Of the three authors who had contributed to the production, I was the only one present.

Voltaire was not in Paris, and Rameau either did not come, or concealed himself.

The words of the first monologue were very mournful; they began with: O Mort! viens terminer les malheurs de ma vie.
[O Death! hasten to terminate the misfortunes of my life.] To these, suitable music was necessary.

It was, however, upon this that Madam de la Popliniere founded her censure; accusing me, with much bitterness, of having composed a funeral anthem.

M.de Richelieu very judiciously began by informing himself who was the author of the poetry of this monologue; I presented him the manuscript he had sent me, which proved it was by Voltaire.