Philosophy of the Eye

A highly intellectual maid,
Who's been through every single grade
Of science, art and learning,
Delights me with her learned talk;
And once, when on a morning walk,
(Upon the eye our discourse turning.)

"The eye, per se," announced this miss.
This intellectual damsel, this
Fair graduate of female college,
"Can give expression to no part
Of what is in the mind or heart,
Of will, emotion, thought or knowledge.

"Expression lies not in the ball,
But rather in the welded wall
Of mobile muscles that contain it,
Assisted by a constant flow
Of moisture from the glands, you know:"
Thus learnedly did she explain it.

"You're wrong, dear girl; gaze in my eye;
And there you'll read my heart," said I.
She sweetly gazed, as I directed.
"I only see my pictured phiz,"
She said. And I replied: "That is
An image from my heart reflected."