Laughter And Death

THERE is no laughter in the natural world  

Of beast or fish or bird, though no sad doubt  

Of their futurity to them unfurled  

Has dared to check the mirth-compelling shout.  

The lion roars his solemn thunder out  

To the sleeping woods. The eagle screams her cry.  

Even the lark must strain a serious throat  

To hurl his blest defiance at the sky.  

Fear, anger, jealousy, have found a voice.  

Love’s pain or rapture the brute bosoms swell.

Nature has symbols for her nobler joys,  

Her nobler sorrows. Who had dared foretell  

That only man, by some sad mockery,  

Should learn to laugh who learns that he must die?