Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/304

278 When I'm by indigence oppressed, Diseased, deprived of needful rest; Say, shall my lot more blessed appear, When I our prince's glories hear; Shall my distresses all be o'er, If German plains are drenched in gore? Colbert, whose praises we resound, Who planted arts on Gallic ground, France shall revere you as a sage; Posterity in every age Shall own you born the land to bless. And Louvois be applauded less, Louvois, who with ambition dire, Set the Palatinate on fire; And Holland to destroy aspired, Had with his fury fate conspired.

Let Louis, even in decline, Still as the greatest monarch shine: But may he wisely fame acquire, Not to the conqueror's wreath aspire; Louis in peace claims just applause, His subjects all revere his laws; Their happiness from Louis springs— Louis, the greatest, best of kings.