The
CHOICE
of
HERCULES
.
A
POEM
.
I.
NOW
had
the
son
of
Jove
mature
,
attain'd
The
joyful
prime
:
when
youth
,
elate
and
gay
,
Steps
into
life
;
and
follows
unrestrain'd
Where
passion
leads
,
or
prudence
points
the
way
.
In
the
pure
mind
,
at
those
ambiguous
years
,
Or
vice
,
rank
weed
,
first
strikes
her
pois'nous
root
:
Or
haply
virtue's
op'ning
bud
appears
By
just
degrees
;
fair
bloom
of
fairest
fruit
:
For
,
if
on
youth's
untainted
thought
imprest
,
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
sought
Retirement
;
nurse
of
contemplation
sage
;
Step
following
step
,
and
thought
succeeding
thought
:
Musing
,
with
steady
pace
the
youth
pursu'd
His
walk
;
and
lost
in
meditation
stray'd
Far
in
a
lonely
vale
,
with
solitude
Conversing
;
while
intent
his
mind
survey'd
The
dubious
path
of
life
:
before
him
lay
Here
Virtue's
rough
ascent
,
there
Pleasure'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
ease
to
softer
thoughts
inclin'd
His
yielding
soul
,
and
quench'd
the
rising
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
size
;
Both
far
exceeding
human
beauty
,
fair
.
Graceful
,
yet
each
with
different
grace
,
they
move
:
This
,
striking
sacred
awe
;
that
,
softer
,
winning
love
.
IV
.
The
first
,
in
native
dignity
surpass'd
;
Artless
and
unadorn'd
she
pleas'd
the
more
:
Health
,
o'er
her
looks
,
a
genuine
lustre
cast
;
A
vest
,
more
white
than
new-fall'n
snow
she
wore
.
August
she
trod
,
yet
modest
was
her
air
;
Serene
her
eye
,
yet
darting
heav'nly
fire
.
Still
she
drew
near
;
and
nearer
still
more
fair
,
More
mild
appear'd
:
yet
such
as
might
inspire
Pleasure
corrected
with
an
aweful
fear
;
Majestically
sweet
,
and
amiably
severe
.
V.
The
other
dame
seem'd
ev'n
of
fairer
hue
;
But
bold
her
mien
;
unguarded
rov'd
her
eye
:
And
her
flush'd
cheeks
confess'd
at
nearer
view
The
borrow'd
blushes
of
an
artful
dye
.
All
soft
and
delicate
,
with
airy
swim
Lightly
she
danc'd
along
;
her
robe
betray'd
Thro'
the
clear
texture
ev'ry
tender
limb
,
Height'ning
the
charms
it
only
seem'd
to
shade
:
And
as
it
flow'd
adown
,
so
loose
and
thin
,
Her
stature
shew'd
more
tall
;
more
snowy-white
,
her
skin
.
VI
.
Oft
with
a
smile
she
view'd
herself
askance
;
Ev'n
on
her
shade
a
conscious
look
she
threw
;
Then
all
around
her
cast
a
careless
glance
,
To
mark
what
gazing
eyes
her
beauty
drew
.
As
they
came
near
,
before
that
other
maid
Approaching
decent
,
eagerly
she
press'd
With
hasty
step
;
nor
of
repulse
afraid
,
With
freedom
bland
the
wond'ring
youth
address'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
ease
:
"
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
soul's
desire
;
"
All
that
may
charm
thine
ear
,
and
please
thy
sight
:
"
All
that
thy
thought
can
frame
,
or
wish
require
,
"
To
steep
thy
ravish'd
senses
in
delight
.
"
The
sumptuous
feast
,
enhanc'd
with
music's
sound
;
"
Fittest
to
tune
the
melting
soul
to
love
:
"
Rich
odours
,
breathing
choicest
sweets
around
;
"
The
fragrant
bow'r
,
cool
fountain
,
shady
grove
:
"
Fresh
flowers
,
to
strew
thy
couch
,
and
crown
thy
head
;
"
Joy
shall
attend
thy
steps
,
and
ease
shall
smooth
thy
bed
.
IX
.
"
These
will
I
,
freely
,
constantly
supply
;
"
Pleasures
,
not
earn'd
with
toil
,
nor
mix'd
with
woe
:
"
Far
from
thy
rest
repining
want
shall
fly
;
"
Nor
labour
bathe
in
sweat
thy
careful
brow
.
