richard rodney bennett - the song of the mad prince lyrics

who said ‘peac+ck 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’?
s+xton 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