I heard not from you this week; therefore I write more willingly, because
it hath in it so much more merit. And I might do it very cheaply, since to
convey to you this Letter, which mine hath the honour to bring, any little
Letter would serve, and be acceptable for that. Because it came not last
week, I went now to solicite it, and she sent it me next day with some
thankes, and some excuse that she knew not me, when I was with her. You
know, I do not easily put my self into those hazards, nor do much brag of
my valor now, otherwise then I purposed it for a service to you. The
newest thing that I know in the world, is my new son: whose mothers being
well takes off from me any new waight upon my fortune. I hear in Newgate,
that M. _Mathew_ is dead. The Catholiques beleeve it there: perchance out
of a custome of credulity. But the report is close prisoner; for I never
met it abroad. This is my third letter, all which I sent by _Spelty_ whom
my boy found at _Abington_ house. I have now two of the best happinesses
which could befall me, upon me; which are, to be a widower and my wife
alive, which may make you know, that it is but for your ease, that this
letter is no longer, in this leasure in which (having nothing else to
write) I might vary a thousand ways that I am
_Your very affectionate servant_
J. Donne.
Monday at night.
[lix.]
_To my worthy friend_ G. K.
_SIR_,
I receive this heare [hour] that I begin this return, your Letter by a
servant of Sir _G. Greseley_, by whom also I hasten this dispatch. This
needs no enlargement since it hath the honour to convey one from M.
_Gherard_. But though by telling me, it was a bold letter, I had leave to
open it, and that I have a little itch to make some animadversions &
Criticismes upon it (as that there is a ciphar too much in the sum of the
Kings debts, and such like) yet since my eyes do easily fall back to their
distemper, and that I am this night to sup at Sir _Ar. Ingrams_, I had
rather forfeit their little strength at his supper, then with writing
such impertinencies: the best spending them, is upon the rest of your
Letter, to which, Sir, I can only say in generall, that Some appearances
have been here, of some treatise concerning this Nullity, which are said
to proceed from _Geneva_; but are beleeved to have been done within doors,
by encouragements of some whose names I will not commit to this letter. My
poor study having lyen that way, it may prove possible that my weak
assistance may be of use in this matter, in a more serious fashion, then
an Epithalamion. This made me therefore abstinent in that kinde; yet by my
troth, I think I shall not scape. I deprehend in my self more then an
alacrity, a vehemency to do service to that company; and so, I may finde
reason to make rime. If it be done, I see not how I can admit that circuit
of sending them to you, to be sent hither; that seems a kinde of praying
to Saints, to whom God must tell first, that such a man prays to them to
pray to him. So that I shall lose the honour of that conveyance; but, for
recompense, you shall scape the danger of approving it. My next Letter
shall say more of this. This shall end with delivering you the
remembrance of my Lady _Bartlet_, who is present at the sealing hereof.
_Your very true and affectionate servant_
J. Donne.
Jan. 19.
_Which name when there is any empty corner in your discourse with that
noble Lady at_ Ashby, _I humbly beseech you to present to her as one more
devoted to her service then perchance you will say._
[lx.]
_To Sir_ G. B.