 | The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes |  |
ILLUSION
How oft, as children, on the stage
We've seen with wonder-opening eyes
A withered beldame bent with age—
The kindly fairy in disguise!
We've seen with wonder-opening eyes
A withered beldame bent with age—
The kindly fairy in disguise!
Not yet betrayed, through many a scene
She creeps around with cloak and cane,
So truthful in her speech and mien
To doubt her wrinkles were profane.
She creeps around with cloak and cane,
So truthful in her speech and mien
To doubt her wrinkles were profane.
With trembling voice and tottering feet
She limps along from act to act
Still genuine in her thin deceit
To simple eyes; an honest fact.
She limps along from act to act
Still genuine in her thin deceit
To simple eyes; an honest fact.
What e'er the sable robe conceals
No truant fold of gauze betrays,
No straying border yet reveals
The gorgeous mantle's hidden blaze.
No truant fold of gauze betrays,
No straying border yet reveals
The gorgeous mantle's hidden blaze.
Four acts and something more have past—
Still virtue seems the losing side—
Each wrong more crushing than the last—
When lo! The sable robes divide;
Still virtue seems the losing side—
Each wrong more crushing than the last—
When lo! The sable robes divide;
The villain flies—the maiden kneels—
Behold! in angel splendors drest
From plume crowned head to spangled heels
The great enchantress stands confest!
Behold! in angel splendors drest
From plume crowned head to spangled heels
The great enchantress stands confest!
| The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes | |