Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/90

72 Away each friend polite that moment flies, Forsakes at once the temple and the prize; Thus in a moment friends are turned to foes, Each swears his rival warmly to oppose: Four devotees next issue from the throng, Poring on prayer-books as they pass along; Their charity to mankind overflows, And with religious zeal their bosom glows. A pampered prelate one with fat o'ergrown, Triple-chinned, much to apoplexy prone; The swine quite gorged with tithes, and overfed, At length by indigestion's force lies dead: Quick the confessor clears the sinner's score, His soles are greased, his body sprinkled o'er, And spruced up by the curate of the place, To go his heavenly journey with good grace; His three friends o'er him merrily say prayers, His benefice alone excites their cares: Devoutly rivals grown, each still pretends Attachment most sincere to both his friends; Yet all in making interest at the court, Their brothers downright Jansenists report. Two youths of fashion next came arm in arm, Their eyes and hearts, their mistress letters charm: These as they passed along they read aloud, And both displayed their persons to the crowd; Some favorite airs they sing, while they advance Up to the altar, just as to a dance: They fight about some trifle, one is slain, And Friendship's altar hence receives a stain; The less mad of the two with conquest crowned, Left his dear friend expiring on the ground.