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Given that you freely given me leave to love,
How will you respond?
Shall I your joy, or ardor arouse,
When I commence pursue;
Will you torment, or mock, or cherish me too?

Each petty beauty can disdain, and I
In spite of your dislike
Without your permission can observe, and die;
Bestow a nobler Destiny!
It is effortless to destroy, you may create.

Therefore give me leave to love, & love me too
Lacking design
To uplift, as Affection's cursed insurgents do
When complaining Poets lament,
Fame to their charm, from their blubber’d eyes.

Grief is a pond and reflects not bright
Thy grace's rayes;
Joyes are pure streames, your vision look
Morose in sadder verses,
Through cheerfull lines they gleam bright with prayse.

That may not refer to portray you fair
Harms, blazes, and darts,
Tempests in your forehead, nets in your hayr,
Corrupting all your parts,
Or to trick, or afflict ensnared hearts.

I will render your vision like sunrise stars appear,
Like mild, and lovely;
Your forehead as glass polished, and pure,
And your dishevelled hayr
May stream like a serene Region of the Ayr.

Abundant The natural world's store (which is the Poet’s Wealth)
I shall use, to adorn
Thy beauties, if your Mine of Pleasure
Through matching appreciation
You but open, so we mutually bless.

Examining the Work's Ideas

This piece examines the relationship of passion and admiration, in which the speaker addresses a maiden who desires his affection. Instead, he suggests a shared exchange of artistic praise for personal pleasures. This phraseology is graceful, blending courtly norms with frank statements of longing.

Through the verses, the author dismisses common tropes of unreturned affection, like grief and tears, claiming they dim true charm. The speaker chooses happiness and admiration to emphasize the woman's features, assuring to render her gaze as shining stars and her tresses as flowing air. The method highlights a pragmatic yet clever perspective on connections.

Significant Elements of the Composition

• Mutual Agreement: The verse revolves on a offer of admiration in trade for enjoyment, stressing parity between the persons.
• Rejection of Standard Motifs: The speaker condemns typical poetic tools like sadness and metaphors of anguish, favoring upbeat depictions.
• Poetic Skill: The application of diverse line measures and cadence demonstrates the poet's proficiency in composition, creating a fluid and captivating experience.

Wealthy Nature's treasury (which is the Writer's Treasure)
I’l expend, to adorn
Your beauties, if your Source of Pleasure
In equal gratitude
Thou but release, so we mutually favor.

This verse summarizes the essential deal, where the author promises to employ his creative abilities to celebrate the lady, in return for her willingness. This language mixes spiritual hints with worldly yearnings, providing profundity to the work's theme.