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MAdam, I am jealous of my Lacquies for∣tune, who makes now a second journey to you, and consequently, shall be twice toge∣ther twice as happy as I: he should never have this advantage of me, if to a journey to see you, there went nothing but courage, and if the rel∣licks of my disease, which prey upon weaknes, did not tyre me more than the extreame vio∣lence
did, when I had some strength to resist it. By staying in my chamber, I loose all the fayre dayes that shine in the garden; all the riches of the fields are gathered without me; I have no part in the fruits of Autumne, whereof the Spring gave me such sweet hopes; and I am promised health at winter, when I shall see no∣thing but a pale Sunne, a thread-bare Earth, and dead sticks, that have brought forth grapes, but not for me to eate. In this miserable estate, I have no comfort, but onely the Letter you did me the honour to write unto me, which is so precious to me Madam, that I even honour it, with a kinde of superstition, and am ready to make a chaine or bracelet of it, to try whether the wearing it about me, may not proove a bet∣ter Remedy against my Feaver, than all the other I have used. There is but one word in it that I cannot endure, being not able to conceive why you should call your selfe Unfortunate: are you not afraid, least God should call you to account for this word? and charge you with ungratefulnesse, for making so slight reckoning of his great benefits and Graces? He hath lifted you up above your owne sexe, and ours too, and hath spared nothing to make you compleat; the better part of Europe admires you; and in this poynt, both Religions are agreed, and no contesting betweene Catholike and Protestant; The Popes Nuntio, hath presented our Beliefe even to your person, all perfumed with the complements and civilities of Italie; Princes are your Courtiers, and Doctours your Schol∣lers:
and is this Madam, that you call to be un∣fortunate? and that which you take for a just cause to complaine? I humbly intreat you, to speake hereafter in more proper termes, and to acknowledge Gods favours in a more gratefull manner. I know well, that your loyaltie hath suffered by your brothers Rebellion; and that in the publike miseries you have had some private losses, but so long as you have your noble heart, and your excellent spirit left you, it is not possi∣ble, you should be unfortunate; for indeed, in these two parts, the true Madam Desloges is all entire and whole. It is I Madam, that have just cause to say, I am unfortunate, who am never without paine, never without griefe, never without enemies; and even at this very time I write from a house of griefe, where my mother and my sister being sicke on one hand, and my selfe on the other, I seeme to be sicke of three sicknesses at once; yet be not afraid, least this I send you should be infectious, as though I had a designe to poyson you with my Presents: for I have not yet medled with any of the Musque fruits, which I hope you shall eate; I have not durst so much as to come neere them, least I should chance to leave some light impression of my Feaver upon them: They are originally Natives of Languedoc; and have not so dege∣nerated from the goodnesse of their auncestors, but that you will find them, I hope, of no un∣pleasing taste, and besides Madam, rhey grow in a soyle that is not hated of Heaven, & where I can assure you, your Name is so often rehear∣sed,
and your vertue so highly esteemed, that there is not an Eccho in all our woods, but knowes you for one of the perfectest things in the world, and that I am
Madam
Your, &c.
At Balzac, 20. Septemb. 1629.