Fragment of an Ode on Napoleon by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Lyrics

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O'erhung with yew, midway the Muses mount
       &nbspFrom thy sweet murmurs far, O Hippocrene!
Turbid and black upboils an angry fount
       &nbspTossing its shatter'd foam in vengeful spleen—
Phlegethon's rage Cocytus' wailings hoarse
Alternate now, now mixt, made known its headlong course:
       &nbspThither with terror stricken and surprise,
(For sure such haunts were ne'er to Muse's choice)
       &nbspEuterpe 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—


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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.


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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,
       &nbspTwo wedded hearts, if ere were such,
Contented most in discontent,
       &nbspStill there cling, and try in vain to touch!
O Joy! with thy own joy at strife,
       &nbspThat yearning for the Realm above
Wouldst die into intenser Life,
       &nbspAnd Union absolute of Love!

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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!