Nevv epistles of Mounsieur de Balzac. Translated out of French into English, by Sr. Richard Baker Knight. Being the second and third volumes

To—LETTER XLVI.

SIR, I am sorry to heare of the continuance of your maladie, though I hope, it be not so great as you make it. These are fruits of this unseasonable time, and I doubt not, but your •…•…leame, which overflowes with the rivers, will also with the fall of the rivers, returne a∣gaine to its naturall bounds. I have had my part in this inundation, and it would be no small commoditie to me, that things should stay in the state they now are in; for by this meanes, my house being made an Island, I should be lesse troubled, than now I am by people of the firme Land: But seeing upon the abating of the wa∣ters, depends the abating of your Rhume, I am contented with all my heart, they shall abate; a•…•… above all things desiring your health: yet withall, I must tell you, there is care to be used: you must absteine from all moyst meates, for∣beare the good cheare of Paris; and follow the advise of an ancient sage, who counselled a man troubled with your disease, to change the rayne into drowth. You see how bold I am, to send you my praescriptions; I entreat you to follow them, but not to imitate me; for in this mat∣ter of Medicines, I confesse my selfe a Pha∣risee; I commend a Julippe to others, but

I drinke my selfe the Sweetest Wines. But to speake of something else, I cannot imagine, why Monsieur de—should keepe me lan∣guishing so long, and having made mee stand waiting three moneths after his time appoin∣ted, should now require a further prorogation; and a longer delay. For my part, I verily be∣leeve, he spake not in earnest, when he made you this untoward answer, and that it was ra∣ther for a tryall of your patience, than for an exercise: He hath the reputation of so honest and just a man, that I can make no doubt of that he hath promised to Monsieur de—and I am perswaded, he accounts himselfe more streightly tyed by his word, than by his bond. Monsieur the—beleeves that I have fin∣gred my silver a yeare since, and you know it is a summe provided to stoppe three or foure of my Persecutours mouthes, who will never leave vexing you with their clamours day and night, till they be satisfied. It is therefore your part to use all meanes possible, to content them, at least if you love your libertie; and take not a pleasure to be every morning salu∣ted with extreame unpleasing good morrowes. I expect hereupon to heare from you; and am

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Balzac, 17. Jan. 1630.