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 her: LETTER XXXVI.

MAdam, you shall receive from me no pre∣meditated excuses, I had rather confesse my fault ingenuously, than take the paines to justifie it untowardly. Indeed a fatall sluggish∣nesse, cousin german to a Lethargie, hath seazed in such sort upon me since my comming hither, that I have not so much as written to my owne mother; so as having fayled in this first poynt, I thought not fit to fayle by halfes; and there∣fore never troubled my selfe much in the rest of my dutie. I speake Madam, of this exteriour dutie, and this affection in picture, which is of∣tentimes but a false representation of the soule, for as for the true respect, and the passion, which hath residence in the heart: I assure you, I have that in me for you, as pure and entyre as ever, and that he that calls you his Soveraigne, yet honours you not more perfectly, than I doe. Monsieur de—will I doubt not, be my witnesse herein; and will tell you, that what part soever I be forced to play amongst jeasters and merry companions, yet under my players cloathes, there will alwayes be found an honest man. I have beene sensible, Madam, of the losse, which—hath had, and have not bin sparing to speake of his unfortunate vertue; yet I never thought, he needed any comfor∣ting

for it; for, seeing he sees that God spares not his own Images and that his neerest friends have their disgraces and troubles, he ought not to thinke any thing strange that happens in this inferiour world, and upon inferiour I persons; what consideration soever may otherwise make them dea•…•… unto him. If you have vouchsafed to keepe the Letters. I have written to you; I humbly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you to send them to me, that I may see what volume II can make for the im∣pression that is required of mee: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Madam, it shall be if you please upon this condition, that parting with the Letters, you shall never let your memory part with the truthes they con∣taine, but hold undoubtedly that I very firmely am, though I doe not very often say I am

Madam,

Your, &c.

25. Decemb. 1630.