Nevv epistles of Mounsieur de Balzac. Translated out of French into English, by Sr. Richard Baker Knight. Being the second and third volumes

Another to the same Cardinall. LETTER XI.

SIR, I never durst adventure to be suter to you in behalfe of others, and finding my selfe unworthy of your favour, I have never offered to counterfaite a Favorite But though I did stand so farre in your grace as to doe good offices for any, and that you allowed me the liberty which I dare not take of my selfe; yet I should doe very untowardly to begin with a suite in behalfe of Mounsieur Conrades, and to steppe before you in your owne inclinations. I know your love to him, is one of the most an∣cient you ever had, and hee therefore one of the first servants you ever entertainde: The choise of so judicious an infancie as yours, hath not I dare say beene rashly made; and I dis∣cover daily by the opening of his heart and thoughts unto me, the reasons you had to love him at first; I come not therefore as his Soli∣citour

but as his bare witnesse; and assure you most undoubtedly, that I know not a man li∣ving more religious towards the memory of his masters, more firme in performance of his duty, more fervent in his passions, nor more passionately affected to your service then him∣selfe. Now that he hath lost M. the Marshall Scomberg, by whose commandement I came expressely from Burdeaux, to offer him on his part all the contentment hee could wish; hee thinkes hee hath right after him to place his hope in you, and that you will doe him the honour to uphold with your protection the af∣faires he hath at Court. I concurre with him in this opinion; and knowing that in this so gene∣rall a corruption of the world, this age of ours owes unto you the last examples wee see of goodnesse, & that without you neither the dead should any more finde pitty, nor the miserable consolation; I have conceived you will not take it ill that I confirme him in this beleefe, and that I take this occasion to say that unto you which in the suddennesse of my departure, I had not time to say that I am perfectly and ever,

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Angoulesme 23. Novemb. 1632.