THE CHOICE OF HERCULES. From the Greek of Prodicus By BISHOP LOWTH. OW had the fon of Jove, mature, attain'd The joyful prime; when youth, elate and gay, Steps into life, and follows unreftrain'd Where paflion leads, or prudence points the way. In the pure mind, at thofe ambiguous years, Or vice, rank weed, firft frikes her pois'nous root; Or haply virtue's op'ning bud appears By juft degrees, fair bloom of fairest fruit ! For, if on youth's untainted thought impreft, The gen'rous purpose ftill fhall warm the manly breast. As on a day, reflecting on his age For highest deeds now ripe, Alcides fought Retirement, nurfe of contemplation fage, Step following flep, and thought fucceeding thought; Mufing, with fleady pace the youth pursued 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. Much Much did the view divide his wav'ring mind : His yielding foul, and quench'd the rifing flame: When, lo! far off two female forms he 'fpies; Direct to him their fleps they feem to bear ; Both large and tall, exceeding human fize ; Both, far exceeding human beauty, fair. Graceful, yet each with diff'rent grace they move; This ftriking facred awe; that, softer winning love. The first in native dignity furpafs'd; Artless and unadorn'd fhe pleas'd the more Health o'er her looks a genuine luftre caft; A veft more white than new-fallen fhow the wore : Auguft the trod, yet modeft was her air; Serene her eye, yet darting heavenly fire. Still the drew near; and nearer ftill more fair, More mild, appear'd: yet fuch as might infpire Pleasure corrected with an awful fear`; Majeftically fweet, and amiably fevere. The other dame feem'd even of fairer hue; But bold her mien, unguarded rov'd her eye, And her flufh'd cheeks confefs'd at nearer view All foft and delicate, with airy fwim Her ftature fhew'd more tall, more fnowy white her skin, Oft with a fmile fhe view'd herself afkance; With freedom bland the wond'ring youth addrefs'd; "Dear Hercules, whence this unk ind delay P Dear youth, what doubts can thus diftract thy mind ? Securely follow where I lead the way, And range thro' wilds of pleafure unconfin'd. With me retire from noife, and pain, and care, Embath'd in blifs, and wrapt in endless cafe ; 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. Then will I grant thee all thy foul's defire ; All that may charm thine ear, and please thy fight:1 Rich odours, breathing choiceft fweets around; Thefe will I freely, conftantly fupply, Pleafures not earn'd with toil, nor mix'd with woes Far from thy reft repining want fhall fly, Nor labour bathe in fweat thy careful brow. Mature the copious harveft fhall be thine, Let the laborious hind fubdue the foil; Leave the rafh foldier fpoils of war to win, New pleafures to invent, to wifh, and to enjoy." Her winning voice the youth attentive caught ; My name, fair youth, is Happiness," the faid: "Well can my friends this envied truth maintain; They They fhare my blifs, they beft can fpeak my praife: Tho' Slander call me Sloth (detraction vain !) Heed not what Slander, vain detra&ter, fays; Slander, fill prompt true merit to defame, To blot the brightest worth, and blaft the fairest name. By this arriv'd the fair majestic maid ; She all the while, with the fame modeft pace, Compos'd advanc'd: "Know, Hercules," the faid, With manly tone, thy birth of heavenly race: Thy tender age, that lov'd inftruction's voice, Promis'd thee generous, patient, brave, and wife; When manhood fhould confirm thy glorious choice, Now expectation waits to fee thee rife. Rife, youth! exalt thyfelf and me; approve But what truth prompts, my tongue fhall not difguife: And pay the price of fame-labour, and care, and pain.. |