Poems (Rossetti, 1901)/Passing and Glassing
PASSING AND GLASSING.
ALL things that passAre woman's looking-glass:They show her how her bloom must fade,And she herself be laidWith withered roses in the shade; With withered roses and the fallen peach, Unlovely, 'out of reach Of summer joy that was.
All things that pass Are woman's tiring-glass;The faded lavender is sweet,Sweet the dead violetCulled and laid by and cared for yet; The dried-up violets and dried lavender Still sweet, may comfort her, Nor need she cry Alas!
All things that pass Are wisdom's looking-glass;Being full of hope and fear, and stillBrimful of good or ill,According to our-work and will; For there is nothing new beneath the sun; Our doings have been done, And that which shall be was.