After nearly a year’s imprisonment, during which he gave the finishing touches to his tragedy of _Œdipus_, and sketched the epic _Henriade_, in which he depicts the massacre of Bartholomew, the horrors of religious bigotry, and the triumph of toleration under Henry IV., he was released and conducted to the Regent. While Voltaire awaited audience there was a thunderstorm. “Things could not go on worse,” he said aloud, “if there was a Regency above.” His conductor, introducing him to the Regent, said, repeating the remark, “I bring you a young man whom your Highness has just released from the Bastille, and whom you should send back again.” The Regent laughed, and promised, if he behaved well, to provide for him. “I thank your Highness for taking charge of my board,” returned Voltaire, “but I beseech you not to trouble yourself any more about my lodging.” In his first play, _Œdipe_, appeared the celebrated couplet: _“Nos prêtres ne sont pas ce qu’un vain peuple pense!_ _Notre crédulité fait toute leur science.” (1)_ 1. “Our priests are not what foolish people suppose; all their science is derived from our credulity.” These lines were afterwards noted by Condorcet as “the first signal of a war, which not even the death of Voltaire could extinguish.” It was at this period that he first took the name of Arouet de Voltaire. He produced two more tragedies, _Artemire_ and _Mariamne_; a comedy, _The Babbler_; and prepared his world-famous _Henriade._ A portrait, painted by Largillière at about this period, has often been engraved. It exhibits a handsome young gentleman, full of grace and spirit, with a smiling mouth, animated eyes, intellectual forehead, and a fine hand in a fine ruffle. HEGIRA TO ENGLAND