Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALLADE OF AN OMNIBUS, by AMY LEVY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLADE OF AN OMNIBUS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Some men to carriages aspire
Last Line: An omnibus suffices me.
Subject(s): Buses


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
Croesus 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.







Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net