Crown Sonnet - When I beheld

When I beheld the image of my dear

With greedy looks mine eyes would that way bend,

Fear and desire did inwardly contend:

Fear to be marked, desire to draw still near.

And in my soul a spirit would appear,

Which boldness warranted, and did pretend

To be my genius, yet I durst not lend

My eyes in trust where others seemed so clear.

Then did I search from whence this danger 'rose,

If such unworthiness in me did rest

As my starved eyes must not with sight be blest;

When jealousy her poison did disclose;

Yet in my heart unseen of jealous eye

The truer image shall in triumph lie.