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 la Motte le Voyer. LETTER IX.

SIR, I am going from Paris in hast, and car∣ry with me the griefe that I cannot stay to tell you in how great account I hold the offer you make me of your friendship. If this be the price of so poore a marchandise, as that I sent you, never was man a greater gainer by traffi∣king than I: and you seeme in this, not unlike those Indians, who thought to over-reach the Spaniards, by giving them Gold for Glasse. I have long since knowne your great worth, though you would not be knowne to have such worth in you; all the care you can take to hide the beautie of your life, cannot keepe the lustre of it from dazeling mine eyes, and though you make your vertue a secret, yet I have pierced into it, and discovered it. And yet I must con∣fesse unto you my infirmitie, I finde it too sub∣lime for me, and with my uttermost abilitie am not able to reach it; all I can doe, is to respect it with reverence, and to follow you with my eyes and thoughts. The world cannot all rayse it selfe above the pitch of the presentage, and be wise in equall rank with Aristides & Socrates; I am contented to be in a lower forme of ver∣tue, for I am a man, and they demy Gods; I nei∣ther aspire to be their equall, nor their rivall, much lesse Sir, to be their judge or accuser.

Anitus and Melitus would be much mistaken in me, if they should thinke I would joyne with them in their accusation, as though I thought all opinions to be bad which are not like mine own; I had rather thinke, that it is I that loose the sight of Orasius Tubero sometimes, than thinke that he is strayed, or out of the way; & rather charge my selfe with weaknesse, than accuse him of rashnesse. Let him leave the middle Region of the ayre below him, and mount up above the highest; let him take upon him to judge of hu∣mane things, from Shepheards to Kings, from shrubbes to starres, provided, that he be pleased to hold there, and bow his wings, and submit his reason to things divine. I have not time to tell you, how much I value him. Monsieur de—will at more leisure entertaine you with discourse about it, I onely will assure you, that what maske soever you put upon your face, I finde you alwayes exceeding amiable, and that I will ever be

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Paris, 6. Septemb. 1631.