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

To Monsieur Hobier, President of the Treasures in the Ge∣neralitie of Bourges. LETTER XV.

SIR, though you should say, I present you alwayes with flowers that prick you, and offer you services that may seeme unseasonable, yet I cannot forbeare the sollicitations of my Letters, nor the trading with you by this way of Complements. The Booke which I have desi∣red Monsieur de—to deliver to you, shall passe if you please, but for an Essay; and I am contented that my discourses Morall and Poli∣tick, shall contribute nothing to the mending of my own fortune, so they may contribute some∣thing to the recommending of my Sisters busi∣nesse: if it become me to speake of a person that is so neere unto me, and if you thinke me wor∣thy to be credited in the testimony I shall give of her, I am able Sir, to say thus much, that shee is a womā, either lifted up by her own strength above the passions of her sexe, or that Nature hath exempted her from them, by a peculiar priviledge: so farre, as that amongst us, shee stands for an example, and leads a life that is the edification of all our Province. But though shee make profession of severe vertues, yet shee aspires to no glory by sullen humours; shee hath

nothing muddy, nor clownish in her, but tem∣pers her austerity with so much exterior sweet∣nesse, that without endeavouring to please any, shee seemes to be pleasing to all the world, I therefore sollicite you for her, in behalfe of all the world, and crave your favour with vio∣lence; for to crave it with discretion, would make but a weake shew, of the desire I have to obtaine it. In matters that concerne my selfe onely, I am held backe by a certaine naturall •…•…∣mourousnesse, which makes me oftentimes to be wanting to my selfe; but in that which con∣cernes her, I observe not so much as honest re∣spects; but am bold, even to temeritie; and if therein I should not doe too much, I should ne∣ver thinke I did enough: and yet this is a fault, which leaves no remorse behinde it; the merit of the subject, justifies the impor•…•…unitie of the suppliant; and when you shall know her bet∣ter, you will find no great excesse in that I write, and will blesse my persecution. You have al∣ready obliged us exceedingly, and have put the businesse in an infallible way of prospering; it onely remaines Sir, that you crowne your cour∣tesie, and draw a concluding word from the parties, whom I shall call Publicans, and cou∣ple them with Heathens, if they be not conver∣ted and led with that you shall say unto them: but I cannot doubt of the effect of your perswa∣sions, who know, that both by your tongue, and by your pen, you practise our Art, with assured successe. Let us now see the proofe of it, in this occasion, and I p•…•…omise you, that never favour

was more commended, nor shall be more re∣commended, than yours shall be. The conside∣ration of a good deed, being joyned to that of vertue, you shall possesse me by a double title, and I shall not be lesse of due, than I am by choice,

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Balzac, 25. Decemb. 1631.