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SIR, my deare Cosin, if the counsaile I have given you did not give me an interest in the resolution you have taken, yet I could not chuse but acknowledge it to bee good, consi∣dering the good successe it hath produced. It is true that till now I never liked of long deli∣berations, nor of stayd lovers; but seeing your wisedome hath concluded in favour of
your love, and that it is no longer an idle con∣templation of the person you love; I seeme to conceive the designe you had in drawing out the lines of your love to such a length; in which it cannot be sayd there hath beene time lost, but that you would taste all the sweet∣nesse of hope before you would come to that of possession; this is not to be irresolute but sub∣till, and not to make a stoppe of contentments but to husband them. This is not to have an apprehension of being happy, but to have a desire to be happy twice, so that in this point you are fully justified. This circumspection which I accused wrongfully, and which is equally remooved from Furie and Effeminate∣nesse, puts the passions into a just and durable temper, and makes the minde capable of its felicitie by a serious preparation; and I vow unto you that the life you have begun was well worthy you should take some time to study it; It is not fit to enter the state of marriage rash∣ly, and by the conduct of Fortune; all the eyes that prudence hath are not too many to serve for a guide in this businesse; many men fall into a snare whilst they thinke to finde a trea∣sure, and errours are there mortall where repentance is unprofitable; but God be than∣ked you are out of danger, and your happi∣nesse is in sanctuary. There is no Nectar nor Roses now but for you; (accept from mee I pray this one word of a wedding Com∣plement) and in the estate you are in, what are you not? Since a Conquerour that is crowned
is but the figure of a lover that injoyes; the lover receiving that really which the Conque∣ror but dreames. You offend not the peoples eyes with proud inscriptions, nor astonish them with the clamour of your conquest; you celebrate your triumphs covertly, and draw no mans envie upon you; you reigne by your selfe alone, and all the pompe which great∣nesse drawes after it, is not comparable to that which you injoy in secret. I am not acquain∣ted with lawfull pleasures, and ought not to bee with forbidden; but I have heard it sayd, that in the first there is a certaine peace of spirit, & a confident contentment which is not found in the other: And as the Hony is lesse gathered from the flowers then from the deaw which falls from the stars; so these chaste plea∣sures are seasoned from heaven & receive their perfection from the heavenly grace and not from their owne nature. I have learned from the antient Sages, that there is not a more anti∣ent nor a more excellent friendship then this; that in this sweet societie greefes are divided, and joyes doubled, and that a good wife is a catholieon or universall remedy for all the evills that happen in life. I doubt not but she whom you have chosen is worthy of this name; and though I should hold your testimony in su∣spition; yet I have heard it deposed with so great advantage on her part; and by so tender and judicious spirits, that I am not onely glad in your behalfe for the good company you have gotten you, but give you thankes also in my
owne behalfe for the good allyance you have brought me. I am exceeding impatient till I see her, that I may betweene her hands abjure my wrong opinions; and if neede bee, make honorable amends before her for all the blas∣phemies I have heretofore written against marriage. I solemnely by this Letter ingage my selfe to doe it, and intreate you to dis∣pose her, that shee may accept my retractations, which proceede from a heart truly penitent and full of passion, to testifie to you both, that I am
Sir my deare Cosin,
Your, &c.
From Balzac 23. Septem. 1633.