Amphitrion

Amphitrion and his bride, a godlike pair!
He brave as Mars, and she as Venus fair;
On thrones of gold in purple triumph plac'd,
With matchless splendour held the nuptial feast:
Whilst the high roof with loud applauses rung,
Enraptur'd, thus, the happy hero sung:

Was mighty Jove descending,
In all his wrath divine,
Enrag'd at my pretending
To call this charmer mine;
His shafts of bolted thunder
With boldness I'd deride:
Not Heav'n itself can sunder
The hearts that love has ty'd.

The Thunderer heard,—he look'd with vengeance down,
Till beauty's glance disarm'd his awful frown.
The magic impulse of Alcmena's eyes
Compel'd the conquer'd god to quit his skies;
He feign'd the husband's form, possess'd her charms,
And punish'd HIS presumption in HER arms.

He deserves sublimest pleasure,
Who reveals it not, when won.
Beauty's like the miser's treasure:
Boast it—and the fool's undone!
Learn by this, unguarded lover,
When your secret sighs prevail,
Not to let your tongue discover
Raptures that it shou'd conceal.