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

To Monsieur de Neusuic. LETTER XLIX.

SIR, If I were onely blind, I would try to make some answer, to the good words of your Letter; but the paine, which my ill eyes put me to, makes mee uncapable of this plea∣sing contention: and I cannot draw from my head, in the state it now is, any thing else but Water and Waxe. And besides the unhappie blindnesse I speake of, I am in such sort over∣flowed with Rheumes; that if it were in the time of the old Metamorphoses, I thinke veri∣ly, I should be turned into a Fountaine, and be∣come the subject of some new Fable. I have lost as well my smelling, as my taste; my Nose can make no difference betweene Spanish Lea∣ther, and an old Cowes hide: and I sneeze so continually; that all my conversation, is but to say, I thanke you; to them that say, God helpe you. Being in this estate, doe you not wonder, I write unto you, and have the boldnesse to be sending Letters? In truth, never complement cost me so deare as this, and if I would make use of the priviledge of sicke men, I might ve∣ry justly require a Dispensation; but I had not the power, to let your servant goe away, with∣out telling you, that you are a very honest Im∣postour; and that the Perigurain you send, is the most refined Frenchman that ever ranne

afoote to Paris. It must needs be, that the people of your Village is a Colonie of the Louver, that hath preserved the first puritie of their language amidst the corruption of their Neighbours. There never were such fine things written upon the banke of Dordonne; at least, not since the death of Monsieur de Mon∣taigne, yet I esteeme them not so much, be∣cause they are so fine, as because they come from you, whose I passionately am,

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Balzac, 25. Jan. 1633.