The Veil

The Veil written by Walter de la Mare

The Veil and Other Poems (1921)

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 I think and think: yet still I fail —
 Why must this lady wear a veil?
 Why thus elect to mask her face
 Beneath that dainty web of lace?
 The tip of a small nose I see,
 And two red lips, set curiously
 Like twin-born berries on one stem,
 And yet, she has netted even them.
 Her eyes, 'tis plain, survey with ease
 Whate'er to glance upon they please.
 Yet, whether hazel, gray, or blue,
 Or that even lovelier lilac hue,
 I cannot guess: why — why deny
 Such beauty to the passer-by?
 Out of a bush a nightingale
 May expound his song; from 'neath that veil
 A happy mouth no doubt can make
 English sound sweeter for its sake.
 But then, why muffle in like this
 What every blossomy wind would kiss?
 Why in that little night disguise
 A daybreak face, those starry eyes?

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