Versos English Thomas Hood Lear.

English poem

Lear.

by (1799–1845)

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A poor old king, with sorrow for my crown, Throned upon straw, and mantled with the wind— For pity, my own tears have made me blind That I might never see my children's frown; And, may be, madness, like a friend, has thrown A folded fillet over my dark mind, So that unkindly speech may sound for kind— Albeit I know not.—I am childish grown— And have not gold to purchase wit withal— I that have once maintain'd most royal state— A very bankrupt now that may not call My child, my child—all beggar'd save in tears, Wherewith I daily weep an old man's fate, Foolish—and blind—and overcome with years!