[ 10 ]
'Are grac'd by Hymen's care, if yet thou love
'The Goddess, thou rever'st, revere the laws,
'Which lure th' enchanted soul to rapture's feast.
'In me behold thy captive; could I boast
'The Husband's happier name! my Hero's charms
'Have link'd a chain indissoluble, such
'As bound the fam'd Alcides, whom the God,
'That grasps the golden wand, an hireling led
'To proud Occhalia's Maid; not Hermes guides
'My soul to Hero's arms, the Queen of Love
'Inspires my suit; thou know'st th' Arcadian tale,
'Know'st Atalanta's fate, the maid, who spurn'd
'Melanion's flame, by angry Venus doom'd
'Humbly to wooe with unavailing sighs
'The youth, she hated; learn, my Hero, learn
'Thy Cytherea's will, nor tempt her frown.'
He ended, softly glides the subtle flame
Through Hero's bosom, every note expands
The seeds of fond affection, bent to earth
Her looks declare her love; the cheek, which boasts
More than the rose's bloom, displays the blush
Of virgin-modesty, which oft her robe
Wraps in its silken fold; her anxious step
Plays
