Poems of Felicia Hemans in The Literary Souvenir, 1830/The Mirror in the Deserted Hall
THE MIRROR IN THE DESERTED HALL.
BY MRS. HEMANS.
I.
O dim, forsaken Mirror!
How many a stately throng
Hath o'er thee gleamed, in vanished hours,
Of the wine-cup and the song!
II.
The song hath left no echo,
The bright wine hath been quaffed,
And hushed is every silvery voice
That lightly here hath laughed.
III.
O Mirror, lonely Mirror,
Thou of the silent Hall!
Thou hast been flushed with beauty's bloom—
Is this too vanished all?
IV.
It is, with the scattered garlands
Of triumphs long ago,
With the melodies of buried lyres,
With the faded rainbow's glow.
V.
And for all the gorgeous pageants,
For the glance of gem and plume,
For lamp, and harp, and rosy wreath,
And vase of rich perfume;
VI.
Now, dim, forsaken Mirror,
Thou giv'st but faintly back
The quiet stars and the sailing moon,
On her solitary track.
VII.
And thus with man's proud spirit
Thou tellest me 't will be,
When the forms and hues of this world fade
From his memory as from thee:
VIII.
And his heart's long-troubled waters
At last in stillness lie,
Reflecting but the images
Of the solemn world on high.