Gone's for once the old magician With his countenance forbidding; I 'm now master, I 'm tactician, All his ghosts must do my bidding. Know his incantation, Spell and gestures too; By my mind's creation Wonders shall I do. Flood impassive With persistence From a distance Want I rushing And at last abundant, massive Here into my basin gushing Come, old broom! For work get ready, Dress yourself, put on your tatters You 're, I know, a servant steady And proficient in such matters. On two legs stand gravely, Have a head, besides, With your pail now bravely Off, and do take strides! Flood impassive With persistence From a distance Want I rushing And at last abundant, massive Here into my basin gushing Like a whirlwind he is going To the stream, and then in Like an engine he is throwing Water for my use; with flurry Do I watch the steady; Not a drop is spilled, Basin, bowls already Are with water filled. Fool unwitty, Stop your going! Overflowing Are the dishes. I forgot the charm; what pity! Now my words are empty For the magic charm undoing What I did, I have forgotten. Be a broom! Be not renewing Now your efforts, spell-begotten! Still his work abhorrent Does the wretch resume; Where I look a torrent Threatens me with doom. No, no longer Shall I suffer You to offer Bold defiance. I have brains, I am the stronger And I shall enforce compliance You, hell's miscreate abortion, Is this house doomed to perdition? Signs I see in every portion Of impending demolition. Servant, cursed and senseless, Do obey my will! Be a broom defenseless, Be a stick! Stand still! Not impurely Shall you ravage. Wait! you savage, I'll beset you, With my hatchet opportunely Shall I split your wood, I bet There he comes again with water! - How my soul for murder itclies! First I stun and then I slaughter, That is good for beasts and witches. Well! he 's gone! - and broken Is the stick in two. He 's not worth a token; Now I hope, I do! Woe! It is so. Both the broken Parts betoken One infernal Servant's doubling. Woe! It is so. Now do help me, powers eternal! Both are running, both are plodding And with still increased persistence Hall and work-shop they are flooding. Master, come to my assistance! - Wrong I was in calling Spirits, I avow, For I find them galling, Cannot rule them now. "Be obedient Broom, be hiding And subsiding! None should ever But the master, when expedient, Call you as a ghostly lever!"