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 XLII.

MAdam, your place is before all other things whatsoever, and therefore no law∣full impediment can be alleaged, for sayling in the dutie, that is due unto you. I have these two moneths had great affayres; which in the rigour of your Justice, is as much as to say, I have these two moneths neglected my dutie. Having not written to you, in all this time, I am contented to call it, a Disorder, which o∣therwise I should call a Businesse, and I doe not thinke, I could with all the reasons of the world have made you patient, to stay so long, for the thankes I am to give you. Your present hath equally wherewith to content both the cove∣tous and the vaine; it hath soliditie no lesse than lustre; the onely sight of it, refutes the mode∣stie you use in speaking of it: you are injurious Madam, to so excellent a thing; it deserves the most stately inscription, you could devise to give it, and if I were worth the having of a Cabinet, this should be the prime piece, I would make choice of to adorne it. Because vulgar people have nothing but eyes, there∣fore they value nothing but Candlestickes of Crystall, and guilded vermillian dishes, but men of understanding, who see lesse with their eyes them with their spirits, they reflect upon ob∣jects,

that are more simple and immateriall, and preferre not the peoples errour, and Arti∣ficers fingers, before the truth of things, and before the Master-pieces of the workes of rea∣son. Hee, to whom you did me the honour to send me, is farre above all the Encomiums I can give him: I have onely this to say Madam, that I have with me here, a famous Authour, who as soone as he hath once read him, is resolved instantly to shut up shop, and give over his Trade. He protests he will never more set hand to Penne, unlesse it be to signe his last Will; and therefore meanes to make you a sacrifice of all his Papers. I shewed him the incompara∣ble Sonnet, De L'Amant qui meurt, at every verse, he called you Divine, and made such lowd Exclamations, that he might have beene heard to the great high way: which you know, how very farre it is from my Chamber. Hee sayth, he will maintaine it, even to the sheete Saint Jaques, that Parnassus is fallen upon the Distaffe, and that Racan hath given over the right he pretended in the succession of Mal∣•…•…erbe. He speakes in this familiar manner, of these two great Personages; and I never heare him use any meaner style: if I can keepe him with me a while; I will tell you more of him, and promise you a collection of all his Apoph∣thegms. I saw yesterday Monsieur de—who is a most just valuer of vertue, and by con∣sequent, most perfectly reveres yours. He in∣finitely desires you would come amongst us, and that you would make choice of one of his

houses for your abode: if you were pleased to doe this, I should have no more journeys to make: I should be the happiest unhappie man that ever was, if I had you here to be my com∣forter, and that I might be alwayes telling you, that I alwayes am,

Madam.

Your, &c.

At Balzac, 1. Aug. 1634.