Phantastes, A Faerie Romance

One afternoon, towards dusk, he was wandering dreamily in one of the

principal streets, when a fellow student roused him by a slap on the

shoulder, and asked him to accompany him into a little back alley to

look at some old armour which he had taken a fancy to possess. Cosmo was

considered an authority in every matter pertaining to arms, ancient or

modern. In the use of weapons, none of the students could come near him;

and his practical acquaintance with some had principally contributed

to establish his authority in reference to all. He accompanied him

willingly.

They entered a narrow alley, and thence a dirty little court, where

a low arched door admitted them into a heterogeneous assemblage of

everything musty, and dusty, and old, that could well be imagined.

His verdict on the armour was satisfactory, and his companion at once

concluded the purchase. As they were leaving the place, Cosmo's eye was

attracted by an old mirror of an elliptical shape, which leaned against

the wall, covered with dust. Around it was some curious carving, which

he could see but very indistinctly by the glimmering light which

the owner of the shop carried in his hand. It was this carving that

attracted his attention; at least so it appeared to him. He left the

place, however, with his friend, taking no further notice of it. They

walked together to the main street, where they parted and took opposite

directions.

No sooner was Cosmo left alone, than the thought of the curious old

mirror returned to him. A strong desire to see it more plainly arose

within him, and he directed his steps once more towards the shop. The

owner opened the door when he knocked, as if he had expected him. He

was a little, old, withered man, with a hooked nose, and burning eyes

constantly in a slow restless motion, and looking here and there as if

after something that eluded them. Pretending to examine several other

articles, Cosmo at last approached the mirror, and requested to have it

taken down.

"Take it down yourself, master; I cannot reach it," said the old man.

Cosmo took it down carefully, when he saw that the carving was indeed

delicate and costly, being both of admirable design and execution;

containing withal many devices which seemed to embody some meaning

to which he had no clue. This, naturally, in one of his tastes and

temperament, increased the interest he felt in the old mirror; so much,

indeed, that he now longed to possess it, in order to study its frame at

his leisure. He pretended, however, to want it only for use; and saying

he feared the plate could be of little service, as it was rather old, he

brushed away a little of the dust from its face, expecting to see a dull

reflection within. His surprise was great when he found the reflection

brilliant, revealing a glass not only uninjured by age, but wondrously

clear and perfect (should the whole correspond to this part) even for

one newly from the hands of the maker. He asked carelessly what the

owner wanted for the thing. The old man replied by mentioning a sum of

money far beyond the reach of poor Cosmo, who proceeded to replace the

mirror where it had stood before.