THROUGHOUT his life men seldom spoke with him; They stood aloof. But he could overhear Their laughter hooting far away and near, With scornful intonations. It could dim Things lovely and beloved. Upon the rim Of his most hallowed griefs it could appear To mock with mirth and with unheeding cheer. He was afraid of laughter. Ah, how prim, How foolish, it could make his prayers! He durst Not improvise a loving God. In cloak Of tenderness could laughter lash his soul: Until at last, with savage glee, it broke From his own trammelled breast. He felt it roll And surge to his own lips and quench his thirst. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CHALLENGE by ALEXANDER POPE CUPID MISTAKEN by MATTHEW PRIOR TO A DYING CLASS by ANGELO PHILIP BERTOCCI THE DEAN OF FACULTY by ROBERT BURNS LYRIC AND EPIC by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN: 4. INTRODUCTION by GEOFFREY CHAUCER |