The Jester to the Brook

We two must laugh. You must laugh with me, While men’s eyes are on us, while men can see.

We two gave the world all its laughter. It must not know that not long after

It is asleep, your laugh becomes the wailing Of a soul that’s sick, of a heart that is ailing…

They must not know, they who lie abed, That I laugh with my lips, that my heart is dead.

They must not know that while they sleep We, who taught them laughter,—weep.