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[1]
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
- ↑ It is universally known, that Rousseau was condemned to make an amende honorable, and banished for life, on account of certain infamous verses, which he wrote against his friends, and laid to the charge of Mons. Samin of the French Academy.
