I think my favorite misreading of a text is the one described in Thurber's "The Macbeth Murder Mystery."
There's a lot of preachy Lawrence to wade through (having never read a novel of his), but moments shine out: "Bavarian Gentians", in my memory at least, and this:
"A snake came to my water-trough,
On a hot, hot day, and I in pyjamas for the heat;
To drink there."
After that it goes rapidly to pot.
Cheers,
John
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