De Diane c’est la prêtresse
Qui vient danser sous les traits de Vénus[1].
Methinks these four lines are at least a true, if not a lively, picture of her peculiar art of dancing and her own character : they do besides answer the purpose of the painter, who represents her dancing before the temple of Diana.
Before I leave off speaking of verse to you, I must tell you I have to-day put in the hands of your brother two scrolls of rhymes, one for madame Fontaine-Martel, and the other for madame Lubert, whom I have dubbed Muse and Grâce.
I have not yet seen the new édition of my works. Four and twenty copies of them are sent to me by the way of Rouen : but, before I receive them, I shall have time enough to receive some letters from you : be so kind then as to inform me what success this édition has met with, both in England and in Holland.
You promised to send me the remarks of La Motraye : I désire you would add to them a little pamphlet newly come out on the person and the works of doctor Clark. I hope to send you, within a few months my English Letters. I want chiefly the little pamphlet concerning doctor Clark, to give the last stroke to his character, provided this pamphlet contains some truths worth knowing.
Now you must tell me, with sincerity, how long you intend to continue in England ; what course of life you have entered upon, and whether you bave a fixed design or no to do something ? Do you stay really for mistress Salé ? Will she really come over to you ? In the mean time madame de Fontaine-Martel makes her best endeavours to have as much pleasure for as little money as possible. M. Rezé is at Paris, and sups here almost every day. I wish you could do the like.
Farewell, I am yours for ever[2].
- ↑ Voyez tome X, p. 492.
- ↑ Traduction : Je ne vous ai pas écrit un seul mot ce mois-ci ; mais il faut me le pardonner, car j’ai été un peu affairé. J’ai fait une pièce, qui est maintenant entre les mains des acteurs * : on l’a trouvée touchante et pleine de ce que les Français appellent intérêt ; mon intention, en composant cette nouvelle tragédie, était de mettre en contraste les idées les plus tendres et les plus majestueuses que puisse fournir notre religion, avec les effets les plus cruels et les plus attendrissants de l’amour. Si mes amis ne me trompent pas et ne se trompent pas eux-mêmes, cette pièce aura quelque succès. J’ai aussi travaillé à corriger ma tragédie d’Ériphyle : je compte vous les envoyer toutes deux par la prochaine occasion. Ces études continuelles ne m’ont point empêché de penser à mes amis.
