The Lover describeth his being taken with sight of his Love

UNWARILY so 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.

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.