When first to scourge the sons of earth,

Thy sire his darling child designed,

Gallia received the monstrous birth,

Voltaire informed thine infant mind.

Well-chosen nurse, his sophist lore,

He bade thee many a year explore,

He marked thy progress firm though slow,

And statesmen, princes, leagued with their inveterate foe.

Scared at thy frown terrific, fly

The morals (antiquated brood),