DigitalDonne: the Online Variorum

001.L54.0HE %1To the worthiest Lady M%2%5rs%6. Bridget White.
001.L54.Sal M%9ADAME%0,
001.L54.001 I%+ could make some guesse whe-
001.L54.002 ther souls that go to heaven,
001.L54.003 retain any memory of us
001.L54.004 that stay behinde, if I knew
001.L54.005 whether you ever thought of
001.L54.006 us, since you enjoyed your heaven, which
001.L54.007 is your self, at home. Your going away hath
001.L54.008 made %1London%2 a dead carkasse. A Tearm, and
001.L54.009 a Court do a little spice and embalme it,
001.L54.010 and keep it from putrefaction, but the soul
001.L54.011 went away in you: and I think the onely
001.L54.012 reason why the plague is somewhat slack-
001.L54.013 ned, is, because the place is dead already, [cw:and]
001.L54.014 and no body left worth the killing. Where- [p. 2]
001.L54.015 soever you are, there is %1London%2 enough: and
001.L54.016 it is a diminishing of you to say so, since
001.L54.017 you are more then the rest of the world.
001.L54.018 When you have a desire to work a miracle,
001.L54.019 you will return hither, and raise the place
001.L54.020 from the dead, and the dead that are in it;
001.L54.021 of which I am one, but that a hope that I
001.L54.022 have a room in your favour keeps me alive;
001.L54.023 which you shall abundantly confirme to
001.L54.024 me, if by one letter you tell me, that you
001.L54.025 have received my six; for now my letters
001.L54.026 are grown to that bulk, that I may divide
001.L54.027 them like %1Amadis%2 the %1Gaules%2 book, and tell
001.L54.028 you, that this is the first letter of the second
001.L54.029 part of the first book.
001.L54.0DL %1Strand S.%2 Peters/ %1day at nine.%2
001.L54.0SS %1Your humblest, and affectionate%2/ %1servant%2 J. D. [cw: %1To%2]

002.L54.0HE %1To the worthiest Lady M%2%5rs%6. B. W.
002.L54.Sal M%9ADAME%0,
002.L54.001 I%+ Think the letters which I send to you
002.L54.002 single lose themselves by the way for
002.L54.003 want of a guide, or faint for want of com-
002.L54.004 pany. Now, that on your part there be no
002.L54.005 excuse, after three single letters, I send three
002.L54.006 together, that every one of them may have
002.L54.007 two witnesses of their delivery. They come
002.L54.008 also to waite upon another letter from S%5r%6 %1E.%2
002.L54.009 %1Herbert%2, of whose recovery from a Fever,
002.L54.010 you may apprehend a perfecter content-
002.L54.011 ment then we, because you had none of
002.L54.012 the former sorrow. I am an Heretique if
002.L54.013 it be sound Doctrine, that pleasure tasts
002.L54.014 best after sorrow. For my part, I can love
002.L54.015 health well enough, though I be never sick;
002.L54.016 and I never needed my Mistris frowns and
002.L54.017 disfavours, to make her favours acceptable
002.L54.018 to me. In States, it is a weakness to stand
002.L54.019 upon a defensive war, and safer not to be
002.L54.020 invaded, then to have overcome: so in our
002.L54.021 souls health, an innocence is better then the [cw:hearti-]
002.L54.022 heartiest repentance. And in the pleasures of [p. 4]
002.L54.023 this life, it is better that the variety of the
002.L54.024 pleasures give us the taste and appetite to
002.L54.025 it, then a sowre and sad interruption quic-
002.L54.026 ken our stomack; for then we live by Phy-
002.L54.027 sick. I wish therefore all your happinesses
002.L54.028 such as this intire, and without flaw, or
002.L54.029 spot of discontentment; and such is the love
002.L54.030 and service of
002.L54.0DL %1Strand S%2. Peters/ %1day at%2 4.
002.L54.0SS %1Your humblest, and affectionatest%2/ %1servant%2 J. D.

003.L54.0HE %1To the same%2.
003.L54.Sal M%9ADAME%0,
003.L54.001 T%+His letter which I send enclosed hath
003.L54.002 been yours many moneths, and hath
003.L54.003 languished upon my table for a passage so
003.L54.004 long, that as others send news in their let-
003.L54.005 ters, I send an antiquity in mine. I durst
003.L54.006 not tear it, after it was yours: there is some
003.L54.007 sacriledge in defacing any thing consecrated
003.L54.008 to you, and some impiety to despaire that
003.L54.009 any thing devoted to you should not be re- [cw:served]
003.L54.010 served to a good issue. I remember I should [p.5]
003.L54.011 have sent it by a servant, of whose diligence
003.L54.012 I see I was too confident. I know not
003.L54.013 what it says: but I dare make this letter no
003.L54.014 longer, because being very sure that I al-
003.L54.015 ways think the same thoughts of you, I am
003.L54.016 afraid I should fall upon the same words,
003.L54.017 and so send one letter twice together.
003.L54.0DL %1Novemb%2. 8.
003.L54.0SS %1Your very affectionate%2/ %1servant%2 J. D.

004.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Lady M%5rs%6%2. B. W.
004.L54.Sal M%9ADAME%0,
004.L54.001 I%+ Have but small comfort in this letter;
004.L54.002 the messenger comes too easily to me,
004.L54.003 and I am too sure that the letter shall be de-
004.L54.004 livered. All adventures towards you should
004.L54.005 be of more difficulty and hazard. But per-
004.L54.006 chance I need not lament this; it may be so
004.L54.007 many of my letters are lost already that it is
004.L54.008 time that one should come, like %1Jobs%2 ser-
004.L54.009 vant, to bring word, that the rest were lost.
004.L54.010 If you have had more before, this comes to [cw:aske]
004.L54.011 aske how they were received; and if you [p. 6]
004.L54.012 have had none, it comes to try how they
004.L54.013 should have been received. It comes to you
004.L54.014 like a bashfull servant, who though he have
004.L54.015 an extreme desire to put himself in your
004.L54.016 presence, yet hath not much to say when he
004.L54.017 is come: yet hath it as much to say as
004.L54.018 you can think; because what degrees so-
004.L54.019 ever of honour, respect, and devotion, you
004.L54.020 can imagine or beleeve to be in any, this
004.L54.021 letter tells you, that all those are in me to-
004.L54.022 wards you. So that for this letter you are my
004.L54.023 Secretary; for your worthiness, and your
004.L54.024 opinion that I have a just estimation of
004.L54.025 them, write it: so that it is as long, and as
004.L54.026 good, as you think it; and nothing is left
004.L54.027 to me, but as a witness, to subscribe the
004.L54.028 name of
004.L54.0DL om
004.L54.0SS %1Your most humble servant%2
004.L54.0SS J. D.
004.L54.P01 Though this letter be yours, it will not mis-
004.L54.P02 become or disproportion it that I mention your
004.L54.P03 Noble brother, who is gone to %1Cleave%2, not to re-
004.L54.P04 turn till towards Christmas, except the business
004.L54.P05 deserve him not so long. [cw:%1To%2]

005.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable L. the Lady%2 Kingsmel %1upon/ the death of her Husband%2.
005.L54.Sal M%9ADAME%0,
005.L54.001 T%+Hose things which God dissolves at
005.L54.002 once, as he shall do the Sun, and
005.L54.003 Moon, and those bodies at the last confla-
005.L54.004 gration, he never intends to reunite again;
005.L54.005 but in those things, which he takes in
005.L54.006 pieces, as he doth man, and wife, in these
005.L54.007 divorces, by death, and in single persons,
005.L54.008 by the divorce of body and soul, God hath
005.L54.009 another purpose to make them up again.
005.L54.010 That piece which he takes to himself, is pre-
005.L54.011 sently cast in a mould, and in an instant
005.L54.012 made fit for his use; for heaven is not a
005.L54.013 place of a proficiency, but of present per-
005.L54.014 fection. That piece which he leaves behinde
005.L54.015 in this world, by the death of a part thereof,
005.L54.016 growes fitter and fitter for him, by the
005.L54.017 good use of his corrections, and the intire
005.L54.018 conformity to his will. Nothing dispropor-
005.L54.019 tions us, nor makes us so uncapable of be-
005.L54.020 ing reunited to those whom we loved here, [cw:as]
005.L54.021 as murmuring, or not advancing the good- [p.8]
005.L54.022 ness of him, who hath removed them from
005.L54.023 hence. We would wonder, to see a man,
005.L54.024 who in a wood were left to his liberty, to
005.L54.025 fell what trees he would, take onely the
005.L54.026 crooked, and leave the streightest trees; but
005.L54.027 that man hath perchance a ship to build,
005.L54.028 and not a house, and so hath use of that
005.L54.029 kinde of timber: let not us, who know
005.L54.030 that in Gods house there are many Mansi-
005.L54.031 ons, but yet have no modell, no designe of
005.L54.032 the forme of that building, wonder at his
005.L54.033 taking in of his materialls, why he takes
005.L54.034 the young, and leaves the old, or why the
005.L54.035 sickly overlive those, that had better health.
005.L54.036 We are not bound to think that souls de-
005.L54.037 parted, have devested all affections towards
005.L54.038 them, whom they left here; but we are
005.L54.039 bound to think, that for all their loves they
005.L54.040 would not be here again: Then is the will
005.L54.041 of God done in Earth, as it is in Heaven,
005.L54.042 when we neither pretermit his actions, nor
005.L54.043 resist them; neither pass them over in an
005.L54.044 inconsideration, as though God had no [cw:hand]
005.L54.045 hand in them, nor go about to take them [p.9]
005.L54.046 out of his hands, as though we could direct
005.L54.047 him to do them better. As Gods Scriptures
005.L54.048 are his will, so his actions are his will;
005.L54.049 both are Testaments, because they testifie
005.L54.050 his minde to us. It is not lawfull to adde a
005.L54.051 scedule to either of his wills: as they do
005.L54.052 ill, who adde to his written will, the Scri-
005.L54.053 ptures, a scedule of Apcryphall books: so
005.L54.054 do they also, who to his other will, his ma-
005.L54.055 nifested actions, adde Apocryphall condi-
005.L54.056 tions, and a scedule of such limitations as
005.L54.057 these, If God would have stayed thus long,
005.L54.058 or, If God would have proceeded in this or
005.L54.059 this manner, I could have born it. To
005.L54.060 say that our afflictions are greater then we
005.L54.061 can bear, is so near to despairing, as that the
005.L54.062 same words express both; for when we
005.L54.063 consider %1Caines%2 words in that originall
005.L54.064 tongue in which God spake, we cannot tell
005.L54.065 whether the words be, My punishment is
005.L54.066 greater then can be born; or, My sin is grea-
005.L54.067 ter then can be forgiven. But Madame, you
005.L54.068 who willingly sacrificed your self to God, [cw:in]
005.L54.069 in your obedience to him, in your own [p.10]
005.L54.070 sickness, cannot be doubted to dispute with
005.L54.071 him, about any part of you, which he shall
005.L54.072 be pleased to require at your hands. The dif-
005.L54.073 ference is great in the loss, of an arme, or a
005.L54.074 head; of a child, or a husband: but to them,
005.L54.075 who are incorporated into Christ, their
005.L54.076 head, there can be no beheading; upon
005.L54.077 you, who are a member of the spouse of
005.L54.078 Christ the Church, there can fall no wi-
005.L54.079 dowhead, nor orphanage upon those chil-
005.L54.080 dren, to whom God is father. I have not
005.L54.081 another office by your husbands death;
005.L54.082 for I was your Chaplaine before, in my
005.L54.083 daily prayers; but I shall inlarge that office
005.L54.084 with other Collects, then before, that God
005.L54.085 will continue to you, that peace which you
005.L54.086 have ever had in him, and send you quiet,
005.L54.087 and peaceable dispositions in all them with
005.L54.088 whom you shall have any thing to do, in
005.L54.089 your temporall estate and matters of this
005.L54.090 world. %1Amen%2.
005.L54.0DL At my poor house at S./ %1Pauls%2. 26. %1Octob%2./ 1624.
005.L54.0SS %1Your Ladiships very humble and%2/ %1thankfull servant in Christ%2/ %1Jesus%2 J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

006.L54.0HE %1To my honoured friend S%5:%6%2 T. Lucey.
006.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
006.L54.001 I%+ Make account that this writing of letters,
006.L54.002 when it is with any seriousness, is a kind
006.L54.003 of extasie, and a departure and secession and
006.L54.004 suspension of the soul, w%5ch%6 doth then co%Mmu-
006.L54.005 nicate it self to two bodies: And as I would
006.L54.006 every day provide for my souls last convoy,
006.L54.007 though I know not when I shall die, and
006.L54.008 perchance I shall never die; so for these
006.L54.009 extasies in letters, I oftentimes deliver my
006.L54.010 self over in writing when I know not
006.L54.011 when those letters shall be sent to you,
006.L54.012 and many times they never are, for I have a
006.L54.013 little satisfaction in seeing a letter written
006.L54.014 to you upon my table, though I meet no
006.L54.015 opportunity of sending it. Especially this
006.L54.016 summer, when either by my early retiring
006.L54.017 home, or your irresolutions of your own
006.L54.018 purposes, or some other possessions of yours
006.L54.019 you did lesse reveale to me your progresses,
006.L54.020 and stations, and where I might crosse you
006.L54.021 by letters, then heretofore: I make shift [cw:to]
006.L54.022 to lay little fault upon you, because my par- [cw:p.12]
006.L54.023 don might be easier, if I transgress into a
006.L54.024 longer and busier letter then your Countrey
006.L54.025 sports admit; but you may read it in winter:
006.L54.026 And by that time I may more clearly ex-
006.L54.027 press my self for those things which have
006.L54.028 entred into me, concerning your soul: for
006.L54.029 as the greatest advantage which mans soul is
006.L54.030 thought to have beyond others, is that which
006.L54.031 they call %1Actum reflexum%2, and %1iteratum%2, (for
006.L54.032 Beasts do the same things as we do, but they
006.L54.033 do not consider nor remember the circum-
006.L54.034 stances and inducements; and by what
006.L54.035 power, and faculty, it is that they do them)
006.L54.036 so of those which they call %1Actum reflexum%2
006.L54.037 the noblest is that which reflects upon the
006.L54.038 soul it self, and considers and meditates it,
006.L54.039 Into which consideration when I walke
006.L54.040 after my slow and unperfect pace, I begin
006.L54.041 to think that as litigious men tyred with
006.L54.042 suits, admit any arbitrement; and Princes
006.L54.043 travailed with long and wastfull war, de-
006.L54.044 scend to such conditions of peace, as they
006.L54.045 are soon after ashamed to have embraced: [cw:so]
006.L54.046 so Philosophers, and so all sects of Chri- [p.13]
006.L54.047 stians, after long disputations and contro-
006.L54.048 versies, have allowed many things for po-
006.L54.049 sitive and dogmaticall truths which are not
006.L54.050 worthy of that dignity; And so many
006.L54.051 doctrines have grown to be the ordinary
006.L54.052 diet and food of our spirits, and have place
006.L54.053 in the pap of Catechismes, which were ad-
006.L54.054 mitted but as Physick in that present di-
006.L54.055 stemper, or accepted in a lazie weariness,
006.L54.056 when men, so they might have something
006.L54.057 to relie upon, and to excuse themselves
006.L54.058 from more painfull inquisition, never exa-
006.L54.059 mined what that was. To which indisposi-
006.L54.060 tion of ours, the Casuists are so indulgent,
006.L54.061 as that they allow a conscience to adhere to
006.L54.062 any probable opinion against a more pro-
006.L54.063 bable, and do never binde him to seek out
006.L54.064 which is the more probable, but give him
006.L54.065 leave to dissemble it and to depart from
006.L54.066 it, if by mischance he come to know it.
006.L54.067 This, as it appears in all sciences, so most
006.L54.068 manifestly in Physick, which for a long
006.L54.069 time considering nothing, but plain curing [cw:and]
006.L54.070 and that but by example and precedent, [p.14]
006.L54.071 the world at last longed for some certain
006.L54.072 Canons and Rules, how these cures
006.L54.073 might be accomplished; And when men
006.L54.074 are inflamed with this desire, and that such
006.L54.075 a fire breaks out that rages and consumes in-
006.L54.076 finitly by heat of argument, except some of
006.L54.077 authority interpose. This produced %1Hippo%2-
006.L54.078 %1crates%2 his Aphorismes; and the world
006.L54.079 slumbred or took breath, in his resolution
006.L54.080 divers hundreds of years: And then in
006.L54.081 %1Galens%2 time, which was not satisfied with
006.L54.082 the effect of curing, not with the know-
006.L54.083 ledge how to cure, broke out another de-
006.L54.084 sire of finding out the causes why those
006.L54.085 simples wrought those effects. Then %1Galen%2
006.L54.086 rather to stay their stomachs then that he
006.L54.087 gave them enough, taught them the quali-
006.L54.088 ties of the four Elements, and arrested them
006.L54.089 upon this, that all differences of qualities
006.L54.090 proceeded from them. And after, (not
006.L54.091 much before our time) men perceiving that
006.L54.092 all effects in Physick could not be derived
006.L54.093 form these beggerly and impotent proper- [cw:ties]
006.L54.094 ties of the Elements, and that therefore they [p.15]
006.L54.095 were driven often to that miserable refuge
006.L54.096 of specifique form, and of antipathy and
006.L54.097 sympathy; we see the world hath turned
006.L54.098 upon new principles which are attributed
006.L54.099 to %1Paracelsus%2, but (indeed) too much to his
006.L54.100 honour. Certainly it is also so in the Phy-
006.L54.101 sick of our soul Divinity, for in the Primi-
006.L54.102 tive Church, when amongst the Fathers
006.L54.103 there were so divers opinions of the state
006.L54.104 of the soul, presently after this life, they easi-
006.L54.105 ly inclined to be content to do as much for
006.L54.106 them dead as when they were alive, and so
006.L54.107 concurred in a charitable disposition to
006.L54.108 pray for them; which manner of prayer
006.L54.109 then in use, no Christian Church at this
006.L54.110 day having received better light, will al-
006.L54.111 low of. So also when in the beginning of
006.L54.112 S. %1Augustines%2 time, Grace had been so much
006.L54.113 advanced that mans Nature was scarce ad-
006.L54.114 mitted to be so much as any means or in-
006.L54.115 strument (not onely no kinde of cause) of
006.L54.116 his own good works: And soon after in S.
006.L54.117 %1Augustines%2 time also mans free will (by fierce [cw:opposi-]
006.L54.118 opposition and arguing against the former [p.16]
006.L54.119 error) was too much overvalued, and ad-
006.L54.120 mitted into too near degrees of fellowship
006.L54.121 with Grace; those times admitted a
006.L54.122 doctrine and form of reconciliation, which
006.L54.123 though for reverence to the time, both the
006.L54.124 Dominicans, and Jesuits at this day in their
006.L54.125 great quarrell about Grace and Free will
006.L54.126 would yet seem to maintaine, yet indiffe-
006.L54.127 rent and dispassioned men of that Church
006.L54.128 see there is no possibility in it, and therefore
006.L54.129 accuse it of absurdity and almost of heresie.
006.L54.130 I think it falls out thus also in the matter of
006.L54.131 the soul: for Christian Religion presu-
006.L54.132 ming a soul, and intending principally her
006.L54.133 happiness in the life to come, hath been
006.L54.134 content to accept any way which hath been
006.L54.135 obtruded; how this soul is begun in us.
006.L54.136 Hence it is that whole Christian Churches
006.L54.137 arest themselves upon propagation from pa-
006.L54.138 rents; and other whole Christian Churches
006.L54.139 allow onely infusion from God. In both
006.L54.140 which opinions there appear such infirmi-
006.L54.141 ties as it is time to look for a better: for [cw:who-]
006.L54.142 whosoever will adhere to the way of pro- [p.17]
006.L54.143 pagation, can never evict necessarily and
006.L54.144 certainly a naturall immortality in the soul,
006.L54.145 if the soul result out of matter, nor shall he
006.L54.146 ever prove that all mankind hath any more
006.L54.147 then one soul: as certainly of all beasts, if
006.L54.148 they receive such souls as they have from
006.L54.149 their parents, every species can have but one
006.L54.150 soul. And they which follow the opinion
006.L54.151 of infusion from God, and of a new creation
006.L54.152 (which is now the more common opinion)
006.L54.153 as they can very hardly defend the doctrin of
006.L54.154 original sin (the soul is forced to take this in-
006.L54.155 fection, and comes not into the body of her
006.L54.156 own disposition) so shall they never be
006.L54.157 able to prove that all those whom we see in
006.L54.158 the shape of men have an immortall and
006.L54.159 reasonable soul, because our parents are as
006.L54.160 able as any other species is to give us a soul
006.L54.161 of growth and of sense, and to perform all
006.L54.162 vitall and animall functions. And so with-
006.L54.163 out infusion of such a soul may produce a
006.L54.164 creature as wise and well disposed as any
006.L54.165 horse or Elephant, of which degree many [cw:whom]
006.L54.166 whom we see come far short; nor hath [p.18]
006.L54.167 God bound or declared himself that he will
006.L54.168 always create a soul for every embryon, there
006.L54.169 is yet therefore no opinion in Philosophy,
006.L54.170 nor Divinity, so well established as con-
006.L54.171 strains us to beleeve, both that the soul is
006.L54.172 immortall, and that every particular man
006.L54.173 hath such a soul: which since out of the
006.L54.174 great mercy of our God we do constantly
006.L54.175 beleeve, I am ashamed that we do not also
006.L54.176 know it by searching farther: But as some-
006.L54.177 times we had rather beleeve a Travellers lie
006.L54.178 then go to disprove him; so men rather
006.L54.179 cleave to these ways then seek new: yet be-
006.L54.180 cause I have meditated therein, I will shortly
006.L54.181 aquaint you with what I think; for I would
006.L54.182 not be in danger of that law of %1Moses%2, That
006.L54.183 if a man dig a pit, and cover it not, he must
006.L54.184 recompense those which are damnified by
006.L54.185 it: which is often interpreted of such as
006.L54.186 shake old opinions, and do not establish
006.L54.187 new as certain, but leave consciences in a
006.L54.188 worse danger then they found them in. I
006.L54.189 beleeve that law of %1Moses%2 hath in it some [cw:mysterie]
006.L54.190 mysterie and appliablenesse; for by that law [p.19]
006.L54.191 men are onely then bound to that indem-
006.L54.192 nity and compensation, if an Oxe or an
006.L54.193 Asse (that is, such as are of a strong consti-
006.L54.194 tution and accustomed to labour) fall there-
006.L54.195 in; but it is not said so, if a Sheep or a
006.L54.196 Goat fall: no more are we, if men in a
006.L54.197 sillinesse or wantonnesse will stumble or
006.L54.198 take a scandall, bound to rectifie them at
006.L54.199 all times. And therefore because I justly
006.L54.200 presume you strong and watchfull enough,
006.L54.201 I make account that I am not obnoxious to
006.L54.202 that law, since my meditations are neither
006.L54.203 too wide nor too deep for you, except onely
006.L54.204 that my way of expressing them may be
006.L54.205 extended beyond your patience and pardon,
006.L54.206 which I will therefore tempt no longer at
006.L54.207 this time.
006.L54.0DL From %1Micham%2, my/ close prison ever/ since I saw you,/ %19 Octob%2.
006.L54.0SS %1Your very affectionate friend%2/ %1and servant and lover%2/ I. Donne [cw:%1To%2]

007.L54.0HE %1To the Noblest Knight S%2%5r%6. Edward Herbert %1L. of%2/ Cherbury; %1sent to him with his%2/ %1Book%2 Biathanatos.
007.L54.0Sa SIR,
007.L54.001 I%+ Make accompt that this book hath e-
007.L54.002 nough performed that which it under-
007.L54.003 took, both by argument and example. It
007.L54.004 shall therefore the lesse need to be it self a-
007.L54.005 nother example of the Doctrine. It shall
007.L54.006 not therefore kill it self; that is, not bury
007.L54.007 it self; for if it should do so, those reasons,
007.L54.008 by which that act should be defended or
007.L54.009 excused, were also lost with it. Since it is con-
007.L54.010 tent to live,it cannot chuse a wholsomeraire
007.L54.011 then your Library, where Authors of all
007.L54.012 complexions are presented. If any of them
007.L54.013 grudge this book a room, and suspect it of
007.L54.014 new or dangerous doctrine, you who
007.L54.015 know us all, can best moderate. To those
007.L54.016 reasons which I know your love to me will
007.L54.017 make in my favour and discharge, you may
007.L54.018 adde this, that though this doctrine hath
007.L54.019 not been taught nor defended by writers,[CW:yet]
007.L54.020 yet they, most of any sort of men in the [p.21]
007.L54.021 world, have practised it.
007.L54.0DL om
007.L54.0SS %1Your very true and earnest friend%2/ %1and servant and lover%2/ J. Donne.

008.L54.0HE %1To S%2%5r%6 Robert Carre %1now Earle of%2 Ankerum, %1with my%2/ %1book%2 Biathanatos %1at my going into%2 Germany.
008.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
008.L54.001 I%+ Had need do somewhat towards you
008.L54.002 above my promises; How weak are my
008.L54.003 performances, when even my promises are
008.L54.004 defective? I cannot promise, no not in
008.L54.005 mine own hopes, equally to your merit to-
008.L54.006 wards me. But besides the Poems, of
008.L54.007 which you took a promise, I send you ano-
008.L54.008 ther Book to which there belongs this
008.L54.009 History. It was written by me many years
008.L54.010 since; and because it is upon a misinter-
008.L54.011 pretable subject, I have always gone so near
008.L54.012 suppressing it, as that it is onely not burnt:
008.L54.013 no hand hath passed upon it to copy it, nor
008.L54.014 many eyes to read it: onely to some parti-
008.L54.015 cular friends in both Universities, then
008.L54.016 when I writ it, I did communicate it: And [CW:I]
008.L54.017 I remember, I had this answer, That cer- [p.22]
008.L54.018 tainly, there was a false thread in it, but not
008.L54.019 easily found: Keep it, I pray, with the same
008.L54.020 jealousie; let any that your discretion ad-
008.L54.021 mits to the sight of it, know the date of it;
008.L54.022 and that it is a Book written by %1Jack Donne%2,
008.L54.023 and not by D. %1Donne%2: Reserve it for me, if
008.L54.024 I live, and if I die, I only forbid it the Presse,
008.L54.025 and the Fire: publish it not, but yet burn it
008.L54.026 not; and between those, do what you will
008.L54.027 with it. Love me still, thus farre, for your
008.L54.028 own sake, that when you withdraw your
008.L54.029 love from me, you will finde so many un-
008.L54.030 worthinesses in me, as you grow ashamed
008.L54.031 of having had so long, and so much, such a
008.L54.032 thing as
008.L54.0DL om
008.L54.0SS %1Your poor servant in Chr. Jes.%2/ J. Donne.

009.L54.0HE %1To the Countesse of%2 Bedford.
009.L54.Sal M%9ADAM%0,
009.L54.001 A%+Mongst many other dignities which
009.L54.002 this letter hath by being received and
009.L54.003 seen by you, it is not the least, that it was [cw:pro]
009.L54.004 prophesied of before it was born: for your [p.23]
009.L54.005 brother told you in his letter, that I had
009.L54.006 written: he did me much honour both in
009.L54.007 advancing my truth so farre as to call a pro-
009.L54.008 mise an act already done; and to provide
009.L54.009 me a means of doing him a service in this
009.L54.010 act, which is but doing right to my self:
009.L54.011 for by this performance of mine own
009.L54.012 word, I have also justified that part of his
009.L54.013 Letter which concerned me; and it had
009.L54.014 been a double guiltinesse in me, to have
009.L54.015 made him guilty towards you. It makes no
009.L54.016 difference that this came not the same day,
009.L54.017 nor bears the same date as his; for though
009.L54.018 in inheritances and worldly possessions we
009.L54.019 consider the dates of Evidences, yet in Let-
009.L54.020 ters, by which we deliver over our affecti-
009.L54.021 ons, and assurances of friendship, and the
009.L54.022 best faculties of our souls, times and daies
009.L54.023 cannot have interest, nor be considerable,
009.L54.024 because that which passes by them, is eter-
009.L54.025 nall, and out of the measure of time. Be-
009.L54.026 cause therefore it is the office of this Letter,
009.L54.027 to convey my best wishes, and all the effects [cw:of]
009.L54.028 of a noble love unto you, (which are the [p.24]
009.L54.029 best fruits that so poor a soil, as my poor
009.L54.030 soul is, can produce) you may be pleased to
009.L54.031 allow the Letter thus much of the souls
009.L54.032 privilege, as to exempt it from straitnesse
009.L54.033 of hours, or any measure of times, and so
009.L54.034 beleeve it came then. And for my part, I
009.L54.035 shall make it so like my soul, that as that
009.L54.036 affection, of which it is the messenger, be-
009.L54.037 gun in me without my knowing when,
009.L54.038 any more then I know when my soul be-
009.L54.039 gan; so it shall continue as long as that.
009.L54.0DL om
009.L54.0SS %1Your most affectionate friend and servant%2
009.L54.0SS J. D.

010.L54.0HE %1To the right honourable the Countess of%2 Montgomery.
010.L54.Sal M%9ADAM%0,
010.L54.001 O%+F my ability to doe your Ladiship
010.L54.002 service, any thing may be an em-
010.L54.003 bleme good enough; for as a word vani-
010.L54.004 sheth, so doth any power in me to serve
010.L54.005 you; things that are written are fitter testi-
010.L54.006 monies, because they remain and are per-[CW:manent:]
010.L54.007 manent: in writing this Sermon which [p.25]
010.L54.008 your Ladiship was pleased to hear before, I
010.L54.009 confesse I satisfie an ambition of mine
010.L54.010 own, but it is the ambition of obeying your
010.L54.011 commandment, not onely an ambition of
010.L54.012 leaving my name in the memory, or in the
010.L54.013 Cabinet: and yet, since I am going out of
010.L54.014 the Kingdom, and perchance out of the
010.L54.015 world, (when God shall have given my
010.L54.016 soul a place in heaven) it shall the lesse di-
010.L54.017 minish your Ladiship, if my poor name be
010.L54.018 found about you. I know what dead car-
010.L54.019 kasses things written are, in respect of things
010.L54.020 spoken. But in things of this kinde, that
010.L54.021 soul that inanimates them, receives debts
010.L54.022 from them: The Spirit of God that di-
010.L54.023 ctates them in the speaker or writer, and is
010.L54.024 present in his tongue or hand, meets him-
010.L54.025 self again (as we meet our selves in a glass)
010.L54.026 in the eies and hearts of the hearers and
010.L54.027 readers: and that Spirit, which is ever the
010.L54.028 same to an equall devotion, makes a wri-
010.L54.029 ting and a speaking equall means to edifi-
010.L54.030 cation. In one circumstance, my preaching[CW:and]
010.L54.031 and my writing this Sermon is too equall: [p.26]
010.L54.032 that that your Ladiship heard in a hoarse
010.L54.033 voyce then, you read in a course hand now:
010.L54.034 but in thankfulnesse I shall lift up my hands
010.L54.035 as clean as my infirmities can keep them,
010.L54.036 and a voyce as clear as his spirit shall
010.L54.037 be pleased to tune in my prayers in all places
010.L54.038 of the world, which shall either sustain or
010.L54.039 bury
010.L54.0DL om
010.L54.0SS %1Your Ladiships humble servant%2
010.L54.0SS %1in Christ Jesus%2
010.L54.0SS J.D.

011.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H.R.
011.L54.001 I%+F a whole year be but %1Annus ab Annulo%2,
011.L54.002 because it returnes into it self, what %1An%2-
011.L54.003 %1nulus%2 shall be diminutive enough, to express
011.L54.004 our weekly revolutions? In chaines the least
011.L54.005 linkes have most curiosity, but that can be
011.L54.006 no emblem of us: but they have also the
011.L54.007 most strength, and that may. The first sphere
011.L54.008 onely which is resisted by nothing, absolves
011.L54.009 his course every day; and so doth true
011.L54.010 friendship well placed, often iterate in act [cw:or]
011.L54.011 or purpose, the same offices. But as the [p:27]
011.L54.012 lower spheres, subject to the violence of
011.L54.013 that, and yet naturally encouraged to a re-
011.L54.014 luctation against it, have therefore many
011.L54.015 distractions, and eccentricities, and some
011.L54.016 trepidations, and so return but lamely, and
011.L54.017 lately to the same place, and office: so that
011.L54.018 friendship which is not moved primarily
011.L54.019 by the proper intelligence, discretion, and
011.L54.020 about the naturall center, vertue, doth per-
011.L54.021 chance sometimes, some things, somewhat
011.L54.022 like true friendship; but hath many devia-
011.L54.023 tions, which are strayings into new loves,
011.L54.024 (not of other men; for that is proper to
011.L54.025 true wise friendship, which is not a mar-
011.L54.026 ring; but of other things) and hath such
011.L54.027 trepidations as keep it from shewing it self,
011.L54.028 where great persons do not love; and it re-
011.L54.029 turns to the true first station and place of
011.L54.030 friendship planetarily, which is uncertain-
011.L54.031 ly and seldome. I have ever seen in %1London%2
011.L54.032 and our Court, as some colours, and habits,
011.L54.033 and continuances, and motions, and phra-
011.L54.034 ses, and accents, and songs, so friends in [cw:fashion]
011.L54.035 fashion and in season: and I have seen [p.28]
011.L54.036 them as sodainly abandoned altogether,
011.L54.037 though I see no change in them, nor know
011.L54.038 more why they were left, then why they
011.L54.039 were chosen. To do things by example,
011.L54.040 and upon confidence of anothers judgment
011.L54.041 may be some kinde of a second wisdome;
011.L54.042 but it is but writing by a copy: or indeed it
011.L54.043 is the hardest of all, and the issue of the first
011.L54.044 wisdome, for I cannot know that this ex-
011.L54.045 ample should be followed, except I knew
011.L54.046 that it is good, and so I judge my Judge.
011.L54.047 Our assent therefore, and arrest, must be
011.L54.048 upon things, not persons. And when we
011.L54.049 are sure we are in the right way, for great
011.L54.050 persons, we may be glad of their company,
011.L54.051 if they go our way; we may for them
011.L54.052 change our place, but not our end, nor our
011.L54.053 way, if there be but one, us in Religion. In
011.L54.054 persevering in it, it concerns as much what
011.L54.055 our companions be, but very much what
011.L54.056 our friends. In which I know I speak not
011.L54.057 dangerously nor mis-appliably to you, as
011.L54.058 though I averted you from any of those [cw:friends]
011.L54.059 friends, who are of other impressions then [p.29]
011.L54.060 you or I in some great circumstances of Re-
011.L54.061 ligion. You know I never fettered nor im-
011.L54.062 prisoned the word Religion; not straight-
011.L54.063 ning it Frierly, %1ad Religiones factitias%2, (as
011.L54.064 the %1Romans%2 call well their orders of Religi-
011.L54.065 on) nor immuring it in a %1Rome%2, or a
011.L54.066 %1Wittemberg%2, or a %1Geneva%2; they are all virtuall
011.L54.067 beams of one Sun, and wheresoever they
011.L54.068 finde clay hearts, they harden them, and
011.L54.069 moulder them into dust; and they entender
011.L54.070 and mollifie waxen. They are not so con-
011.L54.071 trary as the North and South Poles; and
011.L54.072 that they are connaturall pieces of one cir-
011.L54.073 cle. Religion is Christianity, which being
011.L54.074 too spirituall to be seen by us, doth there-
011.L54.075 fore take an apparent body of good life and
011.L54.076 works, so salvation requires an honest
011.L54.077 Christian. These are the two Elements,
011.L54.078 and he which elemented from these, hath
011.L54.079 the complexion of a good man, and a fit
011.L54.080 friend. The diseases are, too much intenti-
011.L54.081 on into indiscreet zeal, and too much remis-
011.L54.082 nesse and negligence by giving scandall: for [cw:our]
011.L54.083 our condition and state in this, is as infirm [p.30]
011.L54.084 as in our bodies; where physitians consi-
011.L54.085 der only two degrees; sicknesse, and neu-
011.L54.086 trality; for there is no health in us. This,
011.L54.087 Sir, I use to say to you, rather to have so
011.L54.088 good a witnesse and corrector of my medi-
011.L54.089 tations, then to advise; and yet to do that
011.L54.090 too, since it is pardonable in a friend: Not
011.L54.091 to slack you towards those friends which
011.L54.092 are religious in other clothes then we; (for
011.L54.093 %1Amici vitia si feras facis tua%2, is true of such
011.L54.094 faults) but to keep you awake against such
011.L54.095 as the place where you must live will of-
011.L54.096 ten obtrude, which are not onely naked,
011.L54.097 without any fashion of such garments, but
011.L54.098 have neither the body of Religion, which
011.L54.099 is morall honesty, and sociable faithfulness,
011.L54.100 nor the soul, Christianity. I know not how
011.L54.101 this paper scaped last week which I send
011.L54.102 now; I was so sure that I enwrapped it then,
011.L54.103 that I should be so still, but that I had but
011.L54.104 one copy; forgive it as you use to do. From
011.L54.105 %1Micham%2 in as much haste, and with as ill
011.L54.106 Pen and Inke, as the letter can accuse me [cw:of;]
011.L54.107 of; but with the last and the next weeks [p.31]
011.L54.108 heart and affection.
011.L54.0DL om
011.L54.0SS %1Yours very truely and affectionately%2
011.L54.0SS J. Donne.

012.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H.G.
012.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
012.L54.001 T%+His letter hath more merit, then one
012.L54.002 of more diligence, for I wrote it in
012.L54.003 my bed, and with much pain. I have occasi-
012.L54.004 on to sit late some nights in my study,
012.L54.005 (which your books make a prety library)
012.L54.006 and now I finde that that room hath a
012.L54.007 wholesome emblematique use: for having
012.L54.008 under it a vault, I make that promise me, that
012.L54.009 I shall die reading, since my book and a
012.L54.010 grave are so near. But it hath another as
012.L54.011 unwholesome, that by raw vapors
012.L54.012 rising from thence, (for I can impute it to
012.L54.013 nothing else) I have contracted a sicknesse
012.L54.014 which I cannot name nor describe. For it
012.L54.015 hath so much of a continuall Cramp, that
012.L54.016 it wrests the sinews, so much of a Tetane,
012.L54.017 that it withdraws and puls the mouth, and [cw:so]
012.L54.018 so much of the Gout, (which they whose [p.32]
012.L54.019 counsell I use, say it is) that it is not like
012.L54.020 to be cured, though I am too hasty in three
012.L54.021 days to pronounce it. If it be the Gout, I
012.L54.022 am miserable; for that affects dangerous
012.L54.023 parts, as my neck and breast, and (I think
012.L54.024 fearfully) my stomach, but it will not kill
012.L54.025 me yet; I shall be in this world, like a por-
012.L54.026 ter in a great house, ever nearest the door,
012.L54.027 but seldomest abroad: I shall have many
012.L54.028 things to make me weary, and yet not get
012.L54.029 leave to be gone. If I go, I will provide by
012.L54.030 my best means that you suffer not for me,
012.L54.031 in your bonds. The estate which I should
012.L54.032 leave behinde me of any estimation, is my
012.L54.033 poor fame, in the memory of my friends,
012.L54.034 and therefore I would be curious of it, and
012.L54.035 provide that they repent not to have loved
012.L54.036 me. Since my imprisonment in my bed, I
012.L54.037 have made a meditation in verse, which I
012.L54.038 call a Litany; the word you know imports
012.L54.039 no other then supplication, but all Churches
012.L54.040 have one forme of supplication, by that
012.L54.041 name. Amongst ancient annals I mean [cw:some]
012.L54.042 some 800 years, I have met two Letanies [p.33]
012.L54.043 in Latin verse, which gave me not the rea-
012.L54.044 son of my meditations, for in good faith I
012.L54.045 thought not upon them then, but they give
012.L54.046 me a defence, if any man; to a Lay man, and
012.L54.047 a private, impute it as a fault, to take such
012.L54.048 divine and publique names, to his own
012.L54.049 little thoughts. The first of these was made
012.L54.050 by %1Ratpertus%2 a Monk of %1Suevia%2; and the
012.L54.051 other by S. %1Notker%2, of whom I will give you
012.L54.052 this note by the way, that he is a private
012.L54.053 Saint, for a few Parishes; they were both
012.L54.054 but Monks, and the Letanies poor and bar-
012.L54.055 barous enough; yet Pope %1Nicolas%2 the 5, va-
012.L54.056 lued their devotion so much, that he cano-
012.L54.057 nized both their Poems, and commanded
012.L54.058 them for publike service in their Churches:
012.L54.059 mine is for lesser Chappels, which are my
012.L54.060 friends, and though a copy of it were due
012.L54.061 to you, now, yet I am so unable to serve my
012.L54.062 self with writing it for you at this time,
012.L54.063 (being some 30 staves of 9 lines) that I must
012.L54.064 intreat you to take a promise that you shall
012.L54.065 have the first, for a testimony of that duty [cw:which]
012.L54.066 which I owe to your love, and to my self, [p.34]
012.L54.067 who am bound to cherish it by my best of-
012.L54.068 fices. That by which it will deserve best
012.L54.069 acceptation, is, That neither the Roman
012.L54.070 Church need call it defective, because it
012.L54.071 abhors not the particular mention of the
012.L54.072 blessed Triumphers in heaven; nor the
012.L54.073 Reformed can discreetly accuse it, of attri-
012.L54.074 buting more then a rectified devotion
012.L54.075 ought to doe. The day before I lay down,
012.L54.076 I was at %1London%2, where I delivered your Let-
012.L54.077 ter for S%5r%6 %1Ed. Conway%2, and received another
012.L54.078 for you, with the copy of my Book, of
012.L54.079 which it is impossible for me to give you a
012.L54.080 copy so soon, for it is not of much lesse then
012.L54.081 300 pages. If I die, it shall come to you
012.L54.082 in that fashion that your Letter desires it.
012.L54.083 If I warm again, (as I have often seen such
012.L54.084 beg-gers as my indisposition is, end them-
012.L54.085 selves soon, and the patient as soon) you
012.L54.086 and I shal speak together of that, before it be
012.L54.087 too late to serve you in that command-
012.L54.088 ment. At this time I onely assure you, that
012.L54.089 I have not appointed it upon any person, [cw:nor]
012.L54.090 nor ever purposed to print it: which later [p.35]
012.L54.091 perchance you thought, and grounded
012.L54.092 your request thereupon. A Gent. that visi-
012.L54.093 ted me yesterday told me that our Church
012.L54.094 hath lost M%5r%6 %1Hugh Broughton%2, who is gone
012.L54.095 to the Roman side. I have known before,
012.L54.096 that %1Serarius%2 the Jesuit was an instrument
012.L54.097 from Cardinall %1Baronius%2 to draw him to
012.L54.098 %1Rome%2, to accept a stipend, onely to serve
012.L54.099 the Christian Churches in controversies
012.L54.100 with the Jews, without indangering
012.L54.101 himself to change of his perswasion in par-
012.L54.102 ticular deductions between these Christian
012.L54.103 Churches, or being enquired of, or tempted
012.L54.104 thereunto. And I hope he is no otherwise
012.L54.105 departed from us. If he be, we shall not
012.L54.106 escape scandall in it; because, though he be
012.L54.107 a man of many distempers, yet when he
012.L54.108 shall come to eat assured bread, and to be
012.L54.109 removed from partialities, to which want
012.L54.110 drove him, to make himself a reputation,
012.L54.111 and raise up favourers; you shall see in that
012.L54.112 course of opposing the Jews, he will pro-
012.L54.113 duce worthy things: and our Church will [cw:per-]
012.L54.114 perchance blush to have lost a Souldier fit [p.36]
012.L54.115 for that great battell; and to cherish onely
012.L54.116 those single Duellisms, between %1Rome%2 and
012.L54.117 %1England%2, or that more single, and almost
012.L54.118 self-homicide, between the unconformed
012.L54.119 Ministers, and Bishops. I writ to you last
012.L54.120 week that the plague increased; by which
012.L54.121 you may see that my Letters---
012.L54.122 ----opinion of the
012.L54.123 song, not that I make such trifles for praise;
012.L54.124 but because as long as you speak compara-
012.L54.125 tively of it with mine own, and not abso-
012.L54.126 lutely, so long I am of your opinion even at
012.L54.127 this time; when I humbly thank God, I ask
012.L54.128 & have, his comfort of sadder meditations;
012.L54.129 I doe not condemn in my self, that I have
012.L54.130 given my wit such evaporations, as those, if
012.L54.131 they be free from prophaneness, or obscene
012.L54.132 provocations. S%5r%6 you would pity me if you
012.L54.133 saw me write, and therefore will pardon
012.L54.134 me if I write no more: my pain hath drawn
012.L54.135 my head so much awry, and holds it so
012.L54.136 that mine eie cannot follow mine hand:
012.L54.137 I receive you therefore into my prayers, [cw:with]
012.L54.138 with mine own weary soul, and commend [p.37]
012.L54.139 my self to yours. I doubt not but next
012.L54.140 week I shall be good news to you, for I
012.L54.141 have mending or dying on my side, which
012.L54.142 it two to one. If I continue thus, I shall
012.L54.143 have comfort in this, that my B. Saviour
012.L54.144 exercising his Justice upon my two world-
012.L54.145 ly parts, my fortune, and body, reserves all
012.L54.146 his mercy for that which best tasts it, and
012.L54.147 most needs it, my soul. I professe to you
012.L54.148 truly, that my lothnesse to give over now,
012.L54.149 seems to my self an ill sign, that I shall
012.L54.150 write no more.
012.L54.0DL om
012.L54.0SS %1Your poor friend, and Gods poor patient%2,
012.L54.0SS Jo. Donne.

013.L54.0HE %1To my worthy and honoured friend M%2%5r%6 George/ Garet.
013.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
013.L54.001 I%+ Am sorry, if your care of me have made
013.L54.002 you importune to any body else; yet I
013.L54.003 cannot be very sorry because it gives new
013.L54.004 testimonies of your favour to me, of which
013.L54.005 I shall ever be very glad, and (that which[CW:is]
013.L54.006 is my onely vertue) thankfull: so despe- [p.38]
013.L54.007 rate fortunes as mine, may well make
013.L54.008 friends loth to doe curtesies, because an in-
013.L54.009 ability in deserving or requiting, takes from
013.L54.010 them the honour of having done a curtesie,
013.L54.011 and leaves it but the poor name of an alms;
013.L54.012 and alms may be given in easier proporti-
013.L54.013 ons, and more meritoriously. Bur S%5r%6, by
013.L54.014 what name or weight soever you esteem
013.L54.015 this kindnesse which you have done me, I
013.L54.016 value it so, as might alone perswade me of
013.L54.017 your care of me; in recompense of which,
013.L54.018 you must be pleased to accept new assuran-
013.L54.019 ces that I am
013.L54.0DL om
013.L54.0SS %1Your very affectionate servant,%2/ J. Donne.
013.L54.P01 %1I pray let my service be%2/ %1presented by you to%2/ %1M%5%2r%6 Roope.

