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

To him another. LETTER XXI.

SIR, although I am ravished with your eloquence, yet I am not satisfied: but you remaine still unjust, and I not well pleased. I see what the matter is; you are so weary of your Pennance at Lymousin: that you have no minde to come and continue it in Angoumois. You like better to goe in a streight line to the good, then to goe to it by the crooked change of evill; and preferre a safe harbour before an incommodious creeke. Wherein Sir, I cannot blame your choise; onely I complaine of your proceeding; and finde it strange, you should disguise your joy, for escaping a badde passage, and that you are content to be unhappy at Ro∣chell; because you will not venture to be un∣happy here. These high and Theologicall com∣parisons

which you draw from the austeritie of Anchorets, concerning workes of supereroga∣tion; concerning Purgatory and Hell, make me know you are a mocker, and can make use of Ironies, with the skill and dexterity of Socrates. Take heede I be not revenged upon this Fi∣gure of yours by another, and returne your Hy∣perboles. For this once, I am resolved to suf∣fer all; hereafter perhaps, I shall helpe my selfe with my old Armes. But howsoever the world goe: and in what stile soever I write unto you, you may be sure I speake seriously, when I say, that I very firmely am;

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Balzac 9. Septem. 1630.