Thus Alcmena's warlike son
The thorny course of virtue run,
When, taught by her unerring voice,
He made the glorious choice:
Severe, indeed, th' attempt he knew,
Youth's genial ardors to subdue:
For Pleasure Cytherea's form assum'd,
Her glowing charms divinely bright,
In all the pride of beauty bloom'd,
And struck his ravish'd sight.
Transfix'd, amaz'd,
Alcides gaz'd
O'er every angel-grace
Of that all-lovely face;
While deepening blushes soon confest
The alternate passions in his breast.
Her lips of coral hue,
Young Spring embalm'd with nectar-dew:
That swelling bosom half-reveal'd,
Those eyes that sparkle heavenly light,
His breast with tender tumults fill'd,
And wak'd his soul to soft delight.
Her limbs, that amorous silks enfold,
Were cast in nature's finest mould;
Persuasion's sweetest language hung
In melting accents on her tongue:
Deep in his heart, th' inchanting tale
Imprest her pleasing power,
She points along the daisied vale,
And shews th' Elysian bower:
Her hand, that trembling ardors move,
Conducts him blushing to the blest alcove,
That sweet recess of dying love!
Ah! see o'erpower'd by beauty's arms,
And won by love's resistless charms,
The captive youth obeys the strong alarms!