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 XLIII.

MAdam, you never heard speake of such a diligence, in two moneths your Letter hath gone twelve myles; so as a businesse that required hast, had been this way in a good case: and if therein you had given me advise for sa∣ving my life: I might have had good leisure to dio, before your advise came. I have made grievous complaints hereof, to my good kins∣woman—who layes the fault of her fault upon a thousand that are innocent; upon her Gentlewoman, her Nurce, three maides, foure men, &c. so as Madam, there have beene great arraignments upon this matter; and never was

any crime so long and so rigourously in exami∣ning; for my selfe, the joy I take to heare of your health, makes me forget my most just complaints, and sweetens all my choler. I thinke no more of the late receiving it; I con∣tent my selfe, that I have received it at last; and I finde enough in your Letter, to make me amends, for the slownesse of your messenger. Besides Madam, I give you to understand, that I have had some few dayes, with mee here, Monsieur Bardyn, as much as to say, The Living Philosophie: or Socrates risen from the dead. You make doubt perhaps, what the subject of our conference hath beene? Indeed Madam, it hath been your selfe, and we have concluded to erect your statue in the most eminent place of his Lycaeum: and if any Stoick come to new build the Particus, and any other to restore the Academie, no doubt but they will honour you with the like respect, and you shall alwayes be reverenced of wise men, next to wisedome it selfe. If you write shortly to—I entreat you Madam, to doe me the favour, to put in your packet the dispatch I send you. It imports me much, to have it beleeved, that—and I doubt not, but you will be content, to use this little fraud for my sake, who am without reser∣vation,

Madam,

Your, &c.

At Balzac, 10. Decemb. 1634.