Digital Donne: the Online Variorum
The 1654 Prose Letters Letter 17, cont. (p.47) |
|
to have laughed, yet his continuance is said ever to be smiling. And that even moderate mirth of heart, and face, and all I wish to my self; and perswade you to keep. This alacrity is not had by a general charity and e- quanimity to all mankinde, for that is to seek fruit in a wildernesse: nor from a sin- gular friend, for that is to fetch it out of your own pocket: but the various and abundant grace of it, is good company. In which no rank, no number, no quality, but ill, and such a degree of that as may corrupt and poyson the good, is exempt. For in nearer then them, your friend, and somewhat nearer then he, in your self you must allow some inordinatenesse of affecti- ons and passions. For it is not true that they are not natural, but stormes and tempests of our bloud and humours: for they are na- turall, but sickly. And as the Indian priests expressed an excellent charity, by building Hospitalls and providing chirurgery for birds and beasts lamed by mischance, or age, or labour: so must we, not cut off, [CW: but] |
|