Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864)

LIFE (priest and poet say) is but a dream;

I wish no happier one than to be laid

Beneath a cool syringa’s scented shade,

Or wavy willow, by the running stream,

Brimful of moral, where the dragon-fly,

Wanders as careless and content as I.

Thanks for this fancy, insect king,

Of purple crest and filmy wing,

Who with indifference givest up

The water-lily’s golden cup,

To come again and overlook

What I am writing in my book.

Believe me, most who read the line

Will read with hornier eyes than thine;

And yet their souls shall live for ever,

And thine drop dead into the river!

God pardon them, O insect king,

Who fancy so unjust a thing!