Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/54

36 Who in their law could never yet agree, Are all united in the praise of thee? 'Tis because nature formed you for the throne; Like you to rule had the first Valois known, A Jacobin had not, with fury fired, To rival Judith and Aod, aspired; Ne'er on the king his hands profane had laid, But Valois edged the church's murderous blade, That blade by which, though subject crowds stood round, Great Henry after fell, for worth renowned. Such cursed effects from pious quarrels flow, Or soon or late all factions bloody grow; Quickly they spread and strength acquire, if prized, But quickly sink to nothing, if despised. He who can armies lead against the foe, To govern refractory priests should know. Yet could a Norman confessor persuade A king who prowess in the field displayed, That Quesnel, Jansen threatened much the state, The monarch by his greatness gave them weight. Then rose a hundred factions filled with ire, Blind zeal made judges, pleaders, clerks conspire; Then Jesuits, Capuchins, and Cordeliers, The kingdom filled with scruples and with fears: Ridiculous once by the regent made, They quickly sunk into oblivion's shade. The master's presence and his care suffice To scatter bliss, thence general good must rise.