To Frances S. Osgood

This poem is an enigmatic exploration of authenticity, love, and admiration, encompassing the themes of self-identity and genuine interaction with the world. The poet implores the subject to stay true to themselves in order to be loved, emphasizing the value of authenticity over pretense. This sentiment is encapsulated in the lines "Being everything which now thou art, Be nothing which thou art not," underlining the assertion that love thrives on honesty and sincerity, rather than artifice or imitation.

The tone of the poem is instructive yet gentle, employing an elegant, rhythmic structure that lends a sense of grace and simplicity to the profound message it conveys. The use of anaphora in the opening lines effectively emphasizes the poet's advice, creating a poetic resonance that echoes throughout the piece. The poem's concluding lines transition into a promise: that maintaining one's true character and grace will not only warrant endless praise but also transform love into a "simple duty." This image of love as a duty, paired with the poem's early emphasis on authenticity, suggests a vision of love as a natural, inevitable response to genuine virtue. The poet's use of the term "more than beauty" also hints at a deeper, more encompassing form of attractiveness that extends beyond physical beauty. This poem, thus, is a testament to the power of authenticity, portraying it as a magnet for love and admiration.