53 - LA FAYETTE, Marie Madeleine, Countess of Pioche de la Vergne [Paris, 1634 – id., 1693], French writer.

LA FAYETTE, Marie Madeleine, Countess of Pioche de la Vergne [Paris, 1634 – id., 1693], French writer. Autograph letter addressed to Gilles Ménage “In the cloister of Notre Dame de Paris.” [Vichy]; April 20, 1657; 3½ pages, in-4°. A magnificent letter in which Madame de La Fayette offers an enthusiastic literary critique of *L’Oiseleur*, a poem by Gilles Ménage dedicated to her, while reaffirming her affection for her correspondent. “I was in such a terrible state [of distress] during the last mail delivery that I could not say a single word to you about the Bel Oiseleur. Now that I’ve had a little more time to think, I’ll boldly tell you my opinion without knowing if it matches yours, and I’ll take sides among your children without waiting for you to say which one you love best. I do not know whether the two [romances]—that of the gardener and that of the bird-catcher—are like most things that are equally beautiful. Of these, the newer one pleases more, though in the end it may be due to novelty or actual merit. I would favor the bird-catcher if he had not appealed to me as much as the gardener. Perhaps the other would be more beautiful, but as my name stands at the head of both, though I believe I have a greater affinity for the gardener than for the bird-catcher. I am, however, in favor of the bird-catcher; in my opinion, there is something richer and newer in him than in the other. The description of this love disguised as a bird strikes me as admirable, and those traces of [...] that he leaves wherever his wings pass give me an idea that delights me. I also greatly love what this amaranth says to him about the effort he goes to in catching prey that flees from him, when he could have more beautiful ones that do not flee, the idea of teaching this parrot to speak is quite charming, and so fitting for a young boy who has never been accustomed to anything but birds. The ending of the idyll is, to my mind, absolutely beautiful, and I’m not at all surprised that Amarante’s heart is so quickly moved by what Eurilas says to her, for he tells her the most beautiful and touching things in the world. If I had *Loiseleur* with me right now, I would point out to you the verses that please me most, but I have already lent it to Mr. de Lorme, a doctor who charges no money and who accepts payment in the [currency] of fine wit. If all the great minds—and you, above all—do not share my opinion regarding *Loiseleur* and *Le Jardinier*, I would be very upset, but I would not change my position even if I were the only one on my side—which I know full well will not be the case when I reread your works and find my name in thousands upon thousands of places. I am quite convinced that you feel friendship toward me, but when I also consider that you are under the mistaken impression that I do not feel the same toward you, I doubt whether you love me as much as appearances suggest. Be that as it may, I wish to stick to appearances: and given that, combined with your worth, you must never doubt that I have all the friendship of which I am capable, and that I am deeply moved by all the tokens of esteem you show me every day.” An old copy of the letter is enclosed.