"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.