014.L54.0HE %1To M%2%5r%6 George Garet.
014.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
014.L54.001 I%+ Have not received that Letter, which by
014.L54.002 this, I perceive you sent to %1London%2; if there
014.L54.003 were any thing in that, by which I might
014.L54.004 have taken occasion to have done you ser- [cw:vice]
014.L54.005 vice before this time, I have a double rea- [p.39]
014.L54.006 son of grief for the want of it. I came from
014.L54.007 thence upon %1Thursday%2, where I left Sir %1Tho%2.
014.L54.008 %1Roe%2 so indulgent to his sorrow, as it had
014.L54.009 been an injury to have interrupted it with
014.L54.010 my unusefull company. I have done no-
014.L54.011 thing of that kinde as your Letter inti-
014.L54.012 mates, in the memory of that good Gentle-
014.L54.013 woman; if I had, I should not finde any
014.L54.014 better use of it, then to put it into your
014.L54.015 hands. You teach me what I owe her
014.L54.016 memory; and if I pay that debt so, you
014.L54.017 have a part and interest in it, by doing me
014.L54.018 the honour of remembring it: and there-
014.L54.019 fore it must come quickly to you. I hope
014.L54.020 not for your return from Court, till I come
014.L54.021 thither; which if I can be master of my self,
014.L54.022 or servant to my self, which I think is all
014.L54.023 one, I hope to do some ten daies hence, ma-
014.L54.024 king it my way to the %1Bathe%2. If you find any
014.L54.025 there that have not forgot my name, conti-
014.L54.026 nue me in their favour, and hold in your
014.L54.027 self a firm assurance that I am
014.L54.0DL om
014.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate servant%2 J. Donne. [cw:To]

015.L54.0HE %1To M%2%5rs%6 Martha Garet.
015.L54.Sal M%9ADAME%0,
015.L54.001 T%+Hough there be much merit, in the fa-
015.L54.002 vour your brother hath done me in a
015.L54.003 visit, yet that which doth enrich and per-
015.L54.004 fect it, is, that he brought you with him;
015.L54.005 which he doth, as well by letting me see
015.L54.006 how you do, as by giving me occasions, and
015.L54.007 leave to talk with you by this Letter: if you
015.L54.008 have any servant, which wishes you better
015.L54.009 then I, it must be because he is able to put
015.L54.010 his wishes into a better frame, and expresse
015.L54.011 them better, and understand proportion,
015.L54.012 and greatnesse better then I. I am willing
015.L54.013 to confesse my impotencie; which is, that
015.L54.014 I know no wish good enough for you; if
015.L54.015 any doe, my advantage is, that I can exceed
015.L54.016 his, by adding mine to it. You must not
015.L54.017 think that I begin to think thus, when you
015.L54.018 begin to hear it, by a Letter; As sometimes
015.L54.019 by the changing of the winde, you begin to
015.L54.020 hear a Trumpet, which sounded long be-
015.L54.021 fore you heard it; so are these thoughts [cw:of]
015.L54.022 of you familiar and ordinary in me, [p.41]
015.L54.023 though they have seldome the help of
015.L54.024 this conveyance to your knowledge: I am
015.L54.025 loth to leave; for as long as in any fashion,
015.L54.026 I can have your brother and you here, you
015.L54.027 make my house a kinde of Dorvey; but
015.L54.028 since I cannot stay you here, I will come
015.L54.029 thither to you; which I do, by wrapping up
015.L54.030 in this paper, the heart of
015.L54.0DL om
015.L54.0SS %1Your most affectionate servant%2
015.L54.0SS J. Donne.

016.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 Thomas Roe.
016.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
016.L54.001 I%+T is an ease to your friends abroad, that
016.L54.002 you are more a man of businesse then
016.L54.003 heretofore; for now it were an injury to
016.L54.004 trouble you with a busie Letter. But by the
016.L54.005 same reason I were inexcusable if I should
016.L54.006 not write at all, since the lesse, the more ac-
016.L54.007 ceptable; therefore, Sir, though I have no
016.L54.008 more to say, but to renew the obligations
016.L54.009 I have towards you, and to continue my [cw:place]
016.L54.010 place in your love, I would not forbear to [p.42]
016.L54.011 tell you so. If I shall also tell you, that when
016.L54.012 this place affords any thing worth your
016.L54.013 hearing, I will be your relator, I think I take
016.L54.014 so long a day, as you would forget the debt,
016.L54.015 it appears yet to be so barren. Howsoever
016.L54.016 with every commodity, I shall say some-
016.L54.017 thing, though it be but a descant upon this
016.L54.018 plain song, that I am
016.L54.0DL om
016.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate servant%2
016.L54.0SS J. Donne.

017.L54.0HE %1To all my friends: Sir%2 H. Goodere.
017.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
017.L54.001 I%+ Am not weary of writing; it is the
017.L54.002 course but durable garment of my love;
017.L54.003 but I am weary of wanting you. I have a
017.L54.004 minde like those bodies, which have hot
017.L54.005 Livers, and cold stomachs; or such a dis-
017.L54.006 temper as travelled me at %1Paris%2; a Fever,
017.L54.007 and dysentery: in which, that which is phy-
017.L54.008 sick to one infirmity, nourishes the other.
017.L54.009 So I abhor nothing more then sadnesse, ex-
017.L54.010 cept the ordinary remedy, change of com- [cw:pany.]
017.L54.011 pany. I can allow my self to be %1Animal socia-%2 [p.43]
017.L54.012 %1le%2, appliable to my company, but not %1gregale%2,
017.L54.013 to herd my self in every troup. It is not per-
017.L54.014 fectly true which very subtil, yet very deep
017.L54.015 wit %1Averroes%2 says, that all mankinde hath
017.L54.016 but one soul, which informes and rules us
017.L54.017 all, as one Intelligence doth the firmament
017.L54.018 and all the Starres in it: as though a parti-
017.L54.019 cular body were too little an organ for a
017.L54.020 soul to play upon. And it is as imperfect
017.L54.021 which is taught by that religion w%5ch%6 is most
017.L54.022 accommodate to sense (I dare not say to rea-
017.L54.023 son (though it have appearance of that too)
017.L54.024 because none may doubt but that that reli-
017.L54.025 gion is certainly best, which is reasonablest)
017.L54.026 That all mankinde hath one protecting
017.L54.027 Angel; all Christians one other, all English
017.L54.028 one other, all of one Corporation and every
017.L54.029 civill coagulation or society one other; and
017.L54.030 every man one other. Though both these
017.L54.031 opinions expresse a truth; which is, that
017.L54.032 mankinde hath very strong bounds to co-
017.L54.033 habit and concurre in other then moun-
017.L54.034 tains and hills during his life. First, com- [cw:mon,]
017.L54.035 mon, and mutual necessity of one ano- [p.44]
017.L54.036 ther; and therefore naturally in our de-
017.L54.037 fence, and subventions we first flie to our
017.L54.038 selves; next, to that which is likest, other
017.L54.039 men. Then, naturall and inborn charity,
017.L54.040 beginning at home, which perswades us
017.L54.041 to give, that we may receive: And legall
017.L54.042 charity, which makes us also forgive. Then
017.L54.043 an ingraffing in one another, and growing
017.L54.044 together by a custome of society: and last
017.L54.045 of all, strict friendship, in which band
017.L54.046 men were so presumed to be coupled, that
017.L54.047 our Confessor King had a law, that if a
017.L54.048 man be killed, the murderer shall pay a sum
017.L54.049 %1felago suo%2, which the interpreters call, %1fide li%2-
017.L54.050 %1gato, et comite vitae%L%2. All these bands I willing-
017.L54.051 ly receive, for no man is lesse of himself
017.L54.052 then I: nor any man enough of himself.
017.L54.053 To be so, is all one with omnipotence. And
017.L54.054 it is well marked, that in the holy Book,
017.L54.055 wheresoever they have rendered Almighty,
017.L54.056 the word is Self-sufficient. I think some-
017.L54.057 times that the having a family should re-
017.L54.058 move me farre from the curse of %1Vae%L soli%2. [cw:But]
017.L54.059 But in so strict obligation of Parent, or [p.45]
017.L54.060 Husband, or Master, (and perchance it is
017.L54.061 so in the last degree of friendship) where
017.L54.062 all are made one, I am not the lesse alone,
017.L54.063 for being in the midst of them. Therefore
017.L54.064 this %1oleum lae%Ltitiae%L%2, this balme of our lives, this
017.L54.065 alacrity which dignifies even our service to
017.L54.066 God, this gallant enemy of dejection and
017.L54.067 sadnesse, (for which and wickednesse the
017.L54.068 Italian allows but one word, %1Triste%2: And
017.L54.069 in full condemnation whereof it was pro-
017.L54.070 phesied of our blessed Saviour, %1Non erit%2
017.L54.071 %1tristis%2, in his conversation) must be sought
017.L54.072 and preserved diligently. And since it
017.L54.073 grows without us, we must be sure to gather
017.L54.074 it from the right tree. They which place
017.L54.075 this alacrity only in a good conscience,
017.L54.076 deal somewhat too roundly with us, for
017.L54.077 when we aske the way, they shew us the
017.L54.078 town afar off: Will a Physitian consulted
017.L54.079 for health and strength, bid you have good
017.L54.080 sinews and equall temper? It is true, that
017.L54.081 this conscience is the resultance of all other
017.L54.082 particular actions; it is our triumph and [cw:ban-]
017.L54.083 banquet in the haven; but I would come [p.46]
017.L54.084 towards that also, (as Mariners say)
017.L54.085 with a merry winde. Our nature is Mete-
017.L54.086 orique, we respect (because we partake so)
017.L54.087 both earth and heaven; for as our bodies
017.L54.088 glorified shall be capable of spirituall joy,
017.L54.089 so our souls demerged into those bodies,
017.L54.090 are allowed to partake earthly pleasure.
017.L54.091 Our soul is not sent hither, only to go back
017.L54.092 again: we have some errand to do here:
017.L54.093 nor is it sent into prison, because it comes
017.L54.094 innocent: and he which sent it, is just. As
017.L54.095 we may not kill our selves, so we may not
017.L54.096 bury our selves: which is done or endan-
017.L54.097 gered in a dull Monastique sadnesse, which
017.L54.098 is so much worse than jolity (for upon that
017.L54.099 word I durst----
017.L54.100 --And certainly despair is in-
017.L54.101 finitly worse, then presumption: both be-
017.L54.102 cause this is an excesse of love, that of fear;
017.L54.103 and because this is up, that down the hill;
017.L54.104 easier, and more stumbling. Heaven is ex-
017.L54.105 pressed by singings, hell by weeping. And
017.L54.106 though our blessed Saviour be never noted [cw:to]
017.L54.107 to have laughed, yet his continuance is said [p.47]
017.L54.108 ever to be smiling. And that even moderate
017.L54.109 mirth of heart, and face, and all I wish to
017.L54.110 my self; and perswade you to keep. This
017.L54.111 alacrity is not had by a general charity and e-
017.L54.112 quanimity to all mankinde, for that is to
017.L54.113 seek fruit in a wildernesse: nor from a sin-
017.L54.114 gular friend, for that is to fetch it out of
017.L54.115 your own pocket: but the various and
017.L54.116 abundant grace of it, is good company. In
017.L54.117 which no rank, no number, no quality,
017.L54.118 but ill, and such a degree of that as may
017.L54.119 corrupt and poyson the good, is exempt.
017.L54.120 For in nearer then them, your friend, and
017.L54.121 somewhat nearer then he, in your self you
017.L54.122 must allow some inordinatenesse of affecti-
017.L54.123 ons and passions. For it is not true that they
017.L54.124 are not natural, but stormes and tempests of
017.L54.125 our bloud and humours: for they are na-
017.L54.126 turall, but sickly. And as the Indian priests
017.L54.127 expressed an excellent charity, by building
017.L54.128 Hospitalls and providing chirurgery for
017.L54.129 birds and beasts lamed by mischance, or
017.L54.130 age, or labour: so must we, not cut off, [cw:but]
017.L54.131 but cure these affections, which are the [p.48]
017.L54.132 bestiall part.
017.L54.0DL om
017.L54.0SS om

018.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. Goodere.
018.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
018.L54.001 E%+Very tuesday I make account that I turn
018.L54.002 a great hour-glass, and consider that a
018.L54.003 weeks life is run out since I writ. But if I
018.L54.004 aske my self what I have done in the last
018.L54.005 watch, or would do in the next, I can say
018.L54.006 nothing; if I say that I have passed it with-
018.L54.007 out hurting any, so may the Spider in my
018.L54.008 window. The primitive Monkes were
018.L54.009 excusable in their retirings and enclosures
018.L54.010 of themselves: for even of them every one
018.L54.011 cultivated his own garden and orchard,
018.L54.012 that is, his soul and body, by meditation,
018.L54.013 and manufactures; and they ought the
018.L54.014 world no more since they consumed none
018.L54.015 of her sweetnesse, nor begot others to bur-
018.L54.016 den her. But for me, if I were able to hus-
018.L54.017 band all my time so thriftily, as not onely
018.L54.018 not to wound my soul in any minute by
018.L54.019 actuall sinne, but not to rob and cousen her [cw:by]
018.L54.020 by giving any part to pleasure or businesse, [p.49]
018.L54.021 but bestow it all upon her in meditation, yet
018.L54.022 even in that I should wound her more, and
018.L54.023 contract another guiltinesse: As the Eagle
018.L54.024 were very unnaturall if because she is able
018.L54.025 to do it, she should pearch a whole day
018.L54.026 upon a tree, staring in contemplation of
018.L54.027 the majestie and glory of the Sun, and let
018.L54.028 her young Eglets starve in the nest. Two
018.L54.029 of the most precious things which God
018.L54.030 hath afforded us here, for the agony and
018.L54.031 exercise of out sense and spirit, which are
018.L54.032 a thirst and inhiation after the next life,
018.L54.033 and a frequency of prayer and meditation
018.L54.034 in this, are often envenomed, and putrefied,
018.L54.035 and stray into a corrupt disease: for as God
018.L54.036 doth thus occasion, and positively concurre
018.L54.037 to evill, that when a man is purposed to do
018.L54.038 a great sin, God infuses some good thoughts
018.L54.039 which make him choose a lesse sin, or
018.L54.040 leave out some circumstance which aggra-
018.L54.041 vated that; so the devill doth not only suffer
018.L54.042 but provoke us to some things naturally
018.L54.043 good, upon condition that we shall omit [cw:some]
018.L54.044 some other more necessary and more obli- [p.50]
018.L54.045 gatory. And this is his greatest subtilty;
018.L54.046 because herein we have the deceitfull com-
018.L54.047 fort of having done well, and can very
018.L54.048 hardly spie our errour because it is but an
018.L54.049 insensible omission, and no accusing act.
018.L54.050 With the first of these I have often suspected
018.L54.051 my self to be overtaken; which is, with a
018.L54.052 desire of the next life: which though I
018.L54.053 know it is not meerly out of a wearinesse
018.L54.054 of this, because I had the same desires
018.L54.055 when I went with the tyde, and enjoyed
018.L54.056 fairer hopes then now: yet I doubt worldly
018.L54.057 encombrances have encreased it. I would not
018.L54.058 that death should take me asleep. I would
018.L54.059 not have him meerly seise me, and onely
018.L54.060 declare me to be dead, but win me, and
018.L54.061 overcome me. When I must shipwrack,
018.L54.062 I would do it in a Sea, where mine impo-
018.L54.063 tencie might have some excuse; not in a
018.L54.064 sullen weedy lake, where I could not have
018.L54.065 so much as exercise for my swimming.
018.L54.066 Therefore I would fain do something;
018.L54.067 but that I cannot tell what, is no wonder. [cw:For]
018.L54.068 For to chuse, is to do: but to be no part of [p.51]
018.L54.069 any body, is to be nothing. At most, the
018.L54.070 greatest persons, are but great wens, and
018.L54.071 excrescences; men of wit and delightfull
018.L54.072 conversation, but as moales for ornament,
018.L54.073 except they be so incorporated into the bo-
018.L54.074 dy of the world, that they contribute some-
018.L54.075 thing to the sustentation of the whole. This
018.L54.076 I made account that I begun early, when I
018.L54.077 understood the study of our laws: but was
018.L54.078 diverted by the worst voluptuousnes, which
018.L54.079 is an Hydroptique immoderate desire of
018.L54.080 humane learning and languages: beauti-
018.L54.081 full ornaments to great fortunes; but mine
018.L54.082 needed an occupation, and a course which
018.L54.083 I thought I entred well into, when I sub-
018.L54.084 mitted my self to such a service, as I thought
018.L54.085 might imployed those poor advan-
018.L54.086 tages, which I had. And there I stumbled
018.L54.087 too, yet I would try again: for to this hour
018.L54.088 I am nothing, or so little, that I am scarce
018.L54.089 subject and argument good enough for one
018.L54.090 of mine own letters: yet I fear, that doth
018.L54.091 not ever proceed from a good root, that I [cw:am]
018.L54.092 am so well content to be lesse, that is dead. [p.52]
018.L54.093 You, Sir, are farre enough from these de-
018.L54.094 scents, your vertue keeps you secure, and
018.L54.095 your naturall disposition to mirth will pre-
018.L54.096 serve you; but lose none of these holds, a
018.L54.097 slip is often as dangerous as a bruise, and
018.L54.098 though you cannot fall to my lownesse, yet
018.L54.099 in a much lesse distraction you may meet
018.L54.100 my sadnesse; for he is no safer which falls
018.L54.101 from an high tower into the leads; then he
018.L54.102 which falls from thence to the ground:
018.L54.103 make therefore to your self some mark, and
018.L54.104 go towards it alegrement. Though I be
018.L54.105 in such a planetary and erratique fortune,
018.L54.106 that I can do nothing constantly, yet you
018.L54.107 may finde some constancy in my constant
018.L54.108 advising you to it.
018.L54.0DL om
018.L54.0SS %1Your hearty true friend%2
018.L54.0SS J. Donne.
018.L54.P01 %1I came this evening from M%2. Jones %1his house%2
018.L54.P02 %1in%2 Essex, %1where M%2. Martin %1hath been, and left%2
018.L54.P03 %1a relation of Captain%2 Whitcocks %1death, perchance it is%2
018.L54.P04 %1no news to you, but it was to me; without doubt want%2
[cw:%1broke%2]
018.L54.P05 %1broke him; for when M%2. Hollands %1company by%2 [p.53]
018.L54.P06 %1reason of the plague broke, the Captain sought to be at%2
018.L54.P07 %1M%2%5ris%6. Jones %1house, who in her husbands absence%2
018.L54.P08 %1declining it, he went in the night, his boy carrying his
018.L54.P09 %1cloakbag, on foot to the Lord of%2 Sussex, %1who going next%2
018.L54.P10 %1day to hunt, the Captain not then sick, told him he%2
018.L54.P11 %1would see him no more. A Chaplain came up to him,%2
018.L54.P12 %1to whom he delivered an account of his understanding,%2
018.L54.P13 %1and I hope, of his beliefe, and soon after dyed; and my
018.L54.P14 %1Lord hath buryed him with his own Ancestors. Per-%2
018.L54.P15 %1chance his life needed a longer sicknesse, but a man may%2
018.L54.P16 %1go faster and safer, when he enjoyes that day light of a%2
018.L54.P17 %1clear and sound understanding, then in the night or%2
018.L54.P18 %1twilight of an ague or other disease. And the grace of%2
018.L54.P19 %1Almighty God doth every thing suddenly and hastily,%2
018.L54.P20 %1but depart from us, it inlightens us, warms us, heats us,%2
018.L54.P21 %1ravishes us, at once. Such a medicin, I fear, his incon-%2
018.L54.P22 %1sideration needed; and I hope as confidently that he%2
018.L54.P23 %1had it. As our soul is infused when it is created,%2
018.L54.P24 %1and created when it is infused, so at her going out, Gods%2
018.L54.P25 %1mercy is had by asking, and that is asked by having.%2
018.L54.P26 %1Lest your%2 Poleworth %1carrier should cousen me, I send%2
018.L54.P27 %1my man with this letter early to%2 London, %1whither%2
018.L54.P28 %1this Tuesday all the Court come to a Christening at%2
[cw:Arondell]
018.L54.P29 Arondell %1house, and stay in town so that I will sup%2 [p.54]
018.L54.P30 %1with the good Lady, and write again to morrow to you, if%2
018.L54.P31 %1any thing be occasioned there, which concerns you, and%2
018.L54.P32 %1I will tell her so; next day they are to return to%2 Ham-
018.L54.P33 pton, %1and upon Friday the King to%2 Royston.

019.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. Goodere.
019.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
019.L54.001 I%+F this which I send you inclosed give me
019.L54.002 right intelligence, I present you a way by
019.L54.003 which you may redeem all your former
019.L54.004 wastes, and recompense your ill fortunes,
019.L54.005 in having sometimes apprehended unsuc-
019.L54.006 cesfull suits, and (that which I presume you
019.L54.007 affect most) ease your self from all future
019.L54.008 inquisition of widowes or such businesses
019.L54.009 as aske so over industrious a pursuit, as de-
019.L54.010 vest a man from his best happinesse of en-
019.L54.011 joying himself. I give you (I think) the first
019.L54.012 knowledge, of two millions confiscated to
019.L54.013 the Crown of England: of which I dare
019.L54.014 assure my self the coffers have yet touched
019.L54.015 none, nor have the Commissioners for suits [cw:any]
019.L54.016 any thing to oppose against a suit founded [p.55]
019.L54.017 upon this confiscation, though they hold
019.L54.018 never so strictly to their instructions. After
019.L54.019 you have served your self with aproportion,
019.L54.020 I pray make a petition in my name for as
019.L54.021 much as you think may be given me for my
019.L54.022 book out of this; for, but out of this, I have
019.L54.023 no imagination. And for a token of my de-
019.L54.024 sire to serve him, present M. %1Fowler%2
019.L54.025 with 3 or 4000 %1li%2. of this since he was so re-
019.L54.026 solved never to leave his place, without a
019.L54.027 suit of that value. I wish your cousen in the
019.L54.028 town, better provided, but if he be not, here
019.L54.029 is enough for him. And since I am ever an
019.L54.030 affectionate servant to that journey, acquaint
019.L54.031 M. %1Martin%2 from me, how easie it will be
019.L54.032 to get a good part of this for %1Virginia%2. Upon
019.L54.033 the least petition that M. %1Brook%2 can pre-
019.L54.034 sent he may make himself whole again, of
019.L54.035 all which the Kings servants M. %1Lepton%2
019.L54.036 and master %1Waterouse%2, have endammaged
019.L54.037 him. Give him leave to offer to M.
019.L54.038 %1Hakevill%2 enough to please himself, for his
019.L54.039 %1Aurum Regina%2. And if M. %1Gherard%2 have [cw:no]
019.L54.040 no present hopefull designe upon a worthy [p.56]
019.L54.041 Widow, let him have so much of this as
019.L54.042 will provide him that house and coach
019.L54.043 which he promised to lend me at my re-
019.L54.044 turn. If M. %1Inago Jones%2 be not satisfied
019.L54.045 for his last Maske (because I hear say it
019.L54.046 cannot come to much) here is enough to
019.L54.047 be had: This is but a copy, but if Sir %1Ro%2.
019.L54.048 %1Cotton%2 have the originall he will not deny it
019.L54.049 you; if he hath it not, no body else hath it,
019.L54.050 nor can prevent you; husband it well, which
019.L54.051 you may easily doe, because I assure my self
019.L54.052 none of the children nor friends of the par-
019.L54.053 ty condemned will crosse you or impor-
019.L54.054 tune the King for any part. If I get no
019.L54.055 more by it, yet it hath made me a Let-
019.L54.056 ter. And Sir (to depart from this Mine)
019.L54.057 in what part of my Letters soever you find
019.L54.058 the remembrance of my humble service
019.L54.059 to my Lord of %1Belford%2, I beseech you ever
019.L54.060 think them intended for the first, and in that
019.L54.061 ranke present them. I have yet received but
019.L54.062 one Letter from you which was of the
019.L54.063 10 of %1December%2 by M. %1Pory%2, but you see that [cw:as]
019.L54.064 as long as there is one egge left in the nest, I [p.57]
019.L54.065 never leave laying, nor should although
019.L54.066 you had sent none since; all at last will not
019.L54.067 amount to so good a testimony as I would
019.L54.068 fain give how much I am
019.L54.0DL om
019.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate servant and lover,%2
019.L54.0SS J. Donne.
019.L54.P01 %1Sir, I write this Letter in no very great degree of a%2
019.L54.P02 %1convalescence from such storms of a stomach colick as%2
019.L54.P03 %1kept me in a continuall vomiting, so that I know not%2
019.L54.P04 %1what I should have been able to doe to dispatch this%2
019.L54.P05 %1winde, but that an honest fever came and was my phy-%2
019.L54.P06 %1sick: I tell you of it onely lest some report should make%2
019.L54.P07 %1it worse, for me thinks that they who love to adde to%2
019.L54.P08 %1news should think it a master-piece to be able to say no%2
019.L54.P09 %1worse of any ill fortune of mine then it deserves, since%2
019.L54.P10 %1commonly it deserves worse then they can say, but they%2
019.L54.P11 %1did not, and I am reprieved. I finde dying to be like%2
019.L54.P12 %1those facts which denying makes felony: when a sick-%2
019.L54.P13 %1nesse examines us, and we confess that we are willing%2
019.L54.P14 %1to die, we cannot, but those who are ------ incure the%2
019.L54.P15 %1penalty: and I may die yet, if talking idly be an ill%2
019.L54.P16 %1sign. God be with you.%2 [cw:%1To%2]

020.L54.0HE %1To the same%2.
020.L54.Sal SIR,
020.L54.001 I%+T is in our State ever held for a good sign
020.L54.002 to change Prison, and %1nella Signoria de%2
020.L54.003 %1mi%2, I will think it so, that my sicknesse hath
020.L54.004 given me leave to come to my %1London%2-pri-
020.L54.005 son. I made no doubt but my entrance-pain
020.L54.006 (for it was so rather then a sicknesse, but
020.L54.007 that my sadnesse putrefied and corrupted it
020.L54.008 to that name) affected you also; for nearer
020.L54.009 Contracts then generall Christianity, had
020.L54.010 made us so much towards one, that one
020.L54.011 part cannot escape the distemper of the o-
020.L54.012 ther. I was therefore very carefull, as well
020.L54.013 to slack any sorrow which my danger
020.L54.014 might occasion in you; as to give you the
020.L54.015 comfort of having been heard in your
020.L54.016 prayers for me, to tell you as soon as my
020.L54.017 pain remitted what steps I made towards
020.L54.018 health, which I did last week. This %1Tues%2-
020.L54.019 %1day%2 morning your man brought me a Let-
020.L54.020 ter, which (if he had not found me at %1Lon%2-
020.L54.021 %1don%2) I see he had a hasty commandment to [cw:have]
020.L54.022 have brought to %1Micham%2. S%5r%6, though my for- [p.59]
020.L54.023 tune hath made me such as I am, rather a
020.L54.024 sicknesse and disease of the world then any
020.L54.025 part of it, yet I esteemed my self so far from
020.L54.026 being so to you, as I esteemed you to be far
020.L54.027 from being so of the world, as to measure
020.L54.028 men by fortune or events. I am now gone
020.L54.029 so far towards health, as there is not infir-
020.L54.030 mity enough left in me for an assurance of
020.L54.031 so much noblenesse and truth, as your last
020.L54.032 Letter is to work upon, that might cure a
020.L54.033 greater indisposition then I am now in: And
020.L54.034 though if I had died, I had not gone
020.L54.035 without testimonies of such a disposition
020.L54.036 in you towards the reparation of my for-
020.L54.037 tune, or preservation of my poor reputati-
020.L54.038 on; yet I would live, and be some such
020.L54.039 thing as you might not be ashamed to
020.L54.040 love. Your man must send away this hour
020.L54.041 in which he visits me; and I have not yet
020.L54.042 (for I came last night) offered to visit my
020.L54.043 La. %1Bedford%2, and therefore have nothing to
020.L54.044 say which should make me grudge this
020.L54.045 straitnesse of time. He tels me he sends again [cw:upon]
020.L54.046 upon %1Thursday%2, and therefore I will make an [p.60]
020.L54.047 end of this Letter, and perfect it then. I
020.L54.048 doubt my Letters have not come duly to
020.L54.049 your hand, and that I writing in my dun-
020.L54.050 geon of %1Michim%2 without dating, have made
020.L54.051 the Chronologie and sequence of my Let-
020.L54.052 ters perplexed to you; howsoever you shall
020.L54.053 not be rid of this Ague of my Letters,
020.L54.054 though perchance the fit change daies. I
020.L54.055 have received in a narrow compasse three
020.L54.056 of yours, one with the Catalogue of your
020.L54.057 Books, another I found here left last %1Sater%2-
020.L54.058 %1day%2 by your man, and this which he
020.L54.059 brought me this morning. Sir, I dare sit
020.L54.060 no longer in my wastcoat, nor have any
020.L54.061 thing worth the danger of a relapse to
020.L54.062 write. I owe you so much of my health, as
020.L54.063 I would not mingle you in any occasion of
020.L54.064 repairing it, and therefore here ask leave to
020.L54.065 kisse your hands, and bid you good mor-
020.L54.066 row and farewell.
020.L54.0DL om
020.L54.0SS %1Your very true friend and servant%2
020.L54.0SS J Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

021.L54.0HE %1To S%2%5r%6 H. G.
021.L54.Sal SIR,
021.L54.001 I%+T should be no interruption to your
021.L54.002 pleasures, to hear me often say that I love
021.L54.003 you, and that you are as much my medita-
021.L54.004 tions as my self: I often compare not you
021.L54.005 and me, but the sphear in which your re-
021.L54.006 solutions are, and my wheel; both I hope
021.L54.007 concentrique to God: for me thinks the
021.L54.008 new Astronomie is thus appliable well, that
021.L54.009 we which are a little earth, should rather
021.L54.010 move towards God, then that he which is
021.L54.011 fulfilling, and can come no whither, should
021.L54.012 move towards us. To your life full of vari-
021.L54.013 ety, nothing is old, nor new to mine; and
021.L54.014 as to that life, all stickings and hesitations
021.L54.015 seem stupid and stony, so to this, all fluid
021.L54.016 slipperinesses, and transitory migrations
021.L54.017 seem giddie and featherie. In that life one
021.L54.018 is ever in the porch or postern, going in or
021.L54.019 out, never within his house himself: It is
021.L54.020 a garment made of remnants, a life raveld
021.L54.021 out into ends, a line discontinued, and a[CW:num-]
021.L54.022 number of small wretched points, uselesse, [p.62]
021.L54.023 because they concurre not: A life built of
021.L54.024 past and future, not proposing any constant
021.L54.025 present; they have more pleasures then we,
021.L54.026 but not more pleasure; they joy oftner, we
021.L54.027 longer; and no man but of so much under-
021.L54.028 standing as may deliver him from being a
021.L54.029 fool, would change with a mad-man,
021.L54.030 which had a better proportion of wit in
021.L54.031 his often %1Lucidis%2. You know, they which
021.L54.032 dwell farthest from the Sun, if in any con-
021.L54.033 venient distance, have longer daies, better
021.L54.034 appetites, better digestion, better growth,
021.L54.035 and longer life: And all these advantages
021.L54.036 have their mindes who are well removed
021.L54.037 from the scorchings, and dazlings, and ex-
021.L54.038 halings of the worlds glory: but neither
021.L54.039 of our lives are in such extremes; for you
021.L54.040 living at Court without ambition, which
021.L54.041 would burn you, or envy, which would
021.L54.042 devest others, live in the Sun, not in the fire:
021.L54.043 And I which live in the Country without
021.L54.044 stupefying, am not in darknesse, but in sha-
021.L54.045 dow, which is not no light, but a pallid,[CW:wa-]
021.L54.046 waterish, and diluted one. As all shadows [p.63]
021.L54.047 are of one colour, if you respect the body
021.L54.048 from which they are cast (for our shadows
021.L54.049 upon clay will be dirty, and in a garden
021.L54.050 green, and flowery) so all retirings into a
021.L54.051 shadowy life are alike from all causes, and
021.L54.052 alike subject to the barbarousnesse and in-
021.L54.053 sipid dulnesse of the Country: onely the
021.L54.054 emploiments, and that upon which you
021.L54.055 cast and bestow your pleasure, businesse, or
021.L54.056 books, gives it the tincture, and beauty. But
021.L54.057 truly wheresoever we are, if we can but tell
021.L54.058 our selves truly what and where we would
021.L54.059 be, we may make any state and place such;
021.L54.060 for we are so composed, that if abundance,
021.L54.061 or glory scorch and melt us, we have an
021.L54.062 earthly cave, our bodies, to go into by con-
021.L54.063 sideration, and cool our selves: and if we
021.L54.064 be frozen, and contracted with lower and
021.L54.065 dark fortunes, we have within us a torch, a
021.L54.066 soul, lighter and warmer then any without:
021.L54.067 we are therefore our own umbrella's, and
021.L54.068 our own suns. These, Sir, are the sallads
021.L54.069 and onions of %1Micham%2, sent to you with as[CW:whole-]
021.L54.070 wholesome affection as your other friends [p.64]
021.L54.071 send Melons and Quelque-choses from
021.L54.072 Court and %1London%2. If I present you not as
021.L54.073 good diet as they, I would yet say grace to
021.L54.074 theirs, and bid much good do it you. I
021.L54.075 send you, with this, a Letter which I sent to
021.L54.076 the Countesse. It is not my use nor duty to
021.L54.077 doe so, but for your having of it, there were
021.L54.078 but two consents, and I am sure you have
021.L54.079 mine, and you are sure you have hers. I also
021.L54.080 writ to her La%5p%6 for the verses she shewed
021.L54.081 in the garden, which I did not onely to
021.L54.082 extort them, nor onely to keep my promise
021.L54.083 of writing, for that I had done in the other
021.L54.084 Letter, and perchance she hath forgotten
021.L54.085 the promise; nor onely because I think my
021.L54.086 Letters just good enough for a progresse,
021.L54.087 but because I would write apace to her,
021.L54.088 whilest it is possible to expresse that which
021.L54.089 I yet know of her, for by this growth I see
021.L54.090 how soon she will be ineffable.[CW:S%9IR%0]
021.L54.0DL om
021.L54.0SS om

022.L54.0HE om
022.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
022.L54.001 T%+Hough my friendship be good for
022.L54.002 nothing else, it may give you the pro-
022.L54.003 fit of a tentation, or of an affliction: It may
022.L54.004 excuse your patience; and though it can-
022.L54.005 not allure, it shall importune you. Though
022.L54.006 I know you have many worthy friends of
022.L54.007 all rankes, yet I adde something, since I
022.L54.008 which am of none, would fain be your
022.L54.009 friend too. There is some of the honour
022.L54.010 and some of the degrees of a Creation, to
022.L54.011 make a friendship of nothing. Yet, not to
022.L54.012 annihilate my self utterly (for though it
022.L54.013 seem humblenesse, yet it is a work of as
022.L54.014 much almightinesse, to bring a thing to
022.L54.015 nothing, as from nothing) though I be not
022.L54.016 of the best stuffe for friendship, which men
022.L54.017 of warm and durable fortunes only are, I
022.L54.018 cannot say, that I am not of the best fashion,
022.L54.019 if truth and honesty be that; which I must
022.L54.020 ever exercise, towards you, because I learned
022.L54.021 it of you: for the conversation with wor-
022.L54.022 thy men, and of good example, (though it [cw:sow]
022.L54.023 sow not vertue in us, yet produceth and [p.66]
022.L54.024 ripeneth it. Your mans haste, and mine to
022.L54.025 %1Micham%2 cuts off this Letter here, yet, as in
022.L54.026 littell paterns torn from a whole piece, this
022.L54.027 may tell you what all I am. Though by
022.L54.028 taking me before my day (which I accoun-
022.L54.029 ted Tuesday) I make short payment of this
022.L54.030 duty of Letters, yet I have a little comfort
022.L54.031 in this, that you see me hereby, willing to
022.L54.032 pay those debts which I can, before my
022.L54.033 time.
022.L54.0DL %1First Saturday in%2/ March. 1607.
022.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate friend%2
022.L54.0SS J. Donne.
022.L54.P01 %1You forget to send me the Apology; and many times,%2
022.L54.P02 %1I think it an injury to remember one of a promise, lest%2
022.L54.P03 %1it confesse a distrust. But of the book, by occasion of%2
022.L54.P04 %1reading the Deans answer to it, I have sometimes%2
022.L54.P05 %1some want.%2 [cw:%1To%2]

023.L54.0HE %1To the Countesse of%2 Bedford.
023.L54.Sal %1Happiest and worthiest Lady%2,
023.L54.001 I%+ Do not remember that ever I have seen a
023.L54.002 petition in verse, I would not therefore
023.L54.003 be singular, nor adde these to your other
023.L54.004 papers. I have yet adventured so near as to
023.L54.005 make a petition for verse, it is for those your
023.L54.006 Ladiship did me the honour to see in
023.L54.007 %1Twicknam%2 garden, except you repent your
023.L54.008 making, and having mended your judge-
023.L54.009 ment by thinking worse, that is, better, be-
023.L54.010 cause juster, of their subject. They must
023.L54.011 needs be an excellent exercise of your wit,
023.L54.012 which speake so well of so ill: I humbly
023.L54.013 beg them of your Ladiship, with two such
023.L54.014 promises, as to any other of your composi-
023.L54.015 tions were threatnings: that I will not shew
023.L54.016 them, and that I will not beleeve them;
023.L54.017 and nothing should be so used that comes
023.L54.018 from your brain or breast. If I should con-
023.L54.019 fesse a fault in the boldnesse of asking
023.L54.020 them, or make a fault by doing it
023.L54.021 in a longer Letter, your Ladiship might[CW:use]
023.L54.022 use your style and old fashion of the Court [p.68]
023.L54.023 towards me, and pay me with a Pardon.
023.L54.024 Here therefore I humbly kisse your Ladi-
023.L54.025 ships fair learned hands, and wish you
023.L54.026 good wishes and speedy grants.
023.L54.0DL om
023.L54.0SS %1Your Ladiships servant%2
023.L54.0SS J. Donne.

024.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 H. Goodere.
024.L54.Sal om
024.L54.001 B%+Ecause things be conserved by the same
024.L54.002 means, which established them, I nurse
024.L54.003 that friendship by Letters, which you be-
024.L54.004 got so; though you have since strengthened
024.L54.005 it by more solid aliment and real offices. In
024.L54.006 these Letters from the Country there is this
024.L54.007 merit, that I do otherwise willingly turn
024.L54.008 mine eye or thoughts from my books, com-
024.L54.009 panions in whom there in no falshood nor
024.L54.010 frowardnesse: which words, I am glad to
024.L54.011 observe that the holy Authors often joyne
024.L54.012 as expressers and relatives to one another,
024.L54.013 because else out of a naturall descent to that
024.L54.014 unworthy fault of frowardnesse, furthered [cw:with]
024.L54.015 with that incommodity of a little thinne [p.69]
024.L54.016 house; I should have mistaken it to be a
024.L54.017 small thing, which now I see equalled
024.L54.018 with the worst. If you have laid papers
024.L54.019 and books by, I pray let this messenger have
024.L54.020 them, I have determined upon them. If
024.L54.021 you have not, be content to do it, in the
024.L54.022 next three or four days. So, Sir, I kisse your
024.L54.023 hands; and deliver to you an intire and
024.L54.024 clear heart; which shall ever when I am
024.L54.025 with you be in my face and tongue, and
024.L54.026 when I am from you, in my Letters, for I
024.L54.027 will never draw Curtain between you and it.
024.L54.0DL %1From your house at%2/ Micham %1friday morning%2.
024.L54.0SS %1Yours very affectionately%2
024.L54.0SS J. Donne.
024.L54.P01 %1When you are sometimes at M%2. Sackvills, %1I pray%2
024.L54.P02 %1aske if he have this book%2, Baldvinus de officio
024.L54.P03 pii hominis in controversiis; %1it was written at the%2
024.L54.P04 %1conference at%2 Poissy, %1where%2 Beza %1was, %1and he an-%2
024.L54.P05 %1swered it; I long for it%2. [cw:%1To%2]

025.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
025.L54.Sal SIR,
025.L54.001 I%+ Hope you are now welcome to %1London%2,
025.L54.002 and well, and well comforted in your
025.L54.003 Fathers health and love, and well conten-
025.L54.004 ted that we ask you how you doe, and tell
025.L54.005 you how we are, which yet I cannot of my
025.L54.006 self; If I knew that I were ill, I were well;
025.L54.007 for we consist of three parts, a Soul, and Bo-
025.L54.008 dy, and Minde: which I call those thoughts
025.L54.009 and affections and passions, which neither
025.L54.010 soul nor body hath alone, but have been be-
025.L54.011 gotten by their communication, as Mu-
025.L54.012 sique results out of our breath and a Cornet.
025.L54.013 And of all these the diseases are cures, if they
025.L54.014 be known. Of our souls sicknesses, which
025.L54.015 are sinnes, the knowledge is, to acknow-
025.L54.016 ledge, and that is her Physique, in which
025.L54.017 we are not dieted by drams and scruples,
025.L54.018 for we cannot take too much. Of our bo-
025.L54.019 dies infirmities, though our knowledge be
025.L54.020 partly %1ab extrinseco%2, from the opinion of the
025.L54.021 Physician, and that the subject and matter[CW:be]
025.L54.022 be flexible, and various; yet their rules are [p.71]
025.L54.023 certain, and if the matter be rightly applyed
025.L54.024 to the rule, our knowledge thereof is also
025.L54.025 certain. But of the diseases of the minde,
025.L54.026 there is no %1Criterium%2, no Canon, no rule;
025.L54.027 for, our own taste and apprehension and
025.L54.028 interpretation should be the Judge, and that
025.L54.029 is the disease it self. Therefore sometimes
025.L54.030 when I finde my self transported with jol-
025.L54.031 lity, and love of company, I hang Leads at
025.L54.032 my heels; and reduce to my thoughts my
025.L54.033 fortunes, my years, the duties of a man, of a
025.L54.034 friend, of a husband, of a Father, and all
025.L54.035 the incumbencies of a family: when sad-
025.L54.036 nesse dejects me, either I countermine it
025.L54.037 with another sadnesse, or I kindle squibs
025.L54.038 about me again, and flie into sportfulnesse
025.L54.039 and company: and I finde ever after all, that
025.L54.040 I am like an exorcist, which had long la-
025.L54.041 boured about one, which at last appears to
025.L54.042 have the Mother, that I still mistake
025.L54.043 my disease. And I still vex my self with this,
025.L54.044 because if I know it not, no body can
025.L54.045 know it. And I comfort my self, because[CW:I]
025.L54.046 I see dispassioned men are subject to the [p.72]
025.L54.047 like ignorances. For divers mindes out of
025.L54.048 the same thing often draw contrary con-
025.L54.049 clusions, as %1Augustine%2 thought devout %1Antho%2-
025.L54.050 %1ny%2 to be therefore full of the holy Ghost, be-
025.L54.051 cause not being able to read, he could say
025.L54.052 the whole Bible, and interpret it; and
025.L54.053 %1Thyreus%2 the Jesuit for the same reason doth
025.L54.054 thinke all the Anabaptists to be possessed.
025.L54.055 And as often out of contrary things men
025.L54.056 draw one conclusion. As to the %1Roman%2
025.L54.057 Church, magnificence and splendor hath
025.L54.058 ever been an argument of Gods favour, and
025.L54.059 poverty & affliction, to the %1Greek%2. Out of this
025.L54.060 variety of mindes it proceeds, that though
025.L54.061 our souls would goe to one end, Heaven,
025.L54.062 and all our bodies must go to one end, the
025.L54.063 earth: yet our third part, the minde, which
025.L54.064 is our naturall guide here, choses to every
025.L54.065 man a severall way: scarce any man likes
025.L54.066 what another doth, nor advisedly, that
025.L54.067 which himself. But Sir, I am beyond my
025.L54.068 purpose; I mean to write a Letter, and I am
025.L54.069 fallen into a discourse, and I do not only[CW:take]
025.L54.070 take you from some businesse, but I make [p.73]
025.L54.071 you a new businesse by drawing you into
025.L54.072 these meditations. In which let my open-
025.L54.073 nesse be an argument of such love as I
025.L54.074 would fain expresse in some worthier fa-
025.L54.075 shion.
025.L54.0DL om
025.L54.0SS om

026.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 G. F.
026.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
026.L54.001 I%+ Writ to you once this week before; yet
026.L54.002 I write again, both because it seems a
026.L54.003 kinde of resifting of grace, to omit any
026.L54.004 commodity of sending into %1England%2 and
026.L54.005 because any Pacquet from me into %1England%2
026.L54.006 should go, not only without just fraight, but
026.L54.007 without ballast, if it had not a letter to you.
026.L54.008 In Letters that I received from Sir H. %1Wotton%2
026.L54.009 yesterday from %1Amyens%2, I had one of the
026.L54.010 8 of %1March%2 from you, and with it one from
026.L54.011 M%5rs%6 Danterey, of the 28 of %1January%2: which
026.L54.012 is a strange disproportion, But Sir, if our
026.L54.013 Letters come not in due order, and so
026.L54.014 make not a certain and concurrent chain, [cw:yet]
026.L54.015 yet if they come as Atomes, and so meet [p.74]
026.L54.016 at last, by any crooked, and casuall applica-
026.L54.017 tion, they make up, and they nourish bo-
026.L54.018 dies of friendship; and in that fashion, I
026.L54.019 mean one way or other, first or last, I hope
026.L54.020 all the Letters which have been addressed
026.L54.021 to us by one another, are safely arrived, ex-
026.L54.022 cept perchance that pacquet by the Cook
026.L54.023 be not, of which before this time you are
026.L54.024 cleare; for I received (as I told you) a Let-
026.L54.025 ter by M. %1Nat. Rich%2, and if you sent none
026.L54.026 by him, then it was that Letter, which the
026.L54.027 Cook tells you he delivered to M. %1Rich%2;
026.L54.028 which, with all my criticismes, I cannot re-
026.L54.029 concile; because in your last Letter, I find
026.L54.030 mention of things formerly written, which
026.L54.031 I have not found. However, I am yet in the
026.L54.032 same perplexity, which I mentioned before,
026.L54.033 which is, that I have received no syllable,
026.L54.034 neither from her self, nor by any other,
026.L54.035 how my wife hath passed her danger, nor
026.L54.036 do I know whether I be increased by a
026.L54.037 childe, or diminished by the losse of a wife.
026.L54.038 I hear from %1England%2 of many censures of my [cw:book,]
026.L54.039 book, of M%5ris%6. Drury; if any of those censures [p.75]
026.L54.040 I do but pardon me in my descent in Printing
026.L54.041 any thing in verse, (which if they do, they
026.L54.042 are more charitable then my self; for I do
026.L54.043 not pardon my self, but confesse that I did
026.L54.044 it against my conscience, that is, against my
026.L54.045 own opinion, that I should not have done
026.L54.046 so) I doubt not but they will soon give
026.L54.047 over that other part of that indictment,
026.L54.048 which is that I have said so much; for no
026.L54.049 body can imagine, that I who never saw
026.L54.050 her, could have any other purpose in that,
026.L54.051 then that when I had received so very good
026.L54.052 testimony of her worthinesse, and was gone
026.L54.053 down to print verses, it became me to say,
026.L54.054 not what I was sure was just truth, but the
026.L54.055 best that I could conceive; for that had
026.L54.056 been a new weakness in me, to have prai-
026.L54.057 sed any body in printed verses, that had
026.L54.058 not been capable of the best praise that I
026.L54.059 could give. Presently after Easter we shall
026.L54.060 (I think) go to %1Frankford%2 to be there at the
026.L54.061 election, where we shall meet Sir %1H. Wotton%2
026.L54.062 and Sir %1Ro Rich%2, and after that we are de- [cw:termined]
026.L54.063 termined to passe some time, in the Pala- [p.76]
026.L54.064 tinate. I go thither with a great deale of de-
026.L54.065 votion; for me thinkes it is a new kinde
026.L54.066 of piety, that as Pilgrims went heretofore
026.L54.067 to places which had been holy and happy,
026.L54.068 so I go to a place now, which shall be so,
026.L54.069 and more, by the present of the worthiest
026.L54.070 Princess of the world, if that marriage pro-
026.L54.071 ceed. I have no greater errand to the place
026.L54.072 then that at my return into %1England%2, I may
026.L54.073 be the fitter to stand in her presence, and
026.L54.074 that after I have seen a rich and abundant
026.L54.075 Countrey, in his best seasons, I may see that
026.L54.076 Sun which shall always keep it in that
026.L54.077 height. Howsoever we stray, if you have
026.L54.078 leasure to write at any time, adventure by
026.L54.079 no other way, then M. %1Bruer%2, at the Queens
026.L54.080 Armes, a Mercer, in %1Cheapside%2. I shall omit
026.L54.081 no opportunity, of which I doubt not to
026.L54.082 finde more then one before we go from
026.L54.083 %1Paris%2. Therefore give me leave to end this,
026.L54.084 in which if you did not finde the remem-
026.L54.085 brance of my humblest services to my Lady
026.L54.086 %1Bedford%2, your love and faith ought to try [cw:all]
026.L54.087 all the experiments of pouders, and dryings, [p.77]
026.L54.088 and waterings to discover some lines which
026.L54.089 appeared not; because it is impossible that
026.L54.090 a Letter should come from me, with such
026.L54.091 an ungratefull silence.
026.L54.0DL om
026.L54.0SS %1Your very true poor friend and%2
026.L54.0SS %1servant and lover%2
026.L54.0SS J. Donne.
026.L54.P01 %1This day begins a History, of which I doubt not but%2
026.L54.P02 %1I shall write more to you before I leave this town. Mon-%2
026.L54.P03 %1sieur%2 de Rohan, %1a person for birth, next heire to the%2
026.L54.P04 %1Kingdome of%2 Navar, %1after the Kings children, (if the
026.L54.P05 %1King of%2 Spaine %1were weary of it) and for allyance,%2
026.L54.P06 %1sonne in law to D.%2 Sally, %1and for breeding in the wars%2
026.L54.P07 %1and estate, the most remarkable man of the Religion,%2
026.L54.P08 %1being Governour of%2 S. Jean d' Angeli, %1one of the%2
026.L54.P09 %1most important towns which they of the Religion hold%2
026.L54.P10 %1for their security, finding that some distasts between the%2
026.L54.P11 %1Lieutenant and the Maior of the town, and him, were%2
026.L54.P12 %1dangerously fomented by great persons, stole from Court,%2
026.L54.P13 %1rode post to the town and removed these two persons.%2
026.L54.P14 %1He sent his secretary, and another dependent of his to%2
026.L54.P15 %1give the Queen satisfaction, who is so far from recei-%2
026.L54.P16 %1ving it, that his messengers are committed to the%2 [cw:Bastile]
026.L54.P17 Bastile, %1likely to be presently tortured; all his friends%2
[p.78]
026.L54.P18 %1here commanded to their houses, and the Queens com-%2
026.L54.P10 %1panies of light horse sent already thitherward, and%2
026.L54.P20 %1foot companies preparing; which troops being sent against%2
026.L54.P21 %1a place, so much concerning those of the Religion to%2
026.L54.P22 %1keep, and where they abound in number and strength,%2
026.L54.P23 %1cannot chuse but produce effects worthy your hearing%2
026.L54.P24 %1in the next Letter.%2

027.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
027.L54.Sal %1SIR%2
027.L54.001 B%+Ecause I am in a place and season where
027.L54.002 I see every thing bud forth, I must do
027.L54.003 so too, and vent some of my meditations
027.L54.004 to you; the rather because all other buds
027.L54.005 being yet without taste or virtue, my Let-
027.L54.006 ters may be like them. The pleasantnesse
027.L54.007 of the season displeases me. Every thing re-
027.L54.008 freshes, and I wither, and I grow older and
027.L54.009 not better, my strength diminishes, and
027.L54.010 my load growes, and being to passe more
027.L54.011 and more stormes, I finde that I have not
027.L54.012 only cast out all my ballast which nature[CW:and]
027.L54.013 and time gives, Reason and discretion, and [p.79]
027.L54.014 so am as empty and light as Vanity can
027.L54.015 make me; but I have over fraught my self
027.L54.016 with Vice, and so am riddingly subject to
027.L54.017 two contrary wrackes, Sinking and Over-
027.L54.018 setting, and under the iniquity of such a
027.L54.019 disease as inforces the patient when he is al-
027.L54.020 most starved, not only to fast, but to purge.
027.L54.021 For I have much to take in, and much to
027.L54.022 cast out; sometimes I thinke it easier to dis-
027.L54.023 charge my self of vice then of vanity, as one
027.L54.024 may sooner carry the fire out of a room
027.L54.025 then the smoake: and then I see it was a
027.L54.026 new vanity to think so. And when I think
027.L54.027 sometimes that vanity, because it is thinne
027.L54.028 and airie, may be expelled with vertue or
027.L54.029 businesse, or substantiall vice; I finde that
027.L54.030 I give entrance thereby to new vices. Cer-
027.L54.031 tainly as the earth and water, one sad, the
027.L54.032 other fluid, make but one bodie: so to aire
027.L54.033 and Vanity, there is but one %Centrum morbia.%2
027.L54.034 And that which later Physicians say of our
027.L54.035 bodies, is fitter for our mindes: for that
027.L54.036 which they call Destruction, which is a cor-[CW:ruption]
027.L54.037 ruption and want of those fundamentall [p.80]
027.L54.038 parts whereof we consist, is Vice: and that
027.L54.039 %1Collectio stercorum%2, which is but the excrement
027.L54.040 of that corruption, is our Vanity and indis-
027.L54.041 cretion: both these have but one root in
027.L54.042 me, and must be pulled out at once, or ne-
027.L54.043 ver But I am so farre from digging to it, that
027.L54.044 I know not where it is, for it is not in mine
027.L54.045 eyes only, but in every sense, nor in my con-
027.L54.046 cupiscence only, but in every power and
027.L54.047 affection. Sir, I was willing to let you see
027.L54.048 how impotent a man you love, not to dis-
027.L54.049 hearten you from doing so still (for my
027.L54.050 vices are not infectious, nor wandring, they
027.L54.051 came not yesterday, nor mean to go away
027.L54.052 to day: they Inne not, but dwell in me, and
027.L54.053 see themselves so welcome, and find in me
027.L54.054 so good bad company of one another, that
027.L54.055 they will not change, especially to one not
027.L54.056 apprehensive, nor easily accessible) but I do
027.L54.057 it, that your counsell might cure me, and if
027.L54.058 you deny that, your example shal, for I will
027.L54.059 as much strive to be like you as I will wish
027.L54.060 to continue good.[CW:%1TO%2]
027.L54.0DL om
027.L54.0SS om

028.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable K%5t%6 S%5r%6 %2 H. Goodere %1one of the%2
028.L54.0HE %1Gent. of his Majesties privy Chamber%2.
028.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
028.L54.001 Y%+OU may remember that long since
028.L54.002 you delivered M%5r%6 %1Fowler%2 possession of
028.L54.003 me, but the wide distance in which I have
028.L54.004 lived from Court, makes me reasonably
028.L54.005 fear, that now he knows not his right and
028.L54.006 power in me, though he must of necessity
028.L54.007 have all, to whom you and I joyn in a gift
028.L54.008 of me, as we did to him, so that perchance
028.L54.009 he hath a servant of me, which might be
028.L54.010 passed in a book of concealment. If your
028.L54.011 leisure suffer it, I pray finde whether I be in
028.L54.012 him still, and conserve me in his love; and
028.L54.013 so perfect your own work, or doe it over
028.L54.014 again, and restore me to the place, which
028.L54.015 by your favour I had in him. For M%5r%6 %1Powell%2
028.L54.016 who serves her Ma%5ty%6 as Clerk of her coun-
028.L54.017 sell, hath told me that M%5r%6 %1Fowler%2 hath some
028.L54.018 purpose to retire himself; and therefore I
028.L54.019 would fain for all my love, have so much
028.L54.020 of his, as to finde him willing when I shall [CW: seek]
028.L54.021 seek him at Court, to let me understand his [p. 82]
028.L54.022 purpose therein; for if my means may
028.L54.023 make me acceptable to the Queen and him,
028.L54.024 I should be very sorry, he should make so
028.L54.025 farre steps therein with any other, that I
028.L54.026 should fail in it, onely for not have spoke
028.L54.027 to him soon enough. It were an injury to
028.L54.028 the forwardnesse of your love to adde
028.L54.029 more, here therefore I kisse your hands,
028.L54.030 and commend to you the truth of my love.
028.L54.0DL %1From my lodging in the Strand,%2/ %1whither I shall return on%2 Mun-/ day, 23 June 1607.
028.L54.0SS %1Your very affectionate%2
028.L54.0SS %1servant and lover%2
028.L54.0SS Jo. Donne.

