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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow IN CAMP BEFORE PHILIPPSBURG, JULY 3, 1734. - 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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IN CAMP BEFORE PHILIPPSBURG, JULY 3, 1734. - 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]

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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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IN CAMP BEFORE PHILIPPSBURG, JULY 3, 1734.

  • Without a bed we now sleep sound
  • And take our meals upon the ground;
  • And though the blazing atmosphere
  • Must dreadful to the eye appear,
  • The air though roaring cannons rend
  • While warriors with fierce rage contend,
  • The thoughtless French drink, laugh, and sing,
  • And with their mirth the heavens ring;
  • The walls of Philippsburg shall burn,
  • And all her towers to ashes turn
  • By fifty thousand Alexanders,
  • Who all deserve to be commanders,
  • Though they receive the paltry pay
  • Of only four poor sous a day.
  • Lavish of life, with high delight
  • I see them rushing to the fight;
  • They all appear both gay and jolly,
  • Quite covered o’er with fame and folly.
  • The Phantom, which we Glory name,
  • Spurs them to the pursuit of fame;
  • With threat’ning eye, and front all o’er
  • Bedusted, marching still before,
  • She holds a trumpet in her hand
  • To sound to arms, and cheer the band,
  • And loudly sings, with voice sonorous,
  • Catches, which they repeat in chorus.
  • Oh! people brilliant, gay, and vain,
  • Who drag with patience glory’s chain,
  • ’Tis great, an honorable grave
  • To seek, Eugene and death to brave.
  • But what will be your mighty prize?
  • What from your prowess will arise?
  • Regret your blood, in vain you spilt it;
  • At Paris cuckolded, or jilted.