Herbert Asquith (11 March 1881 - 5 August 1947 / London, England)

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.