So unwarely was never no man caught With steadfast look upon a goodly face As I of late: for suddenly, methought, 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 stert in my face again, Inflamed with heat that it had at my heart, And brought therewith thereout 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 cannot 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO WHISTLER, AMERICAN; ON LOAN EXHIBIT OF PAINTINGS AT TATE GALLERY by EZRA POUND LORD WALTER'S WIFE by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING CONTENTMENT, AFTER THE MANNER OF HORACE by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY A HYMN TO CHRIST, AT THE AUTHOR'S LAST GOING INTO GERMANY by JOHN DONNE RELIGION by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR L.E.L. by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI HESPERIA by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 11. ON LOVE - TO A FRIEND by MARK AKENSIDE |