MALHERBE FRANÇOIS DE (1555-1628) - Lot 91

Lot 91
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MALHERBE FRANÇOIS DE (1555-1628) - Lot 91
MALHERBE FRANÇOIS DE (1555-1628) L.A., signed by three fermesses, [23 June 1616, to Charlotte d'AUCHY]; 1 page in-fol. (small marginal repair). Beautiful letter of despair in love before the rigors of his mistress. [It is known that Charlotte Jouvenel des Ursins, who became by her marriage viscountess of AUCHY (1750?-1646), inspired to Malherbe in 1606-1607 a violent passion; under the name of CALISTE, he celebrated her in some of his most beautiful verses: "There is nothing so beautiful as Caliste is beautiful"...] "It is necessary to say the truth, Madam, that it is difficult to be revolted against a beauty like yours: and that when we came so before to this disorder, it is even more difficult that soon or later a better thought does not recall us to our duty. What extraordinary murmurings or rather what prodigious blasphemies had not made me take pleasure in your inequalities? With what imprecations had I not protested that I would rather die a thousand deaths than ever set sail again on a sea where navigation was accompanied by so many perils? And yet Madame, here I am at your feet, so humbled that there has never been anything as penitent as I am: and so in love, that being beyond all measure, I do not believe it to be anywhere near what is due to your incomparable qualities. I certainly do not know with what eyes I look at you. But it is very true that from one day to the next, I find in your perfections such an advantageous progress, that if yesterday you were miraculous to me, today you are divine to me: tomorrow you will be goddess to me. And at this account, who doubts that in the end to name you according to my feeling, and according to your merit, the words do not fail my imagination? Consider if you like. Madame, in the satisfaction I give you, how ridiculous are the angers of those who love. Make fun of mine; and erase them from your mind as the thoughts that led me to such an unfortunate and detestable rebellion / despair are erased from mine. I ask you for this grace with my knees on the ground, and beg you most humbly, Madame, to believe that the desire to live will only last as long as you preserve the immutable/inviolable affection that you have done me the honor of promising me. The letter is signed with three signatures; it presents some erasures and corrections, even alternative versions of some passages. It bears on the back the date of reception written by the addressee: "25th June 1616 RA". It has been published since 1630 in the Œuvres de Malherbe (book III, letter 20). Œuvres (Bibl. de la Pléiade), p. 314.
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