Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/199

Rh But ask your priest whether his gods condemn me; I'll wait their sentence; not because I fear it, But to preserve thy persecuted people.

Will heaven at last indulgent to our prayers Withdraw its vengeance? By what murderous hand Was it offended?

Speak, whose blood must flow For expiation?

Fatal gift of heaven! Unhappy knowledge! to what dangers oft Dost thou betray the heart of curious man! O would that fate, thus open to my view, Had o'er its secrets drawn the eternal veil To hide them from my sight!

What evil bringest thou?

Comest thou the minister of wrath divine?

Fear nothing.

Do the gods demand my life?