Hercules and Omphale

by Mary Elizabeth Hewitt

Reclined, enervate, on the couch of ease,
    No more he pants for deeds of high emprize;
    For Pleasure holds in soft voluptuous ties
Enthralled, great Jove-descended Hercules.
The hand that bound the Erymanthean boar,
    Hesperia's dragon slew with bold intent,
    That from his quivering side in triumph rent
The skin the Cleonœan lion wore,
Holds forth the goblet—while the Lydian queen,
    Robed like a nymph, her brow enwreathed with vine,
    Lifts high the amphora brimmed with rosy wine,
And pours the draught the crownéd cup within.
And thus the soul, abased to sensual sway,
Its worth forsakes—its might foregoes for aye.