Addressing a Lady That Wished Me to Show Affection

Given that you granted me permission to love,
What will you do?
Shall I your joy, or ardor stir,
As I start to court;
Shall you torment, or scorn, or cherish me too?

Every minor beauty can scorn, and I
In spite of your hate
Absent your consent can perceive, and die;
Bestow a loftier Lot!
It's simple to destroy, you could form.

Then give me leave to cherish, & cherish me too
Lacking purpose
To elevate, as Affection's cursed rebels behave
When whining Poets moan,
Acclaim to their grace, from their blubber’d eyes.

Sorrow is a pond and shows not clear
One's beauty’s beams;
Delights are pure streams, your eyes appear
Morose in gloomier songs,
Within cheerfull lines they gleam brilliant with praise.

Which may not allude to express you fair
Wounds, blazes, and arrows,
Storms in your brow, snares in your locks,
Corrupting all your parts,
Either to trick, or torture captive hearts.

I’ll make your eyes like morning orbs appear,
Like gentle, and fair;
One's countenance as Crystall even, and transparent,
Whereas your unkempt hayr
May flow like a serene Region of the Ayr.

Wealthy The natural world's hoard (which is the Bard's Treasure)
I shall spend, to embellish
Your graces, if your Source of Pleasure
In matching appreciation
You but open, so we one another bless.

Delving into the Verse's Ideas

The composition explores the interplay of love and acclaim, where the poet addresses a woman who seeks his devotion. Rather, he offers a reciprocal arrangement of artistic tribute for private favors. The wording is graceful, blending courtly traditions with frank utterances of desire.

Through the verses, the author rejects typical themes of unrequited love, including sadness and lamentation, arguing they obscure true charm. He prefers joy and acclaim to showcase the maiden's features, assuring to portray her vision as bright stars and her hair as flowing breeze. The method underscores a practical yet artful view on bonds.

Important Components of the Composition

• Reciprocal Agreement: The verse centers on a proposal of admiration in trade for delight, emphasizing parity between the parties.
• Spurning of Traditional Ideas: The narrator disparages common artistic techniques like grief and imagery of anguish, choosing upbeat depictions.
• Creative Skill: The employment of varied line patterns and cadence showcases the writer's mastery in composition, forming a graceful and engaging experience.

Wealthy Nature’s store (which is the Poet’s Riches)
I shall spend, to dress
Your beauties, if your Source of Delight
Through equal gratitude
Thou but open, so we mutually bless.

This stanza captures the central bargain, as the author vows to utilize his inventive talents to honor the woman, in return for her openness. The phraseology combines pious overtones with earthly longings, giving profundity to the poem's meaning.