And round about his home the glory
That blushed and bloomed
Is but a dim-remembered story
Of the old time entombed
And travellers, now, within that valley
Through the red-litten windows
See
Vast forms, that move fantastically
To a discordant melody
While, like a ghastly rapid river
Through the pale door
A hideous throng rush out forever
And laugh — but smile no more
Laughing seen as a sign of wickedness, madness or psychological instability as apposed to the general use of laughter telling the reader that while they seem to have gone mad, they no longer care and are perhaps embracing it. This madness comes at a price though – they will never truly be or know what it is to be happy ever again.
The Haunted Palace