Whose desire is this that constantly pinches within my heart, and whose longing is this that crushes and wrings my soul?

In this couplet, the poet captures the sweet yet unbearable torment of sudden longing. The imagery shifts beautifully from a playful, teasing pinch in the heart to an intense, physical ache that wrings the soul. By asking whose desire this is, the lover plays innocent, even though his heart knows all too well whose unspoken presence is causing such restless, delicious pain.