Poem by Thomas Hood

Lear

    Sonnet

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!

1. Sonnet on Receiving a Gift
2. The World Is with Me
3. Sonnet (By ev'ry sweet tradition of true hearts)
4. Lines on Seeing My Wife and Two Children Sleeping in the Same Chamber
5. Ballad (Spring it is cheery)

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