Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/47

She kindles in each breast a generous flame,
And makes self-love and social love the same.
This was the demon Socrates' guide,
Ordained o'er all his actions to preside,
The God whose presence could his fears control,
Who made him dauntless drink the poisoned bowl.
Was to the sage its influence confined?
No; heaven must sure direct each human mind.
By this for five years Nero's rage was quelled,
Five years the voice of flattery he repelled.
His soul to this Aurelius still applied,
Like a philosopher he lived and died.
Julian, apostate by the Christians named,
Adhered to reason, whilst he faith disclaimed,
The Church's scandal, but of kings the pride,
Ne'er from the law of nature turned aside.
But cavillers truth's force will never own,
They cry to infants, "Reason is unknown;"
The power of education forms the mind,
Man still to copy others is inclined;
Nothing peculiar actuates his heart,
Others he apes, and acts a borrowed part;
Justice and truth with him are words of course,
But machine-like he acts by instinct's force.
He's Turk or Jew, Pagan or Child of Grace,
Layman or Monk, according to his race.
I know example influence acquires
O'er man; that habit sentiment inspires.
Speech, fashions, and the mind's unbounded range
Of mad opinions, subject still to change,
Are feeble traces by our sires impressed,
With mortal signet on each human breast.