The Sonnets XLVI - Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war
By William Shakespeare
Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war,
How to divide the conquest of thy sight;
Mine eye my heart thy pictures sight would bar,
My heart mine eye the freedom of that right.
My heart doth plead that thou in him dost lie,
A closet never piercd with crystal eyes
But the defendant doth that plea deny,
And says in him thy fair appearance lies.
To side this title is impannelled
A quest of thoughts, all tenants to the heart;
And by their verdict is determined
The clear eyes moiety, and the dear hearts part:
As thus; mine eyes due is thy outward part,
And my hearts right, thy inward love of heart.