Scene  II. — Alcides,  now  finding  himself  alone,  begins
to  mistrust  himself;  his  fortitude  appears  sinking  at  the
absence  of  his  Mentor.  He  meditates  on  his  singular  si-
tuation, then  examines  the  two  portentous  paths  of  this
desert.  He  appears  delighted  with  the  lovely  and  flatter-
ing prospect  of  that  leading  to  Pleasure ;  the  approach
s  eaay ;  every  thing  n  calculated  to  excite  agreeable
sensations.  The  beauty  and  variety  of  tl>e  flowers,  whose
perfume  is   wafted  through  the  air  upon   the  wings  of


I


PROGRAMMES  OF  BALLETS.  475

zephyrs;  the  gentle  whispering  of  the  umbrageous  foliage ;
the  murmuring  of  crystal  rivulets,  and  tiie  wurblinga  of
the  birds,  all  tend  to  perplex  him  in  making  the  proper
eeleclion,  notwithstanding  the  young  hero  recalls  to  his
mind  the  advice  he  has  received,  and  summons  all  his  re-
solution to  repel  those  deceitful  delights.  He  now  ap-
proaches the  path  of  Virtue ;  it  presents  a  view  rugged,
rude,  and  bare.  The  sight  of  this  frightful  wilderness,
apparently  deserted  by  nature,  raises  in  the  breast  of
Aicides  o.  desire  of  proving  his  valour  by  braving  its  dan-
ger; his  inward  sensations  direct  him  to  this  road,  as  his
proper  choice ;  but  before  he  attempts  to  enter,  he  ad-
dresses himself  to  the  immortal  powers,  imploring  their
counsel  and  protection,  and  that  they  would  put  an  end
to  that  anxious  uncertainty  by  which  he  is  tormented.
