MADAME,

_I have learn'd by those lawes wherein I am a[1] little conversant,

that hee which bestowes any cost upon the dead, obliges him which is

dead, but not the[2] heire; I do not therefore send this paper to your

Ladyship, that you should thanke mee for it, or thinke that I thanke

you in it; your favours and benefits to mee are so much above my

merits, that they are even above my gratitude, if that were to be

judged by words which must expresse it: But, Madame, since your noble

brothers fortune being yours, the evidences also concerning it are

yours,[3] so his vertue[4] being yours, the evidences concerning

it,[5] belong also to you, of which by your acceptance this may be one

peece, in which quality I humbly present it, and as a testimony how

intirely your familie possesseth_

Your Ladiships most humble

and thankfull servant

The Poems of John Donne, Volume 1 (of 2) Edited from the Old Editions and Numerous Manuscripts · 第 176 / 371 题