On a Mirror, Poem by Charles Cros

Poem by Charles Cros Collection The Sandalwood CasketPeriod 19th century

Every time, mirror, that you serve her
To put black on her eyes or on her cheek
The scented powder, or else in a charming
Pout, her carmine on her lips, you will say:

“I was sleeping, reflecting the verses that on the ivory
He wrote… 1 Why with your velvet eyes,
Your flesh, your lips, with these adornments,
Make the victory still more dazzling?”

Then, if you surprise some perverse glance,
If she is distracted or weary of the present love,
Break yourself, “but do not serve her, little mirror,
To adorn herself for another, while laughing at my verses.

Charles Cros

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