62 - 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. September 5, [1656]; 4 pages, in-4°. A magnificent literary letter in which Madame de La Fayette humorously admits to having misjudged a madrigal, mentioning Petrarch, Guarini, and Mlle de Scudéry in passing; while sharing her reflections on the art of poetry. “If one could take any pride in my choice, I assure you that you could take pride in the fact that I chose your madrigal over that of Guarini and that of Mr. du [Ramy]—it was only after reading them all ten times over that I declared myself in your favor; and although I was gravely mistaken in believing what you wrote to me, that the “Per” madrigal was by Petrarch, that does not prevent me from reading it with the utmost attention, and I even noticed while reading it that this madrigal was for [...] and that puzzled me because it [seemed] that Petrarch had never written verses except for Madame Laure. I was about to ask you where this madrigal came from, though this thought did not make me realize my mistake. I had confused these two great poets in my mind, and I mistakenly referred to one as the other; nevertheless, I am delighted that the [Costors] and the Chaplains did not recognize you in the guise of the False, and that you upheld the name of this great man so well, since even those in the trade did not notice your deception, it is a glorious thing to have been deceived just as well as they were: but I would be extremely curious to know what gave you the idea of enriching the False with your wealth. I think that up to this point, such an adventure had never befallen him. He was certainly robbed, but I do not believe he was ever given anything. In truth, it is surprising that you compose verses in Italian as you do. Please remember, if you will, that it is to me that you owe all the glory that comes to you from this language, and that it was to please me that you began to study it at a time when you loved me more than you do now. I beg you to let this debt be the reason you no longer deceive me: otherwise I will be deceived whenever it pleases you, and I will receive your verses under the name of Petrarch, du Fasse, Guarini, Cavalier Marin—in short, under whatever name you choose: I had no doubt that Mademoiselle de Scudéry had more wit than anyone else in France, but I am now fully convinced of it, since she alone suspected that the madrigal [D’Fol] was yours. Please assure this witty person of the admiration I have for her. I find the madrigal for the absent lady very much to my liking, and the sentiment is as gallant as it is well expressed. From the last letter I received from you, I saw that the Italian song is your favorite work, and I am delighted to have found it as lovely as I did. Since all the assurances I give you of my friendship do not convince you, I do not know what to do to persuade you. It seems to me that when I say I love someone, you must believe me, for I do not say it very often. Farewell. I am infinitely grateful to Mr. de la Rochefoucault for his compliment; it is a reflection of the warm friendship that exists between us.” An old copy of the letter is enclosed.