The Apotheosis of Hercules



9:292 But now the hero of immortal birth
9:293 Fells Oete's forests on the groaning Earth;
9:294 A pile he builds; to Philoctetes' care
9:295 He leaves his deathful instruments of war;
9:296 To him commits those arrows, which again
9:297 Shall see the bulwarks of the Trojan reign.
9:298 The son of Paean lights the lofty pyre,
9:299 High round the structure climbs the greedy fire;
9:300 Plac'd on the top, thy nervous shoulders spread
9:301 With the Nemaean spoils, thy careless head
9:302 Rais'd on a knotty club, with look divine,
9:303 Here thou, dread hero, of celestial line,
9:304 Wert stretch'd at ease; as when a chearful guest,
9:305 Wine crown'd thy bowls, and flow'rs thy temples drest.

9:306 Now on all sides the potent flames aspire,
9:307 And crackle round those limbs that mock the fire
9:308 A sudden terror seiz'd th' immortal host,
9:309 Who thought the world's profess'd defender lost.
9:310 This when the Thund'rer saw, with smiles he cries,
9:311 'Tis from your fears, ye Gods, my pleasures rise;
9:312 Joy swells my breast, that my all-ruling hand
9:313 O'er such a grateful people boasts command,
9:314 That you my suff'ring progeny would aid;
9:315 Tho' to his deeds this just respect be paid,
9:316 Me you've oblig'd. Be all your fears forborn,
9:317 Th' Oetean fires do thou, great hero, scorn.
9:318 Who vanquish'd all things, shall subdue the flame.
9:319 That part alone of gross maternal frame
9:320 Fire shall devour; while what from me he drew
9:321 Shall live immortal, and its force subdue;
9:322 That, when he's dead, I'll raise to realms above;
9:323 May all the Pow'rs the righteous act approve.
9:324 If any God dissent, and judge too great
9:325 The sacred honours of the heav'nly seat,
9:326 Ev'n he shall own his deeds deserve the sky,
9:327 Ev'n he reluctant, shall at length comply.
9:328 Th' assembled Pow'rs assent. No frown 'till now
9:329 Had mark'd with passion vengeful Juno's brow,
9:330 Mean-while whate'er was in the pow'r of flame
9:331 Was all consum'd; his body's nervous frame
9:332 No more was known, of human form bereft,
9:333 Th' eternal part of Jove alone was left.
9:334 As an old serpent casts his scaly vest,
9:335 Wreathes in the sun, in youthful glory drest;
9:336 So when Alcides mortal mold resign'd,
9:337 His better part enlarg'd, and grew refin'd;
9:338 August his visage shone; almighty Jove
9:339 In his swift carr his honour'd offspring drove;
9:340 High o'er the hollow clouds the coursers fly,
9:341 And lodge the hero in the starry sky.