Song of the Mad Prince

Who said, "Peacock pie"?
The old king to the sparrow:
Who said, "Crops are ripe"?
Rust to the harrow:
Who said, "Where sleeps she now?
Where rests she now her head,
Bathed in eve's loveliness"?
-That's what I said.

Who said, "Ay, mum's the word"?
Sexton to willow:
Who said, "Green dusk for dreams,
Moss for a pillow"?
Who said, "All time's delight
Hath she for narrow bed;
Life's troubled bubble broken"?
-That's what I said.


Walter de la Mare

-The prince is Shakespeare's Hamlet.