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Title: Adaption From An Old Play: Napoleon
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge [
More Titles by Coleridge]
Then we may thank ourselves,
Who spell-bound by the magic name of Peace
Dream golden dreams. Go, warlike Britain, go,
For the grey olive-branch change thy green laurels:
Hang up thy rusty helmet, that the bee
May have a hive, or spider find a loom!
Instead of doubling drum and thrilling fife
Be lull'd in lady's lap with amorous flutes:
But for Napoleon, know, he'll scorn this calm:
The ruddy planet at _his_ birth bore sway,
Sanguine adust his humour, and wild fire
His ruling element. Rage, revenge, and cunning
Make up the temper of this Captain's valour.
First published in _The Friend_, 1818, ii. 115. In later editions the word 'Adapted' was omitted. First collected in 1893.
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Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem: Adaption From An Old Play: Napoleon
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