The Cloak, The Boat And The Shoes

Portrait of William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats 1865–1939

'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.'

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