Digital Donne: the Online Variorum
  The 1654 Prose Letters Letter 89, cont. (p.247) |
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and love it, as my mistresses face, every line and feature, but best all together. All that I can do towards retribution, is, (as other bankrupts do in prison) to make means by Commissioners, that a great debt may be accepted by small summes weekly. And in that proportion I have paid my tribute to you, almost ever since I came, and shall still do so. You know that they say, those are the strongest, and the firmest, and most precious things, which are composed of the most, and smallest parts. I will flatter my self therefore, that the number of my Letters may at last make a strong argument of my desire to serve you, but because I remember, out of this Philoso- phy, that they should be little, as well as many, lest this Letter should not get in- to the building, it shall be no bigger; thus much addition will not much disfigure it, that is sweare to you that I am Your affectionate servant J. Donne. [CW: Sir,] |
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