Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/211

Rh By my example taught, avoid my errors, Banish these idle fears, and calm thy soul.

After the dreadful secret thou hast told me, It were not fit I should conceal my own: Hear then my tale; perchance when thou shalt know The sad relation, which they bear each other, Thou too wilt tremble: Born the natural heir To Corinth's throne, from Corinth far removed, I look with horror on my native land: One day—that fatal day I well remember, For O! 'tis ever present to my thoughts, And dreadful to my soul—my youthful hands. For the first time their solemn gift prepared An offering to the gods, when lo! the gates Throughout the temple on a sudden stood Self-opened, and the pillars streamed with blood; The altars shook; a hand invisible Threw back my offerings, and in thunder thus A horrid voice addressed me: "Come not here, Stain not the holy threshold with thy feet, The gods have from the living cut thee off Indignant, nor will e'er accept thy gifts; Go, take thy offerings to the furies, seek The serpents that stand ready to devour thee; These are thy gods, begone, and worship them." While terror seized me at these dreadful words, Again the voice alarmed me, and foretold All those sad crimes which heaven to thee denounced Against thy son; said, I should slay my father, O gods! and be the husband of my mother.

Where am I? what malicious dæmon joined Our hands, to make us thus supremely wretched?