"
Mature
the
copious
harvest
shall
be
thine
;
"
Let
the
laborious
hind
subdue
the
soil
:
"
Leave
the
rash
soldier
spoils
of
war
to
win
;
"
Won
by
the
soldier
thou
shalt
share
the
spoil
:
"
These
softer
cares
my
blest
allies
employ
,
"
New
pleasures
to
invent
;
to
wish
,
and
to
enjoy
.
"
X.
Her
winning
voice
the
youth
attentive
caught
:
He
gaz'd
impatient
on
the
smiling
maid
;
Still
gaz'd
,
and
listen'd
:
then
her
name
besought
:
"
My
name
,
fair
youth
,
is
Happiness
,
she
said
.
"
Well
can
my
friends
this
envy'd
truth
maintain
:
"
They
share
my
bliss
;
they
best
can
speak
my
praise
:
"
Tho'
slander
call
me
Sloth
—
detraction
vain
!
"
Heed
not
what
Slander
,
vain
detractor
,
says
:
"
Slander
,
still
prompt
true
merit
to
defame
;
"
To
blot
the
brightest
worth
,
and
blast
the
fairest
name
.
"
XI
.
By
this
,
arriv'd
the
fair
majestic
maid
:
(
She
all
the
while
,
with
the
same
modest
pace
,
Compos'd
,
advanc'd
.
)
"
Know
,
Hercules
,
"
she
said
With
manly
tone
,
"
thy
birth
of
heav'nly
race
;
"
Thy
tender
age
that
lov'd
instruction's
voice
,
"
Promis'd
thee
generous
,
patient
,
brave
and
wise
;
"
When
manhood
should
confirm
thy
glorious
choice
:
"
Now
expectation
waits
to
see
thee
rise
.
"
Rise
,
youth
!
Exalt
thyself
,
and
me
:
approve
"
Thy
high
descent
from
heav'n
;
and
dare
be
worthy
Jove
.
XII
.
"
But
what
truth
prompts
,
my
tongue
shall
not
disguise
;
"
The
steep
ascent
must
be
with
toil
subdu'd
:
"
Watching
and
cares
must
win
the
lofty
prize
"
Propos'd
by
heav'n
;
true
bliss
,
and
real
good
.
"
Honour
rewards
the
brave
and
bold
alone
;
"
She
spurns
the
timorous
,
indolent
,
and
base
:
"
Danger
and
toil
stand
stern
before
her
throne
;
"
And
guard
(
so
Jove
commands
)
the
sacred
place
.
"
Who
seeks
her
must
the
mighty
cost
sustain
,
"
And
pay
the
price
of
fame
;
labour
,
and
care
,
and
pain
.
XIII
.
"
Wou'dst
thou
engage
the
gods
peculiar
care
?
"
O
Hercules
,
th'
immortal
powers
adore
!
"
With
a
pure
heart
,
with
sacrifice
and
pray'r
"
Attend
their
altars
;
and
their
aid
implore
.
"
Or
wou'dst
thou
gain
thy
country's
loud
applause
,
"
Lov'd
as
her
father
,
as
her
god
ador'd
?
"
Be
thou
the
bold
assertor
of
her
cause
;
"
Her
voice
,
in
council
;
in
the
fight
,
her
sword
.
"
In
peace
,
in
war
,
pursue
thy
country's
good
:
"
For
her
,
bare
thy
bold
breast
;
and
pour
thy
generous
blood
.
XIV
.
"
Wou'dst
thou
,
to
quell
the
proud
and
lift
th'
opprest
,
"
In
arts
of
war
and
matchless
strength
excel
?
"
First
conquer
thou
thyself
.
To
ease
,
to
rest
,
"
To
each
soft
thought
of
pleasure
,
bid
farewel
.
"
The
night
alternate
,
due
to
sweet
repose
,
"
In
watches
waste
;
in
painful
march
,
the
day
:
"
Congeal'd
,
amidst
the
rigorous
winter's
snows
;
"
Scorch'd
,
by
the
summer's
thirst-inflaming
ray
.
"
Thy
harden'd
limbs
shall
boast
superior
might
:
"
Vigour
shall
brace
thine
arm
,
resistless
in
the
fight
.
"
XV.
"
Hear'st
thou
,
what
monsters
then
thou
must
engage
;
"
What
dangers
,
gentle
youth
,
she
bids
thee
prove
?
(
Abrupt
says
Sloth
)
"
ill
fit
thy
tender
age
"
Tumult
and
wars
;
fit
age
,
for
joy
and
love
.
"
Turn
,
gentle
youth
,
to
me
,
to
love
and
joy
!
