Since you've bestowed me leave to love,
What will you act?
Will I your delight, or emotion move,
Once I begin to pursue;
Do you torment, or scorn, or love me too?
Each petty charm can scorn, and I
In spite of your hate
Absent your leave can observe, and succumb;
Grant a grander Lot!
It is effortless to ruin, you can create.
Thus grant me leave to cherish, & cherish me too
Lacking intent
To raise, as Love's accursed defiers behave
While complaining Versifiers lament,
Renown to their charm, from their weeping gaze.
Grief is a pond and reflects not distinct
Your grace's rayes;
Delights are pure streames, your gaze seem
Morose in sadder layes,
Through happy lines they shine bright with prayse.
Which will not allude to express you lovely
Wounds, fires, and shafts,
Gales in your countenance, snares in your hayr,
Bribing all your features,
Or to deceive, or torment trapped hearts.
I will cause your gaze like dawn suns look,
Like mild, and lovely;
One's forehead as crystal polished, and pure,
And your unkempt hair
Shall stream like a serene Area of the Ayr.
Rich Nature’s treasury (which is the Poet’s Treasure)
I shall use, to adorn
One's beauties, if your Wellspring of Delight
With equall thankfulness
You but open, so we each other favor.
The piece delves the interplay of love and praise, in which the narrator engages with a lady who seeks his affection. Conversely, he proposes a reciprocal agreement of artistic admiration for private favors. This phraseology is graceful, combining refined traditions with candid utterances of longing.
In the verses, the poet dismisses common tropes of unreturned affection, such as sorrow and tears, arguing they obscure true grace. He favors joy and admiration to emphasize the lady's qualities, assuring to portray her eyes as shining orbs and her tresses as streaming atmosphere. This approach underscores a realistic yet skillful outlook on relationships.
Wealthy Nature’s treasury (which is the Poet’s Riches)
I will expend, to embellish
Your graces, if your Wellspring of Delight
In equal gratitude
You but open, so we each other grace.
This verse captures the central arrangement, as the writer promises to use his artistic gifts to celebrate the maiden, in exchange for her willingness. The wording combines spiritual undertones with earthly yearnings, giving depth to the work's meaning.
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