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 Chaplain. LETTER XX.

SIR, I have now these three weekēs taken mine ease, in spight of my selfe; and one of my feete, which I have not very free, keepes me in my bed, with more inconvenience than paine. Heretofore it hath put mee to torture; and therefore I count it now a favour, that it onely keepes me in prison, which I sweeten as well as I can, with my. Bookes and my friends. You thinke you contribute nothing to the comfort I receive; but I assure you, the best part of it comes from you: and nothing comforts me so much for the faire dayes I lose, as that excellent Ode you sent me: I am e∣ven ravished with every part of it; the choice and marshalling of the words; the structure and harmony of the composition; the modest greatnesse of the conceits; the force which sa∣voursnot of any violence; all these are worthy to be ranked with the best Antiquitie. In some

places you doe not onely touch me, but touch me to the quicke: the agitation of the Poet, is transferred upon the reader; and no Trumpe•…•… makes so loude, and silver a sound, as your Harpe doth:

Quand la Revolte dans son fort Par une affreuse & longue more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cherement l'usure de ses crimes: Et que ses bo•…•…lev ars en fin assuje•…•… Contre les appareils des armes legitimes Implorerent en vain le secours de Theti•…•….

Ils décriuent l'horrible pas, O•…•… par cent visibiles tr•…•…pas On crût de nostre Camp retard•…•… la valla•…•…: Et figurent encore au milieu de nos rangs Themis qui te préta sonfer & sa ballo•…•…, Affin de decider ces fameux differens.

Ils chantent l'effroyable foudre Qui d'vn mo•…•…ement si so•…•…dain, Partit de ta puissante main, Pour mettre Pegnerol en poudre. Ils disent que tes bataillons Comme autant depais tourbillons Ebranlerent ce Roc jusques dans ses racines, Que mesme le vaincu t'eut pour liberateur, Et que tu luy bâtis sur ses propres ruines, Vn rampart éternel contre l'vsurpateur.

Either I know not my selfe in Verse; or cer∣tainely these Verses will live to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉

posteritie: they will be alledged for proofe and testimony in the counsells of the last Kings that shall reigne upon earth; and perhaps too, they shall serve for a Law, and for a Decree, as well as Homers Verses did; by the authority whereof a great warre that was kindling be∣tweene the Seigneury of Megara and Athens was reconciled. I know for my selfe, I shall never stay till your death, for putting you in the number of my Authours: and as often as in my presence, there shall be speaking of the siege of Rochell; of the forcing of Suza; of the taking and keeping of Pigneroll; so often shall I al∣leadge the divine Verses you have written of them: and these also, which I lay not lesse carefully up in my memorie,

Ils disent que les Immortels De leur culte & de leurs Autels Ne doiuent qu'à tes soins la pompe renaissante, Et que ta préuoyance & ton Authorité Sont les deux fors Appuis dont l'Europe trēblante Soûtient & raffermit sa foible liberté.

Dans un paisible mouuement Tu t'éleues au Firmament, Et laisses contre toy murmurer sur la terre. Ainsi le haut Olympe à son pied sablonneux Laisse fumer la foudre, & gronder le Tonnerre, Et garde son sommet tranquille & lumineux.

And these other, which to him, to whom you addresse them are as much worth as a tri∣umpha•…•… Ar•…•…h:

Ton courage aux Monstres fatal, Est tousiours plus fort que le mal. Sur le solide honneur sa base est estabile: Le droit & laraison l'accompaguent tousiours, Et sans que sa vigueur soit jamais affoiblie, Qu'ou cede ou qu'ou resiste, il va d'un mesme cours.

And these other that are so sage and morall.

L'or pour luy cesse d'estre un metal pretieux, La beauté perissable est un bien qu'il mospuso: Pour l'un il est sans mains, & pour l autre sans yeux.

And these other that are so noble and so Po∣eticall;

Cepandant que la Lune accomptissant son cours Dessus un char d'argent enuironné d'estoiles Dans le sombre univers represente le cours.

And now after all this; tell me, if I have not profited by my reading, & have not made good use of your presents. I should quickly grow rich, if you would send me such presents often; but this is too inordinate a desire, I must be con∣tent with one croppe in a yeare; and I may ve∣ry well entertaine my selfe a long time, with that you have already sent mee, for which I thanke you with all my heart, and am,

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Balzac 12. Iuly 1633.