The Gardener 26: Ask for All That One Has
The Gardener 26: Ask for All That One Has - meaning Summary
Willing to Accept Everything
The poem presents a speaker who describes themselves as a humble beggar of love, willing to accept whatever a beloved offers — kindness, a stray flower, or even cruelty. It frames devotion as an all-or-nothing stance: the lover asks for everything, including pleasure and pain, and embraces suffering rather than renouncing desire. The repeated refrain underscores the paradoxical courage in asking for total emotional commitment.
Read Complete Analyses"What comes from your willing hands I take. I beg for nothing more." "Yes, yes, I know you, modest mendicant, you ask for all that one has." "If there be a stray flower for me I will wear it in my heart." "But if there be thorns?" "I will endure them." "Yes, yes, I know you, modest mendicant, you ask for all that one has." "If but once you should raise your loving eyes to my face it would make my life sweet beyond death." "But if there by only cruel glances?" "I will keep them piercing my heart." "Yes, yes, I know you, modest mendicant, you ask for all that one has."
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