"And, like the lake by storm or moonlight seen, / With darkening furrows or cerulean mien, / His countenance, the mirror of his breast, / The calm or trouble of his soul express'd"
— Montgomery, James (1771-1854)
Date
1850
Metaphor
"And, like the lake by storm or moonlight seen, / With darkening furrows or cerulean mien, / His countenance, the mirror of his breast, / The calm or trouble of his soul express'd"
Metaphor in Context
Restored to life, one pledge of former joy,
One source of bliss to come, remain'd,--her boy!
Sweet in her eye the cherish'd infant rose,
At once the seal and solace of her woes.
When the pale widow clasp'd him to her breast,
Warm gush'd the tears, and would not be represt:
In lonely anguish, when the truant child
Leap'd o'er the threshold, all the mother smiled.
In him, while fond imagination view'd
Husband and parents, brethren, friends renew'd,
Each vanish'd look, each well-remember'd grace,
That pleased in them, she sought in Javan's face;
For quick his eye and changeable its ray,
As the sun glancing through a vernal day;
And, like the lake by storm or moonlight seen,
With darkening furrows or cerulean mien,
His countenance, the mirror of his breast,
The calm or trouble of his soul express'd.
One source of bliss to come, remain'd,--her boy!
Sweet in her eye the cherish'd infant rose,
At once the seal and solace of her woes.
When the pale widow clasp'd him to her breast,
Warm gush'd the tears, and would not be represt:
In lonely anguish, when the truant child
Leap'd o'er the threshold, all the mother smiled.
In him, while fond imagination view'd
Husband and parents, brethren, friends renew'd,
Each vanish'd look, each well-remember'd grace,
That pleased in them, she sought in Javan's face;
For quick his eye and changeable its ray,
As the sun glancing through a vernal day;
And, like the lake by storm or moonlight seen,
With darkening furrows or cerulean mien,
His countenance, the mirror of his breast,
The calm or trouble of his soul express'd.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "mind" and "mirror" in HDIS (c19 Poetry)
Theme
Physiognomy
Date of Entry
12/14/2005
