Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/70

52 Criticism, upon hearing these words, opened the door and spoke thus:  "Rousseau, my temper better know, I'm just, and ne'er with gall o'erflow; Unlike that fury, whose fell rage Suggested thy malicious page; Who poured her poison in your heart, And armed you with the deadly dart. The calumnies you strove to spread, Drew Themis' vengeance on your head; Your muse was into banishment For certain wicked couplets sent. And for a wretched, ill-writ case, Which added to your dire disgrace; But Phœbus quickly did pursue Your malice with the vengeance due; Your soul of genius he deprived; Genius which you from him derived, Of harmony he robbed your lays, Which by that only merit praise; Yet you the scribbling itch retain, Whilst Phœbus disavows each strain." Criticism, after having given this advice, adjudged that Rousseau should take place of La Motte as a versifier; but that La Motte should have the precedence whenever genius or understanding were the subjects of dispute.

These two men, so different from each other, had