THE CEMETERY

Let the man of the torrent those swept away by the current of material life and worldly distractions hear your language;
The work is great: it must inflame your courage.
It is your reward. Happy to have tasted
The thirst for justice and truth!
Wisdom sees you: her paternal goodness,
In her spirit of peace, will direct your zeal."

This discourse, my desires, the one who spoke to me,
Everything, within me, gave birth to a fire that burned me,
But with a flame, alas! too unknown to the world.
My tongue was mute. Alexis continues:

"To the learned ones of the earth expose their errors;
Into their heart, if possible, make your sorrows pass:
Let them foresee thereby this future epoch!"

"Say to them: You who keep watch near nature,
Compass in hand; you, whose various arts
Know how to weigh, number, and measure the universe,
Do you believe that he from whom it takes its birth,
Limits himself to asking of your intelligence,
Only to trace its figure? To your powerful pencils
Has he offered only the dimensions?
And are you charged by him only to describe
The walls of this palace, which he pleased himself to build?
What artist could limit his success,
When painting heroes, to sketching their features?
Does he not strive to show us traced,
Their entire soul, and their great thoughts,
So that by charming us with this magisme spiritual influence or "magic" of the soul,
Their spirit attracts us and unites with us?
And he who ordained the structure of the world,
Would find in your work neither painter nor painting!
No, these majestic and sublime designs,
Which he conceived in forming this work of his hands;