On A Shadow In A Glass

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h2> ON A SHADOW IN A GLASS; </h2> <p> By something form'd, I nothing am,<br/> Yet everything that you can name;<br/> In no place have I ever been,<br/> Yet everywhere I may be seen;<br/> In all things false, yet always true,<br/> I'm still the same&mdash;but ever new.<br/> Lifeless, life's perfect form I wear,<br/> Can show a nose, eye, tongue, or ear,<br/> Yet neither smell, see, taste, or hear.<br/> All shapes and features I can boast,<br/> No flesh, no bones, no blood&mdash;no ghost:<br/> All colours, without paint, put on,<br/> And change like the cameleon.<br/> Swiftly I come, and enter there,<br/> Where not a chink lets in the air;<br/> Like thought, I'm in a moment gone,<br/> Nor can I ever be alone:<br/> All things on earth I imitate<br/> Faster than nature can create;<br/> Sometimes imperial robes I wear,<br/> Anon in beggar's rags appear;<br/> A giant now, and straight an elf,<br/> I'm every one, but ne'er myself;<br/> Ne'er sad I mourn, ne'er glad rejoice,<br/> I move my lips, but want a voice;<br/> I ne'er was born, nor e'er can die,<br/> Then, pr'ythee, tell me what am I?<br/> <br/> Most things by me do rise and fall,<br/> And, as I please, they're great and small;<br/> Invading foes without resistance,<br/> With ease I make to keep their distance:<br/> Again, as I'm disposed, the foe<br/> Will come, though not a foot they go.<br/> Both mountains, woods, and hills, and rocks<br/> And gamesome goats, and fleecy flocks,<br/> And lowing herds, and piping swains,<br/> Come dancing to me o'er the plains.<br/> The greatest whale that swims the sea<br/> Does instantly my power obey.<br/> In vain from me the sailor flies,<br/> The quickest ship I can surprise,<br/> And turn it as I have a mind,<br/> And move it against tide and wind.<br/> Nay, bring me here the tallest man,<br/> I'll squeeze him to a little span;<br/> Or bring a tender child, and pliant,<br/> You'll see me stretch him to a giant:<br/> Nor shall they in the least complain,<br/> Because my magic gives no pain.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />