Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war, How to divide the…
““Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war, How to divide the conquest of thy sight; Mine eye my heart thy picture's 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 pierc'd 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 eye's moiety, and the dear heart's part: As thus; mine eye's due is thy outward part, And my heart's right, thy inward love of heart.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker describes an inner conflict between sight and feeling, seeking balance between external perception and internal emotion.
In simple terms: Eye and heart clash over love’s truth.
Key Takeaway
Seek harmony between what you see and feel.
Themes
conflict
love
perception
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- romantic relationships
- artistic creation
- self‑analysis
Key Concepts
dualism
subjectivity
emotion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile external appearances with inner feelings?
- When does perception dominate emotion?
A Different Perspective
Balancing rational view and feeling can be difficult.