Who believes not only in our globe, with its sun and moon, but in other globes, with their suns and
moons;
Who, constructing the house of himself or herself, not for a day, but for all time, sees races, eras, dates, generations.
The past, the future, dwelling there, like space, inseparable together.
A HAND-MIRROR.
Hold it up sternly ! See this it sends back ! (Who is it ? Is it you ?)
Outside fair costume — within, ashes and filth.
No more a flashing eye — no more a sonorous voice or springy step.
Now some slave's eye, voice, hands, step,
A drunkard's breath, unwholesome eater's face, ve- nerealee's flesh,
Lungs rotting away piecemeal, stomach sour and cankerous,
Joints rheumatic, bowels clogged with abomination.
Blood circulating dark and poisonous streams.
Words babble, hearing and toucli callous.
No brain, no heart left — no magnetism of sex ;
Such, from one look in this looking-glass ere you go hence.
Such a result so soon — and from such a beginning!