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Dinah Maria Mulock - The Garden-Chair
Work rating: Low

TWO PORTRAITS.

A PLEASANT picture, full of meanings deep, 
Old age, calm sitting in the July sun, 
On withered hands half-leaning--feeble hands, 
That after their life-labors, light or hard, 
Their girlish broideries, their marriage-ringed 
Domestic duties, their sweet cradle cares, 
Have dropped into the quiet-folded ease 
Of fourscore years. How peacefully the eyes 
Face us! Contented, unregretful eyes, 
That carry in them the whole tale of life 
With its one moral--"Thus all was--thus best." 
Eyes now so near unto their closing mild 
They seem to pierce direct through all that maze, 
As eyes immortal do. 

Here--Youth. She stands 
Under the roses, with elastic foot 
Poised to step forward; eager-eyed, yet grave 
Beneath the mystery of the unknown To-come, 
Though longing for its coming. Firm prepared 
(So say the lifted head and close, sweet mouth) 
For any future: though the dreamy hope 
Throned on her girlish forehead, whispers fond, 
"Surely they err who say that life is hard; 
Surely it shall not be with me as these." 

God knows: He only. And so best, dear child, 
Thou woman-statured, sixteen-year-old child, 
Meet bravely the impenetrable Dark 
Under thy roses. Bud and blossom thou 
Fearless as they--if thou art planted safe, 
Whether for gathering or for withering, safe 
In the King`s garden.
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