Emily Dickinson Lexicon

pall (-s), n. [OE pæll, pęll, costly cloak or robe, purple robe, purple; cloak or mantle. See purple. NW says related to “pale.”] (webplay: cool, cover, funerals, life, lose).

1. Burial cloth; covering placed over the body of the deceased at a funeral; [word play] pale color of a corpse; bloodless appearance of the body after death.
2. Royal robe; coronation vestment; ceremonial cloak of rich purple cloth; majestic mantle signifying high honor or status.