"
To
these
I
lead
:
no
monsters
here
shall
stay
"
Thine
easy
course
;
no
cares
thy
peace
annoy
:
"
I
lead
to
bliss
a
nearer
,
smoother
way
.
"
Short
is
my
way
;
fair
,
easy
,
smooth
,
and
plain
:
"
Turn
,
gentle
youth
!
With
me
eternal
pleasures
reign
.
"
XVI
.
"
What
pleasures
,
vain
mistaken
wretch
,
are
thine
!
(
Virtue
with
scorn
reply'd
:
)
"
who
sleep'st
in
ease
"
Insensate
;
whose
soft
limbs
the
toil
decline
"
That
seasons
bliss
,
and
makes
enjoyment
please
.
"
Draining
the
copious
bowl
,
ere
thirst
require
;
"
Feasting
,
ere
hunger
to
the
feast
invite
:
"
Whose
tasteless
joys
anticipate
desire
;
"
Whom
luxury
supplies
with
appetite
:
"
Yet
Nature
loaths
;
and
you
employ
in
vain
"
Variety
and
art
to
conquer
her
disdain
.
XVII
.
"
The
sparkling
nectar
,
cool'd
with
summer
snows
;
"
The
dainty
board
,
with
choicest
viands
spread
;
"
To
thee
are
tasteless
all
!
Sincere
repose
"
Flies
from
thy
flow'ry
couch
and
downy
bed
.
"
For
thou
art
only
tir'd
with
indolence
:
"
Nor
is
thy
sleep
,
with
toil
and
labour
bought
:
"
Th'
imperfect
sleep
that
lulls
thy
languid
sense
"
In
dull
oblivious
interval
of
thought
:
"
That
kindly
steals
th'
inactive
hours
away
"
From
the
long
,
ling'ring
space
,
that
lengthens
out
the
day
.
XVIII
.
"
From
bounteous
nature's
unexhausted
stores
"
Flows
the
pure
fountain
of
sincere
delights
:
"
Averse
to
her
,
you
waste
the
joyless
hours
;
"
Sleep
drowns
thy
days
,
and
riot
rules
thy
nights
.
"
Immortal
tho'
thou
art
,
indignant
Jove
"
Hurl'd
thee
from
heaven
,
th'
immortals
blissful
place
;
"
For
ever
banish'd
from
the
realms
above
,
"
To
dwell
on
earth
,
with
man's
degenerate
race
:
"
Fitter
abode
!
On
earth
alike
disgrac'd
;
"
Rejected
by
the
wise
,
and
by
the
fool
embrac'd
.
XIX
.
"
Fond
wretch
,
that
vainly
weenest
all
delight
"
To
gratify
the
sense
reserv'd
for
thee
!
"
Yet
the
most
pleasing
object
to
the
sight
,
"
Thine
own
fair
action
,
never
didst
thou
see
.
"
Tho'
lull'd
with
softest
sounds
thou
liest
along
;
"
Soft
music
,
warbling
voices
,
melting
lays
;
"
Ne'er
did'st
thou
hear
,
more
sweet
than
sweetest
song
"
Charming
the
soul
,
thou
ne'er
didst
hear
thy
praise
!
"
No
—
to
thy
revels
let
the
fool
repair
:
"
To
such
,
go
smooth
thy
speech
;
and
spread
thy
tempting
"
snare
.
XX
.
"
Vast
happiness
enjoy
thy
gay
allies
!
"
A
youth
of
follies
;
and
old
age
,
of
cares
:
"
Young
,
yet
enervate
;
old
,
yet
never
wise
;
"
Vice
wastes
their
vigour
,
and
their
mind
impairs
.
"
Vain
,
idle
,
delicate
,
in
thoughtless
ease
"
Reserving
woes
for
age
their
prime
they
spend
;
"
All
wretched
,
hopeless
,
in
the
evil
days
"
With
sorrow
to
the
verge
of
life
they
tend
.
"
Griev'd
,
with
the
present
;
of
the
past
,
asham'd
:
"
They
live
,
and
are
despis'd
:
they
die
,
nor
more
are
nam'd
.
XXI
.
"
But
with
the
gods
,
and
godlike
men
,
I
dwell
:
"
Me
,
his
supreme
delight
,
th'
almighty
Sire
"
Regards
well-pleas'd
:
whatever
works
excel
,
"
All
or
divine
or
human
,
I
inspire
.
"
Counsel
with
strength
,
and
industry
with
art
,
"
In
union
meet
conjoin'd
,
with
me
reside
:
"
My
dictates
arm
,
instruct
,
and
mend
the
heart
;
"
The
surest
policy
,
the
wisest
guide
.
