For a Lady Who Wished Me to Show Affection

Now you have freely given me permission to love,
What shall you do?
Shall I your delight, or passion arouse,
When I commence court;
Shall you trouble, or mock, or cherish me too?

All trivial charm can disdain, and I
Despite your dislike
Lacking your leave can observe, and perish;
Bestow a loftier Fate!
It's simple to ruin, you may form.

Therefore give me permission to love, & adore me too
Not with purpose
To raise, as Loves cursed defiers act
While whining Bards whine,
Renown to their grace, from their blubber’d eyes.

Sorrow is a puddle and mirrors not clear
Thy charm's lights;
Joys are untainted currents, your vision appear
Gloomy in more sorrowful layes,
Within joyful lines they radiate bright with prayse.

What shall not refer to portray you lovely
Injuries, flames, and shafts,
Tempests in your countenance, snares in your hair,
Suborning all your parts,
Or else to betray, or torture ensnared affections.

I shall cause your gaze like sunrise stars seem,
Just as soft, and lovely;
Your countenance as crystal smooth, and pure,
And your tousled hayr
May stream like a tranquil Area of the Ayr.

Rich Nature’s treasury (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I’l expend, to embellish
Thy charms, if your Source of Pleasure
In equall appreciation
You but open, so we mutually grace.

Examining the Verse's Themes

This work examines the interplay of passion and acclaim, where the poet engages with a woman who requests his love. Conversely, he offers a shared arrangement of artistic tribute for intimate delights. This wording is refined, combining courtly norms with direct utterances of yearning.

Within the verses, the poet rejects typical themes of unrequited affection, including grief and tears, arguing they obscure true charm. The speaker chooses delight and praise to highlight the woman's features, vowing to render her vision as bright orbs and her tresses as flowing atmosphere. The approach underscores a realistic yet clever perspective on relationships.

Key Aspects of the Work

  • Reciprocal Arrangement: The poem centers on a offer of tribute in exchange for enjoyment, stressing parity between the parties.
  • Rejection of Conventional Ideas: The speaker condemns common literary techniques like sadness and metaphors of anguish, choosing positive imagery.
  • Creative Skill: The employment of diverse verse measures and cadence demonstrates the writer's proficiency in composition, creating a smooth and captivating read.
Rich Nature's store (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I shall use, to dress
One's charms, if your Mine of Delight
With equall gratitude
One but release, so we each other bless.

This section encapsulates the core bargain, as the author pledges to employ his inventive talents to honor the lady, in exchange for her openness. The language combines devout overtones with worldly longings, providing complexity to the poem's message.

Richard Hayes
Richard Hayes

A passionate writer and life coach dedicated to empowering others through actionable advice and personal stories.