Digital Donne: the Online Variorum
The 1654 Prose Letters Letter 34, cont. (p.103) |
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Sir, as I said last time, labour to keep your alacrity and dignity, in an even temper: for in a dark sadnesse, indifferent things seem abominable, or necessary, being nei- ther; as trees, and sheep to melancholique night-walkers have unproper shapes. And when you descend to satisfie all men in your own religion, or to excuse others to al; you prostitute your self and your under- standing, though not a prey, yet a mark, and a hope, and a subject, for every sophi- ster in Religion to work on. For the other part of your Letter, spent in the praise of the Countesse, I am always very apt to be- leeve it of her, and can never beleeve it so well, and so reasonably, as now, when it is averred by you; but for the expressing it to her, in that sort as you seem to coun- saile, I have these two reasons to decline it. That that knowledge which she hath of me, was in the beginning of a graver course, then of a Poet, into which (that I may al- so keep my dignity) I would not seem to relapse. The Spanish proverb informes [CW: me,] |
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