C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Laman Blanchard (1803–1845)
To Nell Gwynne’s Looking-Glass
G
Draw we here a parallel.
She, like thee, was forced to bear
All reflections, foul or fair;
Thou art deep and bright within,—
Depths as bright belonged to Gwynne;
Thou art very frail as well,
Frail as flesh is,—so was Nell.
She too had a silver mind!
Thine is fresh till this far day,—
Hers till death ne’er wore away.
Thou dost to thy surface win
Wandering glances,—so did Gwynne;
Eyes on thee long love to dwell,—
So men’s eyes would do on Nell.
Such the forms the actress wrought;
Truth unfailing rests in you,—
Nell, whate’er she was, was true.
Clear as virtue, dull as sin,
Thou art oft,—as oft was Gwynne;
Breathe on thee, and drops will swell,—
Bright tears dimmed the eyes of Nell.
Framed was she to give delight.
Waxen forms here truly show
Charles above and Nell below;
But between them, chin with chin,
Stuart stands as low as Gwynne,
Paired, yet parted,—meant to tell
Charles was opposite to Nell.
Smiled so soft, her “arms” we trace;
Thou, her mirror, hast the pair,—
Lion here, and leopard there.
She had part in these,—akin
To the lion-heart was Gwynne;
And the leopard’s beauty fell
With its spots to bounding Nell.
Thou art firm, if brittle too,—
So her will, on good intent,
Might be broken, never bent.
What the glass was when therein
Beamed the face of glad Nell Gwynne,
Was that face by beauty’s spell
To the honest soul of Nell.