54
VOLTAIRE.
through which the hero views the celestial and infernal scenery.
"He ceased, and in a fiery car the two
Course through the heavens ere a moment's space—
As storm and lightnings in the night are seen
To dart from pole to pole, and split the air."
Course through the heavens ere a moment's space—
As storm and lightnings in the night are seen
To dart from pole to pole, and split the air."
What they saw, transported thus to distant worlds, the poet boldly proceeds to describe; and we may see how, in taking this survey of the universe, he has been influenced by his study of the theories of Newton:—
"In the bright centre of those orbs immense,
That cannot hide from us their distant paths,
Flames on that star of day, divinely lit,
Which round his burning axle ever turns,
And 'whence are poured unceasing floods of light.
His presence 'tis that gives to matter life,
Deals out the days, the seasons, and the years,
To all the varying worlds that round him glide.
These orbs, to law obedient, as they move,
Attract, repel each other ceaselessly,
And, interchanging rule and maintenance,
Reciprocate the rays by him bestowed.
Beyond their courses, in the depths of space,
Where matter swims, by God alone held in,
Suns without number are, and endless worlds.
In that profound abyss He opes their paths—
Beyond all heav'ns the God of Heaven doth dwell.
That cannot hide from us their distant paths,
Flames on that star of day, divinely lit,
Which round his burning axle ever turns,
And 'whence are poured unceasing floods of light.
His presence 'tis that gives to matter life,
Deals out the days, the seasons, and the years,
To all the varying worlds that round him glide.
These orbs, to law obedient, as they move,
Attract, repel each other ceaselessly,
And, interchanging rule and maintenance,
Reciprocate the rays by him bestowed.
Beyond their courses, in the depths of space,
Where matter swims, by God alone held in,
Suns without number are, and endless worlds.
In that profound abyss He opes their paths—
Beyond all heav'ns the God of Heaven doth dwell.
The hero follows his celestial guide
To depths from whence the countless spirits come
Who bodies animate and people worlds;
Therein our souls are after death replunged,
From fleshly prison-house for aye set free.
To depths from whence the countless spirits come
Who bodies animate and people worlds;
Therein our souls are after death replunged,
From fleshly prison-house for aye set free.
Here a just Judge assembles at His feet
Immortal spirits which His breath has made.
Immortal spirits which His breath has made.