029.L54.0HE %1To S%2%5r%6 H. G.
029.L54.Sal SIR,
029.L54.001 Y%+OU husband my time thriftily, when
029.L54.002 you command me to write by such a
029.L54.003 messenger, as can tell you more then I can
029.L54.004 write, for so he doth not onely carry the
029.L54.005 Letter, but is the Letter. But that the naming
029.L54.006 of some things, may give you occasion to
029.L54.007 ask him farther, and him to open himself
029.L54.008 unto you, give me leave to tell you, that the[CW:now]
029.L54.009 now Spa. Embassadour proceeds in the old [p.83]
029.L54.010 pace, the King hath departed from his ordi-
029.L54.011 nary way so farre, as to appoint 9 of the
029.L54.012 Councell to treat with him; but when they
029.L54.013 came to any approaches, he answered, that
029.L54.014 be brought onely Commission to propose
029.L54.015 certain things, which he was ready to doe,
029.L54.016 but he had no instructions to treat, but ex-
029.L54.017 pected them upon an other return from his
029.L54.018 Master. So that there is no treaty for the
029.L54.019 marriage begun yet: for I know you have
029.L54.020 heard %1Olivarez%2 his free acknowledgement,
029.L54.021 that til the Prince came, there was no thoght
029.L54.022 of it. The King in his gests of this progress,
029.L54.023 hath determined it, not as heretofore, at
029.L54.024 %1Windsor%2, but at %1Farnham%2 during pleasure: so
029.L54.025 he is within a journey of %1Southampton%2; and
029.L54.026 even that circumstance addes to some other
029.L54.027 reasons, that he expects the Prince this Sum-
029.L54.028 mer, and that Sir %1W. Crofts%2, in his last dis-
029.L54.029 patches, enlarged the Prince in his liberty,
029.L54.030 from his Father, to come away, if he would.
029.L54.031 Amongst all the irregularities of this age, to
029.L54.032 me this is as strange as any, That this year[CW:there]
029.L54.033 there is no peace, and yet no sword drawn in [p.84]
029.L54.034 the world; & it is a lost conjecture to think
029.L54.035 which way any of the Armies will bend.
029.L54.036 Here it is imagined, that %1Yukendorfe%2 and %1Gabor%2
029.L54.037 (for, for any concurrence of love, it is but a
029.L54.038 dream) may so farre distress %1Bohemia%2, as
029.L54.039 that %1Tilly%2 must be recalled thither; and that
029.L54.040 if he be, %1Brunswikes%2 way is open into %1Baviere%2,
029.L54.041 where he may recompense great losses,
029.L54.042 whilest %1Mansfield%2 and %1Gonzales%2, and his Ex-
029.L54.043 cellency and %1Spinola%2, keep the ballance even in
029.L54.044 their parts, by looking upon another. This
029.L54.045 noble friend of yours is in his last minute,
029.L54.046 in this Town; and I am going into the
029.L54.047 Coach with my Lo to %1Hanworth%2. If I might
029.L54.048 have forborn the sealing the rest till my re-
029.L54.049 turn from thence, you might have heard
029.L54.050 something more from
029.L54.0DL om
029.L54.0SS %1Your very true poor friend and humble%2
029.L54.0SS %1servant in Chr. Jes%2. J. Donne.
029.L54.P01 %1No straitnesse makes me forget my service to%2
029.L54.P02 %1your daughters: If my Bell were tolling, I should%2
029.L54.P03 %1pray for them, and though my Letter be sealing,%2 [cw:I]
029.L54.P04 %1I leave not out my wishes, that their fortunes%2 [p.85]
029.L54.P05 %1may second their goodnesse. Amen.%2

030.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
030.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
030.L54.001 T%+His %1Tuesday%2 morning, which hath
030.L54.002 brought me to %1London%2, presents me
030.L54.003 with all your letters. Me thought it was
030.L54.004 a rent day, I mean such as yours, and not as
030.L54.005 mine; and yet such too, when I conside-
030.L54.006 red how much I ought you for them,
030.L54.007 how good a mother, how fertill and
030.L54.008 abundant the understanding is, if she
030.L54.009 have a good father; and how well
030.L54.010 friendship performs that office. For that
030.L54.011 which is denied in other generations is
030.L54.012 done in this of yours: for here is superseta-
030.L54.013 tion, childe upon childe, and that which is
030.L54.014 more strange, twins at a latter conception.
030.L54.015 If in my second religion, friendship, I had a
030.L54.016 conscience, either %1errantem%2 to mistake good
030.L54.017 and bad and indifferent, or %1opinantem%2 to be
030.L54.018 ravished by others opinions or examples,
030.L54.019 or %1dubiam%2 to adhere to neither part, or %1scrupu-%2
[cw:%1losam%2]
030.L54.020 %1losam%2 to encline to one, but upon reasons [p.86]
030.L54.021 light in themselves, or indiscussed in me,
030.L54.022 (which are almost all the diseases of consci-
030.L54.023 ence) I might mistake your often, long, and
030.L54.024 busie Letters, and fear you did but intreat
030.L54.025 me to have mercy upon you and spare you;
030.L54.026 for you know our Court took the resoluti-
030.L54.027 on, that it was the best way to dispatch the
030.L54.028 French Prince back again quickly, to re-
030.L54.029 ceive him solemnly, ceremoniously, and ex-
030.L54.030 pensively, when he hoped a domestique
030.L54.031 and durable entertainment. I never meant
030.L54.032 to excell you in weight nor price, but in
030.L54.033 number and bulk I thought I might, be-
030.L54.034 cause he may cast up a greater summe who
030.L54.035 hath but forty small monies, then he with
030.L54.036 twenty Poruguesses. The memory of
030.L54.037 friends, (I mean onely for Letters) neither
030.L54.038 enters ordinarily into busied men, because
030.L54.039 they are ever emploied within, nor into
030.L54.040 men of pleasure, because they are never at
030.L54.041 home. For these wishes therefore which
030.L54.042 you won out of your pleasure and recreati-
030.L54.043 on, you were as excusable to me if you [cw:writ]
030.L54.044 writ seldome, as Sir %1H. Wotton%2 is, under the [p.87]
030.L54.045 oppression of businesse, or the necessity of
030.L54.046 seeming so; or more then he, because I
030.L54.047 hope you have both pleasure and businesse:
030.L54.048 onely to me, who have neither, this omis-
030.L54.049 sion were sinne; for though writing be
030.L54.050 not of the precepts of friendship, but of the
030.L54.051 counsels, yet, as in some cases to some men
030.L54.052 counsels become precepts, and though not
030.L54.053 immediately from God, yet very roundly
030.L54.054 and quickly from his Church, (as selling
030.L54.055 and dividing goods in the first time, conti-
030.L54.056 nence in the Romane Church, and order
030.L54.057 and decencie in ours) so to me who can do
030.L54.058 nothing else, it seems to binde my consci-
030.L54.059 ence to write; and it is sinne to doe against
030.L54.060 the conscience, though that erre. Yet no
030.L54.061 mans Letters might be better wanted then
030.L54.062 mine, since my whole Letter is nothing
030.L54.063 else but a confession that I should and
030.L54.064 would write. I owed you a Letter in verse
030.L54.065 before by mine own promise, and now
030.L54.066 that you think that you have hedged in that
030.L54.067 debt by a greater by your Letter in verse, I [cw:think]
030.L54.068 think it now most seasonable and fashio- [p.88]
030.L54.069 nable for me to break. At least, to write
030.L54.070 presently, were to accuse my self of not ha-
030.L54.071 ving read yours so often as such a Letter
030.L54.072 deserves from you to me. To make my
030.L54.073 debt greater (for such is the desire of all,
030.L54.074 who cannot or mean not to pay) I pray
030.L54.075 read these two problemes: for such light
030.L54.076 flashes as these have been my hawkings in
030.L54.077 my sorry journies. I accompany them with
030.L54.078 another ragge of verses, worthy of that
030.L54.079 name for the smalnesse, and age, for it hath
030.L54.080 long lien among my other papers, and
030.L54.081 laughs at them that have adventured to
030.L54.082 you: for I think till now you saw it not,
030.L54.083 and neither you, nor it should repent it.
030.L54.084 Sir, if I were any thing, my love to you
030.L54.085 might multiply it, and dignifie it: But in-
030.L54.086 finite nothings are but one such; yet since
030.L54.087 even Chymera's have some name and titles,
030.L54.088 I am also
030.L54.0DL om
030.L54.0SS %1Yours%2. [cw:%1To%2]

031.L54.0HE %1To your selfe%2.
031.L54.Sal SIR,
031.L54.001 I%+F this Letter finde you in a progresse, or
031.L54.002 at %1Bath%2, or at any place of equall leasure
031.L54.003 to our %1Spa%C%2, you will perchance descend to
031.L54.004 reade so low meditations as these. Nothing
031.L54.005 in my L. of %1Salisburies%2 death exercised my
031.L54.006 poor considerations so much, as the multi-
031.L54.007 tude of libells. It was easily discerned, some
031.L54.008 years before his death, that he was at a de-
031.L54.009 fensive war, both for his honour and health,
031.L54.010 and (as we then thought) for his estate:
031.L54.011 and I thought, that had removed much of
031.L54.012 the envy. Besides, I have just reasons to
031.L54.013 think, that in the chiefest businesse be-
031.L54.014 tween the Nations, he was a very good pa-
031.L54.015 triot. But I meant to speake of nothing but
031.L54.016 the libells, of which, all which are brought
031.L54.017 into these parts, are so tastelesse and flat,
031.L54.018 that I protest to you, I think they were made
031.L54.019 by his friends. It is not the first time that
031.L54.020 our age hath seen that art practised, That
031.L54.021 when there are witty and sharp libels made [cw:which]
031.L54.022 which not onely for the liberty of speaking, [p.90]
031.L54.023 but for the elegancie, and composition,
031.L54.024 would take deep root, and make durable
031.L54.025 impressions in the memory, no other way
031.L54.026 hath been thought so fit to suppresse them,
031.L54.027 as to divulge some course, and railing one:
031.L54.028 for when the noise is risen, that libels are
031.L54.029 abroad, mens curiositie must be served
031.L54.030 with something: and it is better for the
031.L54.031 honour of the person traduced, that some
031.L54.032 blunt downright railings be vented, of
031.L54.033 which every body is soon weary, then other
031.L54.034 pieces, which entertain us long with a de-
031.L54.035 light, and love to the things themselves. I
031.L54.036 doubt not but he smoothered some libels a-
031.L54.037 gainst him in his life time. But I would all
031.L54.038 these (or better) had been made then, for
031.L54.039 they might then have wrought upon him;
031.L54.040 and they might have testified that the Au-
031.L54.041 thors had meant to mend him, but now they
031.L54.042 can have no honest pretence. I dare say to
031.L54.043 you, where I am not easily misinterpreted,
031.L54.044 that there may be cases, where one may do
031.L54.045 his Countrey good service, by libelling a- [cw:gainst]
031.L54.046 gainst a live man. For, where a man is ei- [p.91]
031.L54.047 ther too great, or his Vices too generall, to
031.L54.048 be brought under a judiciary accusation,
031.L54.049 there is no way, but this extraordinary ac-
031.L54.050 cusing, which we call Libelling [.] And I have
031.L54.051 heard that nothing hath soupled and al-
031.L54.052 layed the D. of %1Lerma%2 in his violent great-
031.L54.053 nesse, so much as the often libels made up-
031.L54.054 on him. But after death, it is, in all cases,
031.L54.055 unexcusable. I know that %1Lucifer%2, and one
031.L54.056 or two more of the Fathers who writ libel-
031.L54.057 lous books against the Emperours of their
031.L54.058 times, are excused by our writers, because
031.L54.059 they writ not in the lives of those Empe-
031.L54.060 rours. I am glad for them that they writ not
031.L54.061 in their lives, for that must have occasioned
031.L54.062 tumult, and contempt, against so high and
031.L54.063 Soveraign persons. But that doth not
031.L54.064 enough excuse them to me, for writing so
031.L54.065 after their death; for that was ignoble, and
031.L54.066 uselesse, though they did a little escape the
031.L54.067 nature of libels, by being subscribed and a-
031.L54.068 vowed: which excuse would not have
031.L54.069 served in the Star-chamber, where sealed [cw:Letters]
031.L54.070 Letters have been judged Libels; but these [p.92]
031.L54.071 of which we speake at this present, are ca-
031.L54.072 pable of no excuse, no amolishment, and
031.L54.073 therefore I cry you mercy, and my self too,
031.L54.074 for disliking them, with so much diligence,
031.L54.075 for they deserve not that. But Sir, you see
031.L54.076 by this, and by my Letter of last week, from
031.L54.077 hence the peremptory barrennesse of this
031.L54.078 place, from whence we can write nothing
031.L54.079 into %1England%2, but of that which comes from
031.L54.080 thence. Till the Lady %1Worster%2 came hither,
031.L54.081 I had never heard any thing to make me
031.L54.082 imagine that Sir %1Rob%2. %1Rich%2 was in %1England%2;
031.L54.083 the first hour that I had knowledge of it, I
031.L54.084 kisse his hands by this Letter. I make ac-
031.L54.085 count to be in %1London%2, transitorily, about the
031.L54.086 end of %1August%2. You shall do me much fa-
031.L54.087 vour, if I may finde a Letter from you (if
031.L54.088 you shall not then be there) at the Lady
031.L54.089 %1Bartlets%2: I shall come home in much igno-
031.L54.090 rance, nor would I discern home by a bet-
031.L54.091 ter light, or any other then you. I can glo-
031.L54.092 ry of nothing in this voyage, but that I have
031.L54.093 afflicted my Lady %1Bedford%2 with few Letters. [cw:I]
031.L54.094 I protest earnestly to you, it troubles me [p.93]
031.L54.095 much more to dispatch a pacquet into %1Eng%2-
031.L54.096 %1land%2, without a Letter to her, then it would
031.L54.097 to put in three. But I have been heretofore
031.L54.098 too immodest towards her, and I suffer this
031.L54.099 Purgatory for it. We make account to leave
031.L54.100 this place within 8 or 10 days, and hence
031.L54.101 to make our best haste to the Count %1Maurice%2,
031.L54.102 where we think to finde again the young
031.L54.103 Palatine: all this I tell you only because
031.L54.104 when you know, that we shall run too fast
031.L54.105 to write any more Letters, you may easily
031.L54.106 pardon the importunities and impertinen-
031.L54.107 cies of this, and cast into no lower place of
031.L54.108 your love
031.L54.0DL Spa%C, 26 July %1here%2/ 1612
031.L54.0SS %1Your very true friend and servant%2
031.L54.0SS J. Donne.

032.L54.0HE %1To my Lord%2 G. H.
032.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
032.L54.001 I%+ Am near the execution of that purpose
032.L54.002 for %1France%2; though I may have other ends,
032.L54.003 yet if it do but keep me awake, it recom- [cw:penses]
032.L54.004 penses me well. I am now in the after- [p.94]
032.L54.005 noon of my life, and then it is unwhole-
032.L54.006 some to sleep. It is ill to look back, or give
032.L54.007 over in a course; but worse never to set
032.L54.008 out. I speake to you at this time of depar-
032.L54.009 ting, as I should do at my last upon my
032.L54.010 death-bed; and I desire to deliver into
032.L54.011 your hands a heart and affections, as inno-
032.L54.012 cent towards you, as I shall to deliver my
032.L54.013 soul into Gods hands then. I say not this
032.L54.014 out of diffidence, as though you doubted it,
032.L54.015 or that this should look like such an excuse,
032.L54.016 as implyed an accusation; but because my
032.L54.017 fortune hath burdened you so, as I could
032.L54.018 not rectifie it before my going, my consci-
032.L54.019 ence and interpretation (severer I hope then
032.L54.020 yours towards my self) calls that a kinde of
032.L54.021 demerit, but God who hath not only af-
032.L54.022 forded us a way to be delivered from our
032.L54.023 great many debts, contracted by our Exe-
032.L54.024 cutorship to %1Adam%2, but also another for our
032.L54.025 particular debts after, hath not left poor
032.L54.026 men unprovided, for discharge of morall
032.L54.027 and civill debts; in which, acknowledge- [cw:ment]
032.L54.028 ment, and thankfulnesse is the same, as re-
032.L54.029 pentance and contrition is in spiritual debts:
032.L54.030 and though the value and dignity of all
032.L54.031 these be not perchance in the things, but in
032.L54.032 the acceptance, yet I cannot doubt of it,
032.L54.033 either in God, or you. But Sir, because
032.L54.034 there is some degree of thankfulnesse in
032.L54.035 asking more (for that confesses all former
032.L54.036 obligations, and a desire to be still in the
032.L54.037 same dependency) I must intreat you to
032.L54.038 continue that wherein you have most ex-
032.L54.039 pressed your love to me, which is, to main-
032.L54.040 tain me in the same room in my Lady %1Bed%2-
032.L54.041 %1fords%2 opinion, in the which you placed me.
032.L54.042 I professe to you that I am too much bound
032.L54.043 to her, for expressing every way her care of
032.L54.044 my fortune, that I am weary before she is;
032.L54.045 and out of a loathnesse, that so good works
032.L54.046 should be bestowed upon so ill stuffe, or that
032.L54.047 so much ill fortune should be mingled with
032.L54.048 hers, as that she should misse any thing that
032.L54.049 she desire, though it were but for me; I
032.L54.050 am willing to depart from farther exerci-
032.L54.051 sing her indevours in that kinde I shall be [cw:bold]
032.L54.052 bold to deliver my poor Letters to her La- [p.96]
032.L54.053 diships hands, through yours, whilest I am
032.L54.054 abroad though I shall ever account my
032.L54.055 self at home, whilest I am in your me-
032.L54.056 mory.
032.L54.0DL om
032.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate servant and lover%2
032.L54.0SS J. Donne.

033.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
033.L54.001 %1SIR%2,
033.L54.002 N%+Ature hath made all bodies alike, by
033.L54.003 mingling and kneading up the same
033.L54.004 elements in every one. And amongst men,
033.L54.005 the other nature, Custome, hath made every
033.L54.006 minde like some other; we are patterns, or
033.L54.007 copies, we informe, or imitate. But as he
033.L54.008 hath not presently attained to write a good
033.L54.009 hand, which hath equalled one excellent
033.L54.010 Master in his %1A%2, another in his %1B%2, much
033.L54.011 lesse he which hath fought all the excellent
033.L54.012 Masters, and imployed all his time to ex-
033.L54.013 ceed in one Letter, because not so much an
033.L54.014 excellency of any, not every one, as an even-
033.L54.015 nesse and proportion, and respect to one[CW:another]
033.L54.016 another gives the perfection: so is no man [p.97]
033.L54.017 vertuous by particular example. Not he
033.L54.018 that doth all actions to the pattern of the
033.L54.019 most valiant, or liberall, which Histories
033.L54.020 afford: nor he which chuses from every
033.L54.021 one their best actions, and thereupon doth
033.L54.022 something like those. Perchance such may
033.L54.023 be %1in via perficiendorum%2, which Divines al-
033.L54.024 low to Monasticall life, but not %1perfectorum%2,
033.L54.025 which by them is only due to Prelacy. For
033.L54.026 vertue is even, and continuall, and the same,
033.L54.027 and can therefore break no where, nor ad-
033.L54.028 mit ends, nor beginnings; it is not only
033.L54.029 not broken, but not tyed together. He is
033.L54.030 not vertuous, out of whose actions you can
033.L54.031 pick an excellent one. Vice and her fruits
033.L54.032 may be seen, because they are thick bodies,
033.L54.033 but not vertue, which is all light, and vices
033.L54.034 have swellings and fits, and noise, because
033.L54.035 being extreams, they dwell far asunder, and
033.L54.036 they maintain both a forein war against
033.L54.037 vertue, and a civill against one another, and
033.L54.038 affect Soveraignty, as vertue doth society.
033.L54.039 The later Physicians say, that when our[CW: naturall]
033.L54.040 naturall inborn preservative is corrupted or [p.98]
033.L54.041 wasted, and must be restored by a like ex-
033.L54.042 tracted from other bodies; the chief care is
033.L54.043 that the Mummy have in it no excelling
033.L54.044 quality, but an equally digested temper:
033.L54.045 And such is true vertue. But men who
033.L54.046 have preferred money before all, think they
033.L54.047 deal honourably with vertue, if they com-
033.L54.048 pare her with money: And think that as
033.L54.049 money is not called base, till the allay exceed
033.L54.050 the pure; so they are vertuous enough, if
033.L54.051 they have enough to make their actions scur-
033.L54.052 rant, which is, if either they get praise, or
033.L54.053 (in a lower abasing) if they incurre not
033.L54.054 infamy or penalty. But you know who
033.L54.055 said, %1Angusta innocentia est ad legem bonum esse%2:
033.L54.056 which rule being given for positive Laws,
033.L54.057 severe mistakers apply even to Gods Law,
033.L54.058 and (perchance against his Command-
033.L54.059 ment) binde themselves to his Counsails,
033.L54.060 beyond his Laws. But they are worse, that
033.L54.061 thinke that because some men formerly
033.L54.062 wastfull, live better with half their rents
033.L54.063 then they did with all, being now advanta-[CW:ged]
033.L54.064 ged with discretion and experience, there- [p.99]
033.L54.065 fore our times need lesse moral vertue then
033.L54.066 the first, because we have Christianity,
033.L54.067 which is the use and application of all ver-
033.L54.068 tue: as though our religion were but an art
033.L54.069 of thrift, to make a little vertue go far. For
033.L54.070 as plentifull springs are fittest, and best be-
033.L54.071 come large Aqueducts, so doth much vertue
033.L54.072 such afteward and officer as a Christian. But
033.L54.073 I must not give you a Homily for a Letter. I
033.L54.074 said a great while since, that custome made
033.L54.075 men like; we who have been accustomed
033.L54.076 to one another are like in this, that we love
033.L54.077 not businesse: this therefore shall not be
033.L54.078 to you nor me a busie Letter. I end with a
033.L54.079 probleme, whose errand is, to aske for his
033.L54.080 fellowes. I pray before you ingulfe your
033.L54.081 self in the progresse, leave them for me, and
033.L54.082 such other of my papers as you will lend
033.L54.083 me till you return. And besides this Alle-
033.L54.084 goricall lending, lend me truely your coun-
033.L54.085 sails, and love God and me, whilest I love
033.L54.086 him and you.[CW:%1To%2]
033.L54.0DL om
033.L54.0SS om

034.L54.0HE %1To my very true and very good friend%2
034.L54.0HE %1Sir%2 Henry Goodere.
034.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
034.L54.001 A%+T some later reading, I was more af-
034.L54.002 fected with that part of your Letter,
034.L54.003 which is of the book, and the namelesse
034.L54.004 Letters, then at first. I am not sorry, for
034.L54.005 that affection were for a jealousie or suspici-
034.L54.006 on of a flexibilty in you. But I am angry,
034.L54.007 that any should think, you had in your Re-
034.L54.008 ligion peccant humours, defective, or
034.L54.009 abundant, or that such a booke, (if
034.L54.010 I mistake it not) should be able to work
034.L54.011 upon you; my comfort is, that their judg-
034.L54.012 ment is too weak to endanger you, since
034.L54.013 by this is confesses, that it mistakes you, in
034.L54.014 thinking you irresolved or various: yet let
034.L54.015 me be bold to fear, that that sound true opi-
034.L54.016 nion, that in all Christian professions there
034.L54.017 is way to salvation (which I think you
034.L54.018 think) may have been so incommodiously
034.L54.019 or intempestively sometimes uttered by
034.L54.020 you; or else your having friends equally [cw:near]
034.L54.021 near you of all the impresssions of Religion, [p.101]
034.L54.022 may have testified such an indifferency, as
034.L54.023 hath occasioned some to further such incli-
034.L54.024 nations, as they have mistaken to be in you.
034.L54.025 This I have feared, because hertofore the in-
034.L54.026 obedient Puritans, and now the over-obe-
034.L54.027 dient Papists attempt you. It hath hurt ve-
034.L54.028 ry many, not in their conscience, nor ends,
034.L54.029 but in their reputation, and ways, that o-
034.L54.030 thers have thought them fit to be wrought
034.L54.031 upon. As some bodies are as wholesomly
034.L54.032 nourished as ours, with Akornes, and en-
034.L54.033 dure nakednesse, both which would be
034.L54.034 dangerous to us, if we for them should leave
034.L54.035 our former habits, though theirs were the
034.L54.036 Primitive diet and custome: so are many
034.L54.037 souls well fed with such formes, and dres-
034.L54.038 sings of Religion, as would distemper and
034.L54.039 misbecome us, and make us corrupt to-
034.L54.040 wards God, if any humane circumstance
034.L54.041 moved it, and in the opinion of men,
034.L54.042 though none. You shall seldome see a
034.L54.043 Coyne, upon which the stamp were re-
034.L54.044 moved, though to imprint it better, but it [cw:looks]
034.L54.045 looks awry and squint. And so, for the [p.102]
034.L54.046 most part, do mindes which have received
034.L54.047 divers impressions. I will not, nor need to
034.L54.048 you, compare the Religions. The channels
034.L54.049 of Gods mercies run through both fields;
034.L54.050 and they are sister teats of his graces, yet both
034.L54.051 diseased and infected, but not both alike.
034.L54.052 And I think, that as %1Copernicisme%2 in the Ma-
034.L54.053 thematiques hath carried earth farther up,
034.L54.054 from the stupid Center; and yet not ho-
034.L54.055 noured it, nor advantaged it, because for the
034.L54.056 necessity of appearances, it hath carried
034.L54.057 heaven so much higher from it: so the %1Roman%2
034.L54.058 profession seems to exhale, and refine our
034.L54.059 wills from earthly Drugs, and Lees, more
034.L54.060 then the Reformed, and so seems to bring
034.L54.061 us nearer heaven; but then that carries
034.L54.062 heaven farther from us, by making us pass
034.L54.063 so many Courts, and Offices of Saints in
034.L54.064 this life, in all our petitions, and lying in a
034.L54.065 painfull prison in the next, during the plea-
034.L54.066 sure, not of him to whom we go, and who
034.L54.067 must be our Judge, but of them from
034.L54.068 whom we come, who know not our case. [cw:Sir]
034.L54.069 Sir, as I said last time, labour to keep your [p.103]
034.L54.070 alacrity and dignity, in an even temper:
034.L54.071 for in a dark sadnesse, indifferent things
034.L54.072 seem abominable, or necessary, being nei-
034.L54.073 ther; as trees, and sheep to melancholique
034.L54.074 night-walkers have unproper shapes. And
034.L54.075 when you descend to satisfie all men in
034.L54.076 your own religion, or to excuse others to al;
034.L54.077 you prostitute your self and your under-
034.L54.078 standing, though not a prey, yet a mark,
034.L54.079 and a hope, and a subject, for every sophi-
034.L54.080 ster in Religion to work on. For the other
034.L54.081 part of your Letter, spent in the praise of
034.L54.082 the Countesse, I am always very apt to be-
034.L54.083 leeve it of her, and can never beleeve it so
034.L54.084 well, and so reasonably, as now, when it
034.L54.085 is averred by you; but for the expressing
034.L54.086 it to her, in that sort as you seem to coun-
034.L54.087 saile, I have these two reasons to decline it.
034.L54.088 That that knowledge which she hath of
034.L54.089 me, was in the beginning of a graver course,
034.L54.090 then of a Poet, into which (that I may al-
034.L54.091 so keep my dignity) I would not seem to
034.L54.092 relapse. The Spanish proverb informes [cw:me,]
034.L54.093 me, that he is a fool which cannot make [p.104]
034.L54.094 one Sonnet, and he is mad which makes
034.L54.095 two. The other stronger reason, is my in-
034.L54.096 tegrity to the other Countesse, of whose
034.L54.097 worthinesse though I swallowed your opi-
034.L54.098 nion at first upon your words, yet I have
034.L54.099 had since an explicit faith, and now a
034.L54.100 knowledge: and for her delight (since she
034.L54.101 descends to them) I had reserved not only
034.L54.102 all the verses, which I should make, but all
034.L54.103 the thoughts of womens worthinesse. But
034.L54.104 because I hope she will not disdain, that I
034.L54.105 should write well of her Picture, I have o-
034.L54.106 beyed you thus far, as to write: but intreat
034.L54.107 you by your friendship, that by this occasi-
034.L54.108 on of versifying, I be not traduced, nor
034.L54.109 esteemed light in that Tribe, and that house
034.L54.110 where I have lived. If those reasons which
034.L54.111 moved you to bid me write be not con-
034.L54.112 stant in you still, or if you meant not that I
034.L54.113 should write verses; of if these verses be too
034.L54.114 bad, or too good, over or under her under-
034.L54.115 standing, and not fit; I pray receive them,
034.L54.116 as a companion and supplement of this [cw:Letter]
034.L54.117 Letter to you; and as such a token as I use [p.105]
034.L54.118 to send, which use, because I wish rather
034.L54.119 they should serve (except you wish other-
034.L54.120 wise) I send no other; but after I have told
034.L54.121 you, that here at a Christning at %1Peckam%2, you
034.L54.122 are remembred by divers of ours, and I
034.L54.123 commanded to you so, I kisse your
034.L54.124 hands, and so seal to you my pure love,
034.L54.125 which I would not refuse to do by any la-
034.L54.126 bour or danger.
034.L54.0DL om
034.L54.0SS %1Your very true friend and servant%2
034.L54.0SS J. Donne.

035.L54.0HE %1To S%2%5r%6 G. M.
035.L54.Sal om
035.L54.001 I%+F you were here, you would not think
035.L54.002 me importune, if I bid you good mor-
035.L54.003 row every day; and such a patience will ex-
035.L54.004 cuse my often Letters. No other kinde of
035.L54.005 conveyance is better for knowledge, or
035.L54.006 love: What treasures of Morall knowledge
035.L54.007 are in %1Senecaes%2 Letters to onely one %1Lucilius%2?
035.L54.008 and what of Naturall in %1Plinies%2? how much
035.L54.009 of the storie of the time, is in %1Ciceroes%2 Let- [cw:ters?]
035.L54.010 ters? And how all of these times, in the [p.106]
035.L54.011 Jesuites Eastern and Western Epistles?
035.L54.012 where can we finde so perfect a Character
035.L54.013 of %1Phalaris%2, as in his own Letters, which
035.L54.014 are almost so many writs of Execution? Or
035.L54.015 of %1Brutus%2, as in his privie seals for monie?
035.L54.016 The Evangiles and Acts, teach us what to
035.L54.017 beleeve, but the Epistles of the Apostles
035.L54.018 what to do. And those who have endeavou-
035.L54.019 red to dignifie %1Seneca%2 above his worth, have
035.L54.020 no way fitter, then to imagine Letters be-
035.L54.021 tween him and S. %1Paul%2. As they think also
035.L54.022 that they have expressed an excellent person,
035.L54.023 in that Letter which they obtrude, from
035.L54.024 our B. Saviour to King %1Agabarus%2. The Ita-
035.L54.025 lians, which are most discursive, and think
035.L54.026 the world owes them all wisdome, abound
035.L54.027 so much in this kinde of expressing, that
035.L54.028 %1Michel Montaigne%2 saies, he hath seen, (as I re-
035.L54.029 member) 400 volumes of Italian Letters.
035.L54.030 But it is the other capacity which must
035.L54.031 make mine acceptable, that they are also
035.L54.032 the best conveyors of love. But, though
035.L54.033 all knowledge be in those Authors already, [cw:yet,]
035.L54.034 yet, as some poisons, and some medicines, [p.107]
035.L54.035 hurt not, nor profit, except the creature in
035.L54.036 which they reside, contribute their lively
035.L54.037 activitie, and vigor; so, much of the know-
035.L54.038 ledge buried in Books perisheth, and be-
035.L54.039 comes ineffectuall, if it be not applied, and
035.L54.040 refreshed by a companion, or friend. Much
035.L54.041 of their goodnesse, hath the same period,
035.L54.042 which some Physicians of %1Italy%2 have ob-
035.L54.043 served to be in the biting of their %1Tarentola%2,
035.L54.044 that it affects no longer, then the flie lives.
035.L54.045 For with how much desire we read the pa-
035.L54.046 pers of any living now, (especially friends)
035.L54.047 which we would scarce allow a boxe in
035.L54.048 our cabinet, or shelf in our Library, if they
035.L54.049 were dead? And we do justly in it, for the
035.L54.050 writings and words of men present, we
035.L54.051 may examine, controll, and expostulate,
035.L54.052 and receive satisfaction from the authors;
035.L54.053 but the other we must beleeve, or discredit;
035.L54.054 they present no mean. Since then at this
035.L54.055 time, I am upon the stage, you may be con-
035.L54.056 tent to hear me. And now that perchance I
035.L54.057 have brought you to it, (as %1Thom. Badger%2 did [cw:the]
035.L54.058 the King) now I have nothing to say. And [p.108]
035.L54.059 it is well, for the Letter is already long e-
035.L54.060 nough, else let this probleme supply, which
035.L54.061 was occasioned by you, of women wea-
035.L54.062 ring stones; which, it seems, you were
035.L54.063 afraid women should read, because you
035.L54.064 avert them at the beginning, with a prote-
035.L54.065 station of cleanlinesse. %1Martiall%2 found no
035.L54.066 way fitter to draw the Roman Matrons to
035.L54.067 read one of his Books, which he thinks
035.L54.068 most morall and cleanly, then to counsell
035.L54.069 them by the first Epigram to skip the Book,
035.L54.070 because it was obscene. But either you
035.L54.071 write not at all for women, or for those of
035.L54.072 sincerer palates. Though their unworthi-
035.L54.073 nesse, and your own ease be advocates for
035.L54.074 me with you, yet I must adde my entreaty,
035.L54.075 that you let goe no copy of my Problems,
035.L54.076 till I review them. If it be too late, at least
035.L54.077 be able to tell me who hath them.
035.L54.0DL om
035.L54.0SS %1Yours,%2
035.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

036.L54.0HE %1To S%2%5r%6 H. G.
036.L54.Sal om
036.L54.001 I%+ Send not my Letters as tribute, nor inte-
036.L54.002 rest, not recompense, nor for commerce,
036.L54.003 nor as testimonials of my love, nor provo-
036.L54.004 kers of yours, nor to justifie my custome of
036.L54.005 writing, nor for a vent and utterance of my
036.L54.006 meditations; for my Letters are either a-
036.L54.007 bove or under all such offices; yet I write
036.L54.008 very affectionately, and I chide and accuse
036.L54.009 my self of diminishing that affection which
036.L54.010 sends them, when I ask my self why: one-
036.L54.011 ly I am sure that I desire that you might
036.L54.012 have in your hands Letters of mine of all
036.L54.013 kindes, as conveyances and deliverers of me
036.L54.014 to you, whether you accept me as a friend,
036.L54.015 or as a patient, or as a penitent, or as a
036.L54.016 beadsman, for I decline no jurisdiction,
036.L54.017 or refuse any tenure. I would not open any
036.L54.018 doore upon you, but look in when you
036.L54.019 open it. Angels have not, nor affect not
036.L54.020 other knowledge of one another, then they
036.L54.021 lift to reveal to one another. It is then in
036.L54.022 this onely, that friends are Angels, that they[CW:are]
036.L54.023 are capable and fit for such revelations [p.110]
036.L54.024 when they are offered. If at any time I
036.L54.025 seem to studie you more inquisitively, it is
036.L54.026 for no other end but to know how to pre-
036.L54.027 sent you to God in my prayers, and what
036.L54.028 to ask of him for you; for even that holy
036.L54.029 exercise may not be done inopportunely, no
036.L54.030 nor importunely. I finde little errour in
036.L54.031 that Grecians counsell, who saies, If thou
036.L54.032 ask any think of God, offer no sacrifice, nor
036.L54.033 ask elegantly, nor vehemently, but remem-
036.L54.034 ber that thou wouldest not give to such an
036.L54.035 asker: Nor in his other Countriman, who
036.L54.036 affirms sacrifice of blood to be so unpro-
036.L54.037 portionable to God, that perfumes, though
036.L54.038 much more spirituall, are too grosse. Yea
036.L54.039 words which are our subtillest and delica-
036.L54.040 test outward creatures, being composed of
036.L54.041 thoughts and breath, are so muddie, so
036.L54.042 thick, that our thoughts themselves are so,
036.L54.043 because (except at the first rising) they are
036.L54.044 ever leavened with passions and affections:
036.L54.045 And that advantage of nearer familiarity
036.L54.046 with God, which the act of incarnation[CW:gave]
036.L54.047 gave us, is grounded upon Gods assu- [p.111]
036.L54.048 ming us, not our going to him. And, our
036.L54.049 accesses to his presence are but his descents
036.L54.050 into us; and when we get any thing by
036.L54.051 prayer, he gave us before hand the thing
036.L54.052 and the petition. For, I scarce think any
036.L54.053 ineffectuall prayer free from both sin, and
036.L54.054 the punishment of sin: yet as God seposed
036.L54.055 a seventh of our time for his exterior wor-
036.L54.056 ship, and as his Christian Church early
036.L54.057 presented him a type of the whole year in a
036.L54.058 Lent, and after imposed the obligation of
036.L54.059 canonique hours, constituting thereby mo-
036.L54.060 rall Sabbaths every day; I am farre from
036.L54.061 dehorting those fixed devotions: But I
036.L54.062 had rather it were bestowed upon thanks-
036.L54.063 giving then petition, upon praise then pray-
036.L54.064 er; not that God is indeared by that, or
036.L54.065 wearied by this; all is one in the receiver,
036.L54.066 but not in the sender: and thanks doth
036.L54.067 both offices; for, nothing doth so inno-
036.L54.068 cently provoke new graces, as gratitude. I
036.L54.069 would also rather make short prayers then
036.L54.070 extend them, though God can neither be[CW:sur]
036.L54.071 surprised, nor besieged; for, long prayers [p.112]
036.L54.072 have more of the man, as ambition of elo-
036.L54.073 quence, and a complacencie in the work,
036.L54.074 and more of the Devil by often distracti-
036.L54.075 ons: for, after in the beginning we have
036.L54.076 well intreated God to hearken, we speak no
036.L54.077 more to him. Even this Letter is some ex-
036.L54.078 ample of such infirmitie, which being in-
036.L54.079 tended for a Letter, is extended and strayed
036.L54.080 into a Homilie. And whatsoever is not
036.L54.081 what it was purposed, is worse, therefore
036.L54.082 it shall at last end like a Letter by assuring
036.L54.083 you I am
036.L54.0DL om
036.L54.0SS om

037.L54.0HE %1To your selfe%2.
037.L54.Sal SIR,
037.L54.001 S%+Ir %1Germander Pool%2, your noble friend and
037.L54.002 fellow in Armes, hath been at this
037.L54.003 house. I finde by their diligent inquiring
037.L54.004 from me, that he hath assured them that he
037.L54.005 hath much advanced your proceeding, by
037.L54.006 his resignation; but cooled them again
037.L54.007 with this, that the L. %1Spencer%2 pretends in [cw:his]
037.L54.008 his room. I never feared his, nor any mans [p.113]
037.L54.009 diligence in that; I feared onely your re-
037.L54.010 misnesse, because you have a fortune that
037.L54.011 can endure, and a nature that can almost
037.L54.012 be content to misse. But I had rather you
037.L54.013 exercised your Philosophy and evennesse in
037.L54.014 some things else. He hath not nothing
037.L54.015 which falls cleanly and harmelesly; but he
037.L54.016 wrastles better which stands. I know you
037.L54.017 can easily forgive your self any negligences
037.L54.018 and slacknesses, but I am glad that you are
037.L54.019 ingaged to so many friends, who either by
037.L54.020 your self, or fame have knowledge of it.
037.L54.021 In all the rest of them there is a worthinesse,
037.L54.022 and in me a love which deserves to be sa-
037.L54.023 tisfied. In this therefore, as you are forward
037.L54.024 in all things else, be content to do more for
037.L54.025 your friends then you would for your self;
037.L54.026 endevour it, that is effect it.
037.L54.0DL %1Tuesday%2.
037.L54.0SS %1Your very true friend and lover%2
037.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

038.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
038.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
038.L54.001 I%+N the History or style of friendship,
038.L54.002 which is best written both in deeds and
038.L54.003 words, a Letter which is of a mixed nature,
038.L54.004 and hath something of both, is a mixed Pa-
038.L54.005 renthesis: It may be left out, yet it contri-
038.L54.006 butes, though not to the being, yet to the
038.L54.007 verdure, and freshnesse thereof. Letters
038.L54.008 have truly the same office, as oaths. As these
038.L54.009 amongst light and empty men, are but fil-
038.L54.010 lings, and pauses, and interjections; but
038.L54.011 with weightier, they are sad attestations: So
038.L54.012 are Letters to some complement, and obli-
038.L54.013 gation to others. For mine, as I never au-
038.L54.014 thorized my servant to lie in my behalfe,
038.L54.015 (for if it were officious in him, it might be
038.L54.016 worse in me) so I allow my Letters much
038.L54.017 lesse that civill dishonesty, both because they
038.L54.018 go from me more considerately, and be
038.L54.019 cause they are permanent; for in them I may
038.L54.020 speak to you in your chamber a year hence
038.L54.021 before I know not whom, and not hear my[CW:self.]
038.L54.022 self. They shall therefore ever keep the sin- [p.115]
038.L54.023 cerity and intemeratenesse of the fountain,
038.L54.024 whence they are derived. And as whereso-
038.L54.025 ever these leaves fall, the root is in my heart,
038.L54.026 so shall they, as that sucks good affections
038.L54.027 towards you there, have ever true impressi
038.L54.028 ons thereof. Thus much information is
038.L54.029 in very leaves, that they can tell what the
038.L54.030 tree is, and these can tell you I am a friend,
038.L54.031 and an honest man. Of what generall use,
038.L54.032 the fruit should speake, and I have none:
038.L54.033 and of what particular profit to you, your
038.L54.034 application and experimenting should tell
038.L54.035 you, and you can make none of such a no-
038.L54.036 thing; yet even of barren Sycamores, such
038.L54.037 as I, there were use, if either any light flash-
038.L54.038 ings, or scorching vehemencies, or sudden
038.L54.039 showres made you need so shadowy an
038.L54.040 example or remembrancer. But (Sir) your
038.L54.041 fortune and minde do you this happy in-
038.L54.042 jury, that they make all kinde of fruits use-
038.L54.043 lesse unto you; Therefore I have placed
038.L54.044 my love wisely where I need communicate
038.L54.045 nothing. All this, though perchance you[CW:read]
038.L54.046 read it not till Michaelmas, was told you at [p.116]
038.L54.047 %1Micham%2, 15. %1August%2. 1607.
038.L54.0DL om
038.L54.0SS om

