Les ruines, ou méditation sur les révolutions des empires

INVOCATION.

of cares the pomp of the rich; you console the unfortunate by offering them a final asylum; finally, you give to the soul that just balance of strength and sensitivity which constitutes wisdom, the science of life. Considering that everything must be restored to you, the reflective man neglects to burden himself with vain grandeur or useless riches: he keeps his heart within the boundaries of equity; and yet, since he must complete his career, he employs the moments of

his existence, and uses the goods granted to him. Thus, you place a salutary restraint on the impetuous surge of greed! You calm the feverish ardor of enjoyments that disturb the senses; you rest the soul from the fatiguing struggle of passions; you raise it above the vile interests that torment the crowd; and from your summits, embracing the scene of peoples and times, the spirit expands only toward great affections, and conceives only solid ideas of virtue and glory. Ah!