Ballade of an Omnibus

 "To see my love suffices me.
"
--Ballades in Blue China.



Some men to carriages aspire; 
On some the costly hansoms wait;
Some seek a fly, on job or hire;
Some mount the trotting steed, elate.

I envy not the rich and great,
A wandering minstrel, poor and free,
I am contented with my fate --
An omnibus suffices me.


In winter days of rain and mire
I find within a corner strait;
The 'busmen know me and my lyre
From Brompton to the Bull-and-Gate.

When summer comes, I mount in state
The topmost summit, whence I see
Crœsus look up, compassionate --
An omnibus suffices me.


I mark, untroubled by desire,
Lucullus' phaeton and its freight.

The scene whereof I cannot tire,
The human tale of love and hate,
The city pageant, early and late
Unfolds itself, rolls by, to be
A pleasure deep and delicate.

An omnibus suffices me.


Princess, your splendour you require,
I, my simplicity; agree
Neither to rate lower nor higher.

An omnibus suffices me.

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