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Rosemary and Pansies/Mozart and Wagner

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4228828Rosemary and Pansies — Mozart and WagnerBertram Dobell

MOZART AND WAGNER

Th' old master's music steals upon the sense
With all-pervading and persuading power:
We listen ever with delight intense,
And drink it in as drinks the dew the flower:
The hours go by and yet we sit entranced,
And rise at last unwearied and unsated,
Our joy in life rekindled or enhanced,
In spirit and in senses recreated.

But Wagner like a rushing whirlwind storms us,
And like a despot fealty doth demand,—
Perchance to faithful subjects he transforms us—
Yet some so rude a summons will withstand:
And though we own his genius is vast,
Yet he exhausts and wearies us at last.