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. XXXIV.

SIR,

YOu have in five or six lines compriz'd all I can think accep∣table in this world, and by promising me the presence of my Master, your conversation and Friendship, you have an∣swer'd all my wishes. Being put into this hope, there are no difficulties I should think insupportable, the Sea will afford me an easie passage to come and possess my self of so great advantages, and all the gallant men upon earth were once embarqu'd upon a design lesse considerable then this. But I must first dissolve the enchantments of Madrid, and overcome the destiny of this Court, which hath decreed, that every one be stay'd here ten or twelve months after the last day he proposed to himself to be here. This, Sir, is so certain, that having attempted this winter to make an escape hence before this season, the force of the charm drew me back, when I was gotten forty Leagues hence, and I am here to this day, as deeply engag'd as ever: However I expect some good issue of what you tell me you have written in my be∣half, and if this adventure must be accomplish'd by one of the most gallant persons in the world, I hope I must be your debter for my deliverance: I know, Sir, it is not the noblest that you have put a period to, but I assure you, it is one of the most difficult and the most just. For, to be free with you, you are somewhat concern'd to be tender of a person who honours you with that sincerity I do, and bearing the character you do, there is nothing you cannot with more ease find, then affections pure and disinteress'd as mine. Those that are in such places as yours, are commonly treated like Gods; many fear them, all sacrifice to them, but there are few that love them, and they more easily find Flatterers then Friends. For my part, Sir, I have only look'd upon your self abstracted from all things else, I see in you things greater and more shining then your Fortune, and such endowments as will not permit you to be an ordinary person. You will find I speak this with a great deal of experience, if you reflect on the discourse you gave me the honour to have with you

in the meadow at Chirac, where having open'd your mind to mee, I found in it so much resolution, courage and generosity, as absolutely conquer'd and took in mine. I then discovered you had such sound apprehensions of whatever men are surpriz'd by, that those things which they look'd on, as most considerable in you, were such as you made least account of; nor could any man judge more impartially of any third person, then you did of your self. I must confesse, Sir, that at that time, seeing you perpetually engag'd on precipices, with a countenance cheerfully confident, and not thinking Constancy able to hold out at that rate, I found some reason to imagine you were not aware of them. But you soone convinc'd mee, there was nothing in your person, nor about it, which you most clearly understood not; so far, that seeing two paces from you, imprisonment and death, and so many other accidents that threatned you, and on the other side honours, reputation, and the greatest rewards, you consi∣der'd all, without the least agitation, and saw reasons not much to envy the one, or to feare the other. I was astonish'd to see a man, that had been bred all his life in the bosom of Fortune, ac∣quainted with all the secrets of Philosophy, and that you had learnt Wisdom, in a place where all others lose it. From that minute, Sir, I entred you into a List of three or four persons I love and honour beyond all the world besides, and made a great additional of respect and esteem to the passion I have ever had for you, which I afterward cast into a far greater affection. This is that I have still, and which I shall preserve while I live, in so high a deg••ee, that, it is certain, you ought to acknowledg it, and withall that it is some satisfaction to you, I am so much and so highly,

Sir,

Yours, &c.

Madrid. June 8. 1638.