Valentine's Day inspiration - through the eyes

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So through the eyes love attains the heart:

For the eyes are the scouts of the heart,

And the eyes go reconnoitering

For what it would please the heart to possess.

And when they are in full accord

And firm, all three, in the one resolve,

At that time, perfect love is born

From what the eyes have made welcome to the heart.

Not otherwise can love either be born or have commencement

Than by this birth and commencement moved by inclination.

By the grace and by command

Of these three, and from their pleasure,

Love is bom, who its fair hope

Goes comforting her friends.

For as all true lovers

Know, love is perfect kindness,

Which is born-there is no doubt-from the heart and eyes.

The eyes make it blossom; the heart matures it:

Love, which is the fruit of their very seed.


-- Guiraut de Borneilh (ca. 1138-1200?)