Digital Donne: the Online Variorum

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Previous image Next image The 1654 Prose Letters  Letter 4, cont. (p.6)




aske how they were received; and if you
have had none, it comes to try how they
should have been received. It comes to you
like a bashfull servant, who though he have
an extreme desire to put himself in your
presence, yet hath not much to say when he
is come: yet hath it as much to say as
you can think; because what degrees so-
ever of honour, respect, and devotion, you
can imagine or beleeve to be in any, this
letter tells you, that all those are in me to-
wards you. So that for this letter you are my
Secretary; for your worthiness, and your
opinion that I have a just estimation of
them, write it: so that it is as long, and as
good, as you think it; and nothing is left
to me, but as a witness, to subscribe the
name of
Line omitted
Your most humble servant
J. D.

Though this letter be yours, it will not mis-
become or disproportion it that I mention your
Noble brother, who is gone to Cleave, not to re-
turn till towards Christmas, except the business
deserve him not so long.
[CW: To]
p.6

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