Write a few words on the poem, My dearest Rival [MEG 101 Prerestoration]

The poem "My dearest Rival" is a famous work by Richard Lovelace, a Cavalier poet of the seventeenth century. The poem is a love lyric that tells the story of a man who is in love with a woman who is already engaged to another man, his "dearest rival." The speaker expresses his anguish and jealousy at the thought of his beloved being with another man, but he also acknowledges the goodness of his rival and the strength of his love for the woman.

The poem is written in the typical Cavalier style, with its focus on love, honor, and loyalty. It uses traditional poetic forms and techniques, such as rhyme and meter, to convey its message. The language is beautiful and highly emotional, with vivid descriptions of the speaker's feelings and the woman's beauty. The poem ends on a note of resignation, with the speaker acknowledging that his beloved belongs to his rival, but also expressing his hope that his love will endure even in the face of this difficult reality.

Overall, "My dearest Rival" is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the complex emotions of love and jealousy, and reflects the values and concerns of the Cavalier poets of the seventeenth century.