To a Mirror a Century Old [pp. 269-272]

1859.]
TO A MIRROR A CENTURY OLD.
Mr. Editor:-The following well-drawn picture of life is from the pen of a young
lady of Virginia, and presents, in vivid colours, those contrasts of joy and sorrow which
are the inheritance of many a loving household.
A hundred years have o'er thee rolled
Since first thy polished face
Gave back, to eyes long since grown cold,
A form of matchless grace.
Speak out, old Friend, and tell me now -
Of days long, long ago,
Of that fair face and sunny brow
You loved to image so.
To Fancy's ear the Mirror spoke,
In measured tones and low:
"That fairy vision o'er me broke,
A hundred years ago.
'Twas morning then, and life looked bright,
And love and hope were new;
Ere evening, came a softer light,
And shadows sometimes too.
"The rose's hue bloomed on her cheek,
Her brow was smooth and fair,
Her clear, dark eyes were soft and meek,
And brown her waving hair.
Those chiselled lips, that classic head,
Might shame a Grecian's art,
But dearer beauty, round her shed
A gentle, loving heart.
"Her husband, too, was by her side,
A form of manly grace,
A bridegroom meet for such a bride Her hand in his to place.
The broidered vest, the coat of blue,
With golden buttons gay,
The silken hose, and buckled shoe,
Tell of that olden day.
"Time onward passed, and gathered now
Around a mother's chair,
Three little heads in reverence bow,
And lisp their evening prayer.
Their rosy lips with smiles were wreathed,
As each she fondly pressed,
A fervent blessing o'er them breathed,
And laid them to their rest.
"'Tis said that guardian angels move
Beside our pathway here,
And hover o'er, with wings of love,
To guard from dangers near,
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