At the same time he was employed on the "Lutrin;" a poem in which he displayed more fancy and sportive wit than he had before exhibited. It is not so graceful nor so airy as "The Rape of the Lock[87];" but it is more witty, and abounds with those happy lines, many of which have passed into proverbs, while others concentrate, as it were, a whole comedy into a few lines. The idea of the "Lutrin" was suggested in conversation. Some friends of the author were disputing concerning epic poetry, and Boileau maintained the opinion advanced in his "Poetics," that an heroic poem ought to have but a slender groundwork, and that its excellence depended on the power of its inventor to sustain and enlarge the original theme. The argument grew warm; but no one was convinced, and the conversation changed. It turned upon a ridiculous dispute between the treasurer and chanter of the Chapelle Royale of Paris, concerning the placing of a reading desk (_Lutrin_).[88] M. de Lamoignon, the revered and excellent friend of Boileau, turned to him, and asked whether an heroic poem could be written on such a subject. "Why not?" was the reply: the company laughed; but Boileau, excited to think on the subject, found the burlesque of it open upon him. The spirited opening is the happiest effort of his muse; and, when he showed it to M. de Lamoignon, he was encouraged to proceed. At first he limited the poem to four cantos, which are the best; for, as is usually the case with burlesque, it becomes heavy and tedious as it is long drawn out. The first and second cantos are, indeed, far superior to the remainder. The wit has that pleasantry whose point is sharp, and yet without sting; so that even those attacked can smile. The poem begins with an exordium that at once opens the subject:-- "Je chante les combats, et ce Prélat terrible, Qui par ses longs travaux, et sa force invincible, Dans une illustre Eglise exerçant son grand cœur, Fit placer à la fin un Lutrin dans le chœur. C'est en vain que le Chantre abusant d'un faux titre, Deux fois l'en fit ôter par les mains du chapitre; Ce Prélat sur le banc de son rival altier, Deux fois le reportant, l'en couvrit tout entier." It goes on to describe the peace and prosperity enjoyed by the Sainte Chapelle at Paris[89]:-- "Parmi les doux plaisirs d'une paix fraternelle, Paris voyoit fleurir son antique chapelle. Les chanoines vermeils et brillant de santé S'engraissoient d'une longue et sainte oisiveté. Sans sortir de leurs lits, plus doux que leurs hermines, Ces pieux fainéans faisoient chanter matines; Veilloient à bien diner, and laissoient en leur lieu, A des chantres gagés le soin de louer Dieu." Discord witnesses their repose with indignation:--