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 XL.

MAdam, never trust me any more, I pro∣mise that I cannot performe, but though I be a deceiver, I am an honest one; my promi∣ses are alwayes true in my intention, though of∣tentimes false in the Event. I know not what to say of this unfortunatenesse, nor to what knowne cause, to attribute this long trayne of mischiefes. It must needs be, there is some De∣vill imployed, to hinder voyages to Lymousin: and that will not suffer me to goe thither to see you: sometimes he rayseth up suites in Law a∣gainst me, sometimes puts me into a quarrell; and when these be composed, and that I am ready to take horse, either he sends mee com∣panie to divert mee, or prickes my horse in shooing, or puts a legge out of joynt; for, all these crosses have befallen mee, as he that deli∣vers you this Letter can be my witnesse. But withall Madam, he shall assure you, that though

I flie away by night, and be carried in a chayre, it shall not be long ere I will have the honour to come and see you. In the meane time, vouchsafe to accept from me, the amusement of halfe an houre, and be pleased to reade an In∣scription, which was lately found, and taken forth of the ruines of an old Building. It is en∣graven in Letters of Gold, upon a Table of blacke Marble, and seemes Prophetically to speake of you and mee. If I were a man could make Verses, you might doubt it were some tricke put upon you, but my ignorance justifies mee, and seeing, as you know, Poets are not made, it were a strange thing I should be borne at the age of seaven and thirtie yeares. I expect from you a Comment upon the whole Myste∣ry; and remaine

Madam.

Your, &c.

At Balzac, 6. Jan. 1631.

In Effigiem D. D. praestantissimae & laudatissimae faeminae.

Hac est sequanico, veniens à littore Nympha: Hospite quâ Lemovix, jure superbit ager. Quis de fiderium Dominae mihi durius urbis

Mitigat; & per quam non fera turba sumus? Vindicat hāc sibi Thusca charis, sibi musa latina, Nec minus esse suam, Graius Apollo velit. Hanc sophiae Gens sancta colit, dat jura disertis, Princeps Grāmaticas temperat una Tribus. Scilicet ut distent specioso sana tumore Vnascit, & fractis verba sonora modis. Judicat urbano quid sit sale tingere ludos, Et quid inhumano figere dente notas. Novit ab agresti secernere plectra cicuta, Vos{que} sacri vates non sociare malis. Ergo quid infidi petitis suffragia vulgi? Qui dve Palatinus quaeritur arte favor? Quae canitis vivent, si docta probaverit auris, Et dabitur vestris versibus esse bonos. At si quando canat, taceas vel mascula Sappho, Te meliùs salvo nostra pudore canit.