To His Coy Mistress

In what sense is the speaker in this poem celebrating his beloved? He is writing about her in fondness. Throughout the poem he is telling her how much he loves her. An example would be in line 20 "For, Lady, you deserve this state, Nor would I love at lower rate." It seems to me he is saying he would never show her less than what she deserves. In what sense is the speaker celebrating himself? Towards the end of the poem, he says "Rather at once our time devour Than languish in his slow-chapped power. Let us roll our strength and all Our sweetness up into one ball. In those two lines he is celebrating his love for her by telling her to not waste time. He wants her to be with him now and enjoy life now - not waste it.

Is his portrayal of her entirely positive? Which elements, if any, are negative? To me it doesn't seem entirely positive. He says "Time's winged chariot hurrying near, And yonder all before us lie. " He is saying that we are all mortal. Everyone will age and not be beautiful forever, even his beloved. He also says in line 30 "And your quaint honor turn to dust, And into ashes all must lust." I believe he means that someday she won't look like she does now and he may not desire her the way he does now. He wants them to live in the moment. There are some words in this poem that make it seem a little harsher than just praise. The words ashes, worms, prey, iron gates. All seem to reflect a negative portrayal of what is to come as they age.