039.L54.0HE %1To my most worthy friend Sir%2 Henry Goodere.
039.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
039.L54.001 B%+ecause evennesse conduces as much to
039.L54.002 strength and firmnesse as greatnesse
039.L54.003 doth, I would not discontinue my course
039.L54.004 of writing. It is a sacrifice, which though
039.L54.005 friends need not, friendship doth; which
039.L54.006 hath in it so much divinity, that as we must
039.L54.007 be ever equally disposed inwardly so to
039.L54.008 doe or suffer for it, so we must sepose some
039.L54.009 certain times for the outward service there-
039.L54.010 of, though it be but formall and testimoni-
039.L54.011 all: that time to me towards you is Tuesday,
039.L54.012 and my Temple, the Rose in Smith-field.
039.L54.013 If I were by your appointment your Refe-
039.L54.014 rendarie for news, I should write but short
039.L54.015 Letters, because the times are barren. The
039.L54.016 low Countries, which used to be the Mart
039.L54.017 of news for this season, suffering also, or ra-
039.L54.018 ther enjoying a vacation. Since therefore I [cw:am]
039.L54.019 am but mine own Secretary (and what's [p.117]
039.L54.020 that?) I were excusable if I writ nothing,
039.L54.021 since I am so: Besides that, your much
039.L54.022 knowledge brings you this disadvantage,
039.L54.023 that as stomachs accustomed to delicacies,
039.L54.024 finde nothing new or pleasing to
039.L54.025 them when they are sick; so you can hear
039.L54.026 nothing from me (though the Countrey
039.L54.027 perchance make you hungry) which you
039.L54.028 know not. Therefore in stead of a Letter to
039.L54.029 you, I send you one to another, to the best
039.L54.030 Lady, who did me the honour to acknow-
039.L54.031 ledge the receit of one of mine, by one of
039.L54.032 hers; and who only hath power to cast
039.L54.033 the fetters of verse upon my free meditati-
039.L54.034 ons: It should give you some delight, and
039.L54.035 some comfort, because you are the first
039.L54.036 which see it, and it is the last which you
039.L54.037 shall see of this kinde from me.
039.L54.0DL Micham %1the%2/ 14 August.
039.L54.0SS %1Your very affectionate lover and servant%2
039.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

040.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 I. H.
040.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
040.L54.001 I%+ Would not omit this, not Commodity,
040.L54.002 but Advantage of writing to you. This
040.L54.003 emptinesse in London, dignifies any Letter
040.L54.004 from hence, as in the seasons, earlinesse and
040.L54.005 latenesse, makes the sowrenesse, and after
040.L54.006 the sweetnesse of fruits acceptable and gra-
040.L54.007 cious. We often excuse and advance mean
040.L54.008 Authors, by the age in which they lived,
040.L54.009 so will your love do this Letter; and you
040.L54.010 will tell your self, that if he which writ it
040.L54.011 knew wherein he might expresse his affecti-
040.L54.012 on, or any thing which might have made
040.L54.013 his Letter welcommer, he would have done
040.L54.014 it. As it is, you may accept it so, as we do
040.L54.015 many %1China%2 manufactures, of which
040.L54.016 when we know no use, yet we satisfie our
040.L54.017 curiosity in considering them, because we
040.L54.018 knew not how, nor of what matter they
040.L54.019 were made. Near great woods and quar-
040.L54.020 ies it is no wonder to see faire houses,
040.L54.021 but in %1Holland%1 which wants both, it is. [cw:So]
040.L54.022 So were it for me who am as farre removed [p.119]
040.L54.023 from Court, and knowledge of forein pas-
040.L54.024 sages, as this City is now from the face and
040.L54.025 furniture of a City, to build up a long Letter
040.L54.026 and to write of my self, were but to inclose
040.L54.027 a poor handfull of straw for a token in a
040.L54.028 Letter yet I will tell you, that I am at London
040.L54.029 onely to provide for Monday, when I
040.L54.030 shall use that favour which my Lady %1Bed%2-
040.L54.031 %1ford%2 hath afforded me, of giving her name
040.L54.032 to my daughter; which I mention to you,
040.L54.033 as well to shew that I covet any occasion of
040.L54.034 a gratefull speaking of her favours, as that,
040.L54.035 because I have thought the day is likely to
040.L54.036 bring you to London, I might tell you, that
040.L54.037 my poor house is in your way and you
040.L54.038 shall then finde such company, as (I think)
040.L54.039 you will not be loath to accompany to
040.L54.040 %1London%2.
040.L54.0DL 6 Aug. 1608.
040.L54.0SS %1Your very true friend%2
040.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

041.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. Wootton.
041.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
041.L54.001 T%+Hat which is at first but a visitation,
041.L54.002 and a civill office, comes quickly to
041.L54.003 be a haunting, and an uncivill importunity:
041.L54.004 my often writing might be subject to such
041.L54.005 a misinterpretation, if it were not to you,
041.L54.006 who as you know that the affection which
041.L54.007 suggests and dictates them, is ever one, and
041.L54.008 continuall, and uninterrupted; may be
041.L54.009 pleased to think my Letters so too, and that
041.L54.010 all the pieces make but one long Letter, and
041.L54.011 so I know you would not grudge to read
041.L54.012 any intire book of mine, at that pace, as
041.L54.013 you do my Letters, which is a leafe a week:
041.L54.014 especially such Letters as mine, which (per-
041.L54.015 chance out of the dulnesse of the place) are
041.L54.016 so empty of any relations, as that they op-
041.L54.017 presse not your meditations, nor discourse,
041.L54.018 nor memory. You know that for aire we
041.L54.019 are sure we apprehend and enjoy it, but
041.L54.020 when this aire is rarified into fire, we begin
041.L54.021 to dispute whether it be an element, or no: [cw:so]
041.L54.022 so when Letters have a convenient hand- [p.121]
041.L54.023 some body of news, they are Letters; but
041.L54.024 when they are spun out of nothing, they are
041.L54.025 nothing, or but apparitions, and ghosts,
041.L54.026 with such hollow sounds, as he that hears
041.L54.027 them, knows not what they said. You (I
041.L54.028 think) and I am much of one sect in the
041.L54.029 Philosophy of love; which though it be
041.L54.030 directed upon the minde, doth inhere in the
041.L54.031 body, and find piety entertainment there: so
041.L54.032 have Letters for their principall office, to be
041.L54.033 seals and testimonies of mutuall affection,
041.L54.034 but the materialls and fuell of them should
041.L54.035 be a confident and mutuall communicating
041.L54.036 of those things which we know. How
041.L54.037 shall I then who know nothing write Let-
041.L54.038 ters? Sir, I learn knowledge of enough out of
041.L54.039 yours to me. I learn that there is truth
041.L54.040 and firmnesse and an earnestnesse of doing
041.L54.041 good alive in the world; and therefore, since
041.L54.042 there is so good company in it, I have not
041.L54.043 so much desire to go out of it, as I had, if
041.L54.044 my fortune would afford me any room in
041.L54.045 it. You know I have been no coward, nor [cw:un-]
041.L54.046 unindustrious in attempting that; nor [p.122]
041.L54.047 will I give it over yet. If at last, I must
041.L54.048 confesse, that I dyed ten years ago,
041.L54.049 yet as the Primitive Church admitted
041.L54.050 some of the %1Jews%2 Ceremonies, nor for perpe-
041.L54.051 tuall use, but because they would bury the
041.L54.052 Synagogue honourably, though I dyed at a
041.L54.053 blow then when my courses were diverted,
041.L54.054 yet it will please me a little to have had a long
041.L54.055 funerall, and to have kept my self so long a-
041.L54.056 bove ground without putrefaction. But this
041.L54.057 is melancholique discourse; To change
041.L54.058 therefore from this Metaphoricall death to
041.L54.059 the true, and that with a little more relish
041.L54.060 of mirth, let me tell you the good nature of
041.L54.061 the executioneer of %1Paris%2: who when %1Vatan%2
041.L54.062 was beheaded, (who dying in the profes-
041.L54.063 sion of the Religion, had made his peace
041.L54.064 with God in the prison, and so said nothing
041.L54.065 at the place of execution) swore he had ra-
041.L54.066 ther execute forty Huguenots, then one
041.L54.067 Catholique, because the Huguenot used
041.L54.068 so few words, and troubled him so little,
041.L54.069 in respect of the dilatory ceremonies of the [cw:others]
041.L54.070 others, in dying. %1Cotton%2 the great Court Je- [p.123]
041.L54.071 suite hath so importuned the %1Q%2. to give
041.L54.072 some modifications to the late interlocuto-
041.L54.073 ry arrest against the Jesuits, that in his pre-
041.L54.074 sence, the C. %1Soisons%2, who had been present in
041.L54.075 the Court at the time of the arrest, and %1Ser-%2
041.L54.076 %1vin%2 the Kings Advocate, who urged it,
041.L54.077 and the Premier president, were sent for:
041.L54.078 They came so well provided with their
041.L54.079 books, out of which they assigned to the %1Q%2.
041.L54.080 so many, so evident places of seditious
041.L54.081 doctrine, that the %1Q%2. was well satisfied,
041.L54.082 that it was fit by all means to provide a-
041.L54.083 gainst the teaching of the like doctrine in
041.L54.084 %1France%2. The D. of %1Espernon%2 is come to %1Paris%2,
041.L54.085 with (they say) 600 horse in his train; all
041.L54.086 which company, came with him into the
041.L54.087 Court: which is an insolency remarkable
041.L54.088 here. They say that scarce any of the Princes
041.L54.089 appear in the streets, but with very great
041.L54.090 trains. No one enemy could wast the trea-
041.L54.091 sures of %1France%2 so much, as so many friends
041.L54.092 do: for the %1Q%2. dares scarce deny any, that so
041.L54.093 she may have the better leave to make haste [cw:to]
041.L54.094 to advance her Marquis of %1Ancre%2, of whose [p.124]
041.L54.095 greatnesse, for matter of command, or
041.L54.096 danger, they have no great fear, he being
041.L54.097 no very capable nor stirring man: and
041.L54.098 then for his drawing of great benefits from
041.L54.099 the %1Q%2. they make the use of it, that their
041.L54.100 suits passe with lesse opposition. I beleeve
041.L54.101 the treasure is scattered, because I see the
041.L54.102 future receipt charged with so very many
041.L54.103 and great pensions. The %1Q%2. hath adventu-
041.L54.104 red a little to stop this rage of the Princes
041.L54.105 importunity, by denying a late suit of %1Sois-%2
041.L54.106 %1sons%2: which though the other Princes
041.L54.107 grudge not that %1Soisson%2 should faile, for he
041.L54.108 hath drawn infinite sums already, yet they
041.L54.109 resent it somewhat tenderly, that any of
041.L54.110 them should be denyed, when the Marquis
041.L54.111 obtains. That which was much observed
041.L54.112 in the Kings more childish age, when I
041.L54.113 was last here, by those whom his father
041.L54.114 appointed to judge, by an assiduous obser-
041.L54.115 vation, his naturall inclination, is more and
041.L54.116 more confirmed, that his inclinations are
041.L54.117 cruell, and tyrannous; and when he is any [cw:any]
041.L54.118 way affected, his stammering is so ex- [p.125]
041.L54.119 treme, as he can utter nothing. They can-
041.L54.120 not draw him to look upon a son of the
041.L54.121 Marquis, whom they have put into his ser-
041.L54.122 vice. And he was so extremely affectionate
041.L54.123 towards the younger son of %1Beaufort%2, that
041.L54.124 they have removed him to a charge which
041.L54.125 he hath, as he is made Prieur of %1Malta%2; but
041.L54.126 yet there passe such Letters between them,
041.L54.127 by stealth and practise, as (though it be be-
041.L54.128 tween children) it is become a matter of
041.L54.129 State, and much diligence used to prevent
041.L54.130 the Letters. For the young Marquis of %1Ver-%2
041.L54.131 %1vueil%2, the K. speaks often of transplan-
041.L54.132 ting him into the Church, and once this
041.L54.133 Christmas delighted himself to see his
041.L54.134 young brother in a Cardinalls habit. Sir,
041.L54.135 it is time to take up, for I know, that any
041.L54.136 thing, from this place, as soon as it is cer-
041.L54.137 tain, is stale. I have been a great while
041.L54.138 more mannerly towards my Lady %1Bedford%2,
041.L54.139 then to trouble her with any of mine own
041.L54.140 verses, but having found these French ver-
041.L54.141 ses accompanied with a great deal of repu- [cw:tation]
041.L54.142 tation here, I could not forbear to aske her [p.126]
041.L54.143 leave to send them: I writ to you by M%5r%6.
041.L54.144 %1Pory%2 the 17 of %1Jan%2. here, and he carried that
041.L54.145 Letter to %1Paris%2, to gather news, like a snow-
041.L54.146 ball. He told me that %1Pindar%2 is gone to %1Con-%2
041.L54.147 %1stantinople%2 with Commission to remove and
041.L54.148 succeed %1Glover%2: I am afraid you have neg-
041.L54.149 lected that businesse. Continue me in M.
041.L54.150 %1Martins%2 good opinion: I know I shall ne-
041.L54.151 ver fall from it, by any demerit of mine, and
041.L54.152 I know I need not fear it, out of any slack-
041.L54.153 nesse or slipperinesse in him, but much bu-
041.L54.154 sinesse may strangle me in him. When it
041.L54.155 shall not trouble you to write to me, I pray
041.L54.156 do me the favour to tell me, how many you
041.L54.157 have received from me, for I have now
041.L54.158 much just reason to imagine, that some of
041.L54.159 my Pacquets have had more honour then
041.L54.160 I wished them: which is to be delivered
041.L54.161 into the hands of greater personages, then I
041.L54.162 addressed them unto. Hold me still in your
041.L54.163 own love, and proceed in that noble testi-
041.L54.164 mony of it, of which your Letter by M.
041.L54.165 %1Pory%2 spoke, (which is the only Letter that [cw:I]
041.L54.166 I have received, since I came away) and [p.127]
041.L54.167 beleeve me that I shall ever with much af-
041.L54.168 fection, and much devotion joine both
041.L54.169 your fortune and you last best happinesse,
041.L54.170 with the desire of mine own in all my ci-
041.L54.171 vill, and divine wishes, as the only retri-
041.L54.172 bution in the power of
041.L54.0DL om
041.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate servant%2
041.L54.0SS Jo. Donne.

042.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 H. Goodere.
042.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
042.L54.001 I%+F I would go out of my way for excuses,
042.L54.002 or if I did not go out of my way from
042.L54.003 them; I might avoid writing now because
042.L54.004 I cannot chuse but know, that you have in
042.L54.005 this town abler servants, and better under-
042.L54.006 standing the persons and passages of this
042.L54.007 Court. But my hope is not in the applica-
042.L54.008 tion of other mens merits, to me however
042.L54.009 abundant. Besides, this town hath since our
042.L54.010 comming hither, afforded enough for all
042.L54.011 to say. That which was done here the 25
042.L54.012 of %1March%2, and which was so long called a [cw:pub-]
042.L54.013 publication of the marriages, was no o- [p.128]
042.L54.014 therwise publique then that the Spa. Ambas-
042.L54.015 sador, having that day an audience delive-
042.L54.016 red to the Queen that his Master was well
042.L54.017 pleased with all those particulars which had
042.L54.018 been formerly treated. And the French Am-
042.L54.019 bassador in %1Spain%2 is said to have had in-
042.L54.020 struction, to do the same office in that
042.L54.021 Court, the same day. Since that, that is to
042.L54.022 say, these 4 days, it hath been solemni-
042.L54.023 zed with more outward bravery then this
042.L54.024 Court is remembred to have appeared in.
042.L54.025 The main bravery was the number of
042.L54.026 horses which were above 800 Caparazond.
042.L54.027 Before the daies, the town was full of the
042.L54.028 5 Challengers cartells, full of Rodomonta-
042.L54.029 des: but in the execution, there were no
042.L54.030 personall reencounters, nor other triall of
042.L54.031 any ability, then running at the Quintain,
042.L54.032 and the Ring. Other particulars of this, you
042.L54.033 cannot chuse but hear too much, since at this
042.L54.034 time there come to you so many French men.
042.L54.035 But lest you should beleeve too much, I
042.L54.036 present you these 2 precautions, that for their [cw:Geu]
042.L54.037 Gendarmery, there was no other trial then I [p.129]
042.L54.038 told you; & for their bravery, no true stuffe.
042.L54.039 You must of necessity have heard often
042.L54.040 of a Book written against the Popes juris-
042.L54.041 diction, about three moneths since, by one
042.L54.042 %1Richer%2, a D%5r%6 and Syndique of the Sorbonists,
042.L54.043 which Book hath now been censured by
042.L54.044 an assembly of the Clergie of this Archbi-
042.L54.045 shoprick, promoved with so much dili-
042.L54.046 gence by the Cardinall %1Peroun%2, that for this
042.L54.047 businesse he hath intermitted his replie to
042.L54.048 the Kings answer, which now he retires to
042.L54.049 intend seriously: I have not yet had the ho-
042.L54.050 nour to kisse his Graces hand, though I
042.L54.051 have received some half-invitations to do
042.L54.052 it. %1Richer%2 was first accused to the Parlia-
042.L54.053 ment, but when it was there required of
042.L54.054 his delators to insist upon some propositi-
042.L54.055 ons in his Book, which were either against
042.L54.056 Scripture, or the Gallican Church, they de-
042.L54.057 sisted in that pursuit. But in the censure
042.L54.058 which the Clergie hath made, though it be
042.L54.059 full of modifications and reservations of
042.L54.060 the rights of the King, and the Gallican [cw:Chur-]
042.L54.061 Churches, there is this iniquitie, that being [p.130]
042.L54.062 to be published by commandement of the
042.L54.063 Assembly, in all the Churches of %1Paris%2,
042.L54.064 which is within that Diocese, and almost
042.L54.065 all the Curates of the Parishes of %1Paris%2 be-
042.L54.066 ing Sorbonists, there is by this means a
042.L54.067 strong party of the Sorbonists themselves
042.L54.068 raised against %1Richer%2; yet against this cen-
042.L54.069 sure, and against three or four which have
042.L54.070 opposed %1Richer%2 in print, he meditates an an-
042.L54.071 swer. Before it should come forth I desired
042.L54.072 to speake with him, for I had said to some
042.L54.073 of the Sorbonist of his party, that there was
042.L54.074 no proposition in his Book, which I could
042.L54.075 not shew in Catholique authors of 300
042.L54.076 years: I had from him an assignation to
042.L54.077 meet, and at the hour he sent me his excuse,
042.L54.078 which was, that he had been traduced to
042.L54.079 have had conference with the Ambassadors
042.L54.080 of %1England%2; and the States, and with the D.
042.L54.081 of %1Bouillon%2, and that he had accepted a pen-
042.L54.082 sion of the King of %1England%2; and withall,
042.L54.083 that it had been very well testified to him
042.L54.084 that day, that the Jesuits had offered to cor- [cw:rupt]
042.L54.085 rupt men with rewards to kill him. Which [p.131]
042.L54.086 I doubt not but he apprehended for true,
042.L54.087 because a messenger whom I sent to fixe
042.L54.088 another time of meeting with him, found
042.L54.089 him in an extreme trembling, and irreso-
042.L54.090 lutions: so that I had no more, but an in-
042.L54.091 treaty to forbear comming to his house, or
042.L54.092 drawing him out of it, till it might be
042.L54.093 without danger or observation. They of
042.L54.094 the Religion held a Synod at this time in
042.L54.095 this Town, in which the principall busi-
042.L54.096 nesse is to rectifie, or at least to mature,
042.L54.097 against their Provinciall Synod, which
042.L54.098 shall be held in %1May%2, certain opinions of %1Ti-%2
042.L54.099 %1lenus%2 a Divine of %1Sedan%2, with which the
042.L54.100 Churches of %1France%2 are scandalized. The
042.L54.101 chief point is, Whether our salvation be to
042.L54.102 be attributed to the passive merit of Christ,
042.L54.103 which is his death, or to his active also,
042.L54.104 which is his fulfilling of the Law. But I
042.L54.105 doubt not but that will be well composed,
042.L54.106 if %1Tilenus%2 who is here in person with two
042.L54.107 other assistants, bring any disposition to
042.L54.108 submit himself to the Synod, and not onely [cw:to]
042.L54.109 to dispute. I doe (I thank God) naturally [p.132]
042.L54.110 and heartily abhorre all schism in Religion
042.L54.111 so much, as, I protest, I am sorry to finde
042.L54.112 this appearance of schism amongst our ad-
042.L54.113 versaries the Sorbonists; for I had rather
042.L54.114 they had held together, to have made a head
042.L54.115 against the usurpations of the Ro. Church,
042.L54.116 then that their disuniting should so enfeeble
042.L54.117 them, as that the Parliament should be left
042.L54.118 alone to stand against those tyrannies. Sir,
042.L54.119 you will pardon my extravagancies in these
042.L54.120 relations. I look upon nothing so intentive-
042.L54.121 ly as these things, nor fals there any thing
042.L54.122 within my knowledge, which I would
042.L54.123 conceal from you Though it concern not
042.L54.124 you to know it, yet me thinks it concerns
042.L54.125 me to tell it. That %1Cook%2 of which you writ
042.L54.126 to me, is come hither, and hath brought me
042.L54.127 other Letters, but not those of which you
042.L54.128 writ to me, which pacquet, he saies, you
042.L54.129 received again of him; whether by his fals-
042.L54.130 hood, or by your diligence in seeking a
042.L54.131 worthier messenger, I know not; but I am
042.L54.132 sure I never lost any thing with more sor- [cw:row,]
042.L54.133 row, because I am thereby left still in uncer- [p.133]
042.L54.134 tainties, and irresolutions, of that which I
042.L54.135 desire much to know in womens busines-
042.L54.136 ses. If you write this way any more, chuse
042.L54.137 no other means, then by Mr Bruer at the
042.L54.138 Queens Arms a Mercer in %1Cheapside%2: he
042.L54.139 shall alwaies know where we are, and we
042.L54.140 are yet in a purpose to go from hence with-
042.L54.141 in a fortnight, and dispose our selves to be
042.L54.142 at %1Frankford%2 the 25 of %1May%2, when the electi-
042.L54.143 on of the Emperour shall be there. Though
042.L54.144 I be meerly passive in all this pilgrimage,
042.L54.145 yet I shall be willing to advance that de-
042.L54.146 sign; because upon my promise that I
042.L54.147 would doe so, Sir %1Rob%2. %1Rich%2 gave me his,
042.L54.148 that he would divert from his way to %1Italy%2
042.L54.149 so much, as to be there then. When I came
042.L54.150 to this Town I found M%5r%6 %1Matthew%2, diligent
042.L54.151 to finde a means to write to you; so that at
042.L54.152 this time, when there go so many, I cannot
042.L54.153 doubt but he provides himself, therefore I
042.L54.154 did not ask his commandement, nor offer
042.L54.155 him the service of this Pacquet. Sir, you
042.L54.156 are not evener to your self, in your most [cw:gene-]
042.L54.157 generall wishes of you own good, then I [p.134]
042.L54.158 am in my particular, of which none rises
042.L54.159 in me, that is not bent upon your enjoying
042.L54.160 of peace and reposednesse in your fortunes,
042.L54.161 in your affections, and in your conscience;
042.L54.162 more then which I know not how to
042.L54.163 wish to
042.L54.0DL Paris %1the%2 9 Apr./ 1612. %1here%2.
042.L54.0SS %1Your very affectionate servant and%2
042.L54.0SS %1lover%2 J. Donne.

043.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. Wotton.
043.L54.0HE Octob. %1the%2 4%5th%6 1622. %1almost ad midnight%2.
043.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
043.L54.001 A%+LL our moralities are but our out-
043.L54.002 works, our Christianity is our Citadel;
043.L54.003 a man who considers duty but the dignity
043.L54.004 of his being a man, is not easily beat from
043.L54.005 his outworks, but from his Christianity
043.L54.006 never; and therefore I dare trust you, who
043.L54.007 contemplates them both. Every distem-
043.L54.008 per of the body now, is complicated with
043.L54.009 the spleen, and when we were young men [CW:we]
043.L54.010 we scarce ever heard of the spleen. In our [p.135]
043.L54.011 declinations now, every accident is accom-
043.L54.012 panied with heavy clouds of melancholy;
043.L54.013 and in our youth we never admitted any. It
043.L54.014 is the spleen of the minde, and we are affe-
043.L54.015 cted with vapors from thence; yet truly,
043.L54.016 even this sadnesse that overtakes us, and this
043.L54.017 yeelding to the sadnesse, is not so vehement
043.L54.018 a poison (though it be no Physick neither)
043.L54.019 as those false waies, in which we sought
043.L54.020 our comforts in our looser daies. You are
043.L54.021 able to make rules to your self, and our
043.L54.022 B. Saviour continue to you an ability to
043.L54.023 keep within those rules. And this particu-
043.L54.024 lar occasion of your present sadnesse must
043.L54.025 be helped by the rule, for, for examples you
043.L54.026 will scarce finde any, scarce any that is not
043.L54.027 encombred and distressed in his fortunes.
043.L54.028 I had locked my self, sealed and secured my
043.L54.029 self against all possibilities of falling into
043.L54.030 new debts, and in good faith, this year hath
043.L54.031 thrown me 400%5l%6 lower then when I entred
043.L54.032 this house. I am a Father as well as you,
043.L54.033 and of children (I humbly thank God) of [CW:as]
043.L54.034 as good dispositions; and in saying so, I [p.136]
043.L54.035 make account that I have taken my com-
043.L54.036 parison as high as I could goe; for in good
043.L54.037 faith, I beleeve yours to be so: but as those
043.L54.038 my daughters (who are capable of such
043.L54.039 considerations) cannot but see my desire
043.L54.040 to accommodate them in this world, so I
043.L54.041 think they will not murmure if heaven
043.L54.042 must be their Nunnery, and they associated
043.L54.043 to the B. virgins there: I know they would
043.L54.044 be content to passe their lives in a Prison,
043.L54.045 rather then I should macerate my self for
043.L54.046 them, much more to suffer the mediocrity
043.L54.047 of my house, and my means, though that
043.L54.048 cannot preferre them: yours are such too,
043.L54.049 and it need not that patience, for your for-
043.L54.050 tune doth not so farre exercise their pati-
043.L54.051 ence. But to leave all in Gods hands,
043.L54.052 from whose hands nothing can be wrung
043.L54.053 by whining but by praying, nor by pray-
043.L54.054 ing without the %1Fiat voluntas tua%2. Sir, you
043.L54.055 are used to my hand, and, I think have lei-
043.L54.056 sure to spend some time in picking out
043.L54.057 sense, in ragges; else I had written lesse, and [CW:in]
043.L54.058 in longer time. Here is room for an %1Amen%2; [p.137]
043.L54.059 the prayer ---- so I am going to my
043.L54.060 bedside to make for all you and all yours,
043.L54.061 with
043.L54.0DL om
043.L54.0SS %1Your true friend and servant in Chr. Jesus%2
043.L54.0SS J. Donne.

044.L54.0HE A.V. %1Merced%2.
044.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
044.L54.001 I%+ Write to you out of my poor Libra-
044.L54.002 ry, where to cast mine eye upon good
044.L54.003 Authors kindles or refreshes sometimes
044.L54.004 meditations not unfit to communicate to
044.L54.005 near friends; nor from the high way,
044.L54.006 where I am contracted, and inverted into
044.L54.007 my self; which are my two ordinary for-
044.L54.008 ges of Letters to you. But I write from the
044.L54.009 fire side in my Parler, and in the noise of
044.L54.010 three gamesome children;ii and by the side
044.L54.011 of her, whom because I have transplanted
044.L54.012 into a wretched fortune, I must labour to
044.L54.013 disguise that from her by all such honest
044.L54.014 devices, as giving her my company, and
044.L54.015 discourse, therefore I steal from her, all the [cw:time]
044.L54.016 time which I give this Letter, and it is there- [p.138]
044.L54.017 fore that I take so short a list, and gallop so
044.L54.018 fast over it, I have not been out of my house
044.L54.019 since I received your pacquet. As I have
044.L54.020 much quenched my senses, and disused my
044.L54.021 body from pleasure, and so tried how I can
044.L54.022 indure to be mine own grave, so I try now
044.L54.023 how I can suffer a prison. And since it
044.L54.024 is but to build one wall more about our
044.L54.025 soul, she is still in her own Center, how
044.L54.026 many circumferences soever fortune or our
044.L54.027 own perversnesse cast about her. I would
044.L54.028 I could as well intreat her to go out, as she
044.L54.029 knows whither to go. But if I melt into a
044.L54.030 melancholy whilest I write, I shall be taken
044.L54.031 in the manner: and I sit by one too ten-
044.L54.032 der towards these impressions, and it is so
044.L54.033 much our duty, to avoid all occasions of
044.L54.034 giving them sad apprehensions, as S. %1Hie-%2
044.L54.035 %1rome%2 accuses %1Adam%2 of no other fault in eating
044.L54.036 the Apple, but that he did it %1Ne contristaretur%2
044.L54.037 %1delicias suas%2. I am not carefull what I write,
044.L54.038 because the inclosed Letters may dignifie
044.L54.039 this ill favoured bark, and they need not [cw:grudge]
044.L54.040 grudge so course a countenance, because [p.139]
044.L54.041 they are now to accompany themselves, my
044.L54.042 man fetched them, and therefore I can say
044.L54.043 no more of them then themselves say, M%5ris%6
044.L54.044 %1Meauly%2 intreated me by her Letter to hasten
044.L54.045 hers; as I think, for my troth I cannot
044.L54.046 read it. My Lady was dispatching in so
044.L54.047 much haste for %1Twicknam%2, as she gave no
044.L54.048 word to a Letter which I sent with yours;
044.L54.049 of Sir %1Tho%2. %1Bartlet%2, I can say nothing, nor
044.L54.050 of the plague, though your Letter bid me:
044.L54.051 but that he diminishes, the other increases,
044.L54.052 but in what proportion I am not clear. To
044.L54.053 them at %1Hammersmith%2, and M%5ris%6 %1Herbert%2 I
044.L54.054 will do your command. If I have been
044.L54.055 good in hope, or can promise any little of-
044.L54.056 fices in the future probably, it is comfor-
044.L54.057 table, for I am the worst present man in the
044.L54.058 world; yet the instant, though it be nothing,
044.L54.059 joynes times together, and therefore this
044.L54.060 unprofitableness, since I have been, and will
044.L54.061 still indevour to be so, shall not interrupt
044.L54.062 me now from being
044.L54.0DL om
044.L54.0SS %1Your servant and lover%2 J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

045.L54.0HE %1To the best Knight Sir%2 H. Wootton.
045.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
045.L54.001 W%+Hen I saw your good Countesse
045.L54.002 last, she let me think that her
045.L54.003 message by her foot-man would hasten you
045.L54.004 up. And it furthered that opinion in
045.L54.005 me, when I knew how near M. %1Mathews%2
045.L54.006 day of departing this kingdome was. To
045.L54.007 counterpoyse both these, I have a little
045.L54.008 Letter from you brought to me to %1Micham%2
045.L54.009 yesterday, but left at my lodging two days
045.L54.010 sooner: and because that speaks nothing
045.L54.011 of your return, I am content to be perplex-
045.L54.012 ed in it: and in all other, so in this
045.L54.013 perplexity to do that which is safest.
045.L54.014 To me it is safest to write, because it per-
045.L54.015 formes a duty, and leaves my conscience
045.L54.016 well: and though it seem not safest for the
045.L54.017 Letter, which may perish, yet I remember,
045.L54.018 that in the Crociate for the warres in the
045.L54.019 %1Holy Land%2, and so in all Pilgrimages enter-
045.L54.020 prised in devotion, he which dies in the
045.L54.021 way, enjoyes all the benefit and indulgences [cw:which]
045.L54.022 which the end did afford. Howsoever, all [p.141]
045.L54.023 that can encrease the danger of your Let-
045.L54.024 ter, encrease my merit; for, as where they
045.L54.025 immolate men, it is a scanter devotion,
045.L54.026 to sacrifice one of many slaves or of many
045.L54.027 children, or an onely child, then to beget
045.L54.028 and bring up one purposely to sacrifice it, s
045.L54.029 so if I ordain this Letter purposely for de-
045.L54.030 struction, it is the largest expressing of
045.L54.031 that kinde of piety, and I am easie to beleeve
045.L54.032 (because I wish it) your hast hither: Not
045.L54.033 that I can fear any slacknesse in that business
045.L54.034 which drew you down, because your for-
045.L54.035 tune and honour are a paire of good spurs
045.L54.036 to it; but here also you have both true
045.L54.037 businesse and many Quasi negotia, which
045.L54.038 go two and two to a businesse; which are
045.L54.039 visitations, and such, as though they be not
045.L54.040 full businesses, yet are so near them that they
045.L54.041 serve as for excuses, in omissions of the o-
045.L54.042 ther. As when abjurations was in use in
045.L54.043 this land, the State and law was satisfied if
045.L54.044 the abjuror came to the sea side, and waded
045.L54.045 into the sea, when windes and tydes re- [cw:sisted]
045.L54.046 sisted, so we think our selves justly excusa- [p.142]
045.L54.047 ble to our friends and our selves, if when
045.L54.048 we should do businesse, we come to the
045.L54.049 place of businesse, as Courts and the houses
045.L54.050 of great Princes and officers. I do not so
045.L54.051 much intimate your infirmity in this, as
045.L54.052 frankly confesse mine own. The master of
045.L54.053 Latine language says, %1Oculi & aures aliorium te%2
045.L54.054 %1speculantur & custodiunt%2. So those two words
045.L54.055 are synonimous, & only the observation of
045.L54.056 others upon me, is my preservation from
045.L54.057 extream idlenesse, else I professe, that I hate
045.L54.058 businesse so much, as I am sometimes glad
045.L54.059 to remember, that the Roman Church reads
045.L54.060 that verse %1A negotio perambulante in tenebris%2,
045.L54.061 which we read from the pestilence wal-
045.L54.062 king at night, so equall to me do the
045.L54.063 plague and businesse deserve avoiding, but
045.L54.064 you will neither beleeve that I abhor busi-
045.L54.065 nesse, if I inlarge this Letter, nor that I
045.L54.066 would afford you that ease which I affect,
045.L54.067 Therefore returne to your pleasures.
045.L54.0DL March 14. 1607.
045.L54.0SS %1Your unprofitablest friend%2
045.L54.0SS Jo. Donne. [cw:%1I%2]
045.L54.P01 %1It is my third Letter: which I tell you,%2
045.L54.P02 %1because I found not M%2%5r%6. Rogers, %1but left%2
045.L54.P03 %1the Letter which I sent last, with a stran-%2
045.L54.P04 %1ger at%2 Cliffords Inne. 74


046.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
046.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
046.L54.001 T%+His 14 of %1November%2 last I received
046.L54.002 yours of the 9, as I was in the street
046.L54.003 going to sup with my Lady %1Bedford%2, I found
046.L54.004 all that company forepossessed with a won-
046.L54.005 der why you came not last saturday. I per-
046.L54.006 ceive, that as your intermitting your Let-
046.L54.007 ters to me, gave me reason to hope for you,
046.L54.008 so some more direct addresse or conscience
046.L54.009 of your businesse here, had imprinted in
046.L54.010 them as assurance of your comming, this
046.L54.011 Letter shall but talke, not discourse; it
046.L54.012 shall but gossip, not consider, nor consult,
046.L54.013 so it is made halfe with a prejudice of be-
046.L54.014 ing lost by the way. The King is gone
046.L54.015 this day for %1Royston%2: and hath left with the
046.L54.016 Queen a commandment to meditate upon [cw:a]
046.L54.017 a Masque for Christmas, so that they grow [p.144]
046.L54.018 serious about that already; that will hasten
046.L54.019 my Lady %1Bedfords%2 journey, who goes with-
046.L54.020 in ten days from hence to her Lord, but by
046.L54.021 reason of this, can make no long stay there.
046.L54.022 %1Justinian%2 the %1Venetian%2 is gone hence, and
046.L54.023 one %1Carraw%2 come in his place: that State
046.L54.024 hath taken a fresh offence at a Friar, who
046.L54.025 refused to absolve a Gentleman, because he
046.L54.026 would not expresse in confession what
046.L54.027 books of Father %1Paul%2, and such, he knew to
046.L54.028 be in the hands of any others; the State com-
046.L54.029 manded him out of that territory in three
046.L54.030 hours warning, and he hath now submit-
046.L54.031 ted himself, and is returned as prisoner for
046.L54.032 %1Mantua%2, and so remains as yet. Sir %1H%2.
046.L54.033 %1Wootton%2 who writ hither, addes also that
046.L54.034 upon his knowledge there are 14000 as
046.L54.035 good Protestants as he in that State. The
046.L54.036 Duke %1Joyeuse%2 is dead, in %1Primont%2, returning
046.L54.037 from %1Rome%2, where M. %1Mole%2 who went with
046.L54.038 the L. %1Rosse%2, is taken into the Inquisition,
046.L54.039 and I see small hope of his recovery (for he
046.L54.040 had in some translations of %1Plessis%2 books [cw:talked]
046.L54.041 talked of %1Babylon%2 and Antichrist. Except it [p.145]
046.L54.042 fall out that one %1Strange%2 a Jesuit in the
046.L54.043 Tower, may be accepted for him. To come
046.L54.044 a little nearer my self, Sir %1Geffery Fenton%2 one
046.L54.045 of his Majesties Secretaries in %1Ireland%2 is
046.L54.046 dead; and I have made some offer for the
046.L54.047 place, in preservation whereof, as I have
046.L54.048 had occasion to imploy all my friends, so I
046.L54.049 have not found in them all (except %1Bedford%2)
046.L54.050 more hast and words (for when those two
046.L54.051 are together, there is much comfort even in
046.L54.052 the least) then in the L. %1Hay%2. In good
046.L54.053 faith he promised so roundly, so abundant-
046.L54.054 ly, so profusely, as I suspected him, but per-
046.L54.055 formed what ever he undertook, (and my
046.L54.056 requests were the measures of his under-
046.L54.057 takings) so readily and truly, that his com-
046.L54.058 plements became obligations, and having
046.L54.059 spoke like a Courtier, did like a friend.
046.L54.060 This I tell you, because being farre under
046.L54.061 any ability of expressing my thankfulnesse
046.L54.062 to him by any proportionall service, I do,
046.L54.063 as much as I can, thank him by thanking
046.L54.064 of you, who begot, or nursed these good [cw:im-]
046.L54.065 impressions of me in him. Sir, as my dis- [p.146]
046.L54.066 cretion would do, my fortune doth bring
046.L54.067 all my debts into one hand, for I owe you
046.L54.068 what ever Court friends do for me, yea,
046.L54.069 whatsoever I do for my self, because you al-
046.L54.070 most importune me, to awake and stare the
046.L54.071 Court in the face. I know not yet what
046.L54.072 conjecture to make of the event. But I am
046.L54.073 content to go forward a little more in the
046.L54.074 madnesse of missing rather then not pre-
046.L54.075 tend; and rather wear out, then rust. It is
046.L54.076 extreme late; and as this Letter is nothing,
046.L54.077 so if ever it come to you, you will know it
046.L54.078 without a name, and therefore I may end
046.L54.079 it here.
046.L54.0DL om
046.L54.0SS om

047.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 H. Goodere.
047.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
047.L54.001 T%+Hough you escape my lifting up of
047.L54.002 your latch by removing, you cannot
047.L54.003 my Letters; yet of this Letter I do not much
047.L54.004 accuse my self, for I serve your Command-
047.L54.005 ment in it, for it is only to convey to you [cw:this]
047.L54.006 this papers opposed to those, with which [p.147]
047.L54.007 you trusted me. It is (I cannot say the waigh-
047.L54.008 tyest, but truly) the saddest lucubration
047.L54.009 and nights passage that ever I had. For it
047.L54.010 exercised those hours, which, with extreme
047.L54.011 danger of her, whom I should hardly have
047.L54.012 abstained from recompensing for her
047.L54.013 company in this world, with accompany-
047.L54.014 ing her out of it, encreased my poor family
047.L54.015 with a son. Though her anguish, and my
047.L54.016 fears, and hopes, seem divers and wild di-
047.L54.017 stractions from this small businesse of
047.L54.018 your papers, yet because they all narrowed
047.L54.019 themselves, and met in %1Via regia%2, which is
047.L54.020 the consideration of our selves, and God,
047.L54.021 I thought it time not unfit for this dispatch.
047.L54.022 Thus much more then needed I have told
047.L54.023 you, whilest my fire was lighting at Tri-
047.L54.024 combs 10 a clock.
047.L54.0DL om
047.L54.0SS %1Yours ever intirely%2
047.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

048.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight%2 H. G.
048.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
048.L54.001 Y%+Our Son left here a Letter for me,
048.L54.002 from you. But I neither discern by it
048.L54.003 that you have received any of mine lately;
048.L54.004 which have been many, and large, and too
048.L54.005 confident to be lost, especially since, (as I
048.L54.006 remember) they always conveyed others
048.L54.007 to that good Lady; neither do I know
048.L54.008 where to finde, by any diligence, your sons
048.L54.009 lodging. But I hope he will apprehend that
048.L54.010 impossibility in me, and finde me here,
048.L54.011 where he shall also finde as much readi-
048.L54.012 nesse to serve him, as at %1Polesworth%2. This
048.L54.013 Letter of yours makes me perceive, that
048.L54.014 that Lady hath expressed her purpose to
048.L54.015 you in particular, for the next term. Accor-
048.L54.016 dingly, I make my promises: for since one
048.L54.017 that meant but to flatter, told an Emperour,
048.L54.018 that his benefits were to be reckoned from
048.L54.019 the day of the promise, because he never
048.L54.020 failed, it were an injury from me to the
048.L54.021 constancy of that noble Lady, if I should [CW: not,]
048.L54.022 not, assoon as she promises, do some act [p.149]
048.L54.023 of assurance of the performance; which I
048.L54.024 have done, as I say, in fixing times to my
048.L54.025 creditors; for by the end of next terme, I
048.L54.026 will make an end with the world, by Gods
048.L54.027 grace. I lack you here, for my L. of %1Dorset%2,
048.L54.028 he might make a cheap bargain with me
048.L54.029 now, and disingage his honour, which in
048.L54.030 good faith, is a little bound, because he ad-
048.L54.031 mitted so many witnesses of his large dis-
048.L54.032 position towards me. They are preparing
048.L54.033 for a Masque of Gentlemen: in which M.
048.L54.034 %1Villars%2 is, and M. %1Karre%2, whom I told you
048.L54.035 before my L. Chamberlain had brought
048.L54.036 into the bed chamber. I pray, if you make
048.L54.037 not so thick goings as you used, send this
048.L54.038 Letter to that good woman, for it is not
048.L54.039 only mine. If I could stay this Letter an
048.L54.040 hour, I should send you something of %1Sa%2-
048.L54.041 %1voy%2, for Sir %1Rob. Rich%2, who is now come
048.L54.042 from Court, hath laid a commandment
048.L54.043 upon me by message to waite upon him;
048.L54.044 and I know his busines, because he never
048.L54.045 sought me, but in one kinde. But the im- [CW: portunity]
048.L54.046 portunity of the houre excuses me, and deli- [p.150]
048.L54.047 vers you from further trouble from
048.L54.0DL 13 Decemb./ %1Your very true friend and servant%2
048.L54.0SS J. Donne.

