Note 91 — CABINET CYCLOPÆDIA. (continued 6)
Reading edition
The speech of Indolence breaks off suddenly and characteristically,—
"La Mollesse, oppressée, Dans sa bouche à ce mot sent sa langue glassée, Et lasse de parler, succombant sous l'effort, Soupire, étend les bras, ferme l'œil, et s'endort."
This last line, so expressive of the lassitude it describes, charmed the brilliant but unfortunate Henrietta of England, duchess of Orleans. One day, in the chapel at Versailles, while waiting the arrival of the king, she perceived Boileau, and, beckoning him to approach, whispered:
"Soupire, étend les bras, ferme l'œil, et s'endort."