Yet I beg mitigation, pleading guilty for you, my dear, accomplice of my heart made, without words, 6.such blackmail with your beauty and proffered me such dear protectiveness that I confess without remorse or shame my still-fresh treason to1.my country and hope that she, my other, dearest love will pardon freely, not attaching blame being your mistress (or your match) in tenderness. | LITERAL MEANING
The persona reflects on the image of some-one he cares for. This love interest accused him, with their eyes, of breaking their heart. The persona admits that both of them (he and the love interest) can make no excuses for his behavior because the love interest does not take precedence over his land, or country. Despite this fact, the persona begs for mercy, pleading guilty for being seduced by his love interest's beauty. This person protects him dearly and he admits that, as a result of this, he has committed treason against his country. He hopes that his country, his other dearest love, will pardon him because he loves both his country and his love interest. |
LITERARY DEVICES
1. PERSONIFICATION * Lines 4, 6-7: The love interest's eyes constantly accuses and convicts the persona. This device highlights the extent to which the persona has hurt this person. * Lines 18-20: The persona hopes that his country, his other dearest love, will forgive him for the treasonous act of loving another. This highlights the patriotism that defines the persona's relationship to his country.
2. OXYMORON
The term