Digital Donne: the Online Variorum
The 1654 Prose Letters Letter 43, cont. (p.135) |
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we scarce ever heard of the spleen. In our declinations now, every accident is accom- panied with heavy clouds of melancholy; and in our youth we never admitted any. It is the spleen of the minde, and we are affe- cted with vapors from thence; yet truly, even this sadnesse that overtakes us, and this yeelding to the sadnesse, is not so vehement a poison (though it be no Physick neither) as those false waies, in which we sought our comforts in our looser daies. You are able to make rules to your self, and our B. Saviour continue to you an ability to keep within those rules. And this particu- lar occasion of your present sadnesse must be helped by the rule, for, for examples you will scarce finde any, scarce any that is not encombred and distressed in his fortunes. I had locked my self, sealed and secured my self against all possibilities of falling into new debts, and in good faith, this year hath thrown me 400l lower then when I entred this house. I am a Father as well as you, and of children (I humbly thank God) of [CW: as] |
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