29



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—


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,
       &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!


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!