The MS forms part of a collection of Voltaire texts prepared by Cideville under the instructions of Voltaire. A note in Cideville’s hand states that: ‘Ce recueil charmant m’a été envoyé par l’autheur au commenement de mars 1735’.

The poem first appears in a letter from Voltaire to Louis d’Aubusson, duc de La Feuillade, dating to October 1718 [D69]. In the letter, Voltaire suggests that he had composed the verse whilst in the house of the duc de Richelieu.

The MS forms part of the Cideville papers.

The MS forms part of a recueil prepared by Cideville under the instructions of Voltaire.

The MS forms part of a recueil prepared by Cideville under the instructions of Voltaire.

The MS forms part of a recueil prepared by Cideville under the instructions of Voltaire. It falls under a section titled ‘Pièces fugitives’.

The MS forms part of a recueil prepared by Cideville under the instructions of Voltaire and is contained within a section titled ‘Pièces fugitives’.