"
With
me
,
true
friendship
dwells
:
she
deigns
to
bind
"
Those
generous
souls
alone
,
whom
I
before
have
join'd
.
XXII
.
"
Nor
need
my
friends
the
various
costly
feast
;
"
Hunger
to
them
th'
effects
of
art
supplies
;
"
Labour
prepares
their
weary
limbs
to
rest
;
"
Sweet
is
their
sleep
:
light
,
chearful
,
strong
they
rise
.
"
Thro'
health
,
thro'
joy
,
thro'
pleasure
and
renown
,
"
They
tread
my
paths
;
and
by
a
soft
descent
,
"
At
length
to
age
all
gently
sinking
down
,
"
Look
back
with
transport
on
a
life
well-spent
:
"
In
which
,
no
hour
flew
unimprov'd
away
;
"
In
which
,
some
generous
deed
distinguish'd
every
day
.
XXIII
.
"
And
when
,
the
destin'd
term
at
length
compleat
,
"
Their
ashes
rest
in
peace
;
eternal
Fame
"
Sounds
wide
their
praise
:
triumphant
over
fate
,
"
In
sacred
song
,
for
ever
lives
their
name
.
"
This
,
Hercules
,
is
happiness
!
Obey
"
My
voice
,
and
live
.
Let
thy
celestial
birth
"
Lift
,
and
enlarge
,
thy
thoughts
.
Behold
the
way
"
That
leads
to
fame
;
and
raises
thee
from
earth
"
Immortal
!
Lo
,
I
guide
thy
steps
.
Arise
,
"
Pursue
the
glorious
path
;
and
claim
thy
native
skies
.
"
XXIV
.
Her
words
breathe
fire
celestial
,
and
impart
New-vigour
to
his
soul
,
that
sudden
caught
The
generous
flame
:
with
great
intent
his
heart
Swells
full
;
and
labours
with
exalted
thought
:
The
mist
of
error
from
his
eyes
dispell'd
,
Thro'
all
her
fraudful
arts
in
clearest
light
Sloth
in
her
native
form
he
now
beheld
;
Unveil'd
,
she
stood
confess'd
before
his
sight
;
False
Siren
!
—
All
her
vaunted
charms
,
that
shone
So
fresh
erewhile
,
and
fair
:
now
wither'd
,
pale
,
and
gone
.
XXV
.
No
more
,
the
rosy
bloom
in
sweet
disguise
Masks
her
dissembled
looks
:
each
borrow'd
grace
Leaves
her
wan
cheek
;
pale
sickness
clouds
her
eyes
Livid
and
sunk
,
and
passions
dim
her
face
.
As
when
fair
Iris
has
awhile
display'd
Her
watry
arch
,
with
gaudy
painture
gay
;
While
yet
we
gaze
,
the
glorious
colours
fade
,
And
from
our
wonder
gently
steal
away
:
Where
shone
the
beauteous
phantom
erst
so
bright
,
Now
lowers
the
low-hung
cloud
;
all
gloomy
to
the
sight
.
XXVI
.
But
Virtue
more
engaging
all
the
while
Disclos'd
new
charms
;
more
lovely
,
more
serene
Beaming
sweet
influence
.
A
milder
smile
Soften'd
the
terrors
of
her
lofty
mien
.
"
Lead
,
goddess
,
I
am
thine
!
(
transported
cry'd
Alcides
:
)
"
O
propitious
pow'r
,
thy
way
"
Teach
me
!
possess
my
soul
;
be
thou
my
guide
:
"
From
thee
,
O
never
,
never
let
me
stray
!
"
While
ardent
thus
the
youth
his
vows
address'd
;
With
all
the
goddess
fill'd
,
already
glow'd
his
breast
.
XXVII
.
The
heav'nly
maid
;
with
strength
divine
endu'd
His
daring
soul
;
there
all
her
pow'rs
combin'd
:
Firm
constancy
,
undaunted
fortitude
,
Enduring
patience
,
arm'd
his
mighty
mind
.
Unmov'd
in
toils
,
in
dangers
undismay'd
,
By
many
a
hardy
deed
and
bold
emprize
,
From
fiercest
monsters
,
thro'
her
pow'rful
aid
,
He
free'd
the
earth
:
thro'
her
he
gain'd
the
skies
.
'Twas
Virtue
plac'd
him
in
the
blest
abode
;
Crown'd
with
eternal
youth
;
among
the
Gods
,
a
God
.