He That Looketh

The poem is a poignant exploration of guilt, desire, and the power of unnamed, unspoken attraction. It begins with a confession of having broken a divine command, implying a moral transgression. However, the speaker quickly clarifies that the relationship with the unnamed woman is not physical but rather an intense emotional connection ignited by a simple glance. This reveals the theme of the power of human attraction and the moral complexity that can arise from such connections, even in their most innocent form.

The poem's tone is a blend of regret, defiance, and longing, reflecting the speaker's internal conflict. The structure, a sonnet, traditionally used to express deep feelings of love, reinforces this emotional turmoil. The poem is rich in metaphors, with the "sweet, swift flame" and the "hungry fire" symbolizing the overwhelming passion that came from a simple glance. The use of fire also serves to underscore the destructive potential of their attraction. The imagery of "soft glance melted into glance kiss-wise" conveys the intensity of their silent communication, suggesting a level of intimacy that transcends physical contact. The final line loops back to the initial admission of guilt, reminding the reader of the moral implications even as the poem revels in the beauty of their connection. This creates a tension that lingers beyond the last line, leaving the reader to grapple with their own interpretation of love, desire, and morality.