ON PRESENTING A MIRROR
[_]
to be placed in the Ladies' Cloak Room at Knutsford, Jan. 14, 1857.
Fair dancers, since the privilege is mine,
A gift to place in that forbidden shrine,
Take, with the gift, the giver's caution too,
Gaze on yourselves as we shall gaze on you!
While on your neck the circling jewels lie,
Dimm'd by the smile that sparkles in your eye,
While the fresh bouquet in your fingers held
Sees its own roses by your lips excell'd,
Ere with rash step ye mingle in the dance,
Fix on that mirror your observant glance;
May future ages see, reflected there,
Forms half so graceful, features half so fair!
Let the prest glove cling closely to the hand,
Snap the gold clasp, the ivory fan expand,
Smooth the full skirt, adjust the pliant shoe,
Each point, each fold, fastidiously review.
So shall no rent the Brussels lace impair,
Though jealous pangs the inward bosom tear;
So shall the gown, through galop and quadrille,
Though hearts be crush'd, remain unruffled still.
Go! partners wait impatient for the ball,
Go! smiling go! and bliss attend you all.
