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Since you've granted me leave to love,
How will you respond?
Will I your mirth, or passion arouse,
As I start to pursue;
Will you torment, or disdain, or adore me too?

Each petty beauty can reject, and I
Spight of your aversion
Absent your leave can perceive, and perish;
Grant a nobler Lot!
It's simple to destroy, you can form.

Then give me leave to love, & love me too
Not with intent
To uplift, as Affection's cursed insurgents act
As complaining Versifiers whine,
Acclaim to their grace, from their blubber’d eyne.

Grief is a pond and mirrors not bright
One's charm's rayes;
Joyes are clear streames, your gaze appear
Morose in sadder songs,
Within cheerfull lines they shine brilliant with acclaim.

That shall not mention to describe you fair
Harms, blazes, and arrows,
Gales in your countenance, traps in your hair,
Bribing all your attributes,
Either to deceive, or afflict captive hearts.

I will cause your gaze like dawn stars look,
Like mild, and fayr;
Thy brow as crystal even, and transparent,
And your tousled hair
May drift like a tranquil Region of the Ayr.

Rich Nature’s treasury (which is the Writer's Wealth)
I will spend, to dress
One's graces, if your Source of Joy
Through equall thankfulness
Thou but unlock, so we one another favor.

Examining the Poem's Motifs

The composition explores the dynamics of passion and acclaim, in which the narrator addresses a lady who seeks his devotion. Rather, he suggests a mutual arrangement of poetic tribute for personal favors. The language is graceful, combining refined norms with direct statements of yearning.

In the stanzas, the poet dismisses common themes of unreturned passion, including grief and lamentation, arguing they cloud true charm. He favors delight and admiration to showcase the woman's attributes, assuring to portray her vision as shining suns and her locks as streaming air. This technique underscores a practical yet skillful perspective on relationships.

Key Elements of the Work

• Mutual Agreement: The poem centers on a suggestion of admiration in exchange for enjoyment, highlighting equality between the persons.
• Spurning of Conventional Ideas: The speaker criticizes typical artistic techniques like sorrow and similes of suffering, favoring positive imagery.
• Artistic Skill: The application of mixed meter patterns and cadence showcases the writer's expertise in poetry, creating a graceful and compelling experience.

Abundant Nature's treasury (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I will use, to embellish
Thy beauties, if your Mine of Joy
With equall gratitude
One but release, so we mutually favor.

This section captures the core bargain, where the poet promises to utilize his artistic gifts to praise the lady, in return for her willingness. The language blends spiritual hints with worldly desires, giving depth to the verse's theme.