Digital Donne: the Online Variorum
The 1654 Prose Letters Letter 35, cont. (p.106) |
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ters? And how all of these times, in the Jesuites Eastern and Western Epistles? where can we finde so perfect a Character of Phalaris, as in his own Letters, which are almost so many writs of Execution? Or of Brutus, as in his privie seals for monie? The Evangiles and Acts, teach us what to beleeve, but the Epistles of the Apostles what to do. And those who have endeavou- red to dignifie Seneca above his worth, have no way fitter, then to imagine Letters be- tween him and S. Paul. As they think also that they have expressed an excellent person, in that Letter which they obtrude, from our B. Saviour to King Agabarus. The Ita- lians, which are most discursive, and think the world owes them all wisdome, abound so much in this kinde of expressing, that Michel Montaigne saies, he hath seen, (as I re- member) 400 volumes of Italian Letters. But it is the other capacity which must make mine acceptable, that they are also the best conveyors of love. But, though all knowledge be in those Authors already, [CW: yet,] |
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