Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/106



may with regret complain That 'tis not fair Astrea's reign, That the famed golden age is o'er That Saturn, Rhea rule no more: Or, to speak in another style, That Eden's groves no longer smile. For my part, I thank Nature sage, That she has placed me in this age: Religionists may rail in vain; I own, I like this age profane; I love the pleasures of a court; I love the arts of every sort; Magnificence, fine buildings, strike me; In this, each man of sense is like me. I have, I own, a worldly mind, That's pleased abundance here to find; Abundance, mother of all arts, Which with new wants new joys imparts The treasures of the earth and main, With all the creatures they contain: These, luxury and pleasures raise; This iron age brings happy days. Needful superfluous things appear; They have joined together either sphere.