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, Con∣troller of the Princes house. LETTER XVII.

SIR, my deare Cousin, your Letter hath told me no newes, it hath onely confirmed mee in my opinion; and testified that you are al∣wayes good, and alwayes doe mee the honour to love me. You have qualities of greater lu∣ster then this, but you have none of greater use; and they that could live without your wisedome, yet cannot beare the misse of your goodnesse. My sister and I continue to implore it in a businesse which is already set on foote by your commendation, and which attends a full accomplishment by your second endeavour. It is neither without example nor without reason; it needes but such an undertaker as your selfe, and you may easily save it from rigorous justice, if you will but lend a little ayd to its equity. Of your will I make no doubt, it is the continuall agitation of the court that makes me feare, which drives men one way and their affaires another. But if the heavens helpe us not, wee are not like in hast to see it in any state of consistence; it will bee alwayes floting like the Island of Greece, untill a great birth shall make it stay; and that God make sure the Kings victories by the Queenes fruitfulnesse. In the meane time it is not fit

you should stay at home, but that you should make one in all voyages; but you must not bee of these voyages that get many hoasts, and few friends. You are in a state of obliging and ma∣king men beholding to you by doing alwayes good; and now for feare you should want matter to worke upon, I offer you matter here to set you aworke. Be pleased Sir; my deare Cosin, that I intreate you to deliver to—the Letter I writ unto him; and when you deliver it, to testifie withall unto him, that ha∣ving the honour to bee to you as I am, the things that touch me must needs concerne you; Heretofore I have held good place in his con∣fidence, and to use the termes of a man you hate not: Vetus mihi cum eo consuetudo, & cum privatus eraet Amici vocabamur. Even lately at Paris hee offered mee courtesies that might have contented a prouder mans vanitie then mine; and I received from him more good words then was possible for mee to returne him. But these illustrious friendships require continuall cares, and an assiduitie without cessation. I know they are subject to a thou∣sand inconveniences, and that they grow cold if they be not stirred up and kindled continu∣ally. Three words of your mouth spoken with a due accent, may save me the solliciting of three moneths, and my requests ought not to seeme uncivill; seeing I desire nothing but this, that—should not doe mee the ho∣nour to make a promise, and then leave there, and think that enough. To this purpose I send

you a short instruction for—: and you may be pleased to be a meanes, that hee cast his eyes upon it; at such time as the businesse hee hath about your person shall permit him. I would not sollicite you so boldly: nor presse upon you so burdensome a familiarity, if you had not your selfe made the overture first. It is a persecution you have drawne upon your selfe by the liberall offers you made mee in your Letter; and I conceive you speak as you meane, as I doe, in protesting that I honour you with my soule; and am,

Sir, my deare Cosin,

Your, &c.

From Balzac 20. Octob. 1632.