Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DEATH OF LEAR'S FOOL, by H. COLUMBUS ISAACS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DEATH OF LEAR'S FOOL, by                    
First Line: The pall of night settled slowly over that scene
Last Line: Of pain. The fool has joined his loved ones.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


The pall of night settled slowly over that scene
Of terror and of woe. All dead and gone
Save one poor fool languishing like stricken
Doe after the hunt is over. Sobs tear
His tattered body and give no ease
To one whose source of ease has died; this life
Contains naught more for him. King, mistress,
All—all gone at one dread blow. No comfort
That the hated Edmund too lies dead;
For what relief for the wounded heart
Is in the death of a foe when the solace
Of dearly beloved ones is lacking?

Silently, simply, the faithful fool prays
For the comfort of death. Death, restorer
Of pristine innocence; sublime easer
Of life's hardiest pains; leader from life
Into, perchance, a greater life.

Silently
He prays for ease from the numbing pain
About his heart, rest from the aching void
Within his bosom.

As the last shadow
Vanishes, with it vanishes the last
Of pain. The fool has joined his loved ones.





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