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 Senne, Theologall of the Church of Saints. LETTER XXXI.

SIR, you neede not wonder to see your name in the Booke I fond you: Lovers you know, leave markes of their passion; and if they were able, would fill the whole earth with their Cyphers and devises. It is a custome as ancient as the world, for with that beganne writing also 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and at first, for want of paper, men graved the names of those they lo∣ved, upon the ba•…•… of tree•…•…. If any man won∣der, I should be in love with a Preacher; why wonders hee not at that Romane, of whom a

Grecian said, that he was not onely in love with Cato, but was enchanted with him? You have done as much to other•…•… in this country; and I have as many Rivalls as you have auditors. Yet there is not the same Object of all our af∣fections: they runne after your words, and hang at your mouth: but I goe further, and dis∣cover in your heart, that which is better than your eloquence. I could easily resist your Fi∣gures and your Arguments; but your goodnesse and your freenesse take me captive presently: I therefere give you the title of a perfect friend in your Encomium: because I account this, a more worthy qualitie, than to be a perfect Ora∣tour: and because I make most reckoning of that vertue in a man, which humane societie hath most neeede of. For other matters, Re∣member your selfe, in what termes I speake of the businesse you write of; and that onely to obey you. I have beene contented to alter my opinion. I was well assured, the enterprise would never take effect; but I thought it better to faile by consenting than by obsti•…•…acie, and rather to take a repulse, than not to take your counsell. I have known along time that fortune meanes me no good, and the experience I have of her hath cured me of the malady of hope and ambition. Make mee not fall into a relapse of these troublesome diseases, I beseech you; but come and confirme my health: you Sir that are a soveraigne Physition of soules, and who are able to see in mine, that I perfectly am,

Your, &c.

At Balzac 10. Febr. 1635.