In the first stanza Marvel introduces his mistress as the receiver of this poem. The first stanza is his thesis, the beginning of his argument. In this stanza Marvel tells his mistress what they could do if they had all the time in the world. He says if they had enough time her shyness would not affect his love for her, he would wait. Then he states how she could travel and what marvellous things she could do and have. Like going to India, or having precious stones like rubies which are also said to preserve a woman’s virginity.
Marvel declares he would love this woman forever, from the beginning of time, “I would love you ten years before the flood” a biblical reference referring to Noah and the great flood. He also says he would love her till the end of time “Till the conversion of the Jews” the conversion of the Jews is said to be the end of time.
Marvel then continues using flattery and compliments towards his mistress, “Thine eyes, and on they forehead gaze, two hundred to adore each breast”. In the last couple of lines he uses again allot of compliments and that she deserves his upmost respect and dignity, “nor would I love at lower rate” the would in this quote prepares us for the next stage of Marvel’s argument.
The next stanza of Marvel’s poem is the anti-thesis. In this stanza he describes how there is no time for her to do all these things he promised in the first stanza. He tries to persuade his mistress by saying time is passing to fast, “times winged chariot” He also