LES FLEURS SUR L'AUTEL

This little poem was inserted among the Nouvelles Méditations in 1846, some years after the first édition appeared. It is the translation of a vague feeling of the inadequacy of human power to express devotional feeling.

Page 134. — 1. Fondre, etc. Translate ; when the human soul feels a need of melting with pure love, etc. 2. Ne alone is sufficient in rhetorical questions (those not requiring an answer from their very nature), the pas or point after the verb being omitted. 3. le feu:

NOTES

ihe old man who has lost tfte fire of manhood has no sacrifice to offer. 4. The children cannot prétend to offer their poor, trembling torch as a valid sacrifice. 5. cilices : a hair belt worn for the mortification of the flesh to atone for sin. The poor penance of the hair belt does not sufftce for a true sacrifice. 6. ces prières écloses, what a beautiful figure !

Page 135. — 1. du ciel, the gift of heaven, as opposed to the arti ficial sacrifices of man.

Ibeatb's ZlDo&ern Xanauage Séries