Mirror, mirror, on the wall,
They say you can tell us mortals all
We wish to know, we wish to hear—
Tell me, what does man most fear?

Mortal, mortal, standing near,
Heed my words, my lesson hear—
Man fears man above all else
The one he fears most is himself.

Then mirror, tell me, tell me true
What does man desire too?
Power, pride, money, love?
What does he most long for and want?

Mirror, mirror, beyond the pane—
I tell you, in his natural state
Man loves himself most, at the last—
Apart from God, man most wants man.

My last question, mirror, say
The truth and I shall go away
Who are you, wisest mirror—who?
Wisest mirror, tell me true.

You know I cannot tell a lie
A silvered pane of glass am I
Mirroring your heart and soul
Your own reflection, and no more.