Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/114

Colbert, who, vigilant and wise,
Enriched us still with new supplies;
Who found means to replace the stores
We lost by minions, priests, and whores:
That worthy, to whose cares we owe
A greatness we no longer know,
Against him saw the state conspire;
Saw Frenchmen rage with furious ire,
Disturb^[1] his urn, insult his shade,
To whom they once such honors paid.
When Louis, who bravely could oppose
Death's terrors, like his fiercest foes,
At length, by the decree of fate,
Was to St. Denis borne, in state.
I saw his people prone to changing,
Quite mad with wine and folly ranging,
Follow the mighty monarch's horse,
And curse him after death in verse.
You've known a regent at the helm
Turn upside down the Gallic realm:
He for society was born
Arts to promote and to adorn.
Great without pride, replete with wit,
Though loose, he could no crime commit;
And yet, most curst, most black of crimes!
All France has seen atrocious rhymes
Outrageously that prince defame
And give him every odious name.
Philippics^[2] wrote in unchaste strain
Scandalous chronicles remain;

1. A mob would have taken Colbert out of his grave at St. Eustache's Church.
2. A libel in verse, written against Philip duke of Orleans, regent of the kingdom.