The Cloak, The Boat, And The Shoes

by

William Butler Yeats


"What do you make so fair and bright?"


"I make the cloak of Sorrow:

O lovely to see in all men's sight

Shall be the cloak of Sorrow,

In all men's sight."


"What do you build with sails for flight?"


"I build a boat for Sorrow:

O swift on the seas all day and night

Saileth the rover Sorrow,

All day and night."


"What do you weave with wool so white?"


"I weave the shoes of Sorrow:

Soundless shall be the footfall light

In all men's ears of Sorrow,

Sudden and light."



(1889)


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