Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/67

Rh Darius; and they in fact forced Lemoine to lay violent hands upon himself for having painted the admirable salon of Hercules. They always hold in their hands a bowl of aconite, like that which men of the same character caused Socrates to drink. Pride mixing with envy in odious embrace, Gave birth to this cursed and detestable race, Suspicion, self-interest, malignant detraction, And of devotees a most dangerous faction, These often in secret confederacy combine, And to the cabal ope the gates of the shrine. There a Midas' eyes they impose on with ease, Knaves yield them support, and fools glut them with praise; True merit, indignant, a sad silence keeps; Time alone wipes his tears, whilst in secret he weeps. These persecuting wretches fled as soon as they saw my two guides. Their precipitate flight was followed by something of a more diverting nature; this was a crowd of writers of every rank, age and condition, who scratched at the door and begged of Criticism to permit them to enter. One brought with him a mathematical romance, another a speech made before the Academy; one has just composed a metaphysical comedy; another held in his hand a poetical miscellany long since printed, with a long approbation and a privilege; another presented a mandate wrote in an affected and over-refined style, and was surprised to find that all present laughed instead of asking his blessing. "I am the reverend father," said one: "Make room for my lord," said another. Vol. 36—4