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

To Mounsieur de Silhon. LETTER XVI.

SIR, I have word sent mee from Paris, that you make complaints against me: but be∣ing well assured, you have no just cause, I ima∣gine, it is not done in earnest, but that you take pleasure to give mee a false Alarum. Yet I must confesse, this cooling word, I heare spo∣ken, puts me to no little paine: for though it make me not doubt of the firmenesse of your affection, yet it makes me challenge the malice of my Fortune. I have beeue for some time so unfortunate in friendshippe; that it seemes there needes nothing but pretences to ridde me of them; the sweetest natures grow soure and bitter against mee; and if this sit hold, I shall have much adoe to keepe my owne brother of my side. I would like as well, to be a keeper of the Lyons, as of such harsh friends; for though I were more faithfull than Pylades and Aca∣tes put together; yet they would finde matter of discontentment; and my fidelitie should be called dissimulation. I cannot beleeve that you are of this number; but if you be, it is time for me to go hide my self in the desarts of Thebai•…•…, and never seeke conversation with men any more. It is my griefe and indignation that write these last words; for my patience is mo∣ved with the consideration of the wrong

is done me: and if you should deale as hardly with me as others have done: It were fit, I should resolve to live no longer in a world, where goodnesse and innocencie are so cruel∣ly persecuted. These sixe moneths, I have re∣ceived from you, but onely one Letter; to which, I made no answer, because it was de∣livered me, but in Aprill: at which time, you sent me word you should be in France. Since therefore by your owne account, you were gone from thence, before the time I could write unto you; would you, I should have writ∣ten into Italy, to Mounsieu•…•… de Silhon; that was not there? And that I should have directed my Letters to a name, without either hands or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 receive and reade them? You are too wise to deale so unreasonably with me; and I should call your former justice in question, if you take it ill, that I did not guesse, or rather 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the stay of your voyage: & yet af∣•…•… a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 examination of my conscience, I can 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no other ground for your complaints, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 onely this: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I am ashamed to charge so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a spirit as yours with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 weake a cōceit•…•… I must have had a •…•…will at command to send of my 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and to deliver you my Letters, be∣ing so uncertaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉, of the pla•…•… of your 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and in truth, if I had had such a messen∣ger, I had soo•…•… thanked you, then I doe, for your excellent 〈◊〉〈◊〉: and should not all thi•…•… while, have kept within the secret of my heart, the just 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it des•…•…rves. It hath taugh•…•… mee Sir, an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 number of good

Maximes; the stile pleaseth me exceedingly, and I see in it both force and beauty, thorough all the passages, even that passage which did not so fully please me, yet hath as fully satisfied me, as the rest of the worke: and though of my selfe I be blinde in the knowledge of holy things, yet the lustre of your expressing, and the facilitie of your method illuminate my •…•…ight. When my health shall give me leave to goe from hence, I will then for your gold bring you copper, and will receive your corrections and advise, with as much reverence and sub∣mission, as any Novice: but in the meane time, I cannot chuse but put my hand to my wound, and require you to give a reason of your doing. I know not from whence should come this coldnesse in you; seeing for my selfe, I am all on fire: nor how, you, with your great wise∣dome should be altered and growne another than, seeing I continue still the same, with no∣thing but my common sence. Great spirits are above these petty suspitions which move the vulgar: and I wonder you could conceive ill of my affection, knowing how well you had pre∣served your owne. If it be the jealousse of eloquence that provokes you; I am willing with all my heart, to leave you all the preten∣sions I can have to it; and if you please, I will make you a Surrender before witnesse. Con∣sider me therefore, rather as your •…•…ower, who is willing to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your troope, then as your rivall to strive 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prece•…•…ence. Give mee leave to live: a man that cannot be lost, what

neligence be used in keeping me; and remem∣ber that the least respected of all my friends is much dearer to me, than all Sciences or all Bookes. Yet such is my unhappinesse, that few of them returne me the like, but seeme rather they would make a benefit, of my paines and sorrowes. Because they see I am persecuted, they will make every the least courtesie they doe me to be of great value, and set an exces∣sive price upon their friendshippe, because they know I stand in neede of it. But I desire them, and you also to take notice, that my friendship was never grounded upon any interest; but my love is ever without any mercenary designe, or hope of benefit. If they be not willing to em∣broile themselves in my affaires, I would have them know, I am as unwilling as they, they should: and if they be not strong enough, to defend the truth in publike; and when it is op∣posed; at least let them not disavow it, when they are in place of safety; let them not deny their friend when the storme is over, and that there is no longer any danger in confessing him. You saw my heart, the first time you saw my face; you were at that time my Confessour; and I have not a sinne that is hidden from you. I conceive you are too generous to make ad∣vantage of this excesse of freenesse you finde in me; and I doe not thinke you so subtle, that you would make a shew of discontent, for feare least I should beginne first. These are subtilties indeede of the country from whence you come: but in my opinion very remote from your na∣turall

disposition: and you neede not make complaints of me, to prevent the complaints I might else make of you. It is certaine, that if I had not equitie enough to excuse my friends for things they were not able to performe; I might then perhappes have colour to com∣plaine they performed not their promise: but I am one, that know there happen a thousand impediments which hinder a man from keep∣ing his word, and that every thing that is pro∣mised and not done, is not presently a viola∣ting of fa•…•…th, or a breaking of promise. Some have laboured to perswade me, that—: but I never beleeved any such thing, and I could never imagine that you would goe about to build your reputation upon the ruines of the reputation of your friend. If any shall make use of such like artifices, to doe ill offices betweene you and me: I earnestly intreate you to make use of the like remedies, to preserve your opi∣nions sound, and not to suffer your judgement to be corrupted. I take God to witnesse, there is nothing in the world more deare unto mee then your friendship; I make publike and open profession of honouring you: I highly esteeme a number of eminent qualities in you, both Mo∣rall and Intellectuall; I have oftentimes shedde teares, when I read in your Letters of your griefes; all this, me thinkes should deserve a little affection, and make the Fathers them∣selves that are my adversaries, not take it ill that you should love me; especially when they shall know, that I passionately am,

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Paris 8. Feb. 1631.