 | A thousand more verses |  |
DISENCHANTED.
There is a great difference of opinion as to the desirability of gum-chewing in public. Some do not mind an occasional exhibition of it; some tolerate it; others abhor it. It has often been doubted whether musicians could do their best work while jamming their jaws up and down. It is remembered and stated that “Blind Tom”, the famous negro pianist, frequently chewed gum while playing the most splendid compositions: but some say that his work was all inspiration, and he did not know whether he had anything in his mouth, or indeed whether he had any mouth, until after his selection was finished. The author of this takes no sides on the subject: he merely tries to reproduce the feelings of an ultra-imaginative music-lover, under certain circumstances.
I saw the moving pictures traceSome several passions of the soul:
But most of all I watched the face
Of the piano's fair control.
How well she followed up and down,
The swift events that flittered there!
She voiced each view of field and town,
From radiant hope to black despair.
Whate'er of fancy or of fact
The whirling films were wont to do,
She with the most exquisite tact,
Made the piano tell it, too.
I crept up on her, as it were,
The glories of her art to trace:
In that somewhat unusual place.
I nearer lurked: but oh, such pains
Disastrous were: my heart went dumb:
Right 'midst the most bewild'ring strains,
The little beast was chewing gum.
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