To a Lady Who Desired Me to Show Affection

Since you've bestowed me consent to love,
How will you respond?
Shall I your delight, or ardor move,
When I begin to court;
Shall you distress, or scorn, or adore me too?

All trivial beauty can disdain, and I
Despite your hate
Lacking your consent can see, and die;
Bestow a grander Lot!
It's simple to demolish, you may create.

Thus grant me consent to cherish, & adore me too
Not with purpose
To raise, as Love's cursed defiers act
While complaining Versifiers moan,
Acclaim to their beauty, from their weeping gaze.

Grief is a pool and reflects not clear
Your charm's beams;
Delights are untainted currents, your vision look
Sullen in gloomier layes,
Within joyful lines they radiate brilliant with acclaim.

Which may not refer to describe you fayr
Injuries, fires, and arrows,
Tempests in your brow, traps in your locks,
Corrupting all your features,
Either to trick, or torment trapped souls.

I’ll make your gaze like morning stars look,
Like gentle, and lovely;
Thy countenance as crystal even, and transparent,
And your tousled hair
Shall stream like a calm Area of the Ayr.

Rich The natural world's store (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I’l expend, to dress
Thy charms, if your Source of Joy
Through equall thankfulness
You but open, so we each other grace.

Exploring the Poem's Motifs

The work examines the relationship of love and admiration, where the poet speaks to a lady who desires his devotion. Instead, he suggests a reciprocal agreement of literary tribute for private favors. This wording is refined, combining courtly traditions with candid utterances of desire.

Within the lines, the author rejects common motifs of one-sided love, such as sadness and lamentation, stating they dim true grace. He prefers happiness and admiration to showcase the maiden's attributes, assuring to depict her gaze as shining stars and her hair as streaming breeze. The approach highlights a pragmatic yet artful view on bonds.

Key Aspects of the Composition

  • Reciprocal Agreement: The work revolves on a proposal of tribute in return for enjoyment, highlighting equality between the persons.
  • Spurning of Conventional Ideas: The poet criticizes common poetic techniques like sadness and imagery of pain, choosing upbeat descriptions.
  • Artistic Skill: The employment of mixed line patterns and rhythm displays the poet's expertise in composition, forming a graceful and captivating experience.
Abundant Nature’s hoard (which is the Poet’s Riches)
I’l use, to dress
Thy beauties, if your Mine of Delight
Through matching appreciation
You but unlock, so we mutually favor.

This stanza captures the central bargain, where the poet promises to use his artistic abilities to praise the maiden, as compensation for her receptiveness. The wording blends pious undertones with worldly desires, adding complexity to the verse's message.

Brian Hernandez
Brian Hernandez

A passionate writer and shopping enthusiast with a keen eye for quality products and lifestyle trends.