"One way of Love": Explanation

Stanza 1: 

The poet shares his feelings towards Pauline. Summer is considered the best season of the year in England- the season of youth, beauty and freshness. He weaves his love into the fragile, beautiful, fragrant bouquet, investing his love and care for the beloved. He tries to communicate with Pauline by such means as are within his reach.

She pierce’s the poet’s soul. He is in an agony and yet he hopes.. He has precious feelings for her. He offers himself to her with a heart which already belongs to her. He loves none but Pauline. But he is uncertain of his fate. He needs a word, a look from her to decide his future. The poet says that he will tell Pauline what she will never ask him even if he wanted it unsaid the next moment. Why should he waver? He has gone too far with suppression already. He asks Pauline:

“Tell me, have I known chance of ever succeeding. If I lived you less I might be able to talk about it more. You hear nothing but truth from me.”

Stanza 2:

 The persona is deeply involved and greatly in love; not at all afraid of the sacrifices that he may make in winning Pauline. He spends laborious hours of effort in making his stubborn fingers play the lute with perfection. For months, he bore with hardships after all the mustering to perform for her. He says wishfully that if Pauline had asked me to play a tune for her on the lute, I would be joyous and exhilarated and would play all my love and passion into it.

“My feelings cannot be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently admire and love you”

The poet knows enough about Pauline and therefore does not allow himself to hope more.

Stanza 3: 

all my life I have learned the art and skill of love. I am ready to declare my love. I don’t know if you will give me heaven by responding to my love or going to give me hell for rejecting it but I will struggle to prove my love and will wait for the right moment. He has no idea if she feels the same way about it. The poet has learned to negate himself, whoever wins or loose.