Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503–42). The Poetical Works. 1880.
OdesThe Lover describeth his being taken with sight of his Love
U
With steadfast look upon a goodly face,
As I of late: for suddenly, methought,
My heart was torn out of his place.
Though mine eye the stroke from hers did slide,
And down directly to my heart it ran;
In help whereof the blood did glide,
And left my face both pale and wan.
Then was I like a man for woe amazed,
Or like the fowl that fleeth into the fire;
For while that I upon her beauty gazed,
The more I burn’d in my desire.
Anon the blood start in my face again,
Inflam’d with heat, that it had at my heart,
And brought therewith, throughout in every vein,
A quaking 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 doth hold me sore
In heat and cold, betwixt both hope and dread.
That, but her help to health doth me restore,
This restless life I may not lead.