049.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
049.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
049.L54.001 I%+ Love to give you advantages upon me,
049.L54.002 therefore I put my self in need of another
049.L54.003 pardon from you, by not comming to you;
049.L54.004 yet I am scarce guilty enough to spend
049.L54.005 much of your vertue from you, because I
049.L54.006 knew not of your being come till this your
049.L54.007 Letter told me so, in the midst of dinner at
049.L54.008 %1Peckham%2, this Monday. Sir, I am very truly
049.L54.009 yours; if you have overvalued me in any ca-
049.L54.010 pacity, I will do what I can to overtake your
049.L54.011 hopes of me. I wish my self whatsoever you
049.L54.012 wish me; and so I do, what ever you wish
049.L54.013 your self. I am prisoner and close; else I
049.L54.014 had not needed this pardon, for I long
049.L54.015 much, and much more by occasion of your
049.L54.016 Letter, to see you: when you finde that [cw:good]
049.L54.017 good Lady emptied of businesse and plea- [p.151]
049.L54.018 sure, present my humble thanks; you can
049.L54.019 do me no favour, which I need not, nor
049.L54.020 any, which I cannot have some hope to de-
049.L54.021 serve, but this; for I have made her opinion
049.L54.022 of me, the ballance by which I weigh my
049.L54.023 self. I will come soon enough to deliver
049.L54.024 my thanks to Sir J. Harr. for your ease,
049.L54.025 whom I know I have pained with an ilfa-
049.L54.026 voured Letter, but my heart hath one style,
049.L54.027 and character; and is yours in wishing,
049.L54.028 and in thankfulnesse.
049.L54.0DL Peckham %1Monday afternoon%2.
049.L54.0SS J. Donne

050.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Sir%2 R. D.
050.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
050.L54.001 I%+ Gave no answer to the Letter I received
050.L54.002 from you upon Tuesday, both because I
050.L54.003 had in it no other commandment by it but
050.L54.004 to deliver your Letter therein, which I did,
050.L54.005 and because that Letter found me under
050.L54.006 very much sadnesse, which (according to
050.L54.007 the proportion of ills that fall upon me) [cw:is]
050.L54.008 is since also increased, so that I had not writ- [p.152]
050.L54.009 ten now, if I had been sure to have been
050.L54.010 better able to write next week, which I have
050.L54.011 not much appearance of: yet there was
050.L54.012 committed to my disposition (that is, left
050.L54.013 at my house in my absence) a Letter from
050.L54.014 Sir %1W. Lover%2, but it was some hours after all
050.L54.015 possibility of sending it by the carrier, so
050.L54.016 that M%5r%6. %1W. Stanhope%2 giving me the ho-
050.L54.017 nour of a visite at that time, and being in-
050.L54.018 stantly to depart, for your parts, did me the
050.L54.019 favour to undertake the delivery of it to
050.L54.020 you. With me, Sir, it is thus, there is not
050.L54.021 one person (beside my self) in my house
050.L54.022 well. I have already lost half a child, and
050.L54.023 with that mischance of hers, my wife fallen
050.L54.024 into an indisposition, which would afflict
050.L54.025 her much, but that the sicknesse of her chil-
050.L54.026 dren stupefies her: of one of which, in
050.L54.027 good faith, I have not much hope. This
050.L54.028 meets a fortune so ill provided for physique
050.L54.029 and such relief, that if God should ease us
050.L54.030 with burialls, I know not well how to per-
050.L54.031 forme even that. I flatter my self in this, [cw:that]
050.L54.032 that I am dying too: nor can I truly dye fa- [p.153]
050.L54.033 ster, by any waste, then by losse of children.
050.L54.034 But Sir, I will mingle no more of my sad-
050.L54.035 ness to you, but wil a little recompense it, by
050.L54.036 telling you that my L. %1Harrington%2, of whom
050.L54.037 a few days since they were doubtfull, is so
050.L54.038 well recovered that now they know all his
050.L54.039 disease to be the Pox, and Measels mingled.
050.L54.040 This I heard yesterday: for I have not been
050.L54.041 there yet. I came as near importunity as I
050.L54.042 could, for an answer from Essex house, but
050.L54.043 this was all, that he should see you shortly
050.L54.044 himselfe.
050.L54.0DL om
050.L54.0SS %1Your servant%2
050.L54.0SS J. Donne.
050.L54.P01 %1I cannot tell you so much, as you tell%2
050.L54.P02 %1me, of any thing from my Lord of%2 Som.
050.L54.P03 %1since the Epithalamion, for I heard%2
050.L54.P04 %1nothing%2. [cw:%1To%2]

051.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 H. Goodere.
051.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
051.L54.001 I%+ Have but one excuse for not sending
051.L54.002 you the Sermon that you do me the ho-
051.L54.003 nour to command, and I foresee, that be-
051.L54.004 fore I take my hand from this paper, I
051.L54.005 shall lose the benefit of that excuse; it is,
051.L54.006 that for more then twenty days, I have been
051.L54.007 travelled with a pain, in my right wrist, so
051.L54.008 like the Gout, as makes me unable to write.
051.L54.009 The writing of this Letter will implore a
051.L54.010 commentary for that, that I cannot write
051.L54.011 legibly; for that I cannot write much, this
051.L54.012 Letter will testifie against me. Sir, I be-
051.L54.013 seech you, at first, tell your company, that I
051.L54.014 decline not the service out of sullennesse
051.L54.015 nor lazinesse, nor that any fortune damps
051.L54.016 me so much, as that I am not sensible of the
051.L54.017 honour of their commanding it, but a
051.L54.018 meer inexperience whether I be able to
051.L54.019 write eight hours or no; but I will try
051.L54.020 next week, and either do it, for their ser- [CW:vice,]
051.L54.021 vice, or sink in their service. This is Thurs- [p.155]
051.L54.022 day: and upon Tuesday my Lady %1Bedford%2
051.L54.023 came to this town: this afternoon I presen-
051.L54.024 ted my service to her, by M%5ris%6 %1Withrington%2:
051.L54.025 and so asked leave to have waited upon
051.L54.026 them at supper: but my messenger found
051.L54.027 them ready to go into their Coach: so that
051.L54.028 a third Letter which I received from M%5ris%6
051.L54.029 %1Dadley%2, referring me to M%5ris%6 %1Withringtons%2 re-
051.L54.030 lation of all that State, I lose it till their
051.L54.031 return to this town. To clear you in that
051.L54.032 wherein I see by your Letter that I had not
051.L54.033 well expressed my self in mine, Sir %1Ed.%2
051.L54.034 %1Herbert%2 writ to Sir %1Ed. Sackvil%2, not to presse
051.L54.035 the King to fix any certain time of sending
051.L54.036 him, till he was come over, and had spo-
051.L54.037 ken with the King: Sir %1Ed. Sackvil%2 col-
051.L54.038 lects upon that, that Sir %1Ed. H.%2 meanes to
051.L54.039 go again; I think it is only, that he would
051.L54.040 have his honour so saved, as not to seem to
051.L54.041 be recalled, by having a successor, before he
051.L54.042 had emptied the place. We hear nothing
051.L54.043 from my Lord of %1Doncaster%2; nor have we
051.L54.044 any way to send to him. I have not seen [CW:my]
051.L54.045 my Lady %1Doncaster,%2 for the crost to %1Penhurst%2, [p.156]
051.L54.046 and from thence to %1Petworth%2, my Lady
051.L54.047 %1Isabella%2 came to this Town; where, before
051.L54.048 her comming, a Letter attended her from
051.L54.049 my Lady of %1Tichfield%2: and thither she
051.L54.050 went, with their servants, who staid her
051.L54.051 comming. Hither came lately Letters with
051.L54.052 goodspeed from %1Vienna%2, in which there is no
051.L54.053 mention of any such defeat, as in rumour
051.L54.054 C. %1Mansfeld%2 hath been said to have given
051.L54.055 to the D. of %1Bavyer%2: but their forces were
051.L54.056 then within such distance, as may have
051.L54.057 procured something before this time. Those
051.L54.058 which watched advantages in the Court
051.L54.059 of the Emperour, have made that use of C.
051.L54.060 %1Mansfelds%2 proceedings, as that my Lord
051.L54.061 %1Digby%2 complains, that thereby, the forward-
051.L54.062 nesse in which his negotiation was, is
051.L54.063 somewhat retarded. He proceeds from
051.L54.064 thence into %1Spain%2. The D. of %1Bavyer%2 hath pre-
051.L54.065 sented the Emperour an account of I2oo%5ml%6.
051.L54.066 sterling in that warre, to be reimbursed:
051.L54.067 and finding the Palatinate to be in treaty,
051.L54.068 hath required a great part of %1Austria%2 for his [CW:security,]
051.L54.069 security, and they say, it is so transacted; [p.157]
051.L54.070 which is a good signe of a possibility in the
051.L54.071 restitution of the Palatinate. For any thing I
051.L54.072 discern, their fears are much greater from
051.L54.073 %1Hungary%2, then from %1Bohemia%2; and the losse of
051.L54.074 Canon, in a great proportion, and other
051.L54.075 things, at the death of %1Bucquoy%2, was much
051.L54.076 greater, then they suffered to be published.
051.L54.077 We here %1Spinola%2 is passed over at %1Rhenebery;%2 if
051.L54.078 it be so, they are no longer distracted, whe-
051.L54.079 ther he would bend upon %1Juliers%2, or the
051.L54.080 Palatinate. I know not what you hear
051.L54.081 from your noble son in law, who sees those
051.L54.082 things clearly in himself, and in a near
051.L54.083 distance; but I hear here, that the King
051.L54.084 hath much lost the affection of the English
051.L54.085 in those parts. Whether it proceed from
051.L54.086 any sowrenesse in him, or that they be o-
051.L54.087 therwise taken off, from applying them-
051.L54.088 selves to him, I know not. My Lord of S.
051.L54.089 %1Albons%2 hath found so much favour as that
051.L54.090 a pension of 2ooo %1l.%2 will be given him;
051.L54.091 he desires that he might have it for years,
051.L54.092 that so he might transferre it upon his cre- [CW:ditors,]
051.L54.093 ditors; or that in place of it he might have [p.158]
051.L54.094 8ooo %1l.%2 for he hath found a disposition in
051.L54.095 his creditors (to whom I hear he hath paid
051.L54.096 %73%8ooo %1l%2. since by retyring) to accept 8ooo %1l%2.
051.L54.097 for all his debts, which are three times as
051.L54.098 much. I have been some times with my L.
051.L54.099 of %1Canterbury%2, since by accident, to give you
051.L54.100 his own words. I see him retain his for-
051.L54.101 mer cheerfulnesse here and at %1Croydon%2, but I
051.L54.102 do not hear from Court, that he hath any
051.L54.103 ground for such a confidence, but that his
051.L54.104 case may need favour, and not have it. That
051.L54.105 place, and %1Bedington%2, and %1Chelsey%2, and %1High-%2
051.L54.106 %1gate%2, where that very good man my Lord
051.L54.107 %1Hobard%2 is, and %1Hackney%2, with the M. of the
051.L54.108 Rolls, and my familiar %1Peckham%2, are my
051.L54.109 circumferrence. No place so eccentrique to
051.L54.110 me, as that I lye just at %1London%2; and with
051.L54.111 those fragmentary recreations I must make
051.L54.112 shift to recompense the missing of that
051.L54.113 contentment which your favour opens to
051.L54.114 me, and my desire provokes me to, the
051.L54.115 kissing of your hands at %1Polesworth%2. My
051.L54.116 daughter %1Constance%2 is at this time with me; [CW:for]
051.L54.117 for the emptinesse of the town, hath made [p.159]
051.L54.118 me, who otherwise live upon the almes of
051.L54.119 others, a houskeeper, for a moneth; and
051.L54.120 so she is my servant below stairs, and my
051.L54.121 companion above: she was at the table
051.L54.122 with me, when your Letter was brought,
051.L54.123 and I pay her a piece of her petition in do-
051.L54.124 ing her this office, to present her service to
051.L54.125 my Lady %1Nethersoles%2, and her very good
051.L54.126 sister. But that she is gone to bed two hours
051.L54.127 before I writ this, she should have signed,
051.L54.128 with such a hand as your daughter %1Mary%2
051.L54.129 did to me, that which I testifie for her, that
051.L54.130 she is as affectionate a servant to them all,
051.L54.131 as their goodnesse hath created any where.
051.L54.132 Sir, I shall recompense my tediousnesse, in
051.L54.133 closing mine eyes with a prayer for yours,
051.L54.134 as for mine own happinesse, for I am al-
051.L54.135 most in bed; if it were my last bed, and I
051.L54.136 upon my last businesse there, I should not
051.L54.137 omit to joyn you with
051.L54.0DL Aug. 30. 1611./ %1Your very humble and very thankfull servant in Christ Jesus%2
051.L54.0SS J. Donne. [CW:%1To%2]

052.L54.0HE %1To his honourable friend S%2%5r%6 H. G.
052.L54.Sal SIR,
052.L54.001 T%+O you that are not easily scandalized,
052.L54.002 and in whom, I hope, neither my
052.L54.003 Religion nor Morality can suffer, I dare
052.L54.004 write my opinion of that Booke in whose
052.L54.005 bowels you left me. It hath refreshed, and
052.L54.006 given new justice to my ordinary com-
052.L54.007 plaint, That the Divines of these times, are
052.L54.008 become meer Advocates, as though Religi-
052.L54.009 on were a temporall inheritance; they
052.L54.010 plead for it with all sophistications, and il-
052.L54.011 lusions, and forgeries: And herein are
052.L54.012 they likest Advocates, that though they be
052.L54.013 feed by the way, with Dignities, and other
052.L54.014 recompenses, yet that for which they plead
052.L54.015 is none of theirs. They write for Religion,
052.L54.016 without it. In the main point in question,
052.L54.017 I think truly there is a perplexity (as farre as
052.L54.018 I see yet) and both sides may be in justice,
052.L54.019 and innocence; and the wounds which
052.L54.020 they inflict upon the adverse part, are all %1se%2
052.L54.021 %1defendendo%2: for, clearly, our State cannot be [cw:safe]
052.L54.022 safe without the Oath; since they professe, [p.161]
052.L54.023 that Clergie-men, though Traitors, are no
052.L54.024 Subjects, and that all the rest may be none
052.L54.025 to morrow. And, as clearly, the Suprema-
052.L54.026 cy which the Ro. Church pretend, were
052.L54.027 diminished, if it were limited; and will
052.L54.028 as ill abide that, or disputation, as the Pre-
052.L54.029 rogative of temporall Kings, who being
052.L54.030 the onely judges of their prerogative, why
052.L54.031 may not Roman Bishops, (so enlightned
052.L54.032 as they are presumed by them) be good wit-
052.L54.033 nesses of their own supremacie, which is
052.L54.034 now so much impugned? But for this par-
052.L54.035 ticular Author, I looked for more prudence,
052.L54.036 and humane wisdome in him, in avoiding
052.L54.037 all miscitings, or mis-interpretings, because
052.L54.038 at this time, the watch is set, and every bo-
052.L54.039 dies hammer is upon that anvill; and to
052.L54.040 dare offend in that kinde now, is, for a theef
052.L54.041 to leave the covert, and meet a strong hue
052.L54.042 and cry in the teeth: and yet truly this man
052.L54.043 is extremely obnoxious in that kinde; for,
052.L54.044 though he have answered many things ful-
052.L54.045 ly, (as no book ever gave more advantage [cw:then]
052.L54.046 then that which he undertook) and abound [p.162]
052.L54.047 in delicate applications, and ornaments,
052.L54.048 from the divine and prophane authors,
052.L54.049 yet being chiefly conversant about two
052.L54.050 points, he prevaricates in both. For, for
052.L54.051 the matter, which is the first, he referres it
052.L54.052 intirely, and namely, to that which D. %1Mor-%2
052.L54.053 %1ton%2 hath said therein before, and so leaves
052.L54.054 it roundly: And for the person (which is
052.L54.055 the second) upon whom he amasses as ma-
052.L54.056 ny opprobries, as any other could deserve,
052.L54.057 he pronounceth, that he will account any
052.L54.058 answer from his adversary, slaunder, except
052.L54.059 he do (as he hath done) draw whatsoever
052.L54.060 he saith of him, from Authors of the same
052.L54.061 Religion, and in print: And so, he having
052.L54.062 made use of all the Quodlibetaries, imputa-
052.L54.063 tions against the other, cannot be obnoxi-
052.L54.064 ous himself in that kinde, and so hath pro-
052.L54.065 vided safely. It were no service to you, to
052.L54.066 send you my notes upon the Book, because
052.L54.067 they are sandy, and incoherent ragges, for
052.L54.068 my memory, not for your judgement; and
052.L54.069 to extend them to an easinesse, and perspi- [cw:cuity,]
052.L54.070 cuity, would make them a Pamphlet, not [p.163]
052.L54.071 a Letter. I will therefore deferre them till I
052.L54.072 see you; and in the mean time, I will ad-
052.L54.073 venture to say to you, without inserting
052.L54.074 one unnecessary word, that the Book is full
052.L54.075 of falsifications in words, and in sense, and
052.L54.076 of falshoods in matter of fact, and of incon-
052.L54.077 sequent and unscholarlike arguings, and
052.L54.078 of relinquishing the King, in many points
052.L54.079 of defence, and of contradiction of himself,
052.L54.080 and of dangerous and suspected Doctrine
052.L54.081 in Divinitie, and of silly ridiculous triflings,
052.L54.082 and of extreme flatteries, and of neglecting
052.L54.083 better and more obvious answers, and of
052.L54.084 letting slip some enormous advantages
052.L54.085 which the other gave, and he spies not. I
052.L54.086 know (as I begun) I speak to you who can-
052.L54.087 not be scandalized, and that neither mea-
052.L54.088 sure Religion (as it is now called) by Uni-
052.L54.089 tie, nor suspect Unity, for these interrupti-
052.L54.090 ons. Sir, not onely a Mathematique point,
052.L54.091 which is the most indivisible and unique
052.L54.092 thing which art can present, flowes into
052.L54.093 every line which is derived from the Cen- [cw:ter,]
052.L54.094 ter, but our soul which is but one, hath [p.164]
052.L54.095 swallowed up a Negative, and feeling soul;
052.L54.096 which was in the body before it came, and
052.L54.097 exercises those faculties yet; and God him-
052.L54.098 selfe, who only is one, seems to have been
052.L54.099 eternally delighted, with a disunion of per-
052.L54.100 sons. They whose active function it is,
052.L54.101 must endevour this unity in Religion: and
052.L54.102 and we at our lay Altars (which are our
052.L54.103 tables, or bedside, or stools, wheresoever
052.L54.104 we dare prostrate our selves to God in pray-
052.L54.105 er) must beg it of him: but we must take
052.L54.106 heed of making misconclusions upon the
052.L54.107 want of it: for, whether the Maior and
052.L54.108 Aldermen fall out, (as with us and the Pu-
052.L54.109 ritans; Bishops against Priests) or the
052.L54.110 Commoners voyces differ who is Maior,
052.L54.111 and who Alderman, or what their Juris-
052.L54.112 diction, (as with the Bishop of %1Rome%2, or
052.L54.113 whosoever) yet it is still one Corporation.
052.L54.0DL Micham, Thurs- day %1late%2./ %1Your very affectionate servant and lover%2
052.L54.0SS J. Donne.
052.L54.P01 %1Never leave the remembrance of my poor ser-%2
052.L54.P02 %1vice unmentioned when you see the good Lady%2. [cw:%1To%2]

053.L54.0HE %1To S%2%5r%6 T.H.
053.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
053.L54.001 T%+His evening which is %75%8%5o%6 %1October%2, I
053.L54.002 finde your Letter of %1Michaelmas%2 day,
053.L54.003 and though I see by it, that it is a return of
053.L54.004 a Letter, not of the last weeks, and there-
053.L54.005 upon make account, that my last weeks
053.L54.006 Letter hath satisfied you in some things
053.L54.007 which this Letter commands, concerning
053.L54.008 %1Pauls%2, yet for other things I would give you
053.L54.009 a drowsie relation, for it is that time of
053.L54.010 night, thogh I called it evening. At the Kings
053.L54.011 going from hence, upon %1Munday%2 last, we
053.L54.012 made account to have seen Sir %1John Sutclin%2
053.L54.013 Secretary, and Sir %1Rob. Weston%2 Chancellor
053.L54.014 of the Exchequer, but they are not done,
053.L54.015 but both are fixed: my L. %Cranfield%2 received
053.L54.016 his staffe, with these two suits obtained
053.L54.017 from the King, That all Assignations might
053.L54.018 be transferred into the Exchequer, and so
053.L54.019 no paiments charged upon the Customes,
053.L54.020 nor Receivers, nor the Court or Wards, &c.
053.L54.021 And that for a time there might be a damp [CW:cast]
053.L54.022 cast upon Pensions, till they might be con- [p.166]
053.L54.023 sidered. In the Low Countries the Armies
053.L54.024 stirre not. In the Palatinate Sire %1H. Vere%2 at-
053.L54.025 tempting the regaining of %1Stenie%2 Castle, was
053.L54.026 surprised with the Enemy in so much
053.L54.027 strength, that they write it over for a Ma-
053.L54.028 ster-piece, that he was able to make a retreat
053.L54.029 to %1Manheme%2: so that now the Enemy is got
053.L54.030 on that side the River which %1Heydelberg%2 is
053.L54.031 on, and I know nothing that can stand in
053.L54.032 his way. My L. %1Digby%2 comes from %1Vienna%2,
053.L54.033 before he goes into %1Spain%2, by Count %1Mans-%2
053.L54.034 %1field%2, by the Palatinate, by %1Paris%2; and there-
053.L54.035 fore upon his comming, I shall be able to
053.L54.036 say something to you. In Sir %1John Sutclin%2 I
053.L54.037 presume you see an end of Sir %1Ro. Naunton%2,
053.L54.038 and we see an end of M%5r%6 %1Tho. Murray%2 too; I
053.L54.039 beleeve he comes no more to the Prince.
053.L54.040 For the triall of my L. of %1Canterburies%2 irre-
053.L54.041 gularity, there is a Commission to sixe Bi-
053.L54.042 shops, %1London, Winchester, Rochester%2, and three
053.L54.043 onely elect, %1Lincoln%2, S. %1Davids%2, and %1Exeter%2:
053.L54.044 two Judges, L. %1Hobard%2, and %1Dodridge;%2 two
053.L54.045 Civilians, Sir H. %1Martin%2, and D. %1Steward%2. The [CW:con-]
053.L54.046 consecration of these elect Bishops, and [p.167]
053.L54.047 consequently, my being Dean, must attend
053.L54.048 the issue of this Commission. Sir %1Tho. Roe%2
053.L54.049 is gone. The Proclamations of putting off
053.L54.050 the Parliament, till %1February%2, are like to out-
053.L54.051 run this Letter. It is very late; and it is
053.L54.052 one act, to say Grace after Supper, and to
053.L54.053 commend my self into the hands of my
053.L54.054 blessed Saviour, in my bed, and so close this
053.L54.055 Letter, and mine eies, with the same bles-
053.L54.056 sing upon all your family. Amen.
053.L54.0DL om
053.L54.0SS %1Your poor servant in Chr. Jes.%2
053.L54.0SS J. Donne.

054.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
054.L54.Sal SIR,
054.L54.001 I%+ Receive this %9I%0%74%8 your Letter of the 10.
054.L54.002 yet I am not come to an understanding
054.L54.003 how these Carriers keep daies: for I would
054.L54.004 fain think that the Letters which I sent up-
054.L54.005 on %1Thursday%2 last might have given you such
054.L54.006 an account of the state of my family, that
054.L54.007 you needed not have asked by this. But [CW:Sir,]
054.L54.008 Sir, it hath pleased God to adde thus much [p.168]
054.L54.009 to my affliction, that my wife hath now
054.L54.010 confessed her self to be extremely sick; she
054.L54.011 hath held out thus long to assist me, but is
054.L54.012 now overturn'd, & here we be in two beds,
054.L54.013 or graves; so that God hath marked out a
054.L54.014 great many of us, but taken none yet. I have
054.L54.015 passed ten daies without taking any thing;
054.L54.016 so that I think no man can live more thrifti-
054.L54.017 ly. I have purged and vexed my body much
054.L54.018 since I writ to you, and this day I have
054.L54.019 missed my fit: and this is the first time,
054.L54.020 that I could discern any intermission. This
054.L54.021 is enough, the rest I will spend upon the
054.L54.022 parts of your Letter: Your Letter at %1Pauls%2
054.L54.023 is delivered. In the History of that remove,
054.L54.024 this onely perchance may be news to you,
054.L54.025 that M%5r%6 %1Alabaster%2 hath got of the King the
054.L54.026 Deans best Living worth above %73%800 %5l%6,
054.L54.027 which the Dean had good hope to have
054.L54.028 held a while. Of that which your writ
054.L54.029 concerning a Book of the Nullity, I have
054.L54.030 heard no syllable any other way. If you
054.L54.031 have received it by good hands, I beleeve it [CW:with]
054.L54.032 with you: otherwise the report is naturally [p.169]
054.L54.033 very incredible. Though the answering
054.L54.034 of it be a work for some, both of better abi-
054.L54.035 lities really, and in common reputation
054.L54.036 also, yet I was like enough to have had
054.L54.037 some knowledge thereof. You mention
054.L54.038 again some thing which it seems you are
054.L54.039 not willing I should understand of my La-
054.L54.040 dy %1Huntington%2: some of your former Letters,
054.L54.041 have spoken of some other former Letters,
054.L54.042 (which I never saw) which speak of the
054.L54.043 matter as of a history and thing done; and
054.L54.044 these later Letters speak of it Prophetically,
054.L54.045 as of a future contingent. I am glad the of-
054.L54.046 ten remembrance of it, gives me often oc-
054.L54.047 casion of thankfulnesse to her, for retaining
054.L54.048 me in her memory, and of professing my
054.L54.049 self in my end, and ways, her most humble
054.L54.050 servant. For your Parliament businesse, I
054.L54.051 should be very sorry, if you came not up,
054.L54.052 because I presume you had seposed many
054.L54.053 businesses, to have been done at that time;
054.L54.054 but in the ways wherein you have gone, I
054.L54.055 protest I am diffident. For first, for that L. [CW:whom]
054.L54.056 whom you solicited by Letters through [p.170]
054.L54.057 me, I tell you with the whispering of a
054.L54.058 secret, but the confidence of a friend, that
054.L54.059 you will be deceived whensoever you think
054.L54.060 that he should take any delight in doing
054.L54.061 you a courtesie. And I am afraid, the true
054.L54.062 heartinesse of the other noble Gentleman
054.L54.063 M. %1Howard%2, will be of small use in this per-
054.L54.064 ticular, if he have but solicited my L. his fa-
054.L54.065 ther to reserve a blanke for his friend, for
054.L54.066 my L. hath suffered more denialls, even in
054.L54.067 places where he sent names, then could
054.L54.068 have been feared. Besides M. %1How%2. hath
054.L54.069 not written to his father therein, but to M.
054.L54.070 %1Woodward%2, who perceiving those Letters to
054.L54.071 be written, before his purpose of being
054.L54.072 Knight for the shire, thinkes these Letters
054.L54.073 extinguished. You made me offer so long
054.L54.074 since of a place (it was when you writ into
054.L54.075 the west) yet I could think it no merit to
054.L54.076 have offered you one since, otherwise it hath
054.L54.077 been since in my power, for since the M%5r%6.
054.L54.078 of the Rolls provided me one, Sir %1Ed. Her-%2
054.L54.079 %1bert%2, who makes haste away, made me a [CW:present]
054.L54.080 present of his; and I have had a third of- [p.171]
054.L54.081 fer. The businesse of your last weeks Let-
054.L54.082 ter concerning the widow, is not a subject
054.L54.083 for a feverous mans consideration. There-
054.L54.084 fore I only send you back those Letters
054.L54.085 which you sent; and aske you leave to
054.L54.086 make this which I am fain to call my good
054.L54.087 day, so much truly good, as to spend the
054.L54.088 rest of it with D. %1Layfield%2, who is, upon
054.L54.089 my summons, at this hour come to me. My
054.L54.090 Physicians have made me afraid, that this
054.L54.091 disease will work into my head, and so put
054.L54.092 me into lightnesses, therefore I am desi-
054.L54.093 rous that I be understood before any
054.L54.094 such danger overtake me.
054.L54.0DL 14. March./ %1Your true poor servant%2
054.L54.0SS J. Donne.

055.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 H. G.
055.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
055.L54.001 A%+Fter I have told you, that the Lady
055.L54.002 %1Hay%2 dyed last Tuesday, and that to her
055.L54.003 end she was anguished with the memory [CW:of]
055.L54.004 of the execution of that fellow which at- [p.172]
055.L54.005 tempted her in the coach. I have told you all
055.L54.006 which hath fallen out here. Except between
055.L54.007 you and me that may be worth the telling,
055.L54.008 that my L. Chancellor gave me so noble
055.L54.009 and so ready a dispatch; accompanied
055.L54.010 with so fatherly advise, and remorse for my
055.L54.011 fortunes, that I am now, like an Alchymist,
055.L54.012 delighted with discoveries by the way,
055.L54.013 though I attain not mine end. It spent me
055.L54.014 so little time after your going, that, although
055.L54.015 you speak in your Letter of good dispatch in
055.L54.016 your going, yet I might have overtaken you.
055.L54.017 And though perchãce if I had gone, it might
055.L54.018 have been inconvenient for me, to have put
055.L54.019 my self into my L. Chamberlains presence, if
055.L54.020 that sicknesse be earnest at %1Ashby%2, and so I
055.L54.021 should nothing have advanced my busi-
055.L54.022 nesse, yet I should have come to that noble
055.L54.023 Lady with better confidence, and more
055.L54.024 assurance of a pardon, when I had brought
055.L54.025 a conscience, that I came despoiled of all
055.L54.026 other respects, only to kisse her hands, in
055.L54.027 whose protection I am, since I have, nor de-
055.L54.028 sire other station, then a place in her good [CW:opinion.]
055.L54.029 opinion. I took so good contentment in [p.173]
055.L54.030 the fashion which my L. Chancellor used
055.L54.031 towards me, that out of a voluptuous loath-
055.L54.032 nesse to let that taste go out of my mouth,
055.L54.033 I forbear to make any further tryall in that
055.L54.034 businesse till the King come into these quar-
055.L54.035 ters. So that, Sir, I am here in place to serve
055.L54.036 you, if either I be capable of your com-
055.L54.037 mandements, or this town give any thing
055.L54.038 worth the writing. As often as you see
055.L54.039 your noble friend, and her good sister, al-
055.L54.040 low my name a room in your discourse, it
055.L54.041 is a short one, and you will soon have done.
055.L54.042 But tell them not my desire to do them ser-
055.L54.043 vice, for then you engage your self in a lon-
055.L54.044 ger discourse, then I am worthy. Only in
055.L54.045 pursuit of your commandment I sent the
055.L54.046 Pacquet to the Post, for in mine own un-
055.L54.047 derstanding, there should appear small
055.L54.048 hope of arriving by that way, except you
055.L54.049 know otherwise that the LL. mean to
055.L54.050 make some stay in their return, in those
055.L54.051 parts: but the Letter is brought back a-
055.L54.052 gain, for the Post went away yesterday, and [CW:they]
055.L54.053 they knew of no occasion of sending till [p.174]
055.L54.054 next week. Therefore except I can inform
055.L54.055 my self of some good means, I will retain
055.L54.056 it, till I have a fresh commandment from
055.L54.057 you. I see M. %1Taverner%2 still in this town, the
055.L54.058 Lady %1Carey%2 went from hence but yesterday. I
055.L54.059 am in some perplexity what to doe with
055.L54.060 this pacquet, till some good fortune, or your
055.L54.061 Letters clear me.
055.L54.0DL Aug. 19/ %1Your humble servant%2
055.L54.0SS J. Donne.

056.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. Goodere %1at%2 Polesworth.
056.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
056.L54.001 I%+T is true that M. %1Gherard%2 told you, I had
056.L54.002 that commandment from the King sig-
056.L54.003 nified to me by my L. and am still under it,
056.L54.004 and we are within fourteen days of our
056.L54.005 time for going. I leave a scattered flock of
056.L54.006 wretched children, and I carry an infirme
056.L54.007 and valetudinary body, and I goe into the
056.L54.008 mouth of such adversaries, as I cannot
056.L54.009 blame for hating me, the Jesuits, and yet I [CW:go.]
056.L54.010 go. Though this be no service to my Lord: [p.175]
056.L54.011 yet I shall never come nearer doing him a
056.L54.012 service, nor do any thing liker a service then
056.L54.013 this. Yesterday we had news by Sir %1Nowell%2
056.L54.014 %1Carou%2 from %1Paris%2, that the D. of %1Savoy%2 was
056.L54.015 elected King of %1Bohemia%2; which would cut
056.L54.016 off a great part of the occasion of our going:
056.L54.017 but it is not much credible in it self, nor at
056.L54.018 all beleeved here, because it is not signified
056.L54.019 from %1Savoy%2, nor %1Heidelberg%2. Since M. %1Gher.%2
056.L54.020 continues your Gazittier, I need tell you no-
056.L54.021 thing of the %1Q.%2 of %1Frances%2 estate. For your
056.L54.022 commandment in memory of M. %1Martin%2,
056.L54.023 I should not have sate so many processes, if
056.L54.024 I could incline my thoughts that way. It is
056.L54.025 not lazinesse, it is not gravity, nor coldnesse
056.L54.026 towards his memory, or your service; for I
056.L54.027 have thought of it oftner, and longer, then
056.L54.028 I was wont to do in such things, and no-
056.L54.029 thing is done. Your last pacquet, in which
056.L54.030 your daughter and I were joynt commissi-
056.L54.031 oners, was brought to me, because she was
056.L54.032 at %1Hampton%2, with the Queens body: but I sent
056.L54.033 her part to her, and my %1La. Uvedalls%2 to her, [CW:who]
056.L54.034 who presents her service to you by me [p.176]
056.L54.035 now, and says she will write next week,
056.L54.036 and so will I too, by Gods grace. You for-
056.L54.037 get me absolutely and intirely, whensoever
056.L54.038 you forget me to that noble Countesse. God
056.L54.039 blesse you in all, %1Amen%2.
056.L54.0DL %79%8 Martii./ %1Your true servant in Jes. Chr.%2
056.L54.0SS J. Donne.

057.L54.0HE %1To the best Knight Sir%2 H. G.
057.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
057.L54.001 A%+T your conveniency, I pray send my
057.L54.002 Lady %1Bedford%2 this inclosed, but be
057.L54.003 pleased to put your self to some inconveni-
057.L54.004 ence, (if it be so) to kisse my Lady %1Ruthins%2
057.L54.005 hands in my name, and to present my very
057.L54.006 humble service to her, and tell her, that
057.L54.007 no ill conscience of having deserved her,
057.L54.008 but only an obedience to her command-
057.L54.009 ments, keeps me from saying to her self thus
057.L54.010 much; that this day I received a letter from
057.L54.011 my %1L.%2 of %1Kent%2, written yesterday at %1Wrest%2:
057.L54.012 in that his Lordships sends me word, that [CW:that]
057.L54.013 that favour which he hath formerly done
057.L54.014 me, in giving me %1Blouham%2, is now likely to
057.L54.015 fall upon me, because the Incumbent is
057.L54.016 dangerously ill: and because this is the sea-
057.L54.017 son in which he removes from %1Wrest%2 thi-
057.L54.018 ther, he desires (for I give you his own
057.L54.019 word) that he may be accommodate there,
057.L54.020 (if it fall now) as heretofore. Out of my
057.L54.021 absolute and intire readiness to serve that
057.L54.022 family, I sent back his messenger with this
057.L54.023 answer, that I esteemed it a great part of my
057.L54.024 good fortune, that I should become wor-
057.L54.025 thy to be commanded by him. If my Lady
057.L54.026 will be pleased to direct me in what parti-
057.L54.027 cular manner I may best serve her purpo-
057.L54.028 ses. I shall gladly waite upon her at any
057.L54.029 time, to receive her command with as much
057.L54.030 devotion and thankfulnesse as I received the
057.L54.031 benefit. I beseech you make her beleeve it,
057.L54.032 as in any place you beleeve
057.L54.0DL 26 Febr. 1621./ %1Your poor servant in Chr. Jes.%2
057.L54.0SS J. Donne. [CW:%1To%2]

058.L54.0HE %1To my best of friends Sir%2 H. G.
058.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
058.L54.001 I Heard not from you this week; there-
058.L54.002 fore I write more willingly, because it
058.L54.003 hath in it so much more merit. And I
058.L54.004 might do it very cheaply, since to convey
058.L54.005 to you this Letter, which mine hath the ho-
058.L54.006 nour to bring, any little Letter would serve,
058.L54.007 and be acceptable for that. Because it came
058.L54.008 not last week, I went now to solicite it, and
058.L54.009 she sent it me next day with some thankes,
058.L54.010 and some excuse that she knew not me,
058.L54.011 when I was with her. You know, I do not
058.L54.012 easily put my self into those hazards, nor
058.L54.013 do much brag of my valor now, otherwise
058.L54.014 then I purposed it for a service to you. The
058.L54.015 newest thing that I know in the world, is
058.L54.016 my new son: whose mothers being well
058.L54.017 takes off from me any new waight upon my
058.L54.018 fortune. I hear in Newgate, that M. %1Ma-%2
058.L54.019 %1thew%2 is dead. The Catholiques beleeve it
058.L54.020 there: perchance out of a custome of cre-
058.L54.021 dulity. But the report, is close prisoner; for [cw:I]
058.L54.022 I never met it abroad. This is my third let- [p.179]
058.L54.023 ter, all which I sent by %1Spelty%2 whom my
058.L54.024 boy found at %1Abington%2 house. I have now
058.L54.025 two of the best happinesses which could
058.L54.026 befall me, upon me; which are, to be a
058.L54.027 widower and my wife alive, which may
058.L54.028 make you know, that it is but for you ease,
058.L54.029 that this letter is no longer, in this leasure in
058.L54.030 which (having nothing else to write) I
058.L54.031 might vary a thousand ways that I am
058.L54.0DL Monday at night./ %1Your very affectionate servant%2
058.L54.0SS J. Donne.

059.L54.0HE %1To my worthy friend%2 G.K.
059.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
059.L54.001 I Receive this heare that I begin this re-
059.L54.002 turn, your Letter by a servant of Sir %1G%2.
059.L54.003 %1Greseley%2, by whom also I hasten this dis-
059.L54.004 patch. This needs no enlargement since it
059.L54.005 hath the honour to convey one from M.
059.L54.006 %1Gherard%2. But though by telling me, it was
059.L54.007 a bold letter, I had leave to open it, and that
059.L54.008 I have a little itch to make some animad-[cw:versions]
059.L54.009 versions & Criticismes upon it (as that there [p.180]
059.L54.010 is a ciphar too much in the sum of the Kings
059.L54.011 debts, and such like) yet since my eyes do
059.L54.012 easily fall back to their distemper, and that
059.L54.013 I am this night to sup at Sir A. Ingrams, I
059.L54.014 had rather forfeit their little strength at his
059.L54.015 supper, then with writing such imperti-
059.L54.016 nencies: the best spending them, is upon
059.L54.017 the rest of your Letter, to which, Sir, I can
059.L54.018 only say in generall, that some appearances
059.L54.019 have been here, of some treatise concer-
059.L54.020 ning this Nullity, which are said to proceed
059.L54.021 from %1Geneva%2; but are beleeved to have
059.L54.022 been done within doors, by encourage-
059.L54.023 ments of some whose names I will not
059.L54.024 commit to this letter. My poor study ha-
059.L54.025 ving lyen that way, it may prove possible,
059.L54.026 that my weak assistance may be of use in
059.L54.027 this matter, in a more serious fashion, then
059.L54.028 an Epithalamion. This made me therefore
059.L54.029 abstinent in that kinde; yet by my troth, I
059.L54.030 think I shall not scape. I deprehend in
059.L54.031 my self more then an alacrity, a vehe-
059.L54.032 mency to do service to that company; and [cw:so]
059.L54.033 so, I may finde reason to make rime. If it be [p.181]
059.L54.034 done, I see not how I can admit that circuit
059.L54.035 of sending them to you, to be sent hither;
059.L54.036 that seems a kinde of praying to Saints, to
059.L54.037 whom God must tell first, that such a man
059.L54.038 prays to them to pray to him. So that I
059.L54.039 shall lose the honour of that conveyance;
059.L54.040 but, for recompense, you shall scape the
059.L54.041 danger of approving it. My next Letter shall
059.L54.042 say more of this. This shall end with deli-
059.L54.043 vering you the remembrance of my Lady
059.L54.044 %1Bartlet%2, who is present at the sealing hereof.
059.L54.0DL Jan. 19./ %1Your very true and affectionate servant%2
059.L54.0SS J. Donne.
059.L54.P01 %1Which name when there is any empty%2
059.L54.P02 %1corner in your discourse with that noble La-%2
059.L54.P03 %1dy at%2 Ashby, %1I humbly beseech you to pre-%2
059.L54.P04 %1sent to her as one more devoted to her service%2
059.L54.P05 %1then perchance you will say.%2 [cw:%1To%2]

060.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 G. B.
060.L54.Sal SIR,
060.L54.001 B%+Etween the time of making up my o-
060.L54.002 ther Letters, and the hour that your
060.L54.003 man limited me to call for them, came to
060.L54.004 my house an other pacquet directed to
060.L54.005 him: for by this time, the carrier is as wise,
060.L54.006 as his horse, to go to the house that he hath
060.L54.007 used to go. I found liberty in the super-
060.L54.008 scription to open, and so I did; but for that
060.L54.009 part which concerns him, I must attend his
060.L54.010 comming hither, for I know not where to
060.L54.011 seek him; and beside, I have enough to say
060.L54.012 for that part which concerns my self. Sir,
060.L54.013 even in the Letter it self to me, I deprehend
060.L54.014 much inclination, to chide me: and it is
060.L54.015 but out of your habit of good language that
060.L54.016 you spare me. So little occasion as that
060.L54.017 postscript of mine, could not bring you so
060.L54.018 near to it, if nothing else were mistaken,
060.L54.019 which (so God help me) was so little, that I
060.L54.020 remember not what it was, and I would
060.L54.021 no more hear again what I write in an [cw:officious]
060.L54.022 officious Letter, then what I said at a drun- [p.183]
060.L54.023 ken supper. I had no purpose to exercise
060.L54.024 your diligence in presenting my name to
060.L54.025 that Lady, but either I did, or should have
060.L54.026 said, that I write onely to fill up any empty
060.L54.027 corner in your discourse. So, Sir, the rea-
060.L54.028 ding of the Letter, was a kinde of travell to
060.L54.029 me, but when I came to the paper inclosed,
060.L54.030 I was brought to bed of a monster. To ex-
060.L54.031 presse my self vehemently quickly, I must
060.L54.032 say, that I can scarce think, that you have
060.L54.033 read M. %1Gherards%2 letter rightly, therefore I
060.L54.034 send you back your own again. I will not
060.L54.035 protest against my being such a knave, for no
060.L54.036 man shall have that from me, if he expect
060.L54.037 it: but I will protest against my being such
060.L54.038 a fool, as to depose any thing in him with
060.L54.039 hope of locking it up, and against that low-
060.L54.040 nesse, of seeking reputation by so poor a
060.L54.041 way. I am not so sorry, that I am a narrow
060.L54.042 man, as that for all the narrownesse, you
060.L54.043 have not seen through me yet, nor known
060.L54.044 me perfectly; for I might think by this, (if
060.L54.045 I had not other testimony) that I have been [cw:little]
060.L54.046 little in your contemplation. Sixteen letters [p.184]
060.L54.047 from M. %1Gherard%2, could not (I think) per-
060.L54.048 swade a %1Middlesex%2 Jury of so much disho-
060.L54.049 nesty in
060.L54.0DL om
060.L54.0SS %1Your true servant%2
060.L54.0SS J. Donne.

061.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 G. P.
061.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
061.L54.001 I%+ Would have intermitted this week with-
061.L54.002 out writing, if I had not found the name
061.L54.003 of my Lady %1Huntington%2 in your Letter. The
061.L54.004 devotion which I owe, and (in good faith)
061.L54.005 pay in my best prayers for her good, in all
061.L54.006 kinde awakens me to present my humble
061.L54.007 thanks for this, that her Ladiship retains
061.L54.008 my name in her memory: she never laid
061.L54.009 obligation upon any man, readier to ex-
061.L54.010 presse his acknowledgement of them, to
061.L54.011 any servant of her servants; I am bound
061.L54.012 to say much of this, for your indemnity;
061.L54.013 because though I had a little preparation to
061.L54.014 her knowledge in the house where I served [CW:at]
061.L54.015 at first, yet, I think, she took her characters [p.185]
061.L54.016 of me, from you: And, at what time soe-
061.L54.017 ver she thought best of me in her life, I am
061.L54.018 better then that, for my goodnesse is my
061.L54.019 thankfulnesse, and I am every day fuller of
061.L54.020 that then before, to her La%5p%6. I say nothing
061.L54.021 to you of forein names in this Letter, be-
061.L54.022 cause your son Sir %1Francis%2 is here. For that
061.L54.023 which you write concerning your son, I
061.L54.024 onely gave my man %1Martin%2 in charge, to
061.L54.025 use his interest in the Keeper, that your son
061.L54.026 should fall under no wants there, which
061.L54.027 it seems your son discharged, for I hear not
061.L54.028 of them. For other trifles, I bad my man let
061.L54.029 him have whatsoever he asked, so, as it
061.L54.030 might seem to come from him, and not
061.L54.031 me; and laying that look upon it, it came
061.L54.032 to almost nothing. Tell both your daugh-
061.L54.033 ters a peece of a storie of my %1Con%2. which
061.L54.034 may accustome them to endure disappoint-
061.L54.035 ments in this world: An honourable per-
061.L54.036 son (whose name I give you in a schedule
061.L54.037 to burn, lest this Letter should be mis-laid)
061.L54.038 had an intention to give her one of his sons, [CW:and]
061.L54.039 and had told it me, and would have been [p.186]
061.L54.040 content to accept what I, by my friends,
061.L54.041 could have begged for her; but he intended
061.L54.042 that son to my Profession, and had provi-
061.L54.043 ded him already %73%800%5l%6 a year, of his own
061.L54.044 gift in Church livings, and hath estated
061.L54.045 %73%800%5l%6 more of inheritance for their children:
061.L54.046 and now the youth, (who yet knows no-
061.L54.047 thing of his fathers intention nor mine)
061.L54.048 flies from his resolutions for that Calling,
061.L54.049 and importunes his Father to let him tra-
061.L54.050 vell. The girle knows not her losse, for I
061.L54.051 never told her of it: but truly, it is a great
061.L54.052 disappointment to me. More then these,
061.L54.053 Sir, we must all suffer, in our way to hea-
061.L54.054 ven, where, I hope you and all yours shall
061.L54.055 meet.
061.L54.0DL 18 Octob. 1622/ %1Your poor friend and affectionate servant%2
061.L54.0SS J. Donne. [CW:%1To%2]

062.L54.0HE %1To my much honoured friend S%2%5r%6 T. Lucy.
062.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
062.L54.001 I%+ Have scarce had at any time any thing so
062.L54.002 like news to write to you, as that I am
062.L54.003 at this Town; we came from %1Spa%C%2 with so
062.L54.004 much resolution of passing by %1Holland%2. But
062.L54.005 at %1Mastricht%2 we found that the lownesse, and
062.L54.006 slacknesse of the River, would incommo-
062.L54.007 date us so much, as we charged our whole
062.L54.008 gests, and came hither by Land. In the way
062.L54.009 at %1Lovaine%2 we met the E. of %1Arondel%2, to re-
062.L54.010 compense the losse wee had of mis-
062.L54.011 sing my L. %1Chandis%2 and his company, who
062.L54.012 came to %1Spa%C%2 within a few hours after we
062.L54.013 came away. Sir %1Ed. Conaway%2, by occasion of
062.L54.014 his bodies indisposition, was gone home
062.L54.015 before: he told me he had some hope of
062.L54.016 you about %1Bartholomewtide%2: But because I
062.L54.017 half understood by a Letter from you, that
062.L54.018 you were determined upon the Countrie
062.L54.019 till %1Michaelmas%2, I am not so earnest in ende-
062.L54.020 vouring to prolong our stay in these parts,
062.L54.021 as otherwise I should. If I could joine with [cw:him]
062.L54.022 him in that hope of seeing you on this side [p.188]
062.L54.023 the water; and if you should hold that pur-
062.L54.024 pose of comming at that time, I should re-
062.L54.025 pent extremely my laying of our journies;
062.L54.026 for (if we should by miracle hold any reso-
062.L54.027 lution) we should be in %1England%2 about that
062.L54.028 time, so that I might misse you both here,
062.L54.029 and there. Sir, our greatest businesse is
062.L54.030 more in our power then the least, and we
062.L54.031 may be surer to meet in heaven then in any
062.L54.032 place upon earth; and whilst we are distant
062.L54.033 here, we may meet as often as we list in
062.L54.034 Gods presence, by soliciting in our prayers
062.L54.035 for one another. I received 4 Letters from
062.L54.036 you at %1Spa%C%2 by long circuits. In the last, one
062.L54.037 from my L. %1Dorset%2: I, who had a consci-
062.L54.038 ence of mine own unworthinese of any fa-
062.L54.039 vour from him, could not chuse but present
062.L54.040 my thanks for the least. I do not therefore
062.L54.041 repent my forwardnesse in that office; and I
062.L54.042 beseech you not to repent your part therein.
062.L54.043 Since we came to this Town, there arrived
062.L54.044 an Extraordinary from %1Spain%2, with a recon-
062.L54.045 firmation of the D.%1d'Aumals%2 Pension, which [cw:is]
062.L54.046 is thereby 2400%5l%6 a year, & he brings the title [p.189]
062.L54.047 of Count, to %1Rodrigo de Calderon%2, who from
062.L54.048 a very low place, having grown to be Se-
062.L54.049 cretary to %1Lerma%2, is now Ambassador here,
062.L54.050 and in great opinion of wisdome: They
062.L54.051 say yet he goes to %1Prague%2 with the Marquis
062.L54.052 %1Spinola%2, and the G. %1Buquoy%2, to congratulate
062.L54.053 the Emperour: but we all conclude here,
062.L54.054 that persons of such quality, being great in
062.L54.055 matter of Warre, are not sent for so small
062.L54.056 an emploiment: we beleeve certainly, that
062.L54.057 they deliberate a Warre, and that the redu-
062.L54.058 ction of %1Aix%2 being not worthy this dili-
062.L54.059 gence, their intentions be upon %1Cleve%2,
062.L54.060 for the new Town which the two Prin-
062.L54.061 ces make by %1Collen%2, despites them much.
062.L54.062 The Elector of %1Ments%2 hath lately been here,
062.L54.063 upon pretence of comming in devotion to
062.L54.064 %1Sichem%2, and shortly the Electors of %1Colein%2 and
062.L54.065 %1Saxony%2 are to be here severally: all concurs
062.L54.066 to a disposition of such a Warre, and the
062.L54.067 %1Landsgrave%2 of %1Hasse%2 (who is as yet in the
062.L54.068 Union) is much solicited and caressed by
062.L54.069 this party, and I doubt, will prove a frail [cw:and]
062.L54.070 and corruptible man. I durst think confi- [p.190]
062.L54.071 dently, that they will at least proceed so far
062.L54.072 towards a Warre, as to try how %1France%2 will
062.L54.073 dispose it self in the businesse: for it is con-
062.L54.074 ceived that the D. of %1Bovillon%2 brought to
062.L54.075 our K. good assurances from the Qu. Re-
062.L54.076 gent, that she would pursue all her hus-
062.L54.077 bands purposes in advancing the designes
062.L54.078 of those Princes who are in possession of
062.L54.079 %1Cleve%2, and in the Union. If she declare her
062.L54.080 self to do so, when they stirre, they are like
062.L54.081 to divert their purposes; but if she stand
062.L54.082 but neutrall (as it is likely, considering how
062.L54.083 Spanish the Court is at this time) I see not
062.L54.084 that the Princes of the Union are much
062.L54.085 likely to retard them. Sir, you see what un-
062.L54.086 concerning things I am fain to write of,
062.L54.087 lest I should write of my self, who am so
062.L54.088 little a history or tale, that I should not hold
062.L54.089 out to make a Letter long enough to send
062.L54.090 over a Sea to you; for I should dispatch my
062.L54.091 self in this one word that I am
062.L54.0DL Aug.16. %1here%2. 1622./ %1Your affectionate servant and lover%2
062.L54.0SS J. Donne. [%1To%2]

063.L54.0HE %1To the honourable Knight Sir%2 H. G.
063.L54.Sal SIR,
063.L54.001 S%+Ince I received a Letter by your sonne,
063.L54.002 whom I have not yet had the honour
063.L54.003 to see, I had a Letter Pacquet from you by
063.L54.004 M%5r%6 %1Roe%2: To the former, I writ before: In
063.L54.005 this I have no other commandement from
063.L54.006 you, but to tell you, whether M%5r%6 %1Villers%2 have
063.L54.007 received from the K. any additions of ho-
063.L54.008 nour, or profit. Without doubt he hath yet
063.L54.009 none. He is here, practising for the Mask;
063.L54.010 of which, if I mis-remember not, I writ as
063.L54.011 much as you desire to know, in a Letter
063.L54.012 which seems not, to have been come to
063.L54.013 you, when you writ. In the %1Savoy%2 business,
063.L54.014 the King hath declared himself by an en-
063.L54.015 gagement, to assist him with 100000%5l%6 a
063.L54.016 year, if the Warre continue. But I beleeve,
063.L54.017 he must farm out your %1Warwickshire%2 Bene-
063.L54.018 volence for the paiment thereof. Upon the
063.L54.019 strength of this engagement, Sir %1Rob. Rich%2
063.L54.020 becomes confident in his hopes. If you
063.L54.021 stood in an equall disposition for the West, [CW:and]
063.L54.022 and onely forbore, by reason of M%5r%6 %1Martins%2 [p.192]
063.L54.023 silence, I wonder; for I think, I told you,
063.L54.024 that he was gone; and I saw in Sir %1Tho.%2
063.L54.025 %1Lucies%2 hand, a Letter from him to you,
063.L54.026 which was likely to tell you as much.
063.L54.027 Since I came from Court, I have stirred ve-
063.L54.028 ry little: Now that the Court comes again
063.L54.029 to us, I may have something which you
063.L54.030 may be content to receive from
063.L54.0DL 18 Decemb./ %1Your very affectionate servant%2
063.L54.0SS J. Donne.

