Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MIRROR IN THE DESERTED HALL, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


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THE MIRROR IN THE DESERTED HALL, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: O dim forsaken mirror!
Last Line: Of the solemn world on high.
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Mirrors; Past


O DIM forsaken mirror!
How many a stately throng
Hath o'er thee gleamed, in vanished hours
Of the wine-cup and the song!

The song hath left no echo;
The bright wine hath been quaffed,
And hushed is every silvery voice
That lightly here hath laughed.

O mirror, lonely mirror,
Thou of the silent hall!
Thou hast been flushed with beauty's bloom --
Is this, too, vanished all?

It is, with the scattered garlands
Of triumphs long ago;
With the melodies of buried lyres,
With the faded rainbow's glow:

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.

Now, dim, forsaken mirror,
Thou givest but faintly back
The quiet stars, and the sailing moon,
On her solitary track.

And thus with man's proud spirit
Thou tellest me 'twill be,
When the forms and hues of this world fade
From his memory, as from thee:

And his heart's long-troubled waters
At last in stillness lie,
Reflecting but the images
Of the solemn world on high.





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