My eye, a couple of minutes ago

A continuation of “ocular eroticism”, ocular eroticism III

“Through mine eye the stroke from her did slide,

Directly down unto my heart it ran.” —Thomas Wyatt

Full poem:

So unwarely was never no man caught

With steadfast look upon a goodly face

As I of late; for suddenly, me thought,

My heart was torn out of his place.

Thorough mine eye the stroke from hers did slide

Directly down unto my heart it ran.

In help whereof the blood thereto did glide,

And left my face both pale and wan.

Then was I like a man for woe amazed,

Or like the bird that flyeth into the fire;

For while that I on her beauty gazed,

The more I burnt in my desire.

Anon the blood start in my face again,

Enflamed with heat that it had at my heart,

And brought therewith throughout in every vein

A quickened heat with pleasant smart.

Then was I like the straw, when that the flame

Is driven therein by force and rage of wind.

I can not tell, alas, what I shall blame,

Nor what to seek nor what to find.

But well I wot the grief holds me so sore

In heat and cold betwixt hope and dread,

That but her help to health doth me restore

This restless life I may not lead.