With no one to direct his steps and no one to command.
Then Fever wracked his body and he was very ill,
But fairies came to comfort, sweet music to instil
Into his wondrous fingers and in his kindly heart,
Henceforth of all his life work to take the biggest part;
Although in spite of music in rebel plans he mixed,
And exile to Herr Wagner's name for long years was affixed.
Twice he sailed on Hymen's sea, and I have heard it said
His first wife, Wilhelmina, proposed that he should wed.
With her he knew no happiness in all his married life,