As I out of a casement sent <br />Mine eyes as wand'ring as my thought, <br />Upon no certayne object bent, <br />But only what occasion brought, <br />A sight surpriz'd my hart at last, <br />Nor knewe I well what made it burne; <br />Amazement held me then so fast <br />I had no leasure to discerne. <br /> <br /> <br />Sure 'twas a Mortall, but her name, <br />Or happy parentage or place, <br />Or (that which did mee most inflame) <br />I cannot tell her very Face: <br />No; 'twere prophane to think I could, <br />And I should pitch my thoughts too lowe <br />If ever sett my love I should <br />On that which Art or Words can shewe. <br /> <br /> <br />Was ever man so vext before, <br />Or ever love so blind as this, <br />Which vows and wishes to implore, <br />And yet not knows for what to wish? <br />Thus children spend theyr wayward cryes, <br />Not knowing why they doe complayne; <br />Thus sicke men long for remedyes, <br />Not knowing what would ease theyr payne. <br /> <br /> <br />Some god call backe againe that sight; <br />Ile suffer double payne to boote, <br />For griefe and anger in mee fight <br />So strongly at no marke to shoote! <br />Not only meanes to winne her grace, <br />But meanes to seeke are barr'd from mee; <br />Despayre enforc't by such a case <br />Is not a sinne but miserie. <br /> <br /> <br />Pygmalion hold thine Image fast, <br />'Tis something to enjoy Love so: <br />Narcissus thou a shaddowe hast, <br />At least thereby to cheate thy woe; <br />But I no likenesse can inferre <br />My pyning fancy to supply; <br />Nothing to love instead of her <br />For feare of some idolatry.<br /><br />William Strode<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-strange-gentlewoman-passing-by-his-window/
