Letters of affaires love and courtship. Written to several persons of honour and quality; / by the exquisite pen of Monsieur de Voiture, a member of the famous French Academy established at Paris by Cardinall de Richelieu. English'd by J.D.

To the same. LETTER. CXXIX.

Madam,

I Wish you had seen me the other day, that you might have known what condition I was in from Vienna to Valentia. The day was newly deliver'd of the Sun, nor was he but weakely able to guild the Mountain-tops, when we were gotten upon the Rhosne. It was one of those fair dayes, which Apollo does some∣times adorne himself withal, and which are never seen at Paris, but in the height of Summer. Those who were of my company, entertain'd themselves one while with the sight of the Mountains of Dauphine, which were some ten or twelve Leagues on the left hand, all covered with Snow, another, the Hills on both sides the Rhosne loaden with Vines, and Valleyes as far as sight could reach, burdened with Trees which were green and flourishing. For my part, while all were thus employed, I got up alone upon the Cabbin of boughs which cover'd our Vessel, and while they were admiring at the things that were about them, I began to consider what I had left behind. I fix'd my right Elbow on the covering of our Barke, which supported my head, the left hand being carelessely stretch'd out, wherein was a Book which I had taken only as a pretence for my retirement. I looked earnestly on the River, which yet I saw not. There fell immediately tears of no small bulk from my eyes, my sighes were so violent, as if they brought some part of my Soul out along with them; and ever and anon there slipp'd from me

certain words, pronounced with so much disorder and confusion, that those who were about me could not well hear them, and which I shall acquaint you with when you please. What I now write to you, would have been capable of more advantage and ornament, if I could have put it into verse, for I professe to you, the Nymphs of the Waters were troubled at my affliction, the God of the River had a compassion for me; but all this cannot be well express'd in prose. The result is, that I remain'd seven hours in that posture, without moving either hand or foot. I wish, Madam, you had but seen me thus in any exercise of Religion; it would have rais'd no small devotion in you, in so much that the Master of our Vessel said, he had in his time, carryed ten thousand men from Lyons to Beau∣caire, but had never seen any that seem'd to be so much out of his senses. Having dressed up this fine story, it just now comes into my mind, that you will haply imagine there is not a word true of it, and that what I have said is meerly matter of invention to fill up a Letter. Though it were really so, Madam, yet am I still excusable, for to deal freely with you, a man is many times much at a losse what to say, nor can I conceive, how, without some such inventions as these persons, who hold not any correspondence either as to love or affairs, can often write one to another; and yet to be ingenuous with you, all I have told you, of my resvery, my sighing, and my sadness, is punctually true. Only as to the resentment which the Nymphs, and the God of the Rhosne had thereof, I am not over confident; I spent a whole morning in these thoughts without the least remission. During that time, I must confess, I thought three or four times on Mademoiselle — the rest I wholly bestow'd on the Lady your Mother, and your self. I had promis'd you, that if we went by water, I should come out of your debt as to that point; and indeed I have done so much, that if I fall into the same posture again, the Sun that first shines on me in Languedoc will enflame me into extravagance. It is already so hot in Avignon, that we can hardly endure it. The Spring hath overtaken us already, there's every where abundance of Fleas and Violets; I wish you both with all my heart, for Madam, as I shall be glad, you should not sleep too much in my absence, so can I not but wish you whatever I see that is handsome and beautiful, and remain,

Madam,

Yours, &c.

It was certainly a rare sight the last night, to see the streets of Avignon full of Candles, Lanterns and Torches, at all the Win∣dows, to see my Lord Cardinal, who made his entrance at seven at night. It was as light as at Mid-day, and if the Pope had come hither himself, he could not have been more nobly receiv'd. They gave him thousands of benedictions, a commodity the people of this Country is extreamly liberal of, because it is a Papal Territory. The Jews of Avignon are very well, Monsieur the Vice-Legat full and sat enough, and the Count d'Alais somewhat more then he.

Avignon, Shrove Munday 1642.