Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/198

176 Found means to get to hell ere dead, And clapped huge horns upon his head. This as a fable you'll deride, But love a man to hell may guide; In hell, as here, by some strange spite, Intrigues are always brought to light; In a hot hole a spy concealed, Saw all, and all he saw revealed; And added, that the royal dame, With half the damned had done the same. The horned god on this report Convokes at his infernal court, Each odious, black, and cursed soul, Sainted below for actions foul, Each cuckold's soul, who during life Did all he could to plague his wife. Then thus declared a Florentine, "Most mighty monarch, I'd opine For death, for once a wife is dead, She can't defile the marriage bed; But ah, sir, an immortal wife Can never be deprived of life; A padlock, therefore, I'd invent, Which should such accidents prevent; She must be virtuous, of course, When under the restraint of force; Not to be come at by her elf, You're sure to have her to yourself; Would I had thought before I died, Such a convenience to provide." This sage advice a loud applause From all the damned assembly draws;