064.L54.0HE %1To my good friend S%2%5r%6 H.G.
064.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
064.L54.001 T%+HE Messenger who brought me
064.L54.002 your Letter presented me a just excuse,
064.L54.003 for I received them so late upon Thursday
064.L54.004 night, that I should have dispatched before
064.L54.005 I could begin; yet I have obeyed you drow-
064.L54.006 sily, and coldly, as the night and my in-
064.L54.007 disposition commanded: yet perchance
064.L54.008 those hinderances have done good, for so
064.L54.009 your Letters are the lesse curious, in which [cw:men]
064.L54.010 men of much leasure may soon exceed, [p.193]
064.L54.011 when they write of business, they having
064.L54.012 but a little. You mention two more letters
064.L54.013 then I send. The time was not too short
064.L54.014 for me to have written them, (for I had an
064.L54.015 whole night) but it was too short to work
064.L54.016 a beleefe I me, that you could think it fit
064.L54.017 to go two so divers ways to one end. I see
064.L54.018 not, (for I see not the reason) how those
064.L54.019 letters could well have concurred with
064.L54.020 these, nor how those would well have been
064.L54.021 drawn from them, in a businesse wholly
064.L54.022 relating to this house. I was not lazie in
064.L54.023 disobeying you, but (I thought) only thrifty,
064.L54.024 and your request of those was not absolute,
064.L54.025 but conditioned, if I had leasure. So though
064.L54.026 that condition hinder them not, since ano-
064.L54.027 ther doth (and you forethought, that one
064.L54.028 might) I am not stubborn. The good
064.L54.029 Countesse spake somewhat of your desire
064.L54.030 of letters; but I am afraid, she is not a pro-
064.L54.031 per Mediatrix to those persons, but I coun-
064.L54.032 sail in the dark. And therefore return to
064.L54.033 that, of which I have clear light, that I am [cw:always]
064.L54.034 always glad, when I have any way to ex- [p.194]
064.L54.035 presse my love; for in these commandments
064.L54.036 you feed my desires, and you give me means
064.L54.037 to pay some of my debts to you: the inte-
064.L54.038 rest of which I pay in all my prayers for
064.L54.039 you, which, if it please not God to shew
064.L54.040 here, I hope we shall find again together
064.L54.041 in heaven, whither they were sent. I came
064.L54.042 this morning to say thus much, and because
064.L54.043 the Porter which came to Micham summo-
064.L54.044 ned me for this hour to London: from
064.L54.045 whence I am this minute returning to end
064.L54.046 a little course of Physick.
064.L54.0DL Friday 8 in the morning./ %1Yours very truly%2
064.L54.0SS J. Donne.

065.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
065.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
065.L54.001 I%+ Writ to you yesterday taking the bold-
065.L54.002 nesse to put a letter into the good Ladies
065.L54.003 pacquet for you. This morning I had this
065.L54.004 new occasion of writing, that Sir %1Tho. Roe%2,
065.L54.005 who brought this inclosed Letter to me, [CW: and]
065.L54.006 and left it unsealed, intreated me to take the [p.195]
065.L54.007 first opportunity of sending it. Besides that
065.L54.008 which is in that letter (for he read it to me)
065.L54.009 I came to the knowledg in %1Yorkhouse%2 that my
065.L54.010 L. Chancellor hath been moved, and in-
065.L54.011 censed against you; and asking Sir %1Tho. Roe%2,
065.L54.012 if he were directly or occasionally any cause
065.L54.013 of that, he tells me thus much, that Sir %1W.%2
065.L54.014 %1Lover%2, and Sir %1H. Carey%2, have obtained of
065.L54.015 my L. to have a Pursevant, and consequent-
065.L54.016 ly a Serjeant sent into the Countrey for you.
065.L54.017 My L. grounds this earnestnesse against
065.L54.018 you, upon some refusing to appear upon
065.L54.019 processe which hath been taken out against
065.L54.020 you. And I perceive Sir %1Ed. Eston%2, and both
065.L54.021 the other, admit consultations, of ways by
065.L54.022 petition to the King, or Counsail, or L.
065.L54.023 Chamberlain, or any other. The great
065.L54.024 danger, obliquely likely to fall, is that when
065.L54.025 it comes to light, how you stand towards
065.L54.026 M. %1Mathew%2, you may lose the ease which
065.L54.027 you have by colour of that extent, and he
065.L54.028 may lose the benefit, of having had so much
065.L54.029 of his estate concealed. You will therefore [CW:at]
065.L54.030 at least pardon my advising you, to place [p.196]
065.L54.031 those sums, which by your retiring I pre-
065.L54.032 sume you do imploy upon payment of
065.L54.033 debts, in such places as that these particu-
065.L54.034 lar friends be not forced to leave being so. I
065.L54.035 confesse, the going about to pay debts,
065.L54.036 hastens importunity. I finde in my self,
065.L54.037 that where I was not asked money before,
065.L54.038 yet when I offered to pay next Terme, they
065.L54.039 seem loth to afford me that time, which
065.L54.040 might justly have been desperate before:
065.L54.041 but that which you told me out of the
065.L54.042 Countrey, with the assistance which I
065.L54.043 hope to finde here, (especially if your inde-
065.L54.044 vour may advance it at %1Dorset%2 house) I hope
065.L54.045 will inable me to escape clamor, and an
065.L54.046 ill conscience, in that behalf. One thing
065.L54.047 more I must tell you; but so softly, that I am
065.L54.048 loath to hear my self: and so softly, that if
065.L54.049 that good Lady were in the room, with
065.L54.050 you and this Letter, she might not hear. It
065.L54.051 is, that I am brought to a necessity of prin-
065.L54.052 ting my Poems, and addressing them to
065.L54.053 my L. Chamberlain. This I mean to do [CW:forth-]
065.L54.054 forthwith; not for much publique view, [p.197]
065.L54.055 but at mine own cost, a few Copies. I ap-
065.L54.056 prehend some incongruities in the resoluti-
065.L54.057 on; and I know what I shall suffer from
065.L54.058 many interpretations: but I am at an end, of
065.L54.059 much considering that; and, if I were as
065.L54.060 startling in that kinde, as ever I was, yet in
065.L54.061 this particular, I am under an unescapable
065.L54.062 necessity, as I shall let you perceive, when
065.L54.063 I see you. By this occasion I am made a
065.L54.064 Rhapsoder of mine own rags, and that cost
065.L54.065 me more diligence, to seek them, then it did
065.L54.066 to make them. This made me aske to bor-
065.L54.067 row that old book of you, which it will be
065.L54.068 too late to see, for that use, when I see you:
065.L54.069 for I must do this, as a valediction to the
065.L54.070 world, before I take Orders. But this is it,
065.L54.071 I am to aske you; whether you ever made
065.L54.072 any such use of the letter in verse, %1A nostre%2
065.L54.073 %1Countesse chez vous%2, as that I may not put it
065.L54.074 in, amongst the rest to persons of that
065.L54.075 rank; for I desire very very much, that
065.L54.076 something should bear her name in the
065.L54.077 book, and I would be just to my written [CW:words]
065.L54.078 words to my L. %1Harrington%2, to write no- [p.198]
065.L54.079 thing after that. I pray tell me as soon as
065.L54.080 you can, if I be at liberty to insert that: for
065.L54.081 if you have by any occasion applied any
065.L54.082 pieces of it, I see not, that it will be discerned,
065.L54.083 when it appears in the wholepiece. Though
065.L54.084 this be a little matter, I would be sorry not
065.L54.085 to have an account of it, within as little af-
065.L54.086 ter Newyears tide, as you could. I have
065.L54.087 something else to say, of M. %1Villars%2, but be-
065.L54.088 cause I hope to see you here shortly, and be-
065.L54.089 cause new additions, to the truths or ru-
065.L54.090 mours, which concern him, are likely to be
065.L54.091 made by occasion of this Masque, I forbear
065.L54.092 to send you the edition of this Mart, since I
065.L54.093 know it will be augmented by the next:
065.L54.094 of which, if you prevent it not by com-
065.L54.095 ming, you shall have, by letter an account
065.L54.096 from
065.L54.0DL %1Vigilia S%2%5t%6. %1Tho.%2 1614./ %1Your very affectionate friend and servant%2
065.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

066.L54.0HE %1To the worthy Knight Sir%2 Tho. Lucy.
066.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
066.L54.001 Y%+Our Letter comes to me, at Grace after
066.L54.002 supper; it is part of the prayer of that
066.L54.003 Grace, that God will blesse you, and all yours
066.L54.004 with his best blessings of both kinde. I
066.L54.005 would write you news; but your love to
066.L54.006 me, may make you apt to over-beleeve
066.L54.007 news for my sake. And truly all things that
066.L54.008 are upon the stage of the world now, are
066.L54.009 full of such uncertanities, as may justly
066.L54.010 make any man loth to passe a conjecture
066.L54.011 upon them; not only because it is hard to see
066.L54.012 how they wil end, but because it is misinter-
066.L54.013 table and dangerous to conjecture other-
066.L54.014 wise, then some men would have the event
066.L54.015 to be. That which is especially in my con-
066.L54.016 templation, which is the issue of my L. of
066.L54.017 %1Canterburies%2 businesse, (for thereupon de-
066.L54.018 pends the consecration of my predecessor,
066.L54.019 upon which the Deanery devolves to the
066.L54.020 King) is no farther proceeded in yet, then
066.L54.021 that some of the 10 Commissioners have [CW:met]
066.L54.022 met once; and upon Saterday next there [p.200]
066.L54.023 will be a fuller meeting, and an entrance in-
066.L54.024 to the businesse, upon which, much, very
066.L54.025 much in consequence, depends. Of my L.
066.L54.026 of %1Donc%2. we are only assured, that he is in a
066.L54.027 good way of convalescence; but of any
066.L54.028 audience nothing yet. Slacken not your
066.L54.029 hold of my L. Treasurer, for I have been
066.L54.030 told that you are in his care. I send you a
066.L54.031 Copy of that Sermon, but it is not my co-
066.L54.032 py, which I thought my L. of %1South-hampton%2
066.L54.033 would have sent me backe. This you must
066.L54.034 be pleased to let me have again, for I borrow
066.L54.035 it: for the other, I will pretermit no time
066.L54.036 to write it; though in good faith, I have
066.L54.037 half forgot it. If in any letter I leave out the
066.L54.038 name of the La. %1Hunt%2. or La. %1Burdell%2, or
066.L54.039 your daughters, tell them, that I named
066.L54.040 them. I take the falshood upon me; for I
066.L54.041 intend it very really, and very humbly,
066.L54.042 where I am good for any thing in any of
066.L54.043 their services. Our blessed Saviour continue
066.L54.044 and enlarge his blessing to you all, %1Amen%2.
066.L54.0DL 11 Octob. 1621./ %1Your humble servant in Chr. Jes.%2
066.L54.0SS J. Donne.
066.L54.P01 %1Why do you say nothing of, my little book of Cases.%2 [CW: %1To%2]

067.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 G. B.
067.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
067.L54.001 I%+T is one of my blinde Meditations to
067.L54.002 think what a miserable defeat it would
067.L54.003 be to all these preparations of braverie, if
067.L54.004 my infirmity should overtake others: for,
067.L54.005 I am at least half blinde, my windows
067.L54.006 are all as full of glasses of Waters, as any
067.L54.007 Mountebanks stall. This messenger makes
067.L54.008 haste, I thank him for it; therefor I onely
067.L54.009 send you this Letter, which was sent to me
067.L54.010 about three daies past, and my promise
067.L54.011 to distribute your other Letters, according
067.L54.012 to your addresses, as fast as my Monsieur
067.L54.013 can doe it; for, for any personall service,
067.L54.014 you must be content, at this time, to par-
067.L54.015 don
067.L54.0DL Decemb.23. /%1Your affectionate servant%2
067.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

068.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. Goodere.
068.L54.Sal SIR,
068.L54.001 A%+Greeably to my fortune, and thoughts,
068.L54.002 I was crawld this back way from %1Key%2-
068.L54.003 %1ston%2; through my broken casement at %1Bed%2-
068.L54.004 %1ford%2, I saw, for my best dish at dinner, your
068.L54.005 Coach: I studied your gests, but when I
068.L54.006 knew where you were, I went out of this
068.L54.007 Town, in a doubt whether I should turn in
068.L54.008 to %1Wrest%2; and you know the wisdome of
068.L54.009 the Parliament is, to resolve ever in the Ne-
068.L54.010 gative: Therefore it is likeliest I shall not
068.L54.011 come in there; yet, let me give you in pas-
068.L54.012 sing, thus much account of my self: I
068.L54.013 thought to kisse my L. %1Spencers%2 hands, at one
068.L54.014 house, and have passed three. If you know
068.L54.015 nothing to the contrary, risen since I came
068.L54.016 from %1London%2, I am likely to have a room in
068.L54.017 my L. of %1Dov%2. train, into the Countrie; if I
068.L54.018 have, I do not ask, but use the leave of wai-
068.L54.019 ting upon you at home: There and ever
068.L54.020 elswhere, our blessed Saviour blesse you, [CW:and]
068.L54.021 and all yours, in which number, I pray, ac- [p.203]
068.L54.022 count ever
068.L54.0DL om
068.L54.0SS %1Your very thankfull servant in Chr. Jes.%2
068.L54.0SS J. Donne.

069.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
069.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
069.L54.001 I%+ Cannot obey you, if you go to morrow
069.L54.002 to %1Parsons-green%2, your company, that
069.L54.003 place, and my promise are strong induce-
069.L54.004 ments, but an Ague flouts them all, of
069.L54.005 which I have had two such threatnings,
069.L54.006 that I provide against it by a little Physick.
069.L54.007 This is one fetter; but I have a pair: for I
069.L54.008 attend Sir %1Geo. Mores%2 answer in a little busi-
069.L54.009 nesse, of which I can have no account till
069.L54.010 his return, so I am fastned here, till after
069.L54.011 %1Sunday%2. As you are sure that I love you
069.L54.012 thorowly, so think this a good expressing
069.L54.013 of that, that I promise now, that I will cer-
069.L54.014 tainly goe with you on %1Munday%2, in despite
069.L54.015 of these interruptions, and serve you with
069.L54.016 my company to the %1Bathe%2; which journie,
069.L54.017 it is time to hasten. But I pray think this [cw:pro-]
069.L54.018 promise so much worth, that it may deserve [p.204]
069.L54.019 your comming this way on %1Munday%2, for I
069.L54.020 make it with that reservation. God send
069.L54.021 you Hawks and fortunes of a high pitch.
069.L54.0DL om
069.L54.0SS %1Your honest affectionate%2
069.L54.0SS J. Donne.

070.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 T.R.
070.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
070.L54.001 I%+ Have bespoke you a New-years-gift, that
070.L54.002 is, a good New year, for I have offered
070.L54.003 your name with my soul heartily to God in
070.L54.004 my mornings best Sacrifice: If for custome
070.L54.005 you will doe a particular office in recom-
070.L54.006 pense, deliver this Letter to your Lady,
070.L54.007 now, or when the rage of the Mask is past.
070.L54.008 If you make any haste into the Country, I
070.L54.009 pray let me know it. I would kisse your
070.L54.010 hands before you goe, which I doe now,
070.L54.011 and continue
070.L54.0DL Micham, %1the last of%2 1607. /%1as I remember%2.
070.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate servant%2 /%1and lover%2 J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

071.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 Henry Goodere.
071.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
071.L54.001 I%+ Speak to you before God, I am so much
071.L54.002 affected with yesterdaies accident, that I
071.L54.003 think I prophane it in that name. As men
071.L54.004 which judge Nativities, consider not single
071.L54.005 Starres, but the Aspects, the concurrence
071.L54.006 and posture of them; so in this, though no
071.L54.007 particular past arrest me, or divert me, yet
071.L54.008 all seems remarkable and enormous. God,
071.L54.009 which hath done this immediately, without
071.L54.010 so much as a sickness, will also immediately
071.L54.011 without supplement of friends, infuse his
071.L54.012 Spirit of comfort, where it is needed and
071.L54.013 deserved. I write this to you from the %1Spring%2
071.L54.014 %1Garden%2, whither I withdrew my self to
071.L54.015 think of this; and the intensenesse of my
071.L54.016 thinking ends in that, that by my help
071.L54.017 Gods work should be imperfected, if by
071.L54.018 any means I resisted the amasement.
071.L54.0DL om
071.L54.0SS %1Your very true friend%2
071.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

072.L54.0HE %1To my good friend%2 G.H.
072.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
072.L54.001 T%+HE little businesse which you left in
072.L54.002 my hands is now dispatched; if it
072.L54.003 have hung longer then you thought, it
072.L54.004 might serve for just excuse, that these small
072.L54.005 things make as many steps to their end,
072.L54.006 and need as many motions for the war-
072.L54.007 rant, as much writing of the Clerks, as
072.L54.008 long expectation of a Seal, as greater. It
072.L54.009 comes now to you sealed, and with it as
072.L54.010 strong and assured seals of my service and
072.L54.011 love to you, if it be good enough for you.
072.L54.012 I owe you a continuall tribute of Letters.
072.L54.013 But Sir, even in Princes and Parents, and
072.L54.014 all States that have in them a naturall Sove-
072.L54.015 raignty, there is a sort of reciprocation,
072.L54.016 and as descent to doe some offices due to
072.L54.017 them that serve them: which makes me
072.L54.018 look for Letters from you, because I have
072.L54.019 another as valuable a pawn therefore, as
072.L54.020 your friendship, which is your promise; [cw:lest]
072.L54.021 lest by the Jailors fault this Letter stick [p.207]
072.L54.022 long, I must tell you, that I writ and sent it
072.L54.023 12%5o%6 %1Decemb%2. 1600.
072.L54.0DL 12. %1Decemb%2. 1600
072.L54.0SS %1Your friend and servant and lover%2
072.L54.0SS J. Donne.

073.L54.0HE %1To your self%2.
073.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
073.L54.001 I%+ Send you here a Translation; but it is
073.L54.002 not onely to beleeve me, it is a great in-
073.L54.003 vention to have understood any piece of
073.L54.004 this Book, whether the gravity of the mat-
073.L54.005 ter, or the Poeticall form, give it his incli-
073.L54.006 nation, and %1principium motus%2; you are his
073.L54.007 center, or his sphere, and to you as to his
073.L54.008 proper place he addresses himself. Besides
073.L54.009 that all my things, not onely by obligation,
073.L54.010 but by custome , know that that is the way
073.L54.011 they should goe. I spake of this to my
073.L54.012 L. of %1Bedford%2, thinking then I had had a co-
073.L54.013 py which I made long since, at Sea, but be-
073.L54.014 cause I finde it not, I have done that again: [cw:when]
073.L54.015 when you finde it not unseasonable, let her [p.208]
073.L54.016 see it; and if you can think it fit, that a thing
073.L54.017 that hath either wearied, or distasted you,
073.L54.018 should receive so much favour, put it
073.L54.019 amongst her papers: when you have a
073.L54.020 new stomach to it, I will provide you
073.L54.021 quickly a new Copy.
073.L54.0DL %1At my%2 Micham /%1Hospitall%2, Aug. 10.
073.L54.0SS %1Your very true friend and servant%2 /%1and lover%2 J. Donne.

074.L54.0HE %1To the gallant Knight Sir%2 Tho. Lucy.
074.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
074.L54.001 B%+Ecause in your last Letter, I have an in-
074.L54.002 vitation to come to you, though I ne-
074.L54.003 ver thought my self so fallen from my in-
074.L54.004 terest, which, by your favour, I prescribe in,
074.L54.005 in you, and therefore when in the spring I
074.L54.006 hoped to have strength enough, to come in-
074.L54.007 to those parts, upon another occasion, I
074.L54.008 always resolved to put my self into your
074.L54.009 presence too, yet now I aske you more par-
074.L54.010 ticularly how you dispose of your self; for
074.L54.011 though I have heard, that you purpose a [CW:jour-]
074.L54.012 journey to the %1Bath%2, and from thence hither, [p.209]
074.L54.013 yet I can hope, that my service at %1Lincolns Inne%2
074.L54.014 being ended for next Terme, I may have in-
074.L54.015 termission enough to waite upon you at
074.L54.016 %1Poleseworth%2, before the season call you to
074.L54.017 %1Bath%2. I was no easie apprehender of the
074.L54.018 fear of your departing from us; neither am
074.L54.019 I easie in the hope of seeing you intirely o-
074.L54.020 ver suddenly. God loves your soul, if he be
074.L54.021 loth to let it go inch-meale, and not by
074.L54.022 swallowings; and he loves it too, if he
074.L54.023 build it up again stone after stone; his will
074.L54.024 is not done except his way, and his leasure
074.L54.025 be observed. In my particular, I am sorry,
074.L54.026 if my ingenuity and candor in delivering
074.L54.027 my self in those points, of which you
074.L54.028 speak to me, have defaced those impressi-
074.L54.029 ons which were in you before: if my free-
074.L54.030 dome have occasioned your captivity, I am
074.L54.031 miserably sorry. I went unprofitably and
074.L54.032 improvidently, to the utmost end of Truth,
074.L54.033 because I would go as farre as I could to
074.L54.034 meet Peace; if my going so far in declaring
074.L54.035 my self, brought you where you could not [CW:stop]
074.L54.036 stop. But I was as confident in your [p.210]
074.L54.037 strength, as in mine own, so am I still, in
074.L54.038 him, who strengthens al our infirmities and
074.L54.039 will, I doubt not, bring you and me toge-
074.L54.040 ther, in all those particulars, so as we shall
074.L54.041 not part in this world, nor the next. Sir,
074.L54.042 your own soul cannot be more zealous of
074.L54.043 your peace, then I am: and God, who
074.L54.044 loves that zeale in me, will not suffer you to
074.L54.045 suspect it. I am surprised with a necessity of
074.L54.046 writing now, in a minute; for I sent to
074.L54.047 %1Bedford%2 house to informe my self of means
074.L54.048 to write, and your daughter sent me word,
074.L54.049 of a present messenger, and therefore the rest
074.L54.050 of this, I shall make up in my prayers to
074.L54.051 our blessed Saviour, for all happinesses to
074.L54.052 you.
074.L54.0DL %1Drury house the%2 22 %1of%2 /%1Decemb%2. 1607.
074.L54.0SS %1Your poor servant in Chr. Jesus.%2
074.L54.0SS J. Donne. [CW:%1To%2]

075.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
075.L54.Sal SIR,
075.L54.001 T%+His is a second Letter: the enclosed
075.L54.002 was written before. Now we are
075.L54.003 sure that %1Heidelberge%2 is taken, and entred
075.L54.004 with extreme cruelties. Almost all the de-
075.L54.005 fendors forsook their stations; only Sir
075.L54.006 %1Ger. Herbert%2 maintained his nobly, to the
075.L54.007 repulsing of the enemy three times, but ha-
075.L54.008 ving ease in the other parts, 8oo new fresh
075.L54.009 men were put upon his quarter, and after
075.L54.010 he had broke %74%8 Pikes, and done very well,
075.L54.011 he was shot dead in the place. %1Manheim%2 was
075.L54.012 soon after besieged, and is still. %1Heydelth%2
075.L54.013 was lost the 6 of this moneth. the K. upon
075.L54.014 news of this, sent to the Spanish ambassa-
075.L54.015 our, that the people were like to resent it,
075.L54.016 and therefore, if he doubted ought, he
075.L54.017 should have a Guard: but I do not see, that
075.L54.018 he seems to need it, in his own opinion,
075.L54.019 neither, intruth does he; the people are flat:
075.L54.020 or trust in God, and the Kings ways. Sir
075.L54.021 %1Hor. Vere%2 hath written to his wife, (as I am [CW:told)]
075.L54.022 told) a Letter in the nature of a will, for the [p.212]
075.L54.023 disposing of his estate and children, as
075.L54.024 though he did not account to see her any
075.L54.025 more, but yet %1Manheim%2 cannot be lost, but
075.L54.026 by storming. Your man stays, and our
075.L54.027 bell rings me into the Church; there Sir,
075.L54.028 I shall recommend you to Gods goodnesse,
075.L54.029 with
075.L54.0DL 24 Septemb.
075.L54.0SS %1Your friend%2
075.L54.0SS J. Donne.

076.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H.G.
076.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
076.L54.001 I%+ Live so farre removed, that even the ill
076.L54.002 news of your great losse (which is ever
076.L54.003 swiftest and loudest) found me not till
076.L54.004 now, your letter speaks it not plain enough
076.L54.005 but I am so accustomed to the worst, that I
076.L54.006 am sure it is so in this. I am almost glad that
076.L54.007 I knew her so little: for I would have no
076.L54.008 more additions to sorrow. if I should com-
076.L54.009 fort you, it were an almes acceptable in no
076.L54.010 other title, then when poor give to poor; [cw:for]
076.L54.011 for I am more needy of it then you. And I [p.213]
076.L54.012 know you well provided of Christian, and
076.L54.013 learned, and brave defences against all hu-
076.L54.014 mane accidents. I will make my best haste
076.L54.015 after your messenger: and if my self and
076.L54.016 the place had not been ill provided of hor-
076.L54.017 ses, I had been the messenger, for you have
076.L54.018 taught me by granting more to deny no
076.L54.019 request.
076.L54.0DL %1Pyesford%2 3 a clock /just as yours came.
076.L54.0SS %1Your honest unprofitable friend%2
076.L54.0SS J. Donne.

077.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
077.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
077.L54.001 I%+ Cannot yet serve you with those books
077.L54.002 of which your Letter spake. In recom-
077.L54.003 pense I will tell you a story, which if I had
077.L54.004 had leasure to have told it you when it was
077.L54.005 fresh, which was upon Thursday last,
077.L54.006 might have had some grace for the rareness,
077.L54.007 and would have tried your love to me,
077.L54.008 how farre you would adventure to beleeve
077.L54.009 an improbable thing for my sake who re- [cw:lates]
077.L54.010 lates it. That day in the morning, there [p.214]
077.L54.011 was some end made, by the E. of %1Salisbury%2
077.L54.012 and others, who were Arbitrators in some
077.L54.013 differences between %1Herford%2 and %1Mountegle%2,
077.L54.014 %1Herford%2 was ill satisfied in it, and declared
077.L54.015 himself so farre as to say, he expected bet-
077.L54.016 ter usage in respect not only of his cause but
077.L54.017 of his expence and service in his Ambassage:
077.L54.018 to which %1Salisbury%2 replied, that considered
077.L54.019 how thinges stood between his Majesty and
077.L54.020 %1Herford%2 house at the Kings enterance, the
077.L54.021 King had done him especiall favour in that
077.L54.022 employment of honour and confidence, by
077.L54.023 declaring in so publique and great an act
077.L54.024 and testimony, that he had no ill affections
077.L54.025 toward him. %1Herford%2 answered, that he
077.L54.026 was then and ever an honest man to the
077.L54.027 King: and %1Salisbury%2 said, he denied not
077.L54.028 that, but yet solemnly repeated his first
077.L54.029 words again. So that %1Herford%2 seemed not
077.L54.030 to make answer, but pursuing his own
077.L54.031 word, said, that whosoever denied him to
077.L54.032 have been an honest man to the King, lyed.
077.L54.033 %1Salisbury%2 asked him if he directed that upon [cw:him,]
077.L54.034 him, %1Herford%2 said, upon any who denied [p.215]
077.L54.035 this. The earnestnes of both was such, as %1Sa-%2
077.L54.036 %1lisbury%2 accepted it to himself, and made pro-
077.L54.037 testation before the LL. present, that he
077.L54.038 would do nothing else, tell he had hono-
077.L54.039 rably put off that lye. Within an hour after,
077.L54.040 %1Salisbury%2 sent him a direct challenge, by his
077.L54.041 servant M%5r%6 %1Knightley%2; %1Herford%2 required only
077.L54.042 an hours leisure of consideration (it is said,
077.L54.043 it was onely to inform himself of the espe-
077.L54.044 ciall danger, in dealing so with a Counsel-
077.L54.045 lor) but he returned his acceptance: And
077.L54.046 all circumstances were so clearly handled
077.L54.047 between them, that S%5t%6 %1James%2 was agreed for
077.L54.048 the place, and they were both come from
077.L54.049 their severall lodgings, and upon the way
077.L54.050 to have met, when they were interrupted
077.L54.051 by such as from the King were sent to have
077.L54.052 care of it. So these two have escaped this
077.L54.053 great danger; but (by my troth) I fear ear-
077.L54.054 nestly that Mistresse %1Bolstrod%2 will not escape
077.L54.055 that sicknesse in which she labours at this
077.L54.056 time. I sent this morning to aske of her
077.L54.057 passage of this night; and the return is, [cw:that]
077.L54.058 that she is as I left her yesternight; and then [p.216]
077.L54.059 by the strength of her understanding, and
077.L54.060 voyce, (proportionally to her fashion,
077.L54.061 which was ever remisse) by the eavennesse
077.L54.062 and life of her pulse, and by her temper, I
077.L54.063 could allow her long life, and impute all
077.L54.064 her sicknesse to her minde. But the History
077.L54.065 of her sicknesse, makes me justly fear, that
077.L54.066 she will scarce last so long, as that you when
077.L54.067 you receive this letter, may do her any good
077.L54.068 office, in praying for her; for she hath not for
077.L54.069 many days received so much as a preserved
077.L54.070 Barbery, but it returnes, and all accompa-
077.L54.071 nied with a Fever, the mother, and an ex-
077.L54.072 tream ill spleen. Whilest I write this Tues-
077.L54.073 day morning, from %1Bartlet%2 house one brings
077.L54.074 me a pacquet to your Master: he is gone;
077.L54.075 and that Lady and all the company is from
077.L54.076 town. I thought I might be pardoned, if
077.L54.077 I thought my self your man for that service
077.L54.078 to open it, which I did, and for the Letters
077.L54.079 I will deliver them. What else you bid
077.L54.080 %1Foster%2 do in his Letter, bid him do it there,
077.L54.081 for (so God help me) I know not what it [cw:is]
077.L54.082 is. I must end now, else the carrier will be [p.217]
077.L54.083 gone. God be with you.
077.L54.0DL om
077.L54.0SS %1Yours intirely%2.
077.L54.P01 %1You know me without a name, and I know%2
077.L54.P02 %1not how this Letter goes.%2

078.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
078.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
078.L54.001 I%+ Had destined all this Tuesday, for the
078.L54.002 Court, because it is both a Sermon day,
078.L54.003 and the first day of the Kings being here. Be-
078.L54.004 fore I was to go forth, I had made up this
078.L54.005 inclosed pacquet for you, and then came
078.L54.006 this messenger with your pacquet, of which
078.L54.007 if you can remember the number, you can-
078.L54.008 not expect any account thereof from me,
078.L54.009 who have not half an hour left me before
078.L54.010 I go forth, and your messenger speakes of a
078.L54.011 necessity of returning homward before my
078.L54.012 returning home. If upon the delivery of
078.L54.013 them, or any other occasion, there intervene
078.L54.014 new subject of writing, I shall relieve my [CW:self]
078.L54.015 selfe upon Tuesday, if %1Tamworth%2 carrier be [p.218]
078.L54.016 in town. To the particulars of the Letter
078.L54.017 to my self, I will give this paper, and line.
078.L54.018 Of my Lady %1Bedford%2, I must say so much
078.L54.019 as must importune you to burn the Letter;
078.L54.020 for I would say nothing of her upon record,
078.L54.021 that should not testifie my thankfulnesse
078.L54.022 for all her graces. But upon this motion,
078.L54.023 which I made to her by letter, and by S%5r%6 %1Tho.%2.
078.L54.024 %1Roes%2 assistance, if any scruple should arise
078.L54.025 in her, she was somewhat more startling,
078.L54.026 then I looked for from her: she had more
078.L54.027 suspicion of my calling, a better memory
078.L54.028 of my past life, then I had thought her no-
078.L54.029 bility could have admitted: of all which,
078.L54.030 though I humbly thank God, I can make
078.L54.031 good use, as one that needs as many remem-
078.L54.032 brances in that kinde, as not only friends
078.L54.033 but enemies can present, yet I am afraid,
078.L54.034 they proceed in her rather from some ill
078.L54.035 impression taken from D. %1Burges%2, then that
078.L54.036 they grow in her self. But whosoever be the
078.L54.037 conduit, the water is the holy Ghosts, and
078.L54.038 in that acceptation I take it. For her other [CW: way]
078.L54.039 way of expressing her favour to me, I must [p.219]
078.L54.040 say, it is not with that cheerfulnesse, as here-
078.L54.041 tofore she hath delivered her self towards
078.L54.042 me. I am almost sorry, that an Elegy
078.L54.043 should have been able to move her to so
078.L54.044 much compassion heretofore, as to offer to
078.L54.045 pay my debts; and my greater wants now,
078.L54.046 and for so good a purpose, as to come dis-
078.L54.047 ingaged into that profession, being plainly
078.L54.048 laid open to her, should work no farther
078.L54.049 but that she sent me 30%1l%2. which in good
078.L54.050 faith she excused with that, which is in
078.L54.051 both parts true, that her present debts
078.L54.052 were burdensome, and that I could
078.L54.053 not doubt of her inclination, upon
078.L54.054 all future emergent occasions, to assist
078.L54.055 me. I confesse to you, her former
078.L54.056 fashion towards me, had given a better
078.L54.057 confidence; and this diminution in her
078.L54.058 makes me see, that I must use more friends,
078.L54.059 then I thought I should have needed. I
078.L54.060 would you could burn this letter, before you
078.L54.061 read it, at least do when you have read it.
078.L54.062 For, I am afraid out of a Contemplation [CW:of]
078.L54.063 of mine own unworthinesse, and fortune, [p.220]
078.L54.064 that the example of this Lady, should
078.L54.065 work upon the Lady where you are: for
078.L54.066 though goodnesse be originally in her, and
078.L54.067 she do good, for the deeds sake, yet, per-
078.L54.068 chance, she may think it a little wisdome,
078.L54.069 to make such measure of me, as they who
078.L54.070 know no better, do. Of any new treaty of
078.L54.071 a match with%1Spain%2, I hear nothing. The
078.L54.072 warres in the %1Lowcountries%2, to judge by their
078.L54.073 present state, are very likely to go forward.
078.L54.074 No word of a Parliament, and I my self
078.L54.075 have heard words of the K. as directly a-
078.L54.076 gainst any such purpose, as any can sound.
078.L54.077 I never heard word, till in your letter, of
078.L54.078 any stirres in%1Scotland%2, for that of the French
078.L54.079 K. which you aske, it hath this good
078.L54.080 ground, That in the Assembly there a pro-
078.L54.081 position hath been made, and well entertai-
078.L54.082 ned, that the K. should be declared, to have
078.L54.083 full Jurisdiction in %1France%2; and no other
078.L54.084 person to have any. It hath much of the
078.L54.085 modell and frame of our Oath of Allege-
078.L54.086 ance, but with some modification. It is [CW:true]
078.L54.087 true, it goes farther, then that State hath [p.221]
078.L54.088 drove in any publique declarations, but not
078.L54.089 farther then their Schools have drove often
078.L54.090 and constantly: the easinesse that it hath
078.L54.091 found in passing thus farre without oppo-
078.L54.092 sition, puts (perchance unnecessarily) in
078.L54.093 me a doubt, that they are sure to choak it,
078.L54.094 at the Royall assent, and therefore oppose it
078.L54.095 not, by the way, to sweeten the conveyance
078.L54.096 of their other purposes. Sir, if I stay longer
078.L54.097 I shall lose the Text, at Court, therefore I
078.L54.098 kisse your hand, and rest
078.L54.0DL om
078.L54.0SS %1Your very true servant%2
078.L54.0SS J. Donne.
078.L54.P01 %1We hear (but without second as yet)%2
078.L54.P02 %1that Sir%2 Rich. Philips %1brother in%2 France,
078.L54.P03 %1hath taken the habit of a Capuchin%2. [cw:%1To%2]

079.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 Thomas Lucy.
079.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
079.L54.001 T%+His first of %1Aprill%2 I received yours of
079.L54.002 21 of %1Martii%2, which being two days
079.L54.003 after the ordinary %1Smithfield%2 day, I could do
079.L54.004 no more, but seal this letter to be sent to you
079.L54.005 next Tuesday, because I foresee that I shall
079.L54.006 not then be in town. Whatsoever I should
079.L54.007 write now, of any passages of these days,
079.L54.008 would lose the verdure before the letter
079.L54.009 came to you, only give me leave to tell you
079.L54.010 that I need none of those excuses, which
079.L54.011 you have made to your self in my behalfe,
079.L54.012 for my not writing. For your son in law
079.L54.013 came to me, so near the time of his going a-
079.L54.014 way, as it had been impossible to have re-
079.L54.015 covered him with a letter at so farre a di-
079.L54.016 stance, as he was lodged. And my L. %1Hunt%2.
079.L54.017 messenger received that answer, which, I
079.L54.018 hope, before this time, you know to be
079.L54.019 true, that I had sent the day before, by the
079.L54.020 infallible carrier of %1Smithfield%2. The Empe-
079.L54.021 rours death may somewhat shorten our [CW:way]
079.L54.022 way; for I discern now no reason of going to [p.223]
079.L54.023 %1Vienna%2, but I beleeve it wil exte%Md our busines;
079.L54.024 so that I promise my self no speedier return
079.L54.025 by that. If I write no letters into %1England%2
079.L54.026 out of these parts, I cannot be without your
079.L54.027 pardon, if I write not to you, but if I
079.L54.028 write to any and leave you out, lay all the
079.L54.029 faults which you have ever pardoned in me,
079.L54.030 to my charge again. I foresee some reasons,
079.L54.031 which may make me forbeare; but no
079.L54.032 slacknesse of mine own, shall. Sir, if I have
079.L54.033 no more the commodity of writing to you
079.L54.034 here in %1England%2, (as, we may be gon before
079.L54.035 next Tuesday) I tell you, in this departing
079.L54.036 from you, with the same truth and earnest-
079.L54.037 nesse as I would be beleeved to speake in
079.L54.038 my last departing, and transmigration
079.L54.039 from the whole world, that I leave not be-
079.L54.040 hinde me a heart, better affected to you, nor
079.L54.041 more devoted to your service, then I carry
079.L54.042 with me. Almighty God blesse you, with
079.L54.043 such a reparation in your health, such an
079.L54.044 establishment in your estate, such a com-
079.L54.045 fort in your children, such a peace in your [CW:conscience,]
079.L54.046 conscience, and such a true cheerfulnesse in [p.224]
079.L54.047 your heart, as may be strong seales to you,
079.L54.048 of his eternall gracious purpose upon you.
079.L54.049 This morning I spend in surveying and
079.L54.050 emptying my cabinet of Letters; and at
079.L54.051 the top of all I light upon this Letter lately
079.L54.052 received, which I was loth to bury. I chose
079.L54.053 to send it you, to mine own condemnati-
079.L54.054 on; because a man so busie as he is, de-
079.L54.055 scending to this expressing of himself in
079.L54.056 verse, I am inexcusable towards you, for
079.L54.057 disobeying a commandement of yours, of
079.L54.058 that kinde; but I relie upon the generall,
079.L54.059 that I am sure you are sure, that I never re-
079.L54.060 fuse any thing for lazinesse, nor morosity,
079.L54.061 and therefore make some other excuse for
079.L54.062 me. You have been so long used to my hand
079.L54.063 that I stand not to excuse the hasty ragged-
079.L54.064 nesse of this Letter. The very ilnesse of the
079.L54.065 writing, is a good argument that I forced
079.L54.066 a time, in the fulnesse of businesse, to kisse
079.L54.067 your hand, and to present my thanks as for
079.L54.068 all your favours, and benefits, so principal-
079.L54.069 ly for keeping me alive in the memory of [CW:the]
079.L54.070 the noblest Countesse, whose commande- [p.225]
079.L54.071 ment, if it had been her La%5ps%6 pleasure to
079.L54.072 have any thing said or done in her service,
079.L54.073 at %1Heydelberg%2, I should have been glad to
079.L54.074 have received. Sir, God blesse you, %1& spiritu%2
079.L54.075 %1principali confirmet te%2; and
079.L54.0DL 4 %1Apr%2. 1619.
079.L54.0SS %1Your very true and affectionate servant in Chr. Jes.%2
079.L54.0SS J. Donne.

080.L54.0HE %1To the honourable Knight S%2%5r%6 Henry Goodere.
080.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
080.L54.001 A%+S you are a great part of my businesse,
080.L54.002 when I come to %1London%2, so are you
080.L54.003 when I send. More then the office of a vi-
080.L54.004 sitation brings this Letter to you now; for
080.L54.005 I remember that about this time you pur-
080.L54.006 posed a journey to fetch, or meet the Lad.
080.L54.007 %1Huntington%2. If you justly doubt any long
080.L54.008 absence, I pray send to my lodging my writ-
080.L54.009 ten Books: and if you may stay very long,
080.L54.010 I pray send that Letter which I sent you [CW:cer-]
080.L54.011 certain heads which I purposed to enlarge, [p.226]
080.L54.012 for I have them not in any other paper:
080.L54.013 and I may find time in your absence to do
080.L54.014 it, because I know no stronger argument
080.L54.015 to move you to love me, but because you
080.L54.016 have done so, doe so still, to make my rea-
080.L54.017 son better, and I shall at last prescribe in
080.L54.018 you
080.L54.0DL Micham Wednesday.
080.L54.0SS %1Yours%2,
080.L54.0SS J.Donne.

