Miscellaneous Ballads

The poem explores the intense feelings of repulsion and discomfort experienced by a young speaker towards an older lover. It captures the struggle between physical attraction and emotional aversion, highlighting the tension between youth and age. The speaker's distaste for the older man's presence is vividly expressed through imagery of food and lodging, symbolizing a deeper conflict within their relationship. Themes of desire, age disparity, and the complexities of love are intricately woven throughout the verses.