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 Guyet. LETTER XXVIII.

SIR, I feare not much to lose a thing I esteem but little, but holding your friendship in that account I doe, if I should not have it, I should never see day of comfort more; you must not therefore thinke it strange that I was mooved with the Alarum that was given mee, for though I know my selfe to be innocent, yet my unfortunatenesse is such that I conceive any bad newes to bee no more then my due. Now that Mounsieur de——hath qui∣eted the agitation of my minde, and hath assu∣red me of your love, I cannot forbeare to sig∣nifie unto you the joy I take, telling you wit t∣all that so I may preserve a friend of your me∣rit and worth, I doe not greatly care for lo∣sing him that will leave me. There is litle to be seene amongst men but malice & weaknesse, and even of good men the greatest part is scarce sound; there is a cause why a firme and constant spirit as yours is, is of wonderfull use in societie, 'and it is no small benefit to them that are wearied & overtoyled as I am, to have a person to rest upon, that cannot fall. There is neede of courage to maintaine a friendship, and indeede of prudence to performe the meanest duty of life; tis nothing worth to have a sound will, if the understanding bee

defective, our—does a great matter, to make vowes and sacrifices: Nil veta furen∣tem, Nil delubrajuvant, hee complaines with∣out cause upon his tax and other inferiour mat∣ters, this is to accuse innocents: the evill no doubt comes from a higher place, and it is the braine that is cause of all the disorder. The knowledge I have hereof makes mee have compassion of him, and excuse in a Doctor of three score yeares old, those base shifting tricks that are not pardonable in a Schollar of eigh∣teene. Any man but my selfe would call his action a cowardice and a treason; but I love to sweeten my griefe as much as I can. I can∣not become an enemy at an instant, and passe from one extremity to another, without making a little stay by the way. I honour still the memory of our former friendship, & can∣not wish ill to a man to whom I have once wisht well; but this is too much, I to com∣plaine and you to quarrell; doe me this favour I bese•…•… you to make choyse of something in your studie for a consolation of my solitude. I have already the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Mounsieur the Admirall de la Volet, but I would faine have the Epitaph of my Lady the Dutchesse of Esper•…•…, and those admirable Elegies you shewed mee once; In quibus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 es Tibullo •…•…milis quam Tubullus sibi; I intreate you to deliver them to Mounsieur—who will see them safely delivered to mee; if you please we will use him hereafter as our com∣mon correspondent, who knowing me to the

very bottome of my heart, will, I doubt not most willingly adde his testimony to my pro∣testations, that I truly am,

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Balzac 25. Septem. 1630.