For a Lady Who Requested Me to Love Her

Since you've granted me permission to love,
What will you act?
Shall I your mirth, or passion stir,
As I commence court;
Shall you trouble, or mock, or cherish me too?

All trivial beauty can disdain, and I
Despite your aversion
Absent your leave can perceive, and perish;
Dispense a nobler Lot!
It's simple to demolish, you can fashion.

Thus grant me permission to adore, & adore me too
Lacking design
To elevate, as Affection's cursed defiers behave
As puling Poets lament,
Acclaim to their beauty, from their tearful gaze.

Grief is a puddle and shows not clear
Thy grace's lights;
Joys are clear streames, your eyes seem
Morose in sadder songs,
In cheerfull verses they shine brilliant with acclaim.

That shall not allude to describe you fayr
Injuries, blazes, and arrows,
Storms in your forehead, traps in your hayr,
Bribing all your attributes,
Or to deceive, or afflict trapped affections.

I will make your vision like sunrise orbs look,
Just as soft, and fayr;
One's countenance as glass smooth, and pure,
While your dishevelled hair
Will stream like a serene Zone of the Ayr.

Rich Nature’s treasury (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I will use, to embellish
Thy charms, if your Mine of Delight
Through equall appreciation
One but unlock, so we each other grace.

Examining the Verse's Themes

This piece delves the dynamics of passion and acclaim, in which the narrator speaks to a maiden who desires his devotion. Instead, he suggests a mutual exchange of poetic admiration for private pleasures. The language is elegant, blending courtly norms with frank utterances of desire.

Within the lines, the writer rejects typical motifs of unreturned love, including grief and tears, claiming they cloud true grace. He favors joy and admiration to highlight the maiden's attributes, vowing to portray her vision as shining orbs and her locks as drifting air. This technique emphasizes a pragmatic yet skillful perspective on bonds.

Significant Elements of the Piece

  • Mutual Arrangement: The work revolves on a offer of tribute in return for pleasure, highlighting equality between the persons.
  • Spurning of Traditional Ideas: The speaker criticizes typical literary tools like sorrow and similes of anguish, preferring optimistic depictions.
  • Creative Skill: The application of varied line patterns and cadence demonstrates the writer's mastery in composition, producing a graceful and captivating text.
Abundant Nature's store (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I’l spend, to adorn
One's charms, if your Source of Pleasure
With equal appreciation
You but open, so we one another grace.

The verse summarizes the central bargain, as the author pledges to employ his creative gifts to praise the lady, as compensation for her openness. This wording mixes devout hints with earthly desires, providing profundity to the work's meaning.

Cesar Alvarez
Cesar Alvarez

Digital marketing strategist with over 10 years of experience, specializing in SEO and content creation for UK-based businesses.