Ninon de l'Enclos's letter to Charles de Saint-Évremond, year 1691

Source:

Œvres mêlées, by Charles de Saint-Évremond, edited by Charles Giraud, published by J. Léon Techener fils, 1865

https://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Lettre_de_Ninon_de_Lenclos_à_Charles_de_Saint-Évremond_(«_Je_défie_Dulcinée…_»)

Above: Ninon de l'Enclos.

Above: Charles de Saint-Évremond, painted by Godfrey Kneller.

Anne "Ninon" de l'Enclos (born November 10, 1620, died October 17, 1705) was a French author, courtesan, philosopher, and patron of the arts. Her Paris salon attracted France's leading politicians and writers for both mental and physical stimulation. Although once confined to a nunnery by Anne of Austria, Queen Regent of France, Ninon attained a level of respectability unusual for courtesans, while her philosophy and patronage led to friendships with, among others, Molière and Voltaire.

The letter:

Je défie Dulcinée de sentir avec plus de joie le souvenir de son Chevalier. Votre lettre a été reçue comme elle le mérite, et la triste figure n'a point diminué le mérite des sentiments. Je suis touchée de leur force et de leur persévérance: conservez-les, à la honte de ceux qui se mêlent d'en juger. Je crois, comme vous, que les rides sont les marques de la sagesse. Je suis ravie que vos vertus extérieures ne vous attristent point: je tâche d'en user de même. Vous avez un ami, gouverneur de province, qui doit sa fortune à ses agréments; c'est le seul vieillard, qui ne soit pas ridicule, à la Cour. M. de Turenne ne vouloit vivre que pour le voir vieux: il le verroit père de famille, riche et plaisant. Il a plus dit de plaisanteries, sur sa nouvelle dignité, que les autres n'en ont pensé. M. d'Elbène, que vous appeliez le Cunctator, est mort à l'hôpital. Qu'est-ce que les jugements des hommes! Si M. d'Olonne vivoit et qu'il eût lu la lettre que vous m'écrivez, il vous auroit continué votre qualité de son philosophe. M. de Lauzun est mon voisin: il recevra vos compliments. Je vous rends très-tendrement ceux de M. de Charleval. Je vous demande instamment de faire souvenir M. de Ruvigny de son amie de la rue des Tournelles.

With English translation (my own):

I challenge Dulcinea to feel the memory of her Knight with more joy. Your letter has been received as it deserves, and the sad face has not diminished the merit of feelings. I am touched by their strength and perseverance; keep them, to the shame of those who meddle to judge. I believe, like you, that wrinkles are the marks of wisdom. I am delighted that your external virtues do not sadden you, I try to use them in the same way. You have a friend, a provincial governor, who owes his fortune to his amenities; he is the only old man at Court who is not ridiculous. Monsieur de Turenne wanted to live only to see him old; he saw him as the father of a family, rich and pleasant. He told more jokes about his newfound dignity than the others thought. Monsieur d'Elbène, whom you called the Cunctator, died in the hospital. What are the judgments of men! If Monsieur d'Olonne had lived and had read the letter you are writing to me, he would have continued your quality of his philosopher. Monsieur de Lauzun is my neighbor; he will receive your compliments. I return Monsieur de Charleval's to you very tenderly. I urge you to remind Monsieur de Ruvigny of his friend in the Rue des Tournelles.