the hero-the Conqueror Worm
In a similar vein:
"A man may fish with the worm that have eat of a king, and eat of the fish that have fed of that worm."

Worms make out very well in poetry. But then so does mud:
"Imperial Caesar dead and turned to clay, Could stop a hole to the keep the wind away."

Which brings us back to the Rubaiyat:
"All the saints and sages who discussed
Of the two worlds so learnedly are thrust
Like foolish prophets forth
Their words to scorn are scattered
And their mouths are stopped with dust."

Is Ash Wednesday approaching?