The Mirror In The Hall

The rich house had in the hall An enormous mirror, very old; Bought at least eighty years ago. A very handsome boy, assistant at a tailor’s (On Sundays an amateur athlete), Was standing there with a parcel. He handed it To someone of the house, and he took it inside To fetch the receipt. The tailor’s assistant Was left alone, and waited. He went up to the mirror and began to look at himself And put his tie straight. After five minutes They brought him the receipt. He took it and went away. But the old mirror which had seen, and seen, In the many years it had been In existence, thousands of things and faces; The old mirror was glad now And was proud to have received upon itself That entire beauty for a few minutes.