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 Gerard, Secretary to my Lord the Duke D'Espernon. LETTER XLIX.

SIR, you cannot complaine, nor be in mise∣rie by your selfe alone: I partake of all your good and evill, and feele so lively a reflection of them, that there needes but one blow to make two wounds. And thus I am wounded by the newes you write, and though your griefe be not altogether just, yet it is sufficient to make me partake with you, that it is yours. We weepe for one not onely whom we knew not, but whom we know to be happy: one that in sixe weekes staying in the world hath gained that, which St. Anthonie was afraid to lose after threescore yeares pennance in the

Wildernesse. I wish, I could have had the like favour; and have died at the time, when I was innocent: being my selfe, neither valiant nor ambitious: I account those warres the best that are the shortest; and that, though in Para∣dise there be divers degrees; and diverse man∣sions; yet there is not any that is not excellent good. Observe onely your goodly making of Saints, and you shall finde of all sorts; I meane of the one, and the other sexe: Religious and Seculars, Gascoignes, and French. You know well. I have appointed you here a chamber; and that you are my debtor of a visite, now a whole yeare, if you be a man of your word; but I feare me you are not, and that as your custome is, you will content your selfe with praising my quiet course of life; yet I would have you to flatter at least my spirit, though it be, but with some light hope of so perfit a content∣ment: promise me you will come, and make me happy; though you breake your promise, I shall enjoy at least, so much of good; and in doing so, you shal amuse me, though you do not satisfie me. I send you all I have of that admira∣ble Incognito; of whom there is so much talke, and who hath made himself famous now these three yeares, under the name of Petrus Aureli∣us: I cannot for my life find who he is. Moun∣sieur de Filsac, told me lately at Paris, that of him that brought the leaves to Printing, hee could not possibly learne any more than this, that he was a man, who desires to serve God invisibly. And in truth, if you knew, in what sort he carries his secrecie; and with what care

and cunning he hides himselfe; you would con∣fesse he takes more paines to shunne reputati∣on, then ambitious men take in running after it. Farre from being a Plagiary, to robbe others of their glory, who refuseth that which is his own, and suffers a Phantasme, to receive those accla∣mations and praises which belong to himselfe. This is no man of the common mould; even in the judgement of his adversaries; and his wri∣tings savour not the compositions of his age. They are animated with the spirit and vigour of the former times; and represent us a Church we never saw. Yet it seemes in some passages, he hath lesse of Saint Austins sweetnesse than of St. Hieroms choler; and that he is willinger to doe that, which justice onely permits him, then that which charitie counsells him. I could wish he had shewed a little more respect to the gray haires, and rare merit of Father Sirmond; or rather that hee would have laid aside his Armes, and dealt with him in a gentler warre. But there is no meanes to bridle a provoked va∣lour, nor to guide a great force, though with a great moderation. All Saints are not of one temper; it is enough for Religion to cut off vi∣ces; and to purifie the passions. Our morall Divinitie acknowledgeth some innocent cho∣lers: and it is the beauty of Christs flocke, that there be Lyons amongst the Sheepe, and that as well the sublimest and strongest spirits as the basest and sweetest submit and prostrate them∣selves to the greatnesse of Christianitie. If I had learned nothing in his booke but onely to know what respect men owe to a Character

reverenced of the Angells, I had not lost my time in reading him. If Bishops be of such emi∣nent authoritie: shall we make any difficultie, to call a Prelate, My Lord; and esteeme him lesse than a Grande of Spaine, or then an Earle of England? You will tell me more of this, at your next meeting; and I doubt not, setting a∣side the interest of——: send it mee backe when you have read it; and forget not the Chapters of honest Bernia. I am more than I am able to expresse,

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Balzac 15. Octo. 1634.