E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Mirrors.
Alasnam’s mirror. The “touchstone of virtue,” showed if the lady beloved was chaste as well as beautiful. (Arabian Nights: Prince Zeyn Alasnam.)
1
Cambuscan’s mirror. Sent to Cambuscan’ by the King of Araby and Ind; it warned of the approach of ill-fortune, and told if love was returned. (Chaucer: Canterbury Tales; The Squire’s Tale.)
2
Lao’s mirror reflected the mind and its thoughts, as an ordinary mirror reflects the outward seeming. (Goldsmith: Citizen of the World, xlv.)
3
Merlin’s magic mirror, given by Merlin to King Ryence. It informed the king of treason, secret plots, and projected invasions. (Spenser: Faerie Queene, iii. 2.)
4
Reynard’s wonderful mirror. This mirror existed only in the brain of Master Fox; he told the queen-lion that whoever looked in it could see what was done a mile off. The wood of the frame was not subject to decay, being made of the same block as King Crampart’s magic horse. (Reynard the Fox, ch. xii.)
5
Vulcan’s mirror showed the past, the present, and the future. Sir John Davies tells us that Cupid gave the mirror to Antin’ous, and Antinous gave it to Penelop, who saw therein “the court of Queen Elizabeth.”
, who saw therein “the court of Queen Elizabeth.”
