Stanzas to a Lady, with the Poems of Camoëns
Stanzas to a Lady, with the Poems of Camoëns - meaning Summary
Celebrating Sincere, Unscorned Love
The speaker addresses a young woman, offering a short votive poem that defends romantic verse and celebrates sincere passion. He asks her to read sympathetically, rejecting critics—"the envious fool" and prudish singles—who dismiss love poetry. Praising Camoëns as a true bard with genuine flame, the speaker wishes that the addressee may know reward in love but avoid the poet’s misfortune and suffering from unreturned affection.
Read Complete AnalysesThis votive pledge of fond esteem, Perhaps, dear girl! for me thou’lt prize; It sings of Love’s enchanting dream, A theme we never can despise. Who blames it but the envious fool, The old and disappointed maid; Or pupil of the prudish school, In single sorrow doom’d to fade? Then read, dear girl! with feeling read, For thou wilt ne’er be one of those; To thee in vain I shall not plead In pity for the poet’s woes. He was in sooth a genuine bard; His was no faint, fictitious flame. Like his, may love be thy reward, But not thy hapless fate the same.
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