The CHOICE of HERCULES.

A РО E M.

WOW had the fon of Jove mature, attain'd
The joyful prime: when youth, elate and gay,
Steps into life; and follows unreftrain'd
Where paffion leads, or prudence points the way.
In the pure mind, at thofe ambiguous years,
Or vice, rank weed, first strikes her pois'nous root;
Or haply virtue's op'ning bud appears

By juft degrees; fair bloom of faireft fruit:
For, if on youth's untainted thought impreft,
The gen'rous purpose still shall warm the manly breast.

II.

As on a day, reflecting on his age

For highest deeds now ripe, Alcides fought

Retirement; nurse of contemplation fage;..
Step following step, and thought fucceeding thought:

A 4

Mufing,

Mufing, with steady pace the youth pursu’d
His walk; and loft in meditation ftray'd
Far in a lonely vale, with folitude
Converfing; while intent his mind survey'd
The dubious path of life: before him lay
Here Virtue's rough afcent, there Pleafure's flow'ry way.

III.

Much did the view divide his wavering mind:
Now glow'd his breast with generous thirst of fame ;
Now love of eafe to fofter thoughts inclin'd
His yielding foul, and quench'd the rifing flame.
When, lo! far off two female forms he spies;
Direct to him their steps they seem to bear:

Both, large and tall, exceeding human fize;
Both far exceeding human beauty, fair.

Graceful, yet each with different grace, they move:
This, ftriking facred awe; that, fofter, winning love,
IV.

The firft, in native dignity furpass'd;
Artlefs and unadorn'd she pleas'd the more:
Health, o'er her looks, a genuine lustre cast ;
A veft, more white than new-fall'n fnow fhe wore.
Auguft fhe trod, yet modeft was her air;
Serene her eye, yet darting heav'nly fire,

Still fhe drew near; and nearer ftill more fair,
More mild appear'd: yet fuch as might inspire
Pleasure corrected with an aweful fear;

Majestically sweet, and amiably fevere.

V. The

V.

The other dame feem'd ev'n of fairer hue;
But bold her mien; unguarded rov'd her eye:
And her flush'd cheeks confefs'd at nearer view
The borrow'd blushes of an artful dye.

All foft and delicate, with airy swim
Lightly fhe danc'd along; her robe betray'd

Thro' the clear texture ev'ry tender limb,
Height'ning the charms it only feem'd to shade:
And as it flow'd adown, so loose and thin,

Her ftature shew'd more tall; more snowy-white, her skin.

VI.

Oft with a smile fhe view'd herself askance; Ev'n on her fhade a conscious look fhe threw ; Then all around her caft a careless glance, To mark what gazing eyes her beauty drew. As they came near, before that other maid Approaching decent, eagerly fhe prefs'd With hafty step; nor of repulfe afraid, With freedom bland the wond'ring youth addrefs'd; With winning fondness on his neck she hung; Sweet as the honey-dew flow'd her enchanting tongue.

VII.

"Dear Hercules, whence this unkind delay ?

"Dear youth, what doubts can thus distract thy mind? "Securely follow, where I lead the way;

"And range thro' wilds of pleasure unconfin'd.

"With me retire, from noise, and pain, and care; “Embath'd in bliss, and rapt in endless case :

Rough is the road to fame, thro' blood and war; "Smooth is my way, and all my paths are peace. "With me retire, from toils and perils free;

"Leave honour to the wretch! Pleasures were made for thee.

VIII.

"Then will I grant thee all thy foul's defire; "All that may charm thine ear, and please thy fight: "All that thy thought can frame, or with require, "To fteep thy ravifh'd fenfes in delight.

"The fumptuous feast, enhanc'd with mufic's found; "Fittest to tune the melting foul to love:

"Rich odours, breathing choiceft fweets around; "The fragrant bow'r, cool fountain, fhady grove: "Fresh flowers, to ftrew thy couch, and crown thy head; "Joy shall attend thy steps, and ease shall finooth thy bed.

IX.

"Thefe will I, freely, conftantly supply; "Pleafures, not earn'd with toil, nor mix'd with woe: "Far from thy reft repining want fhall fly; ". Nor labour bathe in fweat thy careful brow. "Mature the copious harvest shall be thine ; "Let the laborious hind fubdue the foil:

"Leave the rafh foldier fpoils of war to win; "Won by the foldier thou shalt share the spoil: "Thefe fofter cares my bleft allies employ, "New pleasures to invent; to wifh, and to enjoy."

X. Her

X.

Her winning voice the youth attentive caught:
He gaz'd impatient on the fmiling maid;

Still gaz'd, and liften'd: then her name befought:
"My name, fair youth, is Happiness, the faid..

"Well can my friends this envy'd truth maintain : "They fhare my blifs ; they beft can speak my praise : “Tho' flander call me Sloth-detraction vain ! "Heed not what flander, vain Detractor, fays: "Slander, ftill prompt, true merit to defame; "To blot the brightest worth, and blaft the fairest name."

XI.

By this, arrived the fair majestic maid : (She all the while, with the fame modest pace, Compos'd, advanc'd.) "Know, Hercules," fhe faid

With manly tone, "thy birth of heav'nly race;

Thy tender age that lov'd inftruction's voice,

"Promis'd thee generous, patient, brave and wife;

"When manhood should confirm thy glorious choice: "Now expectation waits to see thee rife.

Rife, youth! Exalt thyfelf, and me: approve "Thy high descent from heav'n; and dare be worthy Jove.

XII.

"But what truth prompts, my tongue fhall not disguife; "The steep afcent must be with toil fubdu'd: "Watching and cares must win the lofty prize Propos'd by heav'n; true blifs, and real good.

" Honour