HUYGENS AAN E. PUTEANUS TE LEUVEN*).

1642, 25 Augustus.

De Romerii filiabus natu maximam vidisti, me proxeneta, praestantem lingua manuque mulierem. Si sororem Tesselam vidisses, viduam manu quoque pollentissimam, sed forma, lingua, moribusque longe suaviorem, ingenio autem vere sublimi, mulie- ribus universis, viris plerisque excellentiorem, plus te debere mihi fatereris, et fateberis, si quando regiones vestras lectissima foemi- narum lustratum eat, quod sine comitatu animi manusque meae non fiet. Plurimi enim illam facio, nec facere tu non posses, si solum unum poemation vidisses, cujusmodi illa quotidie parit, stupendi commatis. Mi Puteane, cur divellimur? Cur te parti- cipem non est facere mille elegantiarum et amoenitatum musi- carum, quae mihi cum illa muliere, Barlaeo, Vossio, Hoofdio, Vicofortio, Vondelio alijsque intercedunt?

HUYGENS TO E. PUTEANUS IN LEUVEN

August 25, 1642

You have seen the eldest daughter of Romer, with me as the matchmaker, a woman skilled in language and handiwork. If you had seen her sister Tessela, a widow also very skilled with her hands, but far more charming in appearance, language, and manners, with a truly sublime intellect, superior to all women and most men, you would admit, and will admit if she ever visits your region, that you owe me more. This will not happen without my guidance and support. I hold her in the highest regard, and you would too if you saw just one of the poems she creates daily, with astonishing skill.

My dear Puteanus, why are we separated? Why can't I share with you the many elegant and delightful musical experiences I have with this woman, Barlaeus, Vossius, Hoofd, Vicoforte, Vondel, and others?