Digital Donne: the Online Variorum
The 1654 Prose Letters Letter 9, cont., and Letter 10 (p.24) |
|
of a noble love unto you, (which are the best fruits that so poor a soil, as my poor soul is, can produce) you may be pleased to allow the Letter thus much of the souls privilege, as to exempt it from straitnesse of hours, or any measure of times, and so beleeve it came then. And for my part, I shall make it so like my soul, that as that affection, of which it is the messenger, be- gun in me without my knowing when, any more then I know when my soul be- gan; so it shall continue as long as that. Line omitted Your most affectionate friend and servant J. D. To the right honourable the Countess of Montgomery. Madam, Of my ability to doe your Ladiship service, any thing may be an em- bleme good enough; for as a word vani- sheth, so doth any power in me to serve you; things that are written are fitter testi- monies, because they remain and are per- [CW: manent:] |
|