The term “baby in the eye” was sportively applied by our forefathers to the miniature reflection of himself which a person may see in the pupil of another’s eye. In “Timon of Athens” (i. 2), one of the lords says:
“Joy had the like conception in our eyes,
And, at that instant, like a babe sprung up,”
an allusion probably being made to this whimsical notion. It is often referred to by old writers, as, for instance, by Drayton, in his “Ideas:”
“But O, see, see! we need enquire no further,
Upon your lips the scarlet drops are found,
And, in your eye, the boy that did the murder.”[910]
We may compare the expression, “to look babies in the eyes,” a common amusement of lovers in days gone by. In Beaumont and Fletcher’s “Loyal Subject” (iii. 2), Theodore asks:
“Can ye look babies, sisters,
In the young gallants’ eyes, and twirl their band-strings?”
And once more, to quote from Massinger’s “Renegado” (ii. 4), where Donusa says:
“When a young lady wrings you by the hand, thus,
Or with an amorous touch presses your foot;
Looks babies in your eyes, plays with your locks,” etc.
Another old term for the eyes was “crystal,” which is used by Pistol to his wife, Mrs. Quickly, in “Henry V.” (ii. 3):
“Therefore, caveto be thy counsellor.
Go, clear thy crystals;”