The Life of Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc

...you compose yourself, so you reconcile original: "Marte Musas concilias." Gassendi refers to Mars, the god of war, and the Muses, the goddesses of the arts and sciences, to show the Prince's balance of military and intellectual pursuits. Mars with the Muses in such a way that it becomes unclear whether you stand out more for your noble birth or your great learning. Although this honor has been an immortal glory for your family, no one from the famous and royal line of the original: "Valesiorum." The House of Valois was a royal house of France. Valois family can be found to compare with you. But these things must be recorded elsewhere. For now, it cannot be praised enough that you everywhere lower your fascesThe fasces were a bundle of rods and an axe used by Roman magistrates to symbolize their power. To lower the fasces means to show respect or humility before a higher authority, in this case, virtue. before virtue. Nor do you seek the subject matter of royal praise only among Princes.

You believe it matters little under what clothing a heroic mind might hide. So long as the heart is divine, you show yourself ready to honor it. This will surely serve as a lasting example, to be numbered among the deeds of great commanders and emperors, that through your recommendation you elevate a man of the Senatorial orderoriginal: "Senatorij ordinis." Peiresc served as a magistrate in the Parliament of Aix-en-Provence. Gassendi uses the Roman term for the Senate to give the office ancient dignity. among Princesoriginal: "Principes." In this context, Gassendi means those of the first rank or most excellent men, rather than sovereign rulers. due to his exceptional gifts of mind. You take upon yourself the care to ensure his fame never fades.

Indeed, you must possess within yourself those same praised virtues that you love in him. The memory of your affection cannot fail to endure, since virtue itself will pronounce an eternal tribute to you. Furthermore, as it concerns the Man, I would be ungrateful if I did not provide what his singular love for me and his generous nature toward all people demands. For as much as he loved me, it is easier to feel in the soul than to express in words. It is enough to say that I count it as a great happiness that he held me so dear, and that he wished me to be with him so frequently, for counsel...