Digital Donne: the Online Variorum
The 1654 Prose Letters Letter 31, cont. (p.90) |
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which not onely for the liberty of speaking, but for the elegancie, and composition, would take deep root, and make durable impressions in the memory, no other way hath been thought so fit to suppresse them, as to divulge some course, and railing one: for when the noise is risen, that libels are abroad, mens curiositie must be served with something: and it is better for the honour of the person traduced, that some blunt downright railings be vented, of which every body is soon weary, then other pieces, which entertain us long with a de- light, and love to the things themselves. I doubt not but he smoothered some libels a- gainst him in his life time. But I would all these (or better) had been made then, for they might then have wrought upon him; and they might have testified that the Au- thors had meant to mend him, but now they can have no honest pretence. I dare say to you, where I am not easily misinterpreted, that there may be cases, where one may do his Countrey good service, by libelling a- [CW: gainst] |
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