AN OLD VINAIGRETTE.
LITTLE gleaming box of silver
Wrought in flowery design;
Drifted down the silent ages
To this humble hand of mine;
Wrought in flowery design;
Drifted down the silent ages
To this humble hand of mine;
From the days of kingly France,
From the days of minuet dance,
From the days of stately graces,
Powdered hair and painted faces;
From the days of minuet dance,
From the days of stately graces,
Powdered hair and painted faces;
Bring a shining thread of story
To this all-prosaic hour;
From those castles proud and olden,
Those salons of wit and power.
To this all-prosaic hour;
From those castles proud and olden,
Those salons of wit and power.
You have known the love and woe
Of fair dames of long ago;
Round you like a love-tale wreathing
Is the perfume of their breathing.
Of fair dames of long ago;
Round you like a love-tale wreathing
Is the perfume of their breathing.
Silent! Not a word to give me!
See, I raise your flowery lid;
Whisper in your heart my secret
Knowing you will keep it hid.
See, I raise your flowery lid;
Whisper in your heart my secret
Knowing you will keep it hid.
One more life now leaves its trace;
One more love has lent its grace;
Keep it sacred down the ages
On your shining silver pages.
One more love has lent its grace;
Keep it sacred down the ages
On your shining silver pages.
Now my imprint I have given
Though you never bear my name:
Graven with your silver roses
Are all lives of praise or blame.
Though you never bear my name:
Graven with your silver roses
Are all lives of praise or blame.
All things that we touch or wear
Must the spirit's impress bear.
Every hand that ever won you
Left a fadeless mark upon you.
Must the spirit's impress bear.
Every hand that ever won you
Left a fadeless mark upon you.
Love and hate and jealous passion,—
All I feel have been your own;
Shall my life not breathe about you
Purer love than you have known?
All I feel have been your own;
Shall my life not breathe about you
Purer love than you have known?
Nobler grows this life with years,
Grander grow earth's hopes and fears;
May the traces of my living
Make this heirloom worthier giving.
Grander grow earth's hopes and fears;
May the traces of my living
Make this heirloom worthier giving.