray you fair
Injuries, fires, and shafts,
Storms in your countenance, nets in your hair,
Bribing all your attributes,
Either to betray, or torment trapped hearts.

I shall make your eyes like sunrise orbs look,
As mild, and lovely;
Thy brow as crystal smooth, and clear,
And your unkempt locks
Will drift like a serene Zone of the Ayr.

Wealthy Nature’s hoard (which is the Bard's Riches)
I’l use, to adorn
One's charms, if your Mine of Joy
Through equall gratitude
One but unlock, so we one another bless.

Delving into the Verse's Ideas

This work explores the relationship of affection and admiration, in which the speaker addresses a maiden who desires his devotion. Instead, he offers a shared exchange of artistic tribute for personal favors. This wording is refined, mixing courtly conventions with direct utterances of yearning.

Within the stanzas, the poet dismisses common motifs of one-sided love, including sadness and lamentation, arguing they obscure true grace. He favors happiness and acclaim to showcase the lady's attributes, vowing to portray her vision as radiant orbs and her hair as flowing atmosphere. The approach emphasizes a realistic yet skillful perspective on relationships.

Important Components of the Piece

  • Shared Agreement: The poem focuses on a proposal of praise in trade for delight, emphasizing equality between the parties.
  • Spurning of Standard Themes: The speaker disparages typical literary devices like grief and imagery of suffering, preferring positive imagery.
  • Creative Craftsmanship: The use of mixed meter measures and flow displays the writer's expertise in verse, producing a graceful and compelling read.
Abundant The natural world's treasury (which is the Bard's Wealth)
I’l spend, to dress
One's beauties, if your Wellspring of Pleasure
Through equal thankfulness
One but release, so we one another favor.

The stanza captures the core bargain, in which the author vows to employ his artistic talents to honor the lady, in return for her openness. The language combines devout overtones with earthly longings, providing depth to the verse's theme.

Dalton Frank
Dalton Frank

A passionate writer and digital enthusiast with a knack for uncovering unique stories and trends.