THE FILLET

Love has a fillet on his eyes;

He sees not with the eyes of men;

Whom his fine issues touch despise

The censures of indifferent men.

There is in love an inward sight,

That nor in wit nor wisdom lies;

He walks in everlasting light,

Despite the fillet on his eyes.

If I love you, and you love me,

’Tis for substantial reasons, sweet—

For something other than we see,

That satisfies, though incomplete;

Or, if not satisfies, is yet

Not mutable, where so much dies:

Who love, as we, do not regret

There is a fillet on Love’s eyes!

Richard Henry Stoddard.