081.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H.G. %1at%2 Polesworth.
081.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
081.L54.001 T%+His 25 I have your letter of 21, which
081.L54.002 I tell you so punctually, because by it,
081.L54.003 nor by any other, I doe not discern that you
081.L54.004 received my pacquet of Books; not that I
081.L54.005 looked for so quick a return of the Sermon,
081.L54.006 nor of my Cases of conscience, but that I
081.L54.007 forget so absolutely what I write, and am
081.L54.008 so sure that I write confidently to you, that
081.L54.009 it is some pain to remain in any jealousie
081.L54.010 that any Letter is miscarried. That which [CW:I]
081.L54.011 I writ to you of my L. Treasur. disposition [p.227]
081.L54.012 to you, I had from M%5r%6 %1Har%2; and I understood
081.L54.013 it to be his desire to convey it through me.
081.L54.014 The last account which we have of my
081.L54.015 L. %1Donc%2. is, by Letters of the 2%5o%6 of this; by
081.L54.016 which also we saw, that the first Letters
081.L54.017 of his convalescence, were but propheticall;
081.L54.018 for he was let blood a second time, and is
081.L54.019 not strong enough yet to receive audience.
081.L54.020 Though I be not Dean of %1Pauls%2 yet, my
081.L54.021 L. of %1Warwick%2 hath gone so low, as to com-
081.L54.022 mand of me the office of being Master of
081.L54.023 my game, in our wood about him in %1Essex%2.
081.L54.024 I pray be you content to be my officer too,
081.L54.025 the Steward of my services to all to whom
081.L54.026 you know them to be due in your walk,
081.L54.027 and continue your own assurance that I am
081.L54.0DL om
081.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate servant in Chr. Jes.%2
081.L54.0SS J. Donne. [CW:%1To%2]

082.L54.0HE %1To my worthy friend%2 F. H.
082.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
082.L54.001 I%+ Can scarce doe any more this week then
082.L54.002 send you word why I writ not last. I had
082.L54.003 then seposed a few daies for my preparation
082.L54.004 to the Communion of our B. Saviours bo-
082.L54.005 dy; and in that solitarinesse and arraign-
082.L54.006 ment of my self, digested some meditations
082.L54.007 of mine, and apparelled them (as I use) in
082.L54.008 the form of a Sermon: for since I have not
082.L54.009 yet utterly delivered my self from this in-
082.L54.010 temperance of scribling (though I thank
082.L54.011 God my accesses are lesse and lesse vehe-
082.L54.012 ment) I make account that to spend all
082.L54.013 my little stock of knowledge upon matter
082.L54.014 of delight, were the same error, as to spend
082.L54.015 a fortune upon Masks and Banqueting
082.L54.016 houses: I chose rather to build in this poor
082.L54.017 fashion, some Spittles, and Hospitals, where
082.L54.018 the poor and impotent sinner may finde
082.L54.019 some relief, or at least understanding of his
082.L54.020 infirmity. And if they be too weak to serve
082.L54.021 posterity, yet for the present by contempla-
082.L54.022 tion of them, &c.
082.L54.0DL om
082.L54.0SS om [CW: %1To%2]

083.L54.0HE %1To Sir%2 H. G.
083.L54.001 %1SIR%2,
083.L54.001 I%+ Have the honour of your Letter, which,
083.L54.002 I am almost sorry to have received: some
083.L54.003 few daies before the receit therof D. %1Turner%2,
083.L54.004 who accompanied my L. %1Carow%2 to %1Sion%2 to
083.L54.005 dinner, shewed me a Letter from you, from
083.L54.006 which I conceived good hopes that your
083.L54.007 businesses being devolved into the hands of
083.L54.008 the Treasurer, had been in much more for-
083.L54.009 wardnesse,then by your Letter to me they
083.L54.010 appear to be. I beseech God establish them,
083.L54.011 and hasten them, and with them, or with-
083.L54.012 out them, as he sees most conducible to his
083.L54.013 purpose upon you, continue in you a rely-
083.L54.014 ing upon him, and a satisfaction in his
083.L54.015 waies. I know not whether any Letter
083.L54.016 from your son, or any other report, may
083.L54.017 have given you any mention of me; he
083.L54.018 writ to me from the %1Compter%2, that he was un-
083.L54.019 der a trifling arrest, and that 3%5l%6 and some
083.L54.020 little more would discharge him. I sent my
083.L54.021 man with that money, but bid him see it [CW:em-]
083.L54.022 emploied for his discharge: he found more [p.230]
083.L54.023 actions, and returned. Next day he writ to
083.L54.024 me that 8%5l%6 would discharge him, and that
083.L54.025 M%5r%6 %1Selden%2 would lay down half. But M%5r%6
083.L54.026 %1Selden%2 and I speaking together, thought
083.L54.027 it the fittest way, to respite all, till, in a few
083.L54.028 daies, by his writing to you, we might be
083.L54.029 directed therein; and in the mean time,
083.L54.030 took order with the Keeper to accommo-
083.L54.031 date him, and I bade my man %1Martin%2, as
083.L54.032 from himself, to serve his present want
083.L54.033 with some things. Since we told him, that
083.L54.034 we would attend a return of his Letter to
083.L54.035 you, I heard no more of him, but I hear he
083.L54.036 is out. Whosoever serves you with relati-
083.L54.037 ons from this Town, I am sure prevents
083.L54.038 me of all I can say. The Palatinate is abso-
083.L54.039 lutely lost; for before this Letter come to
083.L54.040 you, we make account that %1Heydelberg%2 and
083.L54.041 %1Frankindale%2 is lost, and %1Manheme%2 distressed.
083.L54.042 %1Mansfield%2 came to %1Breda%2, and %1Gonzales%2, to
083.L54.043 %1Brussels%2, with great losses on both sides, but
083.L54.044 equall. The P. of %1Orange%2 is but now come
083.L54.045 to %1Breda%2, and with him, all that he is able [CW:to]
083.L54.046 to make, even out of the Garrisons of their [p.231]
083.L54.047 Towns. The ways of victuall to %1Spinolaes%2
083.L54.048 Army, are almost all precluded by him,
083.L54.049 and he likely to put upon the raising of %1Spi%2-
083.L54.050 %1nola%2, between whom and the Town, there
083.L54.051 are hotter disputes, then ever our times
083.L54.052 saw. The Secretary of the States here shew-
083.L54.053 ed me a Letter yesternight, that the Town
083.L54.054 spends 6000 pound of powder a day, and
083.L54.055 hath spent since the siege 250%5m%6 pounds. %1Ar-%2
083.L54.056 %1gits%2 Regiment and my L. %1Vaux%2, are so dimi-
083.L54.057 nished by commings away, as that both (I
083.L54.058 think) make not now in Muster above 600.
083.L54.059 M%5r%6 %1Gage%2 is returning to %1Rome%2, but of his Ne-
083.L54.060 gotiation I dare say nothing by a Letter of
083.L54.061 adventure. The direction which his Ma%5ty%6
083.L54.062 gave for Preachers, had scandalized many;
083.L54.063 therefore he descended to pursue them with
083.L54.064 certain reasons of his proceedings therein;
083.L54.065 and I had commandment to publish them
083.L54.066 in a Sermon at the Crosse, to as great a
083.L54.067 Congregation as ever I saw together, where
083.L54.068 they received comfortable assurance of his
083.L54.069 Ma%5ties%6 constancy in Religion, and of his de- [CW: sire]
083.L54.070 sire that all men should be bred in the [p.232]
083.L54.071 knowledge of such things, as might pre-
083.L54.072 serve them from the superstition of %1Rome%2.
083.L54.073 I presume it is but a little while before we
083.L54.074 shall see you here, but that little time is
083.L54.075 likely to produce many things greatly con-
083.L54.076 siderable. Present, I pray, my thankfull
083.L54.077 services to your good daughters. I can
083.L54.078 give them no better a room in my pray-
083.L54.079 ers, and wishes then my poore %1Constance%2
083.L54.080 hath, and they have that; so have you Sir,
083.L54.081 with
083.L54.0DL om
083.L54.0SS %1Your very true friend and servant in Chr. Jes.%2
083.L54.0SS J. Donne. [CW: %1To%2]

084.L54.0HE %1To the worthiest Knight Sir%2 Henry Goodere.
084.L54.Sal SIR,
084.L54.001 O%+Ur blessed Saviour, who abounds in
084.L54.002 power and goodnesse towards us all,
084.L54.003 blesse you, and your family, with blessings
084.L54.004 proportioned to his ends in you all, and
084.L54.005 blesse you with the testimony of a rectified
084.L54.006 conscience, of having discharged all the of-
084.L54.007 fices of a father, towards your discreet and
084.L54.008 worthy daughters, and blesse them with
084.L54.009 a satisfaction, and quiescence, and more,
084.L54.010 with a complacency and a joy, in good
084.L54.011 ends, and ways towards them, %1Amen%2. Your
084.L54.012 man brought me your Letter of the 8 of
084.L54.013 %1December%2 this 21 of the same, to %1Chelsey%2, and
084.L54.014 gives me the largenesse, till friday to send a
084.L54.015 letter to %1Pauls%2 house. There can scarce be any
084.L54.016 peece of that, or of those things whereof
084.L54.017 you require light from me, that is not
084.L54.018 come to your knowledge, by some clearer
084.L54.019 way, between the time of your Letter, and
084.L54.020 this. Besides the report of my death, hath
084.L54.021 thus much of truth in it, that though I be [CW: not]
084.L54.022 not dead, yet I am buried within a few [p.234]
084.L54.023 weeks after I immured my self in this
084.L54.024 house, the infection strook into the town,
084.L54.025 into so many houses, as that it became ill
084.L54.026 manners, to make any visits. Therefore I
084.L54.027 never went to %1Knoll%2, nor %1Hanworth%2, nor %1Ken%2-
084.L54.028 %1ton%2, nor to the Court, since the Court came
084.L54.029 into these quarters, nor am yet come to
084.L54.030 %1London%2; therefore I am little able to give
084.L54.031 you account of high stages. Perchance you
084.L54.032 look not so low, as our ordinary Gazetta,
084.L54.033 and that tells us, (with a second assurance)
084.L54.034 that the D. of %1Brunswick, Christian%2, is dead
084.L54.035 of an Ague. My L. of %1Dorset%2 even upon the
084.L54.036 day, when he should have been installed
084.L54.037 with his six fellowes, fell sick at %1London%2; and
084.L54.038 at Court (which does not exalt all men)
084.L54.039 his Fever was exalted to the plague; but he
084.L54.040 is in good convalescence. Of the Navy I hear
084.L54.041 of no great lim come back yet, but my L. of
084.L54.042 %1Essex%2; something of the disappointing of the
084.L54.043 designe they had, is imputed to some diffe-
084.L54.044 rence, in point of command, between him
084.L54.045 and the M%5r%6. of the Ordinance, my L. of %1Va%2- [CW:%1lencia%2,]
084.L54.046 %1lencia%2, but as yet, there is little manifested. [p.235]
084.L54.047 Already is issued a Proclamation, that there
084.L54.048 be no disbanding of the Souldiers, upon
084.L54.049 their landing, in what part soever, and that
084.L54.050 his Majesty hath present imployment for
084.L54.051 them. What the main busines at %1Haghe%2 hath
084.L54.052 been, I know nothing; but I hear, that their
084.L54.053 offer of pawning of Jewells to a very very
084.L54.054 great value, to the States or private men,
084.L54.055 hath found no acceptance, at least found no
084.L54.056 money. Occasionally I heard from the
084.L54.057 %1Haghe%2, that the Queen having taken into
084.L54.058 her care, the promoving and advancing of
084.L54.059 some particular mens businesses, by way of
084.L54.060 recommendations to the Duke, expressed
084.L54.061 her self very royally, in your behalf. This
084.L54.062 I tell you not, as though you knew it not,
084.L54.063 but because I had the fortune to see it in a
084.L54.064 Letter of the simple Gentlewoman, from
084.L54.065 thence; by which name, if you know her
084.L54.066 not, I have omitted heretofore to tell you a
084.L54.067 good tale. They continue at Court, in the
084.L54.068 resolution of the Queen pastorall; when
084.L54.069 %1Q. Anne%2 loved gamboils, you loved the [CW: Court;]
084.L54.070 Court; perchance you may doubt whether [p.236]
084.L54.071 you be a thorough Courtier, if you come
084.L54.072 not up to see this, The Queen a Shepper-
084.L54.073 desse: but I speak not this, by way of coun-
084.L54.074 sail, to draw you up, it is not only %1Non Do%2-
084.L54.075 %1minus, sed ego%2, but %1nec Deus nec ego%2, to call you
084.L54.076 hither, but upon fair appearances of usefull
084.L54.077 commings. M%5r%6 %1George Herbert%2 is here at
084.L54.078 the receipt of your letter, and with his ser-
084.L54.079 vice to you, tells you that all of %1Uvedall%2 house
084.L54.080 are well. I reserve not the mention of my
084.L54.081 Lady %1Huntington%2 to the end of my Letter, as
084.L54.082 grains to make the gold weight, but as
084.L54.083 tincture to make the better gold, when you
084.L54.084 finde room to intrude so poor and imper-
084.L54.085 tinent a name, as mine is, in her presence. I
084.L54.086 beseech you, let her Lad: know, that she hath
084.L54.087 sowed her favours towards me, in such a
084.L54.088 ground, that if I be grown better (as I hope
084.L54.089 I am) her favours are grown with me, and
084.L54.090 though they were great when she conferred
084.L54.091 them, yet, (if I mend every day) they in-
084.L54.092 crease in me every day, and therefore every
084.L54.093 day multiply my thankfulnesse towards [CW: her]
084.L54.094 her Ladiship: say what you will (if you [p.237]
084.L54.095 like not this expression) that may make
084.L54.096 her Ladiship know, that I shall never let
084.L54.097 fall the memory, nor the just valuation of
084.L54.098 her noble favours to me, nor leave them
084.L54.099 unrequited in my Exchequer, which is, the
084.L54.100 blessings of God upon my prayers. If I
084.L54.101 should write another sheet, I should be able
084.L54.102 to serve your curiosity no more of Dukes
084.L54.103 nor LL. nor Courts, and this half line
084.L54.104 serves to tell you, that I am truly
084.L54.0DL om
084.L54.0SS %1Your poor friend and humble servant in Chr. Jes.%2
084.L54.0SS J. Donne.

085.L54.0HE %1To my honoured friend%2 G. G. %1Esquire%2.
085.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
085.L54.001 N%+Either your Letters, nor silence, needs
085.L54.002 excuse; your friendship is to me an
085.L54.003 abundant possession, though you remem-
085.L54.004 ber me but twice in a year: He that could
085.L54.005 have two harvests in that time, might just-
085.L54.006 ly value his land at a high rate; but, Sir, as
085.L54.007 we doe not onely then thank our land, [CW:when]
085.L54.008 when we gather the fruit, but acknowledge [p.238]
085.L54.009 that all the year she doth many motherly
085.L54.010 offices in preparing it: so is not friendship
085.L54.011 then onely to be esteemed, when she is de-
085.L54.012 livered of a Letter, or any other reall office,
085.L54.013 but in her continuall propensnesse and in-
085.L54.014 clination to do it. This hath made me
085.L54.015 easie in pardoning my long silences, and in
085.L54.016 promising my self your forgivenesse for not
085.L54.017 answering your Letter sooner. For my pur-
085.L54.018 pose of proceeding in the profession of the
085.L54.019 law, so farre as to a title you may be pleased
085.L54.020 to correct that imagination, wheresoever
085.L54.021 you finde it. I ever thought the study of it
085.L54.022 my best entertainment, and pastime, but I
085.L54.023 have no ambition, nor designe upon the
085.L54.024 style. Of my Anniversaries, the fault that
085.L54.025 I acknowledge in my self, is to have descen-
085.L54.026 ded to print any thing in verse, which
085.L54.027 though it have excuse even in our times, by
085.L54.028 men who professe, and practise much gra-
085.L54.029 vitie; yet I confesse I wonder how I de-
085.L54.030 clined to it, and do not pardon my self: But
085.L54.031 for the other part of the imputation of having [CW:said]
085.L54.032 said too much, my defe%Mce is, that my purpose [p.239]
085.L54.033 was to say as well as I could: for since I never
085.L54.034 saw the Gentlewoman, I cannot be under-
085.L54.035 stood to have bound my self to have spoken
085.L54.036 just truths, but I would not be thought to
085.L54.037 have gone about to praise her, or any other
085.L54.038 in rime; except I took such a person, as
085.L54.039 might be capable of all that I could say.
085.L54.040 If any of those Ladies think that Mistris
085.L54.041 %1Drewry%2 was not so, let that Lady make her
085.L54.042 self fit for all those praises in the book, and
085.L54.043 they shall be hers. Sir, this messenger
085.L54.044 makes so much haste that I cry you mercy
085.L54.045 for spending any time of this letter in other
085.L54.046 imployment then thanking you for yours.
085.L54.047 I hope before %1Christmas%2 to see %1England%2, and
085.L54.048 kisse your hand; which shall ever, (if it dis-
085.L54.049 dain not that office) hold all the keyes of
085.L54.050 the libertie and affection, and all the facul-
085.L54.051 ties of
085.L54.0DL %1Paris%2 the 14 of /%1Aprill%2, here, 1612.
085.L54.0SS %1Your most affectionate servant%2,
085.L54.0SS J. D. [CW:%1To%2]

086.L54.0HE %1To my honoured friend%2 G. G. %1Esquire%2.
086.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
086.L54.001 I%+ Should not only send you an account by
086.L54.002 my servant, but bring you an account of-
086.L54.003 ten my self, (for our Letters are our selves)
086.L54.004 and in them absent friends meet) how I
086.L54.005 do, but that two things make me forbear
086.L54.006 that writing: first, because it is not for my
086.L54.007 gravity, to write of feathers, and strawes,
086.L54.008 and in good faith, I am no more, conside-
086.L54.009 red in my body, or fortune. And then be-
086.L54.010 cause whensoever I tell you how I doe, by
086.L54.011 a Letter, before that Letter comes to you,
086.L54.012 I shall be otherwise, then when it left me.
086.L54.013 At this time, I humbly thank God, I am
086.L54.014 only not worse; for, I should as soon look
086.L54.015 for Roses at this time of the year, as look
086.L54.016 for increase of strength. And if I be no
086.L54.017 worse all spring, then now, I am much bet-
086.L54.018 ter, for, I make account that those Church
086.L54.019 services, which I would be very loth to de-
086.L54.020 cline, will spend somewhat; and, if I can
086.L54.021 gather so much as will bear my charges, re- [cw:cover]
086.L54.022 cover so much strength at %1London%2, as I shall [p.241]
086.L54.023 spend at %1London%2, I shall not be loth to be left
086.L54.024 in that state wherein I am now, after that's
086.L54.025 done; But I do but discourse, I do not wish;
086.L54.026 life, or health, or strength, (I thank God) en-
086.L54.027 ter not into my prayers for my self: for
086.L54.028 others they do; and amongst others, for
086.L54.029 your sick servant, for such a servant taken
086.L54.030 so young, and healed so long, is half a child
086.L54.031 to a master, and so truly I have observed
086.L54.032 that you have bred him, with the care of
086.L54.033 a father. Our blessed Saviour look graci-
086.L54.034 ously upon him, and glorifie himself in
086.L54.035 him, by his way of restitution to health;
086.L54.036 And by his way of peace of conscience in
086.L54.0DL om
086.L54.0SS %1Your very true friend and servant in Chr. Jes.%2
086.L54.0SS J. Donne.

087.L54.0HE om
087.L54.Sal %1SIR%2,
087.L54.001 T%+His advantage you, and my other
087.L54.002 friends have, by my frequent Fevers,
087.L54.003 that I am so much the oftener at the gates [cw:of]
087.L54.004 of heaven, and this advantage by the soli- [p.242]
087.L54.005 tude and close imprisonment that they re-
087.L54.006 duce me to after, that I am thereby the ofte-
087.L54.007 ner at my prayers; in which, I shall never
087.L54.008 leave out your happinesse; and, I doubt
087.L54.009 not, but amongst his many other blessings,
087.L54.010 God will adde to you some one for my
087.L54.011 prayers. A man would almost be content
087.L54.012 to dye, (if there were no other benefit in
087.L54.013 death) to hear of so much sorrow, and so
087.L54.014 much good testimony from good men, as
087.L54.015 I, (God be blessed for it) did upon the re-
087.L54.016 port of my death. Yet, I perceive it went not
087.L54.017 through all; for, one writ unto me, that some
087.L54.018 (and he said of my friends) conceived,
087.L54.019 that I was not so ill, as I pretended, but
087.L54.020 withdrew my self, to save charges, and to
087.L54.021 live at ease, discharged of preaching. It is
087.L54.022 an unfriendly, and God knows, an ill
087.L54.023 grounded interpretation: for in these
087.L54.024 times of necessity, and multitudes of poor
087.L54.025 there is no possibility of saving to him that
087.L54.026 hath any tendernesse in him; and for af-
087.L54.027 fecting my ease, I have been always more [cw:sorry,]
087.L54.028 sorry, when I could not preach, then any [p.243]
087.L54.029 could be, that they could not hear me. It
087.L54.030 hath been my desire, (and God may be
087.L54.031 pleased to grant it me) that I might die in
087.L54.032 the Pulpit; if not that, yet that I might take
087.L54.033 my death in the Pulpit, that is, die the
087.L54.034 sooner by occasion of my former labours.
087.L54.035 I thanke you, for keeping our %1George%2 in
087.L54.036 in your memory, I hope God reserves it
087.L54.037 for so good a friend as you are, to send me
087.L54.038 the first good newes of him. For the Dia-
087.L54.039 mond Lady, you may safely deliver %1Roper%2,
087.L54.040 whatsoever belongs to me, and he will
087.L54.041 give you a discharge for the money. For
087.L54.042 my L. %1Percy%2, we shall speake of it, when
087.L54.043 we meet at %1London%2; which, as I do not
087.L54.044 much hope before Christmas, so I do not
087.L54.045 much fear at beginning of Tearm; for I
087.L54.046 have intreated one of my fellowes to preach
087.L54.047 to my Lord Maior, at %1Pauls%2 upon Christ-
087.L54.048 mas day, and reserved Candlemas day to
087.L54.049 my self for that service, about which time
087.L54.050 also, will fall my Lent Sermon, except
087.L54.051 my Lord Chamberlaine beleeve me to be [cw:dead]
087.L54.052 dead, and leave me out; for as long as [p.244]
087.L54.053 I live, and am not speechlesse, I would
087.L54.054 not decline that service. I have better lea-
087.L54.055 sure to write, then you to read, yet I will
087.L54.056 not oppresse you with too much letter, God
087.L54.057 blesse you, and your sonne, as
087.L54.0DL om
087.L54.0SS %1Your poor friend and humble servant%2
087.L54.0SS %1in Christ Jesus%2
087.L54.0SS J. Donne.

088.L54.0HE %1To the Lady%2 G.
088.L54.Sal M%9adam%0,
088.L54.001 I%+ Am not come out of %1England%2, if I re-
088.L54.002 main in the Noblest part of it, your
088.L54.003 minde; yet I confesse, it is too much di-
088.L54.004 minution to call your minde, any part of
088.L54.005 %1England%2, or of this world, since every
088.L54.006 part even of your body, deserves titles of
088.L54.007 higher dignity. No Prince would be loth
088.L54.008 to die, that were assured of so faire a tombe [CW:to]
088.L54.009 to preserve his memory: but I have a grea- [p245]
088.L54.010 ter vantage then so; for since there is a Re-
088.L54.011 ligion in friendship, and a death in absence,
088.L54.012 to make up an intire frame there must be a
088.L54.013 heaven too: and there can be no heaven so
088.L54.014 proportionall to that Religion, and that
088.L54.015 death, as your favour. And I am gladder
088.L54.016 that it is a heaven, then that it were a Court,
088.L54.017 or any other high place of this world,
088.L54.018 because I am likelier to have a room
088.L54.019 there then here; and better cheap. Madam
088.L54.020 my best treasure, is time; and my best im-
088.L54.021 ployment of that, is to study good wishes
088.L54.022 for you, in which I am by continuall medi-
088.L54.023 tation so learned, that your own good An-
088.L54.024 gell, when it would do you most good,
088.L54.025 might be content to come and take in-
088.L54.026 structions from
088.L54.0DL om
088.L54.0SS %1Your humble and affectionate servant%2
088.L54.0SS J. Donne. [CW:%1To%2]

089.L54.0HE %1To your selfe%2.
089.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
089.L54.001 T%+He first of this moneth I received a
089.L54.002 Letter from you, no Letter comes so
089.L54.003 late, but that it brings fresh newes hither.
089.L54.004 Though I presume, M%5r%6 %1Pore%2, and since,
089.L54.005 Sir %1Rob. Rich%2 came after the writing of that
089.L54.006 Letter, yet it was good newes to me, that
089.L54.007 you thought me worthy of so good a testi-
089.L54.008 mony. And you were subtile in the dis-
089.L54.009 guise: for you shut up your Letter, thus,
089.L54.010 %1Lond%2. 22. in our stile, but I am not so good
089.L54.011 a Cabalist, as to finde in what moneth it
089.L54.012 was written. But, Sir, in the offices of so
089.L54.013 spirituall a thing as friendship, so momen-
089.L54.014 tary a thing as time, must have no consi-
089.L54.015 deration. I keep it therefore to read every
089.L54.016 day, as newly written: to which vexati-
089.L54.017 on it must be subject, till you relieve it
089.L54.018 with an other. If I ought you not a great
089.L54.019 many thankes for every particular part of
089.L54.020 it, I should yet thanke you for the length; [cw:and]
089.L54.021 and love it, as my mistresses face, every line [p.247]
089.L54.022 and feature, but best all together. All that I
089.L54.023 can do towards retribution, is, (as other
089.L54.024 bankrupts do in prison) to make means
089.L54.025 by Commissioners, that a great debt may be
089.L54.026 accepted by small summes weekly. And
089.L54.027 in that proportion I have paid my tribute
089.L54.028 to you, almost ever since I came, and
089.L54.029 shall still do so. You know that they say,
089.L54.030 those are the strongest, and the firmest, and
089.L54.031 most precious things, which are composed
089.L54.032 of the most, and smallest parts. I will
089.L54.033 flatter my self therefore, that the number
089.L54.034 of my Letters may at last make a strong
089.L54.035 argument of my desire to serve you, but
089.L54.036 because I remember, out of this Philoso-
089.L54.037 phy, that they should be little, as well as
089.L54.038 many, lest this Letter should not get in-
089.L54.039 to the building, it shall be no bigger; thus
089.L54.040 much addition will not much disfigure it,
089.L54.041 that is sweare to you that I am
089.L54.0DL om
089.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate servant%2
089.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1Sir%2,]
089.L54.P01 %1Sir, I cry you mercy for sealing your sisters let-%2 [p.248]
089.L54.P02 %1ter, but I deliver you up my authority, and I re-%2
089.L54.P03 %1member you, that you have hers to open it again.%2
089.L54.P04 %1You will the easilier forgive me, that I write no%2
089.L54.P05 %1newes, when you observe by this transgression,%2
089.L54.P06 %1that I live in a place which hath quenched in me%2
089.L54.P07 %1even the remembrance of good manners. By na-%2
089.L54.P08 %1ming her, I have made my postscript the wor-%2
089.L54.P09 %1thyest place of my letter: and therefore I chuse%2
089.L54.P10 %1that place to present my service to all the company%2
089.L54.P11 %1at our lodging; in which house, if I cannot get%2
089.L54.P12 %1room for a pallat, at my return, my comfort is,%2
089.L54.P13 %1that I can ever hope to be so near them as the Spittle%2
089.L54.P14 %1in the%2 Savoy, %1where they receive Travellers.%2 [cw:%1To%2]

090.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight, Sir%2
090.L54.0HE R%9 O B E R T%0 K%0 A R R E%0.
090.L54.Sal %1Sir%2,
090.L54.001 T%+Hough I have left my bed, I have not
090.L54.002 left my bed-side; I sit there still, and
090.L54.003 as a Prisoner discharged, sits at the Prison
090.L54.004 doore, to beg Fees, so sit I here, to gather
090.L54.005 crummes. I have used this leisure, to put
090.L54.006 the meditations had in my sicknesse, into
090.L54.007 some such order, as may minister some ho-
090.L54.008 ly delight. They arise to so many sheetes
090.L54.009 (perchance 20.) as that without staying
090.L54.010 for that furniture of an Epistle, that my
090.L54.011 Friends importun'd me to Print them, I im-
090.L54.012 portune my Friends to receive them Printed.
090.L54.013 That, being in hand, through this long
090.L54.014 Trunke, that reaches from Saint %1Pauls%2, to
090.L54.015 Saint %1James%2, I whisper into your eare this
090.L54.016 question, whether there by any uncomli-
090.L54.017 nesse, or unseasonablenesse, in presenting
090.L54.018 matter of Devotion, or Mortification, to [CW: that]
090.L54.019 that Prince, whom I pray God nothing [p.250]
090.L54.020 may ever Mortifie, but Holinesse. If you
090.L54.021 allow my purposes in generall, I pray cast
090.L54.022 your eye upon the Title and the Epistle,
090.L54.023 and rectifie me in them: I submit sub-
090.L54.024 stance, and circumstance to you, and the
090.L54.025 poore Author of both,
090.L54.0DL om
090.L54.0SS %1Your very humble and very thankfull%2
090.L54.0SS %1Servant%2
090.L54.0SS %1in Christ Jesus%2
090.L54.0SS J. Donne.

091.L54.0HE %1To your selfe%2.
091.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
091.L54.001 AGE becomes nothing better then
091.L54.002 Friendship; therefore your Letters,
091.L54.003 which are ever good effects of friendship,
091.L54.004 delight to be old before I receive them: for
091.L54.005 it is but a fortnight since those Letters
091.L54.006 which you sent by Captain %1Peter%2 found me
091.L54.007 at %1Spa%C%2; presently upon the receit, I adven-
091.L54.008 tured by your leave to bestow the first mi-
091.L54.009 nutes upon this Letter to your faire Noble
091.L54.010 Sister; And because I found no voice at
091.L54.011 %1Spa%C%2 of any Messenger, I respited my Wri-
091.L54.012 ting to you, till I came thus much nearer.
091.L54.013 Upon the way hither, another Letter from
091.L54.014 you overtooke me, which by my L. %1Chan-%2
091.L54.015 %1dos%2 love to me for your sake, was sent after
091.L54.016 me to %1Mastricht%2: He came to %1Spa%C%2 within
091.L54.017 two houres after I went away; which I
091.L54.018 tell you to let you see, that my For-
091.L54.019 tune hath still that spitefull constancy, to
091.L54.020 bring me near my desires, and intercept me. [cw:If]
091.L54.021 If I should write to you any newes from [p.252]
091.L54.022 this place, I should forestall mine owne
091.L54.023 Market, by telling you beforehand that
091.L54.024 which must make me acceptable to you at
091.L54.025 my comming. I shall sneake into %1London%2,
091.L54.026 about the end of %1August%2. In my remotest di-
091.L54.027 stances I did not more need your Letters
091.L54.028 then I shall then. Therefore if you shall
091.L54.029 not be then in %1London%2, I beseech you to think
091.L54.030 mee at %1Constantinople%2, and write one
091.L54.031 large Letter to be left at my Ladie %1Bartlets%2
091.L54.032 my lodging; for I shall come in extreame
091.L54.033 darknesse and ignorance, except you give
091.L54.034 me light. If Sir %1John Brooke%2 be within
091.L54.035 your reach, present my humble service and
091.L54.036 thankfulnesse to him; if he be not, I am
091.L54.037 glad, that to my Conscience, which is a
091.L54.038 thousand witnesses, I have added you for
091.L54.039 one more, that I came as near as I could to
091.L54.040 doe it. I shall run so fast from this place,
091.L54.041 through %1Antwerpe%2, and some parts of %1Hol-%2
091.L54.042 %1land%2, that all that love which you could
091.L54.043 perchance be content to expresse by Let-
091.L54.044 ters if I lay still, may be more thriftily be- [cw:stowed]
091.L54.045 stowed upon that one Letter, which is by [p.253]
091.L54.046 your favour, to meet me, and to welcome
091.L54.047 to %1London%2
091.L54.0DL om
091.L54.0SS %1Your unworthy, but very%2
091.L54.0SS %1true Friend%2,
091.L54.0SS J. Donne.

092.L54.0HE om
092.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
092.L54.001 I%+T is one ill Affection of a desperate
092.L54.002 debtor, that he dares not come to an ac-
092.L54.003 count, nor take knowledge how much he
092.L54.004 owes; this make me that I dare not tell
092.L54.005 you how manie letters I have received from
092.L54.006 you since I came to this Towne; I had three
092.L54.007 the first by the Cooke, who brought none
092.L54.008 but yours, nor ever came to me, to let me
092.L54.009 know what became of the rest: the two o-
092.L54.010 ther of the 7. and 8. of %1March%2, came in a let-
092.L54.011 ter which Sir H. %1Wotton%2 writ to me from [cw:%1Amyens;]
092.L54.012 %1Amyens%2; there is not a size of paper in the [p.254]
092.L54.013 Palace, large enough to tell you how
092.L54.014 much I esteeme my selfe honoured in your
092.L54.015 remembrances; nor strong enough to wrap
092.L54.016 up a heart so ful of good affections towards
092.L54.017 you, as mine is. When any thing passes be-
092.L54.018 tween Sir %1Thomas Roe%2 and you, tell him I am
092.L54.019 not the lesse his Servant, for not saying so
092.L54.020 by often letters: for by my troth, I am that
092.L54.021 so much as he could desire I should be,
092.L54.022 when he began to love me. Sir %1Thomas Lu-%2
092.L54.023 %1cies%2 businesse, and perchance sadnesse for-
092.L54.024 bid me writing now. I have written to him
092.L54.025 (whilst I lived in darknesse, whether my
092.L54.026 Letters came to you or no) by another way;
092.L54.027 and if my poore Letters were any degree
092.L54.028 of service. I should doe it often, and rather
092.L54.029 be mine own Post, then leave any thing
092.L54.030 undone, to which he would give such an
092.L54.031 interpretation, as that it were an Argument
092.L54.032 of my Devotion to him. For my purpose
092.L54.033 of proceeding in the profession of the Law,
092.L54.034 so far as to a Title, you may be pleased to
092.L54.035 correct that imagination where you finde [cw:it]
092.L54.036 it. I ever thought the study of it my best [p.255]
092.L54.037 entertainment and pastime, but I have no
092.L54.038 ambition, nor design upon the Stile. Of my
092.L54.039 Anniversaries the fault which I acknow-
092.L54.040 ledge in my selfe, is to have descended to
092.L54.041 print any thing in Verse, which though it
092.L54.042 have excuse, even in our times, by example
092.L54.043 of men, which one would thinke should
092.L54.044 as little have done it, as I; yet I confesse I
092.L54.045 wonder how I declined to it, and doe not
092.L54.046 pardon my self. But for the other part of the
092.L54.047 imputation, of having said so much, my de-
092.L54.048 fence is, that my purpose was to say as well
092.L54.049 as I could: for since I never saw the Gentle-
092.L54.050 woman, I cannot be understood to have
092.L54.051 bound my selfe to have spoken just Truth:
092.L54.052 but I would not be thought to have gone
092.L54.053 about to praise any body in rime, except I
092.L54.054 tooke such a Person, as might be capable
092.L54.055 of all that I could say. If any of those La-
092.L54.056 dies think that Mistris %1Drury%2 was not so,
092.L54.057 let that Ladie make her selfe fit for all the
092.L54.058 those praises in the Booke, and it shall be
092.L54.059 hers. Nothing is farther from colour or [cw:ground]
092.L54.060 ground of Truth, then that which you [p.256]
092.L54.061 write of Sir %1Robert Druries%2 going to Masse.
092.L54.062 No man of our Nation hath been more
092.L54.063 forward to apply himselfe to the Church
092.L54.064 of the Religion where he hath come, nor
092.L54.065 to relieve their wants, where that Demon-
092.L54.066 stration hath been needfull. I know not
092.L54.067 yet whether Sir %1John Brookes%2, purpose of be-
092.L54.068 ing very shortly here, be not a just reason
092.L54.069 to make me forbear writing to him. I am
092.L54.070 sure that I would fainest do that in writing
092.L54.071 or abstaining which should be most accep-
092.L54.072 table to him. It were in vain to put into
092.L54.073 this letter any relation of the Magnificence
092.L54.074 which have been here at publication of
092.L54.075 these marriages, for at this time there come
092.L54.076 into %1England%2 so many %1Frenchmen%2, as I am
092.L54.077 sure you shall heare all at least. If they speak
092.L54.078 not of above eight hundred horse well ca-
092.L54.079 parosond, you may believe it: and you
092.L54.080 may believe, that no Court in Christen-
092.L54.081 dome had been able to have appeared so
092.L54.082 brave in that kinde. But if they tell you of
092.L54.083 any other stuffe, then Copper, or any other [cw:exercise]
092.L54.084 exercise of armes then running at the Quin- [p.257]
092.L54.085 tain, and the Ring, you may be bold to
092.L54.086 say %1Pardone moy%2. Sir, this messenger makes
092.L54.087 so much haste that I cry you mercy for
092.L54.088 spending any time of this Letter, in other
092.L54.089 imployment, then thanking you for
092.L54.090 yours, and promising you more before
092.L54.091 my remove from hence. I pray venture no
092.L54.092 Letter to me by any other way then M.
092.L54.093 %1John Bruer%2 at the Queens Armes a Mercer
092.L54.094 in %1Cheapside%2, who is always like to know
092.L54.095 where we are; And make me by loving
092.L54.096 me still, worthy to be
092.L54.0DL om
092.L54.0SS %1Your friend and servant%2
092.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

093.L54.0HE %1To my Honoured friend M%2%5r%6 George
093.L54.0HE Gerrard.
093.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
093.L54.001 I%+ Cannot chuse but make it a presage that
093.L54.002 I shall have no good fortune in %1England%2,
093.L54.003 that I mist the honour of enjoying that
093.L54.004 company, which you brought to town. But
093.L54.005 I beseech you let my ill luck determine in
093.L54.006 that ominousnesse: for if my not comming
093.L54.007 should be by her or you interpreted for a
093.L54.008 negligence or coldnesse in me, I were
093.L54.009 already in actually and present affliction. For
093.L54.010 that Ecclesiasticall Lady of whom you
093.L54.011 write, since I presume it is a work of dark-
093.L54.012 nesse that you go about, we will deferre
093.L54.013 it for winter. Perchance the cold weather,
093.L54.014 may be as good physique to you, as she,
093.L54.015 for quenching you. I have changed my
093.L54.016 purpose of going to %1Windsor%2, and will go
093.L54.017 directly into the Wight: which I tell you
093.L54.018 not as a concerning thing, but in obedi- [cw:ence]
093.L54.019 ence to your commandement, as one [p.259]
093.L54.020 poor testimony that I am
093.L54.0HE om
093.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate servant%2
093.L54.0SS J. Donne.

094.L54.0HE %1To my very worthy friend M%2%5r%6 George
094.L54.0HE Gerrard.
094.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
094.L54.001 T%+His is the fourth of this moneth, and
094.L54.002 I receive your Pacquet so late, that I
094.L54.003 have scarce waking time enough to tell
094.L54.004 you so, or to write any thing but dreams.
094.L54.005 I have both your Letters, mother and
094.L54.006 daughter, and am gladder of them, then if
094.L54.007 I had the mother and daughter here in our
094.L54.008 neighbourhood; you know I mean Sir
094.L54.009 %1H. Gooderes%2 parties. Sir, you do me double
094.L54.010 honour when my name passes through
094.L54.011 you to that Noble Lady in whose presence
094.L54.012 you are. It is a better end and a better way [CW:to]
094.L54.013 to that then I am worth. I can give you no- [p.260]
094.L54.014 thing in recompense of that favor, but
094.L54.015 good counsell: which is to speake sparing-
094.L54.016 ly of any ability in me, lest you indanger
094.L54.017 your own reputation, by overvaluing me.
094.L54.018 If I shall at any time take courage by your
094.L54.019 Letter, to expresse my meditations of
094.L54.020 that Lady in writing, I shall scarce think
094.L54.021 lesse time to be due to that employment,
094.L54.022 then to be all my life in making those
094.L54.023 verses, and so take them with me and sing
094.L54.024 them amongst her fellow Angels in Hea-
094.L54.025 ven. I should be loath that in any thing of
094.L54.026 mine, composed of her, she should not
094.L54.027 appear much better then some of those of
094.L54.028 whom I have written. And yet I cannot
094.L54.029 hope for better expressings then I have gi-
094.L54.030 ven of them. So you see how much I
094.L54.031 should wrong her, by making her but
094.L54.032 equall to others. I would I could be be-
094.L54.033 leeved, when I say that all that is written of
094.L54.034 them, is but prophecy of her. I must use
094.L54.035 your favour in getting her pardon, for
094.L54.036 having brought her into so narrow, and[CW:low-]
094.L54.037 low-rooft a room as my consideration, or [p.261]
094.L54.038 for adventuring to give any estimation of
094.L54.039 her, and when I see how much she can
094.L54.040 pardon, I shall the better discern how far
094.L54.041 farther I may dare to offend in that kinde.
094.L54.042 My noble neighbour is well, and makes
094.L54.043 me the steward of his service to you. Be-
094.L54.044 fore this Letter reaches you, I presume you
094.L54.045 will bee gathering towards these parts,
094.L54.046 and then all newes will meet you so
094.L54.047 fast, as that out of your abundance you
094.L54.048 will impart some to
094.L54.0DL om
094.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate friend to%2
094.L54.0SS %1serve you%2
094.L54.0SS J. Donne.[CW:%1To%2]

095.L54.0HE %1To your selfe.%2
095.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
095.L54.001 A%+Ll your other Letters, which came
095.L54.002 to me by more hazardous waies, had
095.L54.003 therefore much merit in them; but for
095.L54.004 your Letter by M. %1Pory%2, it was but a little
095.L54.005 degree of favour, because the messenger
095.L54.006 was so obvious, and so certain, that you
095.L54.007 could not chuse but write by him. But since
095.L54.008 he brought me as much Letter as all the
095.L54.009 rest, I must accept that, as well as the rest.
095.L54.010 By this time, M. %1Garret%2, when you know
095.L54.011 in your conscience that you have sent no
095.L54.012 Letter, you beginne to look upon the su-
095.L54.013 perscription, and doubt that you have
095.L54.014 broken up some other bodies Letter: but
095.L54.015 whose so ever it were it must speak the same
095.L54.016 language, for I have heard from no body.
095.L54.017 Sir, if there be a Proclamation in %1England%2
095.L54.018 against writing to me, since it is there-
095.L54.019 by become a matter of State, you might
095.L54.020 have told M. %1Pory%2 so. And you might have [cw:told]
095.L54.021 told him, what became of Sir %1Tho. Lucies%2 [p.263]
095.L54.022 Letter, in my first pacquet, (for any
095.L54.023 Letter to him makes any paper a pacquet,
095.L54.024 and any peece of single money a Medall)
095.L54.025 and what became of my Lady %1Kingsmels%2 in
095.L54.026 my second, and of hers in my third, whom
095.L54.027 I will not name to you in hope that it is pe-
095.L54.028 rished, and you lost the honour of giving it.
095.L54.029 Sir, mine own desire of being your servant,
095.L54.030 hath sealed me a Patent of that place du-
095.L54.031 ring my life, and therefore it shall not be
095.L54.032 in the power of your forbidding, (to which
095.L54.033 your stiffe silence amounts) to make me
095.L54.034 leave being
095.L54.0DL om
095.L54.0SS %1Your very affectionate servant%2
095.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

096.L54.0HE %1To my Honoured friend M.%2 George Garrat.
096.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
096.L54.001 I%+ Would I were so good an Alchimist to
096.L54.002 perswade you that all the vertue of the
096.L54.003 best affections, that one could expresse in
096.L54.004 a sheet, were in this ragge of paper. It be-
096.L54.005 comes my fortune to deale thus in single
096.L54.006 money; and I may hit better with this
096.L54.007 hail-shot of little Letters (because they may
096.L54.008 come thick) then with great bullets; and
096.L54.009 trouble my friends lesse. I confesse it were
096.L54.010 not long enough if it came to present my
096.L54.011 thankes for all the favours you have done
096.L54.012 me; but since it comes to begge more, per-
096.L54.013 chance it may be long enough, because I
096.L54.014 know not how short you will be with an
096.L54.015 absent friend. If you will but write that you
096.L54.016 give me leave to keep that name still, it
096.L54.017 shall be the gold of your Letter: and for
096.L54.018 allay, put in as much newes as you will.
096.L54.019 We are in a place where scarce any money
096.L54.020 appeares, but base: as, I confesse, all mat- [cw:ters]
096.L54.021 ters of Letters is in respect of the testimo- [p.265]
096.L54.022 nies of friendship; but obey the corrupti-
096.L54.023 on of this place, and fill your Letters
096.L54.024 with worse stuffe then your own. Present
096.L54.025 my service to all those Gentlemen whom I
096.L54.026 had the honour to serve at our lodging, I
096.L54.027 cannot flie an higher pitch, then to say , that
096.L54.028 I am so much their servants as you can say I
096.L54.029 am. At the Queens armes in %1Cheapside%2,
096.L54.030 which is a Mercers, you may hear of one
096.L54.031 M. %1John Brewer%2, who will convay any Let-
096.L54.032 ter directed to me at Sir %1Rob. Druries%2 at
096.L54.033 %1Amiens%2, though he know not me: and I
096.L54.034 should be glad to hear that this first that I
096.L54.035 sent into %1England%2 had the fortune to finde
096.L54.036 you.
096.L54.0DL om
096.L54.0SS %1Yours%2
096.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

097.L54.0HE %1To your fair sister.%2
097.L54.Sal M%9adam%0,
097.L54.001 T%+He dignity, and the good fortune due
097.L54.002 to your Letter, hath preserved a pac-
097.L54.003 quet so well, that through %1France%2 and
097.L54.004 %1Germany%2 it is at last come to me at %1Spa%C%2.
097.L54.005 This good experience makes me in despite
097.L54.006 of contrary appearances, hope that I shall
097.L54.007 finde some messenger for this, before I re-
097.L54.008 move, though it be but two dayes. For,
097.L54.009 even Miracles are but little and slight things,
097.L54.010 when any thing which either concernes
097.L54.011 your worthinesse is in consideration or my
097.L54.012 valuation of it. If I faile in this hope of a
097.L54.013 messenger, I shall not grudge to do my selfe
097.L54.014 this service of bringing it into %1England%2, that
097.L54.015 you may hear me say there, that I have
097.L54.016 thus much profited by the honour of your
097.L54.017 conversation, and Contemplation, that I
097.L54.018 am, as your vertues are, every where
097.L54.019 equall; and that, that which I shall say
097.L54.020 then at %1London%2, I thought and subscribed [cw:at]
097.L54.021 at %1Spa%C%2, which is, that I will never be any [p.267]
097.L54.022 thing else, then
097.L54.0DL om
097.L54.0SS %1Your very humble and affectionate servant%2
097.L54.0SS J. Donne.

098.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2
098.L54.0HE Henry Goodere.
098.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
098.L54.001 B%+Ecause to remain in this sort guilty in
098.L54.002 your Lordships opinion doth not one-
098.L54.003 ly defeat all my future indevours, but lay a
098.L54.004 heavyer burden upon me, of which I am
098.L54.005 more sensible, which is ingratitude to-
098.L54.006 wards your Lordship, by whose favours I
098.L54.007 have been formerly so much bound; I hope
098.L54.008 your Lordship will pardon me this care
098.L54.009 and diligence which I use to rectifie
098.L54.010 my self towards you. To which purpose I
098.L54.011 humbly beseech your Lordship, to admit
098.L54.012 thus much into your consideration, that I [cw:nei-]
098.L54.013 neither hunted after this businesse at first, [p.268]
098.L54.014 but apprehended it as it was presented to
098.L54.015 me, and might perchance have fallen into
098.L54.016 worse hands, nor proceeded otherwise ther-
098.L54.017 in, then to my poor discretion at that time
098.L54.018 seemed lawfull and requisite and necessa-
098.L54.019 ry for my reputation, who held my selfe
098.L54.020 bound to be able to give satisfaction to any
098.L54.021 who should doubt of the case. Of all which,
098.L54.022 if your Lordship were returned to your
098.L54.023 former favourable opinions of me, you
098.L54.024 might be pleased to make this some argu-
098.L54.025 ment, that after his Majesty had shewed his
098.L54.026 inclination to the first motion made in my
098.L54.027 behalf, I was not earnest to urge and solicit
098.L54.028 that advantage of priority, but as became
098.L54.029 me, contented my self to joyne with him
098.L54.030 who had made a later petition therein: and
098.L54.031 as soon as I understood how it was opposed
098.L54.032 or distasted, I threw it down at your Lord-
098.L54.033 ships feet, and abandoned it to your pleasure.
098.L54.034 Which it is necessary for me to say at this
098.L54.035 time, left, if he who was interessed with me
098.L54.036 in that businesse shall have proceeded any [cw:far-]
098.L54.037 farther therein since that time, your Lord- [p.269]
098.L54.038 ship might conceive new suspicions of me.
098.L54.039 That your Lordships name was at all used
098.L54.040 therein, or that any words of mine occasi-
098.L54.041 oned such an errour in my servant, I am
098.L54.042 so sorry as nothing but a conscience of a
098.L54.043 true guiltinesse of having performed an in-
098.L54.044 jury to your Lordship (which can never
098.L54.045 fall upon me) could affect me more. But
098.L54.046 I, who to the measure of my comprehen-
098.L54.047 sion, have ever understood your Lordships
098.L54.048 nobility and evenness, cannot fear that your
098.L54.049 Lordship will punish an oversight, like a
098.L54.050 crime: which should be effected upon me,
098.L54.051 if your Lordship should continue your dis-
098.L54.052 favour towards me, since no penalty could
098.L54.053 come so burdenous to my minde and to my
098.L54.054 fortune as that. And since the repose of
098.L54.055 both consists in your Lordships favour, I
098.L54.056 humbly intreat to be restored to your fa-
098.L54.057 vour, giving your Lordship my faith in
098.L54.058 pawn that I wil be as wary of forfeting it by
098.L54.059 any second occasion, as I am sorry for this.
098.L54.0DL om
098.L54.0SS %1Yours%2
098.L54.0SS J. D. [cw:%1To%2]

099.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 Robert
099.L54.0HE Karre.
099.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
099.L54.001 I%+ Had rather like the first best; not onely
099.L54.002 because it is cleanlier, but because it re-
099.L54.003 flects least upon the other party, which,
099.L54.004 in all just and earnest, in this affair, I wish
099.L54.005 avoided. If my Muse were onely out of
099.L54.006 fashion, and but wounded and maimed
099.L54.007 like Free-will in the %1Roman Church%2, I should
099.L54.008 adventure to put her to an Epithalamion.
099.L54.009 But since she is dead, like Free-will in our
099.L54.010 Church, I have not so much Muse left as
099.L54.011 to lament her losse. Perchance this busi-
099.L54.012 nesse may produce occasions, wherein I
099.L54.013 may expresse my opinion of it, in a more
099.L54.014 serious manner. Which I speaker neither up-
099.L54.015 on any apparent conjecture, nor upon any
099.L54.016 overvaluing of my abilities, but out of a
099.L54.017 generall readinesse and alacrity to be ser-
099.L54.018 viceable and gratefull in any kinde. In
099.L54.019 both which poore vertues of mine, none [cw:can]
099.L54.020 can pretend a more primary interest, then [p.271]
099.L54.021 you may, in
099.L54.0DL om
099.L54.0SS %1Your humble and affectionate servant%2
099.L54.0SS J. Donne

100.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 Robert Karre
100.L54.0HE %1Gentleman of his Highnesses Bedchamber%2.
100.L54.Sal S%9ir,%0
100.L54.001 I%+ Have often sinned towards you, with a
100.L54.002 presumption of being pardoned, but
100.L54.003 now I do it, without hope, and without
100.L54.004 daring to intreat you to pardon the fault.
100.L54.005 In which there are thus many degrees of
100.L54.006 importunity. That I must begge of you to
100.L54.007 christen a child, which is but a daughter,
100.L54.008 and in which you must be content to be
100.L54.009 associated with Ladies of our own alli-
100.L54.010 ance, but good women, and all this up-
100.L54.011 on Thursday next in the afternoon. Sir, I
100.L54.012 have so many and so indeleble impressions[CW:of]
100.L54.013 of your favour to me, as they might [p.272]
100.L54.014 serve to spread over all my poor race. But
100.L54.015 since I see that I stand like a tree, which
100.L54.016 once a year beares, though no fruit, yet
100.L54.017 this Mast of children, and so am sure,
100.L54.018 that one year or other I should afflict you
100.L54.019 with this request, I had rather be present-
100.L54.020 ly under the obligations and the thankful-
100.L54.021 nesse towards you, then meditate such a
100.L54.022 trouble to you against another year. I was
100.L54.023 desirous this paper might kisse your hands
100.L54.024 as soon as you came, that if any other di-
100.L54.025 versions made this inconvenient to you, I
100.L54.026 might have an other exercise of your favor,
100.L54.027 by knowing so much from you, who in
100.L54.028 every act of yours make me more and more
100.L54.0DL 17 Aprill.
100.L54.0SS %1Your humble and thankfull servant%2
100.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

101.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight, Sir%2
101.L54.0HE R%9obert%0 K%9arre%0.
101.L54.Sal %1Sir,%2
101.L54.001 P%+Erchance others may have told you,
101.L54.002 that I am relapsed into my Fever: but
101.L54.003 that which I must intreat you to condole
101.L54.004 with me, is, that I am relapsed into good
101.L54.005 degrees of health; your cause of sorrow for
101.L54.006 that, is, that you are likely to be the more
101.L54.007 troubled with such an impertinencie, as I
101.L54.008 am; and mine is, that I am fallen from
101.L54.009 fair hopes, of ending all; yet I have scaped
101.L54.010 no better cheap, then that I have paid
101.L54.011 death one of my Children for my Ran-
101.L54.012 some. Because I loved it well, I make
101.L54.013 account that I dignifie the memorie of it,
101.L54.014 by mentioning of it to you, else I should
101.L54.015 not be so homely. Impute this brevitie
101.L54.016 of writing to you upon no Subject, to my
101.L54.017 sicknesse, in which men use to talke idly:
101.L54.018 but my profession of desiring to bee re-[CW:tained]
101.L54.019 tained in your memorie, impute to your [p.274]
101.L54.020 owne Vertues, which have wrought so
101.L54.021 much upon
101.L54.0DL om
101.L54.0SS %1Your humble servant%2
101.L54.0SS John Donne.

