I’ve sought applause, played to sad men and kings,
To find, at last, the universe, of all things,
Lo, hires a gnat to make the starry spheres
Trip to and fro, go gaily o’er and o’er
In perfect time across my bedroom floor!
And still they dance and dance, and still the trees
Sigh grand adagios as that maestro
Sits on my bed-rail sweeping from its bow
The music of the grand infinite seas,
Till ’neath the sheets I hide my head for shame