Digital Donne: the Online Variorum
The 1654 Prose Letters Letter 9, cont. (p.23) |
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prophesied of before it was born: for your brother told you in his letter, that I had written: he did me much honour both in advancing my truth so farre as to call a pro- mise an act already done; and to provide me a means of doing him a service in this act, which is but doing right to my self: for by this performance of mine own word, I have also justified that part of his Letter which concerned me; and it had been a double guiltinesse in me, to have made him guilty towards you. It makes no difference that this came not the same day, nor bears the same date as his; for though in inheritances and worldly possessions we consider the dates of Evidences, yet in Let- ters, by which we deliver over our affecti- ons, and assurances of friendship, and the best faculties of our souls, times and daies cannot have interest, nor be considerable, because that which passes by them, is eter- nall, and out of the measure of time. Be- cause therefore it is the office of this Letter, to convey my best wishes, and all the effects [CW: of] |
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