To a Lady That Wished I Would Show Affection
Now you have bestowed me consent to love,
How will you act?
Will I your mirth, or ardor arouse,
Once I commence pursue;
Will you distress, or disdain, or cherish me too?
Every minor grace can disdain, and I
In spite of your hate
Absent your consent can observe, and succumb;
Grant a nobler Lot!
It is effortless to destroy, you may form.
Then grant me leave to cherish, & cherish me too
Without design
To raise, as Affection's damned rebels do
When puling Poets lament,
Acclaim to their grace, from their weeping eyne.
Sorrow is a puddle and shows not distinct
Your beauty’s rayes;
Joyes are pure currents, your eyes seem
Gloomy in gloomier songs,
In happy lines they gleam brilliant with praise.
Which will not mention to portray you lovely
Injuries, flames, and shafts,
Storms in your forehead, snares in your hair,
Suborning all your attributes,
Or else to deceive, or torture trapped affections.
I shall make your vision like morning suns seem,
Like soft, and fayr;
One's brow as Crystall polished, and transparent,
And your dishevelled hayr
May flow like a calm Zone of the Air.
Wealthy The natural world's hoard (which is the Bard's Treasure)
I shall expend, to adorn
One's beauties, if your Wellspring of Joy
With equal thankfulness
One but unlock, so we each other bless.
Delving into the Poem's Motifs
The composition explores the relationship of passion and praise, where the speaker addresses a lady who seeks his love. Conversely, he offers a shared arrangement of literary tribute for personal delights. The language is elegant, combining refined conventions with direct utterances of desire.
Through the verses, the author spurns typical motifs of one-sided affection, including sorrow and weeping, stating they cloud true beauty. He prefers joy and admiration to showcase the lady's attributes, vowing to portray her eyes as shining stars and her tresses as drifting breeze. This method highlights a pragmatic yet artful view on connections.
Important Elements of the Piece
- Reciprocal Agreement: The verse revolves on a proposal of praise in exchange for enjoyment, highlighting balance between the parties.
- Dismissal of Conventional Themes: The poet disparages usual artistic techniques like grief and metaphors of suffering, choosing optimistic depictions.
- Poetic Artistry: The employment of diverse verse lengths and cadence demonstrates the writer's mastery in verse, producing a smooth and compelling experience.
Abundant The natural world's hoard (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I’l spend, to embellish
Your beauties, if your Mine of Delight
With equall thankfulness
One but release, so we each other grace.
This stanza summarizes the core arrangement, where the author pledges to employ his inventive abilities to honor the lady, as compensation for her willingness. This phraseology mixes pious hints with physical desires, giving profundity to the verse's theme.