Etty chose to illustrate Gray 's words literally , creating what have been described as " a poetic romance " . Youth and Pleasure depict a small gilded boat . Above the boat , a nude figure representing Zephyr blow on the sails . Another nude representing Pleasure lie on a large bouquet of flowers , loosely holding the helm of the boat and allowing Zephyr 's breeze to guide it . A nude child blow bubbles , which another nude on the prow of the ship , representing Youth , reach to catch . Naiads , again nude , swim around and clamber on the boat . Although the seas are calm , a " sweeping whirlwind " is forming on the horizon , with a demonic figure within the storm clouds . ( Deterioration and restoration mean this demonic figure is now barely visible . ) The intertwined limbs of the participants was intended to evoke the sensation of transient and passing pleasure , and to express the themes of female sexual appetites entrapping innocent youth , and the sexual power women hold over men .