Yes, nonsense is a treasure!
I love it from my heart;
The only earthly pleasure
That never will depart.
But, as for stupid reason,
That stalking, ten-foot rule,
She’s always out of season,
A tedious, testy fool.
She’s like a walking steeple,
With a clock for face and eyes,
Still bawling to all people,
Time bids us to be wise.
While nonsense on the spire
A weathercock you’ll find,
Than reason soaring higher,
And changing with the wind.
The clock too oft deceives,
Says what it cannot prove;
While every one believes
The vane that turns above.
Reason oft speaks unbidden,
And chides us to our face;
For which she should be chidden,
And taught to know her place.
While nonsense smiles and chatters,
And says such charming things,
Like youthful hope she flatters;
And like a syren sings.
Her charm’s from fancy borrowed,
For she is fancy’s pet;
Her name is on her forehead,
In rainbow colors set.
Then, nonsense let us cherish,
Far, far from reason’s light;
Lest in her light she perish,
And vanish from our sight.