Poem by Richard Watson Gilder

The New Day. Part 4. 2. The Mirror

That I should love thee seemeth meet and wise,
⁠     So beautiful thou art that he were mad
     ⁠Who in thy countenance no pleasure had;
⁠     Who felt not the still music of thine eyes
Fall on his forehead, as the evening skies
     ⁠The music of the stars feel and are glad.
⁠     But o'er my mind one doubt still cast a shade
⁠     Till in my thought this answer did arise:
That thou shouldst love me is not wise or meet,
     ⁠For like thee, Love, I am not beautiful;
⁠     And yet I think that haply in my face
Thou findest a true beauty;—this poor, dull,
⁠     Disfigured mirror dimly may repeat
⁠     A little part of thy most heavenly grace.

1. The New Day. Part 4. 17. “He Knows Not the Path of Duty”
2. The New Day. Part 3. 19. Thistle-Down
3. The New Day. Part 3. 31. “When the Last Doubt Is Doubted”
4. The Celestial Passion. Part 2. 4. Cost
5. The New Day. Part 3. 12. Denial

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