Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DEATH AS THE FOOL, by FRANK T. MARZIALS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DEATH AS THE FOOL, by                    
First Line: In the high turret chamber sat the sage
Last Line: So had the sage death-bell and passing-prayer.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


IN the high turret chamber sat the sage,
Striving to wring its secret from the scroll
Of time; -- and hard the task, for roll on roll
Was blurred with blood and tears, or black with age.
So that at last a hunger seized him, a rage
Of richer lore than our poor life can dole,
And loud he called on Death to dower his soul
With the great past's unrifled heritage.
And lo, a creaking step upon the stair,
A croak of song, a jingle, -- and Death came in
Mumming in motley with a merry din
And jangle of bells, and droning this refrain,
"God help the fools who count on death for gain."
So had the sage death-bell and passing-prayer.





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