102.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight%2, %1Sir%2 Robert Karre.
102.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
102.L54.001 I%+ Make account that it is a day of great
102.L54.002 distribution of Honours at Court: I
102.L54.003 would not therefore lose my part, and in-
102.L54.004 crease therein; since very Letter admitted
102.L54.005 by you from mee, is a new stone in my best
102.L54.006 building, which is, my roome in your ser-
102.L54.007 vice: so much you adde to me, everie time
102.L54.008 you give me leave thus to kisse your hands.
102.L54.009 But, Sir, everie addition preimagins a bee-
102.L54.010 ing, and the time of my beeing and Cre-
102.L54.011 ation is not yet come: which I am sure
102.L54.012 you will advance; because else I am no
102.L54.013 competent Subject of your favours, and
102.L54.014 additions. I know, by your forbearing [cw:to]
102.L54.015 to tell mee so, that my L. hath had no [p.275]
102.L54.016 commoditie to move the K. and if this
102.L54.017 Paper speake one word of difference, or
102.L54.018 impatience in my name, by my troth it
102.L54.019 lies. Onely give it leave to tell you, that
102.L54.020 that L. whom perchance the K. may bee
102.L54.021 pleased to heare in it, is an old and mo-
102.L54.022 mentanie man, and it may be late labour-
102.L54.023 ing for his assistance, next Winter. Besides,
102.L54.024 since it may bee possible that the Master
102.L54.025 of the Rolles may a little relent this suite,
102.L54.026 there could no fitter time, then now, to
102.L54.027 make him easie, as things stand with him
102.L54.028 at this time. If you stay in Towne this
102.L54.029 Night, and no longer, I beseech you af-
102.L54.030 ford me a few of your late Minutes at your
102.L54.031 own lodging, where I will wait upon you
102.L54.032 according to any directions, which by
102.L54.033 this Gent. or otherwise I shall receive from
102.L54.034 you.
102.L54.0DL om
102.L54.0SS %1Your humble servant%2
102.L54.0SS John Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

103.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight, Sir%2
103.L54.0HE Robert Karre.
103.L54.Sal S%9ir,%0
103.L54.001 I%+F I would calumniate, I could say no
103.L54.002 ill of that Gentleman: I know not
103.L54.003 whether my L. or my selfe tooke the first
103.L54.004 apprehension of it; but I remember that
103.L54.005 very soone wee concurred in a good opi-
103.L54.006 nion of him; thereupon for justifying
103.L54.007 our owne forwardnesse, wee observed
103.L54.008 him more throughly, and found all the
103.L54.009 way good reason to ratifie our first esti-
103.L54.010 mation of him. This gave my L. oc-
103.L54.011 casion to send him abroade in his Service
103.L54.012 after: how hee satisfied him in that im-
103.L54.013 ployment, indeed I know not. But,
103.L54.014 that I disguise nothing, I remember my
103.L54.015 L. told mee sometimes in his absence,
103.L54.016 that hee had not Account from him of
103.L54.017 some things, which hee had deposed in[CW:him.]
103.L54.018 him. And at his entering into his [p.277]
103.L54.019 Coach, at his last going, I asked my L.
103.L54.020 Goes not the Gentleman with you? and
103.L54.021 hee told mee with some coldnesse no. So
103.L54.022 that if you bee not pressed to a Resolu-
103.L54.023 tion, you may bee pleased to forbeare a
103.L54.024 few dayes, till I may occasionally dis-
103.L54.025 cerne, whether hee have demerited or
103.L54.026 sunke in my L. opinion: And then
103.L54.027 you shall have another Character of him
103.L54.028 from
103.L54.0DL 25. Julii.
103.L54.0SS %1Your very humble and thankfull%2
103.L54.0SS %1Servant%2
103.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

104.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight, Sir%2 Robert Karre.
104.L54.Sal SIR,
104.L54.001 T%+HE same houre that I received the
104.L54.002 honour of your commandments, by
104.L54.003 your letter left at my poore house, I put
104.L54.004 my selfe upon the way hither. So that I
104.L54.005 am here in the habite of a Traveller, and
104.L54.006 (suitable to the rest of my unworthinesses)
104.L54.007 unfit for great Presences. Therefore, I ab-
104.L54.008 stain from waiting upon you presently;
104.L54.009 besides that in this abstinence, (except I
104.L54.010 misinterpret the last words of your letter to
104.L54.011 my advantage) I obey your directions,
104.L54.012 in sending before I come to you. How-
104.L54.013 soever, Sir, I am intirely at your disposing,
104.L54.014 if you will be pleased to adde this favor to
104.L54.015 the rest, that I may understand, wherein
104.L54.016 you will use your Authoritie and Power,
104.L54.017 which you have over
104.L54.0DL om
104.L54.0SS %1Your poore and humble servant%2
104.L54.0SS John Donne.

105.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight, Sir%2 Robert Karre.
105.L54.Sal SIR,
105.L54.001 T%+His is but a Postscript to the last
105.L54.002 Letter, and it is onely to tell you,
105.L54.003 that it was an impertinent jealousie
105.L54.004 that I conceived of that Gentlemans ab-
105.L54.005 sence from my L. for he gives that full Te-
105.L54.006 stimonie of him, that he never discerned
105.L54.007 any kinde of unfitnesse in him for any im-
105.L54.008 ployment, except too much goodnesse; and
105.L54.009 Conscientiousnesse may sometimes make
105.L54.010 him somewhat lesse fit for some kindes of
105.L54.011 businesse, then a man of a looser raine.
105.L54.012 And this is all, that I conceive to have been
105.L54.013 in the commandment wherewith you ho-
105.L54.014 noured
105.L54.0DL 2. Aug 1622.
105.L54.0SS %1Your very humble and thankfull%2
105.L54.0SS %1Servant in Christ Jesus%2
105.L54.0SS John Donne: [CW:%1To%2]

106.L54.0HE %1To my Honoured Friend, Master%2
106.L54.0HE George Gherard.
106.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
106.L54.001 Y%+Our letter was the more welcome to
106.L54.002 mee, because it brought your com-
106.L54.003 mandment with it, of sending you per-
106.L54.004 fumes: for it is a Service somewhat like
106.L54.005 a Sacrifice. But yet your commandment
106.L54.006 surprised me, when neither I had enough
106.L54.007 to send, nor had means to recover more;
106.L54.008 that Ladie being out of Towne which
106.L54.009 gave them me. But Sir, if I had 10000000.
106.L54.010 I could send you no more then I doe; for
106.L54.011 I send all. If any good occasion present it
106.L54.012 selfe to you, to send to my L. %1Clifford%2, spare
106.L54.013 my name a roome, there where you offer
106.L54.014 him most of your Service. I dare contend
106.L54.015 with you, that you cannot exceed mee, in
106.L54.016 desiring to serve him. It is a better office
106.L54.017 from me to you, that I goe to bed, then that
106.L54.018 I write a longer letter. For if I doe mine
106.L54.019 eyes a little more injurie, I shall lose the [cw:honour]
106.L54.020 honour of seeing you at Michaelmas; for [p.281]
106.L54.021 by my troth I am almost blinde: you may
106.L54.022 be content, to beleeve that I am always
106.L54.023 disposed to your service, without excepti-
106.L54.024 on of any time, since now just at mid-
106.L54.025 night, when it is both day, and night,
106.L54.026 and neither, I tell you that I am
106.L54.0DL om
106.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate friend and servant%2
106.L54.0SS J. Donne

107.L54.0HE %1To my very much honoured friend%2 George
107.L54.0HE Garrard %1Esquire at%2 Sion.
107.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
107.L54.001 I%+ Know not which of us wonne it by the
107.L54.002 hand, in the last charge of Letters. If
107.L54.003 you wonne, you wonne nothing, because
107.L54.004 I am nothing, or whatsoever I am, you
107.L54.005 wonne nothing, because I was all yours be-
107.L54.006 fore. I doubt not but I were better delive- [cw:red]
107.L54.007 red of dangers of relapses, if I were at %1Lon-%2 [p.282]
107.L54.008 %1don%2; but the very going would indanger
107.L54.009 me. Upon which true debility, I was for-
107.L54.010 ced to excuse my selfe to my Lord Cham-
107.L54.011 berlaine, from whom I had a Letter of
107.L54.012 command to have Preached the fifth of
107.L54.013 %1November%2 Sermon to the King. A service
107.L54.014 which I would not have declined, if I
107.L54.015 could have conceived any hope of standing
107.L54.016 it. I beseech you intreat my Lord %1Percy%2 in
107.L54.017 my behalfe, that he will be pleased to name
107.L54.018 %1George%2 to my L. %1Carlile%2, and to wonder, if
107.L54.019 not to inquire, where he is. The world is
107.L54.020 disposed to charge my Lords honour, and
107.L54.021 to charge my naturall affection with neg-
107.L54.022 lecting him, and, God knowes, I know
107.L54.023 not which way to turn towards him; nor
107.L54.024 upon any message of mine, when I send to
107.L54.025 kisse my Lords hands, doth my Lord make
107.L54.026 any kinde of mention of him. For the Dia-
107.L54.027 mond Lady, when time serves, I pray
107.L54.028 look to it; for I would fain be discharged
107.L54.029 of it. And for the rest, let them be but re-
107.L54.030 membred how long it hath been in my [cw:hands,]
107.L54.031 hands, and then leave it to their discretion. [p.283]
107.L54.032 If they incline to any thing, I should chuse
107.L54.033 shirt %1Hollond%2, rather under then above 4 %1s%2.
107.L54.034 Our blessed Saviour multiply his blessings
107.L54.035 upon that noble family where you are, and
107.L54.036 your self, and your sonne; as upon all
107.L54.037 them that are derived from
107.L54.0DL om
107.L54.0SS %1Your poor friend and servant%2
107.L54.0SS J. Donne.

108.L54.0HE %1To my very much respected friend M%2%5r%6.
108.L54.0HE George Garrard.
108.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
108.L54.001 I Thank you for expressing your love to
108.L54.002 me, by this diligence, I know you can
108.L54.003 distinguish between the voyces of my love,
108.L54.004 and of necessity, if any thing in my
108.L54.005 Letters found like an importunity. Besides,
108.L54.006 I will adde thus much out of counsell to [cw:you,]
108.L54.007 you, that you can do nothing so thriftily as [p.284]
108.L54.008 to keep in your purpose of the payment of the
108.L54.009 rest of this years rent, (though at your con-
108.L54.010 veniency) for Sir %1E. H.%2 curiosity being so
108.L54.011 served at first, I shall be no farther cause,
108.L54.012 but that the rest be related, and you in as
108.L54.013 good possession of his love, and to as good
108.L54.014 use, as your love deserves of him. You
108.L54.015 mocke us when you aske news from hence.
108.L54.016 All is created there, or relates thither where
108.L54.017 you are. For that book which you com-
108.L54.018 mand me to send, I held it but half an hour:
108.L54.019 which served me to read those few leafes,
108.L54.020 which were directed upon some few lines
108.L54.021 of my book. If you come to town quick-
108.L54.022 ly, you may get a fair widow: for M%5ris%6
108.L54.023 %1Brown%2 is fallen to that state of death of her
108.L54.024 husband. No man desires your comming
108.L54.025 more, nor shall be readier to serve you, then
108.L54.0DL om
108.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate friend and servant%2
108.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

109.L54.0HE %1To my Honoured friend M%2. George Gherard,
109.L54.0HE %1over against%2 Salisbury %1house%2.
109.L54.Sal S%9ir%0,
109.L54.001 I%+ Do not make account that I am come to
109.L54.002 %1London%2, when I get within the wall: that
109.L54.003 which makes it %1London%2 is the meeting of
109.L54.004 friends. I cannot therefore otherwise bid
109.L54.005 my self welcome to %1London%2, then by seeking
109.L54.006 of you, which both Sir %1H. Goodere%2 and I do,
109.L54.007 with so much diligence, as that this mes-
109.L54.008 senger comes two dayes before to intreat
109.L54.009 you from us both, to reserve your self upon
109.L54.010 Saterday: so that I may, at our coming to
109.L54.011 %1London%2 that night, understand at my house
109.L54.012 where I may send you word of our supping
109.L54.013 place that night, and have the honour of
109.L54.014 your company. So you lay more obligati-
109.L54.015 ons upon
109.L54.0DL om
109.L54.0SS %1Your poor unprofitable servant%2
109.L54.0SS J. Donne.

110.L54.0HE %1To my very much Honoured friend%2 George
110.L54.0HE Garret %1Esquire%2
110.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
110.L54.001 W%+Hen we thinke of a friend,we
110.L54.002 do not count that a lost thought,
110.L54.003 though that friend never knew of it. If we
110.L54.004 write to a friend, we must not call it a lost
110.L54.005 Letter, though it never finde him to whom
110.L54.006 it was addressed: for we owe our selves
110.L54.007 that office, to be mindefull of our friends.
110.L54.008 In payment of that debt, I send out this
110.L54.009 Letter, as a Sentinell Perdue; if it finde you,
110.L54.010 it comes to tell you, that I was possessed
110.L54.011 with a Fever, so late in the year, that I am
110.L54.012 afraid I shall not recover confidence to
110.L54.013 come to %1London%2 till the spring be a little ad-
110.L54.014 vanced. Because you did our poore family
110.L54.015 the favour, to mention our George in your
110.L54.016 Letters to %1Spain%2, with some earnestnesse,
110.L54.017 I should wonder if you never had any
110.L54.018 thing from thence concerning him; he
110.L54.019 having been now, divers moneths, in [cw:%1Spaine.%2]
110.L54.020 %1Spaine%2. If you be in %1London%2 and the Lady
110.L54.021 of the Jewell there too, at your conveni-
110.L54.022 ency informe me, what is looked for at
110.L54.023 my hands, in that businesse; for I would
110.L54.024 be loath to leave any thing in my house,
110.L54.025 when I die, that were not absolutely
110.L54.026 mine own. I have a servant, %1Roper%2, at
110.L54.027 %1Pauls%2 house, who will receive your com-
110.L54.028 mandments, at all times. God blesse you
110.L54.029 and your sonne, with the same blessings
110.L54.030 which I begge for the children, and for
110.L54.031 the person of
110.L54.0DL om
110.L54.0SS %1Your poor friend and humble%2
110.L54.0SS %1servant in Chr. Jes.%2
110.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

111.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 Robert
111.L54.0HE Karre, %1Gentleman of his Highnesses%2
111.L54.0HE %1Bed-chamber.%2
111.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
111.L54.001 I%+ Am come to that tendernesse of con-
111.L54.002 science, that I need a pardon for mean-
111.L54.003 ing to come to %1Newmarket%2 in this weather.
111.L54.004 If I had come, I must have asked you many
111.L54.005 reall pardons, for the many importunities
111.L54.006 that I should have used towards you. But
111.L54.007 since I have divers errands thither, (except
111.L54.008 I belie my self in that phrase, since it is all
111.L54.009 one errand to promove mine own business,
111.L54.010 and to receive your commands) I shall give
111.L54.011 you but a short respit, since I shall follow
111.L54.012 this paper within two dayes. And (that I
111.L54.013 accuse my self, no farther then I am guilty)
111.L54.014 the principall reason of my breaking the
111.L54.015 appointment of waiting upon M. %1Rawlins%2,
111.L54.016 was, that I understood the King was from
111.L54.017 %1Newmarket%2; and for comming thither in
111.L54.018 the Kings absence, I never heard of excuse;[CW:except]
111.L54.019 except when %1Butler%2 sends a desperate Pati- [p.289]
111.L54.020 ent in a Consumption thither for good aire,
111.L54.021 which is an ill errand now. Besides that I
111.L54.022 could not well come till now, (for there
111.L54.023 are very few dayes past, since I took Orders)
111.L54.024 there can be no losse in my absence except
111.L54.025 when I come, my Lord should have there-
111.L54.026 by the lesse latitude, to procure the Kings
111.L54.027 Letters to %1Cambridge%2. I beseech you there-
111.L54.028 fore, take some occasion to refresh that
111.L54.029 businesse to his Lordship, by presenting
111.L54.030 my name, and purpose of comming very
111.L54.031 shortly: and be content to receive me, who
111.L54.032 have been ever your servant, to the additi-
111.L54.033 on of
111.L54.0DL 27 January.
111.L54.0SS %1Your poor Chaplaine%2
111.L54.0SS J. Donne.[CW:%1To%2]

112.L54.0HE %1To the Right Honourable the Lord Viscount%2
112.L54.0HE %1of%2 Rochester.
112.L54.Sal %1My most Honourable good Lord%2,
112.L54.001 A%+Fter I was grown to be your Lord-
112.L54.002 ships, by all the titles that I could
112.L54.003 thinke upon, it hath pleased your Lordship
112.L54.004 to make another title to me, by buying me.
112.L54.005 You may have many better bargaines in
112.L54.006 your purchases, but never a better title then
112.L54.007 to me, nor any thing which you may call
112.L54.008 yours more absolutely and intirely. If there-
112.L54.009 fore I appeare before your Lordship some-
112.L54.010 times in these Letters of thankfulnesse, it
112.L54.011 may be an excusable boldnesse, because they
112.L54.012 are part of your evidences by which you
112.L54.013 hold me. I know there may be degrees of
112.L54.014 importunity even in thankfulnesse: but
112.L54.015 your lordship is got above the danger of
112.L54.016 suffering that from me, or my Letters, both
112.L54.017 because my thankfulnesse cannot reach to
112.L54.018 the benefits already received, and because
112.L54.019 the favour of receiving my Letters is a new[CW:benefit.]
112.L54.020 benefit. And since good Divines have [p.291]
112.L54.021 made this argument against deniers of the
112.L54.022 Resurrection, that it is easier for God to
112.L54.023 recollect the Principles, and Elements of
112.L54.024 our bodies, howsoever they be scattered,
112.L54.025 then it was at first to create them of no-
112.L54.026 thing, I cannot doubt, but that any di-
112.L54.027 stractions or diversions in the ways of my
112.L54.028 hopes, will be easier to your Lordship to
112.L54.029 reunite, then it was to create them. Espe-
112.L54.030 cially since you are already so near per-
112.L54.031 fecting them, that if it agreed with your
112.L54.032 Lordships purposes, I should never wish
112.L54.033 other station, then such as might make me
112.L54.034 still and onely
112.L54.0DL om
112.L54.0SS %1Your Lordships%2
112.L54.0SS %1Most humble and devoted servant%2
112.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

113.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 Robert
113.L54.0HE Karre.
113.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
113.L54.001 Lest you should thinke your selfe too
113.L54.002 much beholding to your fortune, and
113.L54.003 so relie too much upon her hereafter, I
113.L54.004 am bold to tell you, that it is not onely
113.L54.005 your good fortune that hath preserved you
113.L54.006 from the importunity of my visits all this
113.L54.007 time. For my ill fortune, which is stron-
113.L54.008 ger, then any mans good fortune, hath
113.L54.009 concurred in the plot to keep us asunder,
113.L54.010 by infecting one in my house with the
113.L54.011 Measels. But all that, is so safely over-
113.L54.012 worne, that I dare, not onely desire to
113.L54.013 put my selfe into your presence, but by
113.L54.014 your mediation, a little farther. For,
113.L54.015 esteeming my selfe, by so good a title, as
113.L54.016 my Lords own words, to be under his
113.L54.017 providence, and care of my fortune, I
113.L54.018 make it the best part of my studies now how I
113.L54.019 might ease his Lordship by finding out [cw:some-]
113.L54.020 something for my selfe. Which, because I [p.293]
113.L54.021 thinke I have done, as though I had done
113.L54.022 him a service therein, I adventure to desire
113.L54.023 to speake with him, which I beseech you
113.L54.024 to advance, in addition to your many fa-
113.L54.025 vours and benefits to me. And if you have
113.L54.026 occasion to send any of your servants to
113.L54.027 this town, to give me notice, what times
113.L54.028 are fittest for me to waite, to injoy your fa-
113.L54.029 vour herein. My businesse is of that nature,
113.L54.030 that losse of time may make it much more
113.L54.031 difficult, and may give courage to the ill
113.L54.032 fortune of
113.L54.0DL om
113.L54.0SS %1Your humble servant%2
113.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

114.L54.0HE %1To your selfe%2.
114.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
114.L54.001 I%+ Make shift to think that I promised you
114.L54.002 this book of French %1Satyrs%2. If I did not, yet
114.L54.003 it may have the grace of acceptation, both
114.L54.004 as it is a very forward and early fruit, since
114.L54.005 it comes before it was looked for, and as
114.L54.006 it comes from a good root, which is an
114.L54.007 importune desire to serve you. Which
114.L54.008 since I saw from the beginning, that I
114.L54.009 should never do in any great thing, it is
114.L54.010 time to begin to try now, whether by of-
114.L54.011 ten doing little services, I can come to-
114.L54.012 wards any equivalence. For, except I can
114.L54.013 make a rule of naturall philosophy, serve
114.L54.014 also in morall offices, that as the strongest
114.L54.015 bodies are made of the smallest particles, so
114.L54.016 the strongest friendships may be made of
114.L54.017 often iterating small officiousnesses, I see I
114.L54.018 can be good for nothing. Except you know
114.L54.019 reason to the contrary, I pray deliver this
114.L54.020 Letter according to the addresse. It hath no[CW:businesse,]
114.L54.021 businesse, nor importunity; but as by our [p.295]
114.L54.022 Law, a man may be %1Felo de se%2, if he kill
114.L54.023 himself, so I think a man may be %1Fur de se%2,
114.L54.024 if he steale himself out of the memory of
114.L54.025 them, which are content to harbour
114.L54.026 him. And now I begin to be loath to be
114.L54.027 lost, since I have afforded my selfe some
114.L54.028 valuation and price, ever since I received
114.L54.029 the stampe and impression of being
114.L54.0DL om
114.L54.0SS %1Your very humble and affectionate servant%2
114.L54.0SS J. Donne.

115.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 Robert Karre,
115.L54.0HE %1Gentleman of his Highnesses Bed chamber.%2
115.L54.Sal S%9IR,%0
115.L54.001 I%+ Have always your leave to use my liber-
115.L54.002 ty, but now I must use my bondage.
115.L54.003 Which is my necessity of obeying a pre-
115.L54.004 contract laid upon me. I go to morrow to
115.L54.005 %1Camberwell%2 a mile beyond %1Southwark%2. But[CW:from]
115.L54.006 from this town goes with me my brother [p.296]
115.L54.007 Sir %1Tho. Grimes%2 and his Lady, and I with
115.L54.008 them. There we dine well enough I war-
115.L54.009 rant you, with his father-in-law, Sir %1Tho.%2
115.L54.010 %1Hunt%2. If I keep my whole promise, I shall
115.L54.011 Preach both forenoon and afternoon. But
115.L54.012 I will obey your commandments for my
115.L54.013 return. If you cannot be there by 10, do
115.L54.014 not put your selfe upon the way: for, Sir,
115.L54.015 you have done me more honour, then I can
115.L54.016 be worthy of, in missing me so diligently.
115.L54.017 I can hope to hear M. %1Moulin%2 again: or ru-
115.L54.018 minate what I have heretofore heard. The
115.L54.019 onely misse that I shall have is of the ho-
115.L54.020 nour of waiting upon you; which is some-
115.L54.021 what recompensed, if thereby you take
115.L54.022 occassion of not putting not your self to that
115.L54.023 pain, to be more assured of the inabilities
115.L54.024 of
115.L54.0DL om
115.L54.0SS %1Your unworthy servant%2
115.L54.0SS J. Donne.[CW:%1To%2]

116.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight, Sir%2
116.L54.0HE Robert Karre.
116.L54.Sal SIR,
116.L54.001 I%+ Sought you yesterday with a purpose
116.L54.002 of accomplishing my health, by the
116.L54.003 honour of kissing your hands. But I finde
116.L54.004 by my going abroad, that as the first Chri-
116.L54.005 stians were forced to admit some %1Jewish%2
116.L54.006 Ceremonies, onely to burie the Synagogue
116.L54.007 with honour, so my Feaver will have so
116.L54.008 much reverence and respect, as that I must
116.L54.009 keep sometimes at home. I must there-
116.L54.010 fore be bold to put you to the pain of con-
116.L54.011 sidering me. If therefore my Lord upon
116.L54.012 your deliverie of my last Letter, said no-
116.L54.013 thing to you of the purpose thereof; let me
116.L54.014 tell you now, that it was, that in obedience
116.L54.015 of his commandment, to acquaint him
116.L54.016 with any thing which might advantage
116.L54.017 me, I was bold to present that which I
116.L54.018 heard, which was that Sir %1D. Carlton%2 was[CW:likely]
116.L54.019 likely to bee removed from %1Venice,%2 to the [p.298]
116.L54.020 States; of which if my Lord said nothing
116.L54.021 to you, I beseech you adde thus much to
116.L54.022 your many other Favours, to intreate my
116.L54.023 Lord at his best commodity, to afford mee
116.L54.024 the favour of speaking with him. But if
116.L54.025 hee have already opened himselfe so farre
116.L54.026 to you, as that you may take knowledge
116.L54.027 thereof to him, then you may ease him of
116.L54.028 that trouble of giving mee an Audience,
116.L54.029 by troubling your selfe thus much more,
116.L54.030 as to tell him in my behalfe, and from
116.L54.031 mee, that though Sir %1D. Carlton%2 bee not
116.L54.032 removed, yet that place with the States
116.L54.033 lying open, there is a faire field of exer-
116.L54.034 cising his favour towards mee, and of con-
116.L54.035 stituting a Fortune to mee, and (that
116.L54.036 which is more) of a meanes for mee to
116.L54.037 doe him particular services. And Sir, as
116.L54.038 I doe throughly submit the end and effect
116.L54.039 of all Projects to his Lordships will, so
116.L54.040 doe I this beginning thereof, to your
116.L54.041 Advice and Counsell, if you thinke
116.L54.042 mee capable of it: as, for your owne[CW:sake,]
116.L54.043 sake, I beseech you to doe, since you have [p.299]
116.L54.044 admitted me for
116.L54.0DL om
116.L54.0SS %1Your humble servant%2
116.L54.0SS J. Donne.

117.L54.0HE %1To the Honoured Knight, Sir%2
117.L54.0HE Robert Karre.
117.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
117.L54.001 I%+ Amend to no purpose, nor have any
117.L54.002 use of this inchoation of health, which
117.L54.003 I finde, except I preserve my roome, and
117.L54.004 station in you. I beginne to bee past
117.L54.005 hope of dying: And I feele that a little
117.L54.006 ragge of %1Monte Magor%2, which I read last
117.L54.007 time I was in your Chamber, hath
117.L54.008 wrought prophetically upon mee, which
117.L54.009 is, that Death came so fast towards mee,
117.L54.010 that the over-joy of that recovered mee.
117.L54.011 Sir, I measure not my health by my ap-
117.L54.012 petite, but onely by my abilitie to come
117.L54.013 to kisse your hands: which since I can-
117.L54.014 not hope in the compasse of a few dayes,[CW:I be-]
117.L54.015 I beseech you pardon mee both these in-
117.L54.016 trusions of this Letter, and of that with-
117.L54.017 in it. And though Schoole-men dis-
117.L54.018 pute, whether a married man dying,
117.L54.019 and being by Miracle raised again, must
117.L54.020 bee remarried; yet let your Friendship,
117.L54.021 (which is a Nobler learning) bee con-
117.L54.022 tent to admit mee, after this Resurrecti-
117.L54.023 on, to bee still that which I was before,
117.L54.024 and shall ever continue,
117.L54.0DL 20. Mar.
117.L54.0SS %1Your most humble and thankfull%2
117.L54.0SS %1Servant%2
117.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

118.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight, Sir%2
118.L54.0HE Robert Karre.
118.L54.Sal S%9IR,%0
118.L54.001 W%+Hen I was almost at Court, I met
118.L54.002 the Princes Coach: I think I o-
118.L54.003 beyed your purposes best therefore, in
118.L54.004 comming hither. I am sure I provided
118.L54.005 best for my selfe thereby; since my best de-
118.L54.006 gree of understanding is to bee governed
118.L54.007 by you. I beseech you give mee an assig-
118.L54.008 nation where I may wait upon you at your
118.L54.009 commoditie this Evening. Till the per-
118.L54.010 formance of which commandment from
118.L54.011 you, I rest here in the red Lion.
118.L54.0DL om
118.L54.0SS %1Your very thankfull and affectionate%2
118.L54.0SS %1Servant%2
118.L54.0SS J. Donne.[CW:%1To%2]

119.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight, Sir%2 Robert Karre.
119.L54.Sal S%9IR,%0
119.L54.001 I%+ Was loth to bee the onely man who
119.L54.002 should have no part in this great Festi-
119.L54.003 vall; I thought therefore to celebrate
119.L54.004 that well, by spending some part of it in
119.L54.005 your company. This made mee seek you
119.L54.006 againe this after noone, though I were
119.L54.007 guilty to my selfe of having done so every
119.L54.008 day since your comming. I confesse such
119.L54.009 an importunity is worthy to be punished
119.L54.010 with such a missing; yet, because it is the
119.L54.011 likeliest reparation of my Fortunes to hope
119.L54.012 upon Reversions, I would be glad of that
119.L54.013 Title in you: that, after solemnities, and
119.L54.014 businesses, and pleasures be passed over, my
119.L54.015 time may come, and you may afford some
119.L54.016 of your last leisures to
119.L54.0DL 4 Novemb.
119.L54.0SS %1Your affectionate and humble servant%2
119.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

120.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight, Sir%2
120.L54.0HE R%9OBERT%0 K%9ARRE.%0
120.L54.Sal %1Sir%2,
120.L54.001 Y%+Our mans haste gives me the advan-
120.L54.002 tage, that I am excusable in a short
120.L54.003 Letter, else I should not pardon it to my
120.L54.004 selfe. I shall obey your commandment of
120.L54.005 comming so neare you upon %1Michaelmas%2
120.L54.006 day, as by a Message to aske you whether
120.L54.007 that or the next morning bee the fittest to
120.L54.008 sollicite your further Favour. You un-
120.L54.009 derstand all Vertue so well, as you may be
120.L54.010 pleased to call to minde what thankeful-
120.L54.011 nesse and services are due to you from me,
120.L54.012 and beleeve them all to bee expressed in
120.L54.013 this ragge of Paper, which gives you new
120.L54.014 assurance, that I am ever
120.L54.0DL om
120.L54.0SS %1Your most humble servant%2
120.L54.0SS J. Donne.[CW:%1To%2]

121.L54.0HE %1To your selfe.%2
121.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
121.L54.001 I%+F I shall never be able to do you any reall
121.L54.002 service, yet you may make this profit of
121.L54.003 me, that you be hereafter more cautelous
121.L54.004 in receiving into your knowledge, per-
121.L54.005 sons so uselesse, and importune. But be-
121.L54.006 fore you come to so perfect a knowledge of
121.L54.007 me, as to abandon me, go forward in
121.L54.008 your favours to me, so farre, as to
121.L54.009 deliver this Letter according to the addresse. I
121.L54.010 think I should not come nearer his presence
121.L54.011 then by a Letter: and I am sure, I would
121.L54.012 come no other way, but by you. Be you
121.L54.013 therefore pleased, by these noble favours to
121.L54.014 me, to continue in me the comfort which
121.L54.015 I have in being
121.L54.0DL Drury house, 23 Sept.
121.L54.0SS %1Your very humble and thankfull servant%2
121.L54.0SS J. Donne. [cw:%1To%2]

122.L54.0HE %1To the Right Honourable Sir%2 Robert Karre.
122.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
122.L54.001 A%+ Few hours after I had the honour of
122.L54.002 your Letter, I had another from my
122.L54.003 Lord of %1Bath%2 and %1Wells%2, commanding
122.L54.004 from the King a Copy of my Sermon. I
122.L54.005 am in preparations of that, with diligence,
122.L54.006 yet this morning I waited upon his Lord-
122.L54.007 ship, and laid up in him this truth, that of
122.L54.008 the B. of %1Canterburies%2 Sermon, to this hour,
122.L54.009 I never heard syllable, nor what way, nor
122.L54.010 upon what points he went: And for mine,
122.L54.011 it was put into that very order, in which
122.L54.012 I delivered it, more then two moneths
122.L54.013 since. Freely to you I say, I would I were
122.L54.014 a little more guilty: Onely mine innocency
122.L54.015 makes me afraid. I hoped for the Kings
122.L54.016 approbation heretofore in many of my Ser-
122.L54.017 mons; and I have had it. But yesterday I
122.L54.018 came very near looking for thanks; for, in
122.L54.019 my life, I was never in any one peece, so
122.L54.020 studious of his service. Therefore, excepti- [cw:ons]
122.L54.021 ons being taken, and displeasure kindled [p.306]
122.L54.022 at this, I am afraid, it was rather brought
122.L54.023 thither, then met there. If you know any
122.L54.024 more, fit for me, (because I hold that unfit
122.L54.025 for me, to appear in my Masters sight, as
122.L54.026 long as this cloud hangs, and therefore, this
122.L54.027 day forbear my ordinary waitings) I be-
122.L54.028 seech you to intimate it to
122.L54.0DL om
122.L54.0SS %1Your very humble and very thankfull servant%2
122.L54.0SS J. Donne.

123.L54.0HE %1To the Right Honourable Sir%2 Robert Karre,
123.L54.0HE %1at Court%2.
123.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
123.L54.001 I%+ Humbly thanke you, for this continu-
123.L54.002 ing me in your memory, and enlarging
123.L54.003 me so far, as to the memory of my Sove-
123.L54.004 raign, and (I hope) my Master. My Tenets
123.L54.005 are always, for the preservation of the Re- [cw:ligion]
123.L54.006 ligion I was born in, and the peace of the [p.307]
123.L54.007 State, and the rectifying of the Conscience;
123.L54.008 in these I shall walke, and as I have from
123.L54.009 you a new seal thereof, in this Letter, so I
123.L54.010 had ever evidence in mine own observati-
123.L54.011 on, that these ways were truly, as they are
123.L54.012 justly, acceptable in his Majesties eare. Our
123.L54.013 blessed Saviour multiply unto him all bles-
123.L54.014 sings; %1Amen%2.
123.L54.0DL om
123.L54.0SS %1Your very true and intire servant in Chr. Jes.%2
123.L54.0SS J. Donne.

124.L54.0HE %1To the Right Honourable Sir%2 Robert Karre,
124.L54.0HE %1at Court.%2
124.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
124.L54.001 I%+ Was this morning at your door, some-
124.L54.002 what early; and I am put into such a
124.L54.003 distaste of my last Sermon, as that I dare
124.L54.004 not practise any part of it, and therefore
124.L54.005 though I said then, that we are bound to [cw:speake]
124.L54.006 speake aloud, though we awaken men, [p.308]
124.L54.007 and make them froward, yet after two or
124.L54.008 three modest knocks at the door, I went
124.L54.009 away. Yet I understood after, the King
124.L54.010 was gone abroad, and thought you might
124.L54.011 be gone with him. I came to give you an
124.L54.012 account of that, which this does as well.
124.L54.013 I have now put into my Lord of %1Bath%2 and
124.L54.014 %1Wells%2 hands the Sermon that faithfully exscrci-
124.L54.015 bed. I beseech you be pleased to hearken far-
124.L54.016 ther after it; I am still upon my jealousie, that
124.L54.017 the King brought thither some disaffecti-
124.L54.018 on towards me, grounded upon some o-
124.L54.019 ther demerit of mine, and took it not from
124.L54.020 the Sermon. For, as Card. %1Cusanus%2 writ a
124.L54.021 Book %1Cribratio Alchorani%2, I have cribated,
124.L54.022 and re-cribrated, and post-cribrated the Ser-
124.L54.023 mon, and must necessarily say, the King
124.L54.024 who hath let fall his eye upon some of my
124.L54.025 Poems, never saw, of mine, a hand, or an
124.L54.026 eye, or an affection, set down with so much
124.L54.027 study, and diligence, and labour of syllables,
124.L54.028 as in this Sermon I expressed those two
124.L54.029 points, which I take so much to conduce [cw:to]
124.L54.030 to his service, the imprinting of persuasi- [p.309]
124.L54.031 bility and obedience in the subject, And
124.L54.032 the breaking of the bed of whispers, by
124.L54.033 casting in a bone, of making them suspect
124.L54.034 and distrust one another. I remember I
124.L54.035 heard the old King say of a good Sermon,
124.L54.036 that he thought the Preacher never had
124.L54.037 thought of his Sermon, till he spoke it; it
124.L54.038 seemed to him negligently and extemporal-
124.L54.039 ly spoken. And I knew that he had weigh-
124.L54.040 ed every syllable, for halfe a year before,
124.L54.041 which made me conclude, that the King
124.L54.042 had before, some prejudice upon him. So,
124.L54.043 the best of my hope is, that some over bold
124.L54.044 allusions, or expressions in the way, might.
124.L54.045 divert his Majesty, from vouchsafing to ob-
124.L54.046 serve the frame, and purpose of the Sermon.
124.L54.047 When he sees the generall scope, I hope his
124.L54.048 goodnesse will pardon collaterall escapes. I
124.L54.049 intreated the B. to aske his Majesty, whe-
124.L54.050 ther his displeasure extended so farre, as that
124.L54.051 I should forbear waiting, and appearing in
124.L54.052 his presence; and I had a return, that I
124.L54.053 might come. Till I had that, I would not [cw:offer]
124.L54.054 offer to put my self under your roof. To [p.310]
124.L54.055 day I come, for that purpose, to say prayers.
124.L54.056 And if, in any degree, my health suffer it, I
124.L54.057 shall do so, to morrow. If any thing fall in-
124.L54.058 to your observation before that, (because
124.L54.059 the B. is likely to speake to the King of it,
124.L54.060 perchance, this night) if it amount to
124.L54.061 such an increase of displeasure, as that it
124.L54.062 might be unfit for me to appear, I beseech
124.L54.063 you afford me the knowledge. Otherwise,
124.L54.064 I am likely to inquire of you personally, to
124.L54.065 morrow before nine in the morning, and
124.L54.066 to put into your presence then
124.L54.0DL om
124.L54.0SS %1Your very humble and very true, and very honest servant to God and the King and you%2
124.L54.0SS J. Donne
124.L54.P01 %1I writ yesterday to my L. Duke, by my%2
124.L54.P02 %1L.%2 Carlisle, %1who assured me of a gracious ac-%2
124.L54.P03 %1ceptation of my putting my self in his pro-%2
124.L54.P04 %1tection.%2 [cw:%1To%2]

125.L54.0HE %1To the Right Honourable Sir%2 Robert Karre,
125.L54.0HE %1at Court%2,
125.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
125.L54.001 I%+F I should refuse the liberty which you
125.L54.002 enlarge to me, of eating in your cham-
125.L54.003 ber, you might suspect that I reserved it for
125.L54.004 greater boldnesses, and would not spend
125.L54.005 it in this. But, in good faith, I do not eat
125.L54.006 before, nor can after, till I have been at
125.L54.007 home; so much hath my this years debi-
125.L54.008 lity disabled me, even for receiving favours.
125.L54.009 After the Sermon, I will steal into my
125.L54.010 Coach home, and pray that my good pur-
125.L54.011 pose may be well accepted, and my defects
125.L54.012 graciously pardoned. %1Amen%2.
125.L54.0DL om
125.L54.0SS %1Yours intirely%2
125.L54.0SS J. Donne.
125.L54.P01 %1I will be at your chamber at one after noon.%2 [CW: %1To%2]

126.L54.0HE %1To the Right Honourable Sir%2 Robert Karre,
126.L54.0HE %1at Court.%2
126.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
126.L54.001 I Pursued my ambition of having the ho-
126.L54.002 nour to kisse your hands some where,
126.L54.003 so farre, as to inform my self occasional-
126.L54.004 ly of my great neighbour. And I perceive
126.L54.005 he is under an inundation of uncertain
126.L54.006 commers, which he cannot devest, ex-
126.L54.007 cept as I had your leave, to speake plain to
126.L54.008 him. A second inconvenience is, that he is
126.L54.009 so deafe, that we must speake to the whole
126.L54.010 house, if we will speake to him. And a
126.L54.011 third is, that I am in a riddling, rather
126.L54.012 a juggling indisposition, fast and loose,
126.L54.013 and therefore dare not stirre farre. Yet Sir,
126.L54.014 I am not thereby unfit to receive the honor
126.L54.015 of seeing you here, if greater businesse have
126.L54.016 not overcome, or worn out, your for-
126.L54.017 mer inclinablenesse to come into these
126.L54.018 quarters. If you shall be pleased to say to
126.L54.019 my man, that you will make as though [cw:you]
126.L54.020 you dined with me to day, and come, if your [p.313]
126.L54.021 businesse require your going to his Lord-
126.L54.022 ship, you may dine with him, after you
126.L54.023 have fasted with me. To day, or any day,
126.L54.024 which may be more yours, I aske it of
126.L54.025 you with all earnestnesse, on this side im-
126.L54.026 portunity, which is the detestation of
126.L54.0DL om
126.L54.0SS %1Your humblest and thankfullest servant%2
126.L54.0SS J. Donne.

127.L54.0HE %1To the Right Honourable Sir%2 Robert Karre,
127.L54.0HE %1at Court%2.
127.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
127.L54.001 T%+His morning I have received a signi-
127.L54.002 fication from my Lord Chamber-
127.L54.003 laine, that his Majesty hath commanded
127.L54.004 to morrows Sermon at S. %1James%2; And that
127.L54.005 it is in the after-noon; (for, into my
127.L54.006 mouth there must not enter the word, after-
127.L54.007 dinner, because that day there enters no [CW:dinner]
127.L54.008 dinner into my mouth.) Towards the [p.314]
127.L54.009 time of the service, I aske your leave, that I
127.L54.010 may hide my selfe in your out-chamber.
127.L54.011 Or if businesse, or privatenesse, or compa-
127.L54.012 ny make that inconvenient, that you will
127.L54.013 be pleased to assigne some servant of yours
127.L54.014 to shew me the Closet, when I come to
127.L54.015 your chamber. I have no other way there,
127.L54.016 but you; which I say not, as though I had
127.L54.017 not assurance enough therein, but because
127.L54.018 you have too much trouble thereby; nor I
127.L54.019 have no other end there, then the Pulpit:
127.L54.020 you are my station, and that my exaltation;
127.L54.021 And in both, I shall ever endevour, to keep
127.L54.022 you from being sorry for having thought
127.L54.023 well of, or being ashamed of having testi-
127.L54.024 fied well for
127.L54.0DL om
127.L54.0SS %1Your poor and very true Servant in Chr. Jes.%2
127.L54.0SS J. Donne. [CW: %1To%2]

128.L54.0HE %1To the Honourable Knight Sir%2 Robert Karre,
128.L54.0HE %1at Court.%2
128.L54.Sal S%9IR%0,
128.L54.001 I%+ Have obeyed the formes of our Church
128.L54.002 of %1Pauls%2 so much, as to have been a so-
128.L54.003 lemn Christmas man, and tryed conclusi-
128.L54.004 ons upon my selfe, how I could sit out the
128.L54.005 siege of new faces, every dinner. So that I
128.L54.006 have not seen the B. in some weeks. And
128.L54.007 I know not whether he be in case, to afford
128.L54.008 that privacy, which you justly desire. This
128.L54.009 day I am in my bondage of entertaining.
128.L54.010 Suppers I presume, are inconvenient to you.
128.L54.011 But this evening I will spie upon the B. and
128.L54.012 give you an account to morrow morning
128.L54.013 of his disposition; when, if he cannot be
128.L54.014 intire to you, since you are gone so farre
128.L54.015 downwards in your favours to me, be plea-
128.L54.016 sed to pursue your humiliation so farre as
128.L54.017 to chuse your day, and either to suffer the
128.L54.018 solitude of this place, or to change it, by
128.L54.019 such company, as shall waite upon you, [cw:and]
128.L54.020 and come as a visitor and overseer of this [p.316]
128.L54.021 Hospitall of mine, and dine or sup at this
128.L54.022 miserable chezmey.
128.L54.0DL 4 Jan. 1626./ %1Your humble and thankfullest servant%2
128.L54.0SS J. Donne.

129.L54.0HE %1To my Noble friend M%2%5ris%6 Cokain %1at%2
129.L54.0HE Ashburne.
129.L54.Sal %1My noblest sister,%2
129.L54.001 B%+Ut that it is sweetned by your
129.L54.002 command, nothing could trouble me
129.L54.003 more, then to write of my self. Yet, if I
129.L54.004 would have it known, I must write it my
129.L54.005 self; for, I neither tell children, nor servants,
129.L54.006 my state. I have never good temper, nor
129.L54.007 good pulse, nor good appetite, nor good
129.L54.008 sleep. Yet, I have so much leasure to recol-
129.L54.009 lect my self, as that I can thinke I have been
129.L54.010 long thus, or often thus. I am not alive, [cw:because]
129.L54.011 because I have not had enough upon me to [p.317]
129.L54.012 kill me, but because it pleases God to passe
129.L54.013 me through many infirmities before he
129.L54.014 take me either by those particular remem-
129.L54.015 brances, to bring me to particular repen-
129.L54.016 tances, or by them to give me hope of his
129.L54.017 particular mercies in heaven. Therefore
129.L54.018 have I been more affected with Coughs in
129.L54.019 vehemence, more with deafenesse, more
129.L54.020 with toothach, more with the vurbah, then
129.L54.021 heretofore. All this mellows me for hea-
129.L54.022 ven, and so ferments me in this world, as I
129.L54.023 shall need no long concoction in the grave,
129.L54.024 but hasten to the resurrection. Not onely
129.L54.025 to be nearer that grave, but to be nearer to
129.L54.026 the service of the Church, as long as I shall
129.L54.027 be able to do any, I purpose, God willing,
129.L54.028 to be at %1London%2, within a fortnight after your
129.L54.029 receit of this, as well because I am under
129.L54.030 the obligation of preaching at %1Pauls%2 upon
129.L54.031 Candlemas day, as because I know nothing
129.L54.032 to the contrary, but that I may be called to
129.L54.033 Court, for Lent service; and my witnesse
129.L54.034 is in heaven, that I never left out S. %1Dunstans%2, [cw:when]
129.L54.035 when I was able to do them that service; [p.318]
129.L54.036 nor will now; though they that know the
129.L54.037 state of that Church well, know that I am
129.L54.038 not so bound, as the world thinks, to preach
129.L54.039 there; for, I make not a shilling profit of
129.L54.040 S. %1Dunstans%2 as a Church man, but as my L.
129.L54.041 of %1Dorset%2 gave me the lease of the Impropri-
129.L54.042 ation, for a certain rent, and a higher rent,
129.L54.043 the my predecessor had it at. This I am fain
129.L54.044 to say often, because they that know it not,
129.L54.045 have defamed me, of a defectiveness to-
129.L54.046 wards that Church; and even that mista-
129.L54.047 king of theirs I ever have, and ever shall en-
129.L54.048 devour to rectifie, by as often preaching
129.L54.049 there, as my condition of body will admit.
129.L54.050 All our company here is well, but not at
129.L54.051 home now, when I write; for, lest I should
129.L54.052 not have another return to %1London%2, before
129.L54.053 the day of your Carrier, I write this, and rest
129.L54.0DL 15 Jan.1630 Abrey-hatch./ %1Your very affectionate servant, and friend, and brother,%2
129.L54.0SS J. Donne.
129.L54.P01 THE END.