676Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war

677How to divide the conquest of thy sight;

678Mine eye, my heart thy picture's sight would bar,

679My heart, mine eye the freedom of that right;

680My heart doth plead that thou in him dost lie,

681A closet never pierced with crystal eyes;

682But the defendant doth that plea deny,

683And says in him thy fair appearance lies.

684To 'cide this title is empanelled

685A quest of thoughts, all tenants to the heart,

686And by their verdict is determined

687The clear eyes' moiety, and the dear heart's part.

688 As thus, mine eyes' due is thy outward part,

689 And my heart's right, thy inward love of heart.

691Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took,

692And each doth good turns now unto the other;

693When that mine eye is famished for a look,

694Or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother,

695With my love's picture then my eye doth feast,

696And to the painted banquet bids my heart;

697Another time mine eye is my heart's guest,

698And in his thoughts of love doth share a part.

699So either by thy picture or my love,

700Thyself away, art present still with me;

701For thou no further than my thoughts canst move,

702And I am still with them, and they with thee;

703 Or if they sleep, thy picture in my sight

704 Awakes my heart to heart's and eye's delight.

706How careful was I, when I took my way,

707Each trifle under truest bars to thrust,

708That to my use it might unused stay

709From hands of falsehood, in sure wards of trust;

710But thou, to whom my jewels trifles are,

711Most worthy comfort, now my greatest grief,

712Thou best of dearest, and mine only care,

713Art left the prey of every vulgar thief.

714Thee have I not locked up in any chest,

715Save where thou art not, though I feel thou art,

716Within the gentle closure of my breast,

717From whence at pleasure thou mayst come and part;

718 And even thence thou wilt be stol'n, I fear,

719 For truth proves thievish for a prize so dear.