Love and Humour

WHEN first I saw you, in eclipse,
    A veil about your head,
And wondered at those unseen lips
    With wit bediamonded:
Then laughing down the street I went,
And sang upon my way, content.

Next time we met in dim surmise,
    Upon an autumn morn,
And in those understanding eyes
    Shone humour, rainbow-born:
So travelling through this earthly maze,
A greater light fell on my ways.

But, when I saw your head unveiled,
    Feature, and form, and hue:
A woodland fairy, silver-mailed,
    Lightwinged upon the dew:
Then did I pay a heavy cost,
For love, a world of laughter lost.