Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/136

Think how the ladies will approve
At court this miracle of love.
Perhaps I your disgust excite,
Wrinkles are shocking to your sight;
Heroes magnanimous despise
Such trifles, only shut your eyes."
Our knight of glory fond would fain
This conquest of himself obtain;
Obedience then became his choice,
Listening alone to honor's voice,
Finding in vigorous youth alone
What could for beauty's want atone,
And love's supply, he shuts his eyes,
And, to perform his duty, tries.
"Enough, enough," then said the bride,
"I ask no more; I'm satisfied;
My influence o'er your heart I know,
That influence to me you owe;
Acknowledge then, as matters stand,
The wife will still at home command.
Robert, all that I ask of thee
Is to be always ruled by me;
My love enjoins an easy task,
Now view me well, 'tis all I ask."
Then Robert looks, and sees in clusters
A hundred flambeaux placed on lustres,
In a proud palace, which he saw
Before a cabin thatched with straw.
There underneath rich curtains graced
With fringe of pearls in highest taste.