LA MOTTE-MESSEMÉ (François Le Poulchre de).

Ɵ The Pastime, dedicated to the Friends of Virtue. Plus a Songe faict à l'antique. Paris, Jean Le Blanc, 1595. In-8, burgundy morocco, jansenist, interior lace, edges gilt on marble (Chambolle-Duru). First edition of this prose narrative intermingled with verses, made in imitation of Montaigne's Essays. It is about memories of events which the author witnessed, thoughts, reflections, etc. Ronsard, "prince de noz Poètes", Montaigne, La Boétie, or Mesdames Desroches "mother & daughter [who] have broken the ice & shown the way to their sex to make a good verse", are for example evoked there. The volume ends with a series of verse pieces, including a Songe à l'antique dedicated to M. Ayraut, lieutenant criminal of Angers, and stanzas and sonnets dedicated to beautiful ladies. The woodcut coat of arms on the back of the title is the author's. From the Lindeboom library. Slight wetness on the edges of the first and last three leaves. J. P. Barbier-Mueller, IV-3, n°6. - Diane Barbier-Mueller, Inventaire..., n°424.