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 him. LETTER XXV.

SIR, this bearer will toll you how often in a day I am speaking of you, and in what esteeme your vertue is in all places where I am heard speake; yet I speake but of the kind of life you have chosen, and this I pro∣pose as the peace of passions, which with others are so mutinous, and as the kingdome of wisedome, which is not free in the great world. Never repent you of so hardy a flight, nor of so noble a banishment; the leasure that you take is farre better then the imployment that others desire, and you are that close hap∣pie man that enjoyes true happinesse without either pompe or envie.

Aemulus ille Iovis, celsa qui mentis ab arce, Sub pedibus vel summa videt fastigia Regum. Quem non ambigui fasces, non mobile vulgus Non leges, non castra tenent, qui pectore magno

Spem{que} metum{que} domat vitio sublimior omni: Exemptus fatis, indignantemque repellit Fortunam, dubis quem non in turbine rerum Dependet suprema dies, sed abire paratum Ac plenum vita, &c.

This me thinkes is your very description, and might bee mine also, if I had cut off a little thread by which I hang still about Paris; out of a fancie of my friends, without any hope at all in my selfe, for thankes bee to God I have purged my spirit from all smoakes and fumes of the Court, and my ambition goes no further then the border of my village. I have no lon∣ger any thoughts but rustique and provinciall; and demand not of—but onely abatement—and returne of Quart d' Escus; if these be two things, and as it is said, both within his power. One conference with you will fully accomplish the setling me in a good state, and you cannot deny your councell to a man that hath a longing to put it in practise; and who is with his whole heart,

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Balzac 1. May, 1633.