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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow ON THE ENGLISH GENIUS. - The Works of Voltaire, Vol. X The Dramatic Works Part 1 (Zaire, Caesar, The Prodigal, Prefaces) and Part II (The Lisbon Earthquake and Other Poems).

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ON THE ENGLISH GENIUS. - Voltaire, The Works of Voltaire, Vol. X The Dramatic Works Part 1 (Zaire, Caesar, The Prodigal, Prefaces) and Part II (The Lisbon Earthquake and Other Poems). [1901]

Edition used:

From The Works of Voltaire, A Contemporary Version, (New York: E.R. DuMont, 1901), A Critique and Biography by John Morley, notes by Tobias Smollett, trans. William F. Fleming. Vol. X The Dramatic Works Part 1 (Zaire, Caesar, The Prodigal, Prefaces) and Part II (The Lisbon Earthquake and Other Poems).

Part of: The Works of Voltaire. A Contemporary Version, in 21 vols.

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ON THE ENGLISH GENIUS.

to an english friend who had compared voltaire to the sun.

  • The glow of genius is old England’s sun,
  • Inspiring love of glory and her race,
  • And pride in freedom which her people won
  • These, more than all the Arts, her ’scutcheon grace.
  • The sacred fire which rash Prometheus stole
  • Illumes not climates, but the mind’s flame feeds;
  • The north winds chill not the true Briton’s soul,
  • Nor quench the sparks that shine in mighty deeds.
  • This love of country gives the ardent thrill
  • In sober statesman—speech and pulpit plea,
  • That fires the patriot heart with steadfast will
  • To make its country great and keep it free.