 | The Birth of Hercules |  |
THE ARGUMENT.
Antiquity does not furnish a more illustrious character than that of Hercules. He was the son of Jupiter, by Alcmena queen of Thebes, a princess equally celebrated for her chastity and beauty. His whole life was gloriously devoted to the service of mankind, whom he delivered from dangers, rescued from oppressions, and protected from violence. He instructed them in arts, inculcated in them a right sense of moral and social duties, and inspired them with piety towards the Gods. For all which great benefits conferred on the human race, he was deservedly venerated through life, and after death received the honour of deification.
The birth of a law-giver and hero, blest with such talents and distinguished by such divine endowments, is made allusively prophetic of the future merit and fame of a great Prince, whose happy birth was, in an extra-ordinary degree, rendered auspicious by such striking omens as the most fortunate successes and glorious advantages to his country, and such as immediately proved introductive of peace throughout the world; of which greatest of earthly blessings he thereby appeared to be born the royal pledge.
| The Birth of Hercules | |