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

To Mounsieur de Nesmond Counsellor to the King, and Controller of the Princes House. LETTER. XVI.

SIR, my deare Cousin, wee were put in hope we should have the happinesse to see you in this country, and that here you would make one of the reposes of your voyage, but you have not beene pleased to make us so hap∣pie; It seemes you thought not our walkes pleasant enough for you, you scorne now the fountaines of Maillou, and the river of Balzac; these sweet Objects, which heretofore gained your inclinations, and enchanted the innocen∣cie of your tender yeares, are not now able to excite in you the least desire, nor so much as to tempt your graver age. I finde in this some∣thing to be offended at, and whereof to com∣plaine. If you had to doe with a Poet, hee would make a mighty quarrell betweene you and the Deities of the Woods and Waters; and would send you most reproachfull Elegies in behalfe of the Nymphes whom you have scorned. But it makes well for you that I un∣derstand not the language of the Gods, and that I can speake no otherwise than the com∣mon people doe: this will defend you from a

number of naughtie Verses; and I will say no∣thing to you more spightfull than this, that you seeme to reserve your selfe all for Paris, and feare to be prophaned with the basenesse of a Village. Princes and their affaires leave not in you so much as one poore thought for us; and the pleasures of the country are too grosse and meager, for a taste that is used to more delicate and solid pleasures. You see Sir, my deare cousin, that my complaints are sweete, and that I justifie you in accusing you. It is certaine, there is a part of the active life, which one may call delightfull; and though Vertue have her joy with lesse tumult than Vice, yet the very secrecie of her joy aug∣menteth also the sweetnesse, and vapours not out the puritie thereof; and so it happens, that while you sought but after honesty, you have found withall delight also: you dreamed but of being vertuous and profitable to your Coun∣try, and into the bargaine, you have content∣ment also and pleasure for your selfe. For in effect considering your humour, I doubt not but the paines you take, is your sufficient re∣compence for the paines you take, and that your very action keepes you in breath; or ra∣ther refresheth you; and as one in Aristotle said, That it was a death to him, when hee was not in some office; so I verily beleeve, that to take away imployments from you, were as much as to take away your life, and that you would refuse even felicitie it selfe if it were offered you without having some thing to doe.

You doe well to love a burden that graceth you more than it weighes, and not to thinke it a trouble to be in a race which you have entred with as much applause as they can desire that are going out. You have beene mens joy, from the instant you were first seene, and your many imployments that have since so happily succee∣ded, have but ratified the good opinion that was had of you being yet unknowne. There are some men that get more reputation by play∣ing upon advantage; but yours is a lawfull ac∣quest, and this integritie which hath nothing in it, either fierce or fearefull, this learning which is neither clownish nor quarrelsome this course which can avoid Precipices with∣out turning out of the right way, are none of the qualities with which men use to abuse the world, none of the enchantments which you make use of to dazle our eyes. And though our eyes were capable of illusion, yet having me∣rited the grace & favour of a Prince, the clearest fighted the hea•…•…ens ever made, and whose gift I value lesse than his judgement; It is not for us any longer to examine your sufficiencie seeing he hath chosen you for an instrument of mana∣ging his affaires. You would not beleeve the pleasures that Madam Co•…•…pagnole and my selfe take in the consideration of this matter; and what reflection wee receive of all those good successes that accrew unto you; I can assure you, she forgets you not in her devotions, and if God but heare her prayers, you, neede not make any wishes for your selfe; We promised

our selves wee should see you in our Desarts, but since your honour calls you otherwhere; it is reason we rest satisfied with so sweete a necessity, and to beare with patience that the publicke hath neede of your service. It is farre from me to preferre a short satisfaction of my eyes before the long and durable joyes I expect from the progresse of your reputation; and if I should desire that for your comming hither you should put your selfe the farther off from your ends, my desires should bee indiscreet, and I should not be the man I ought to be.

Sir, my deare Cosin,

Your, &c.

From Balzac 1. Octob. 1632.