142
VOLTAIRE.
made his adieux to the retiring deity with admirable grace. It must have been at this period, and in reply to some domestic remonstrances, that he wrote as follows:—
"Dost ask me still of love to dream?
Then bring me back love's radiant time!
Give to my sunset's parting gleam
The glow and freshness of my prime.
Then bring me back love's radiant time!
Give to my sunset's parting gleam
The glow and freshness of my prime.
From haunts wherein the god of Wine
And god of Love hold joyous sway,
Time, in his cold hand taking mine,
Turns my reluctant steps away.
And god of Love hold joyous sway,
Time, in his cold hand taking mine,
Turns my reluctant steps away.
Yet from his ordinance severe,
Some benefit at least may spring—
Who still apes youth when age is here,
Knows all the sorrows age can bring.
Some benefit at least may spring—
Who still apes youth when age is here,
Knows all the sorrows age can bring.
So let the young alone pursue
The dalliance sweet that makes their heaven;
And since our moments are so few,
Let some to wisdom's quest be given.
The dalliance sweet that makes their heaven;
And since our moments are so few,
Let some to wisdom's quest be given.
Yet oh! are ye for ever fled,
Illusion, fondness, fantasy?
Celestial gifts that o'er me spread,
A charm to cause all cares to flee?
Illusion, fondness, fantasy?
Celestial gifts that o'er me spread,
A charm to cause all cares to flee?
Two deaths we die, 'tis plain decreed;
To cease to love, nor know the bliss
Of being loved, is death indeed—
To cease to live is nought to this.
To cease to love, nor know the bliss
Of being loved, is death indeed—
To cease to live is nought to this.
Thus did I wistfully deplore
The errant joys of life's young day;
My heart, reviving, longed once more
For those false fires that led astray.
The errant joys of life's young day;
My heart, reviving, longed once more
For those false fires that led astray.
