Common Things

The nightingale is sweet of song;

The rare exotic smells divinely;

And knightly men who stride along,

The role heroic carry finely.

But then, upon the other hand,

Our minds have got a way of running

To things that aren't quite so grand,

Which, maybe, we are best in shunning.

For some of us still like to see

The poor man in his dwelling narrow,

The hollyhock, the bumblebee,

The meadow lark, and chirping sparrow.

We like the man who soars and sings

With high and lofty inspiration;

But he who sings of common things

Shall always share our admiration.