Classic Poem

Take you the song of the linnet,
Take you the tune of the thrush,
Take you the hum of the spinet,
Give me the fill to a flush.
Take you the dawning, and so forth;
Take you the sun in the west;
Enter the forest and go forth —
I will take all of the rest.

Thanks for the gold of the palace,
You take the gold of a dream.
Douglas, I'll schenck you the chalice;
Give me my coffee, with cream.
I'll take the blare of the brasses
Playing some jazz, by request;
You may recline in the grasses —
Give me a bed for my rest.

I'll take the fame and the glory,
All I can possibly strike;
I'll be a hero of story,
You be a dub if you like.

Live, if you like, far from this city,
I'll live on Central Park West,
And O from the School of Simplicity
Give me, O give me a rest.