TO AN ANCIENT ROCKING CHAIR.
Whom have thy curving arms embraced
Thou ancient, stately chair?
Since first thy form the parlor graced
And claim'd the housewife's care.
For full a century, I ween,
Its mighty round has made,
Since first thy columns black and sheen
Their maker's skill display'd.
The slippery Sofa's glossy dress
Allures the weary wight,
But soon his sliding limbs confess
Their most uneasy plight,—
Though still it decks the modern hall
The eye of taste to please:
While thou, a favourite art of all
Who love the balm of ease.
On thee, the invalid reclined,
His form by sickness chain'd,
Though haply still, his soaring mind
Its prison house disdain'd,—
And wandering wide o'er fairy land
Collected rainbow rays,
Or waked with memory's magic wand
Fair forms of other days.
Here has some ancient maiden bright
Repell'd encroaching Time,
Ensconced in stiff-laced stays upright
With high-heel'd shoe sublime.
And here the meeker matron view'd
Her children trooping round,
Who guide with shouts of laughter rude
The ball's elastic bound,—
Anon to aid their sports would spread
Her gay-flower'd ample gown,
Or at their quarrels shake her head
And awe them with a frown.
Here, in thy arms,—the nodding nurse
Has slumber'd out the night,
Regardless of the mutter'd curse
Of the poor, gouty wight;
Or frighten'd from her stolen dream
Has heard in deep dismay
The falling infant's piteous scream
Who on her bosom lay.
Here beauty, like some blighted flower
Smit by unfriendly sky,
Consumed the wakeful,—restless hour
With bright, unearthly eye.
While on her cheek, the hectic glow
Dire symbol of decay,
Reveal'd how fast the treacherous foe
Was mining on his way.
Ah!—wouldst thou speak,—thou ancient Chair,
What secrets couldst thou tell?
Of hidden Love's mysterious care
Breathed in thy hermit cell.
What mad resolves,—what deep-laid schemes
What fancies bold and free,—
What dazzling hopes, and airy dreams
Were born and died with thee.
Then wouldst thou chide her idle rhyme,
Who lolling thus at ease,
Mispends the untold wealth of time
In lays so light as these.