Fragment of an Ode on Napoleon

Lyrics

29 O'erhung with yew, midway the Muses mount         From thy sweet murmurs far, O Hippocrene! Turbid and black upboils an angry fount         Tossing its shatter'd foam in vengeful spleen— Phlegethon's rage Cocytus' wailings hoarse Alternate now, now mixt, made known its headlong course:         Thither with terror stricken and surprise, (For sure such haunts were ne'er to Muse's choice)         Euterpe led me. Mute with asking eyes I stood expectant of her heavenly voice. Her voice entranc'd my terror and made flow In a rude understrain the maniac fount below. 'Whene'er (the Goddess said) abhorr'd of Jove Usurping Power his hands in blood imbrues— 30 The singing Kettle and the purring Cat, The gentle breathing of the cradled Babe, The silence of the Mother's love-bright eye, And tender smile answering its smile of Sleep. 31 Two wedded hearts, if ere were such, Imprison'd in adjoining cells, Across whose thin partition-wall The builder left one narrow rent, And where, most content in discontent, A joy with itself at strife— Die into an intenser life. Another Version The builder left one narrow rent,         Two wedded hearts, if ere were such, Contented most in discontent,         Still there cling, and try in vain to touch! O Joy! with thy own joy at strife,         That yearning for the Realm above Wouldst die into intenser Life,         And Union absolute of Love! 32 Sole Maid, associate sole, to me beyond Compare all living creatures dear— Thoughts, which have found their harbour in thy heart Dearest! me thought of him to thee so dear!