Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/74

Graces which other nations own,
Are best to the French writers known;
Which others oft to copy tried;
Which by strict rules are never tied;
Which reigned at court in times of yore,
With which love crowns the Gallic shore.
Around the god the tender band
Of Graces still obsequious stand;
They to adorn the god attend;
He pleases by the charms they lend;
They crown him with a wreath divine,
Where Phœbus self took care to twine;
Laurels, which once famed Maro crowned
For epic poetry renowned.
Myrtle and ivy leaves, which graced
Horace supreme in wit and taste;
The roses, which in times of yore
The lyric bard Anacreon wore.
His front, the mirror of his mind,
Showed wisdom by true taste refined;
Wit sparkled in his eyes, his air
Was such as might his soul declare.
To prove his beauty is divine,
Silvia, his face resembles thine;
I thus conceal your real name,
Lest envious beauties should declaim
Against you should it once be known,
Your charms are greater than their own.
Rollin not far, with action grave,
To youth his learned lessons gave.
And though in his professor's chair,
Was listened to, a thing most rare.