I know not which of us wonne it by the hand, in the last charge of
Letters. If you wonne, you wonne nothing, because I am nothing, or
whatsoever I am, you wonne nothing, because I was all yours before. I
doubt not but I were better delivered of dangers of relapses, if I were at
_London_; but the very going would indanger me. Upon which true debility,
I was forced to excuse my selfe to my Lord Chamberlaine, from whom I had a
Letter of command to have Preached the fifth of _November_ Sermon to the
King. A service which I would not have declined, if I could have conceived
any hope of standing it. I beseech you intreat my Lord _Percy_ in my
behalfe, that he will be pleased to name _George_ to my L[ord]
_Carli[s]le_, and to wonder, if not to inquire, where he is. The world
is disposed to charge my Lords honour, and to charge my naturall affection
with neglecting him, and, God knowes, I know not which way to turn towards
him; nor upon any message of mine, when I send to kisse my Lords hands,
doth my Lord make any kinde of mention of him. For the Diamond Lady, when
time serves, I pray look to it; for I would fain be discharged of it. And
for the rest, let them be but remembered how long it hath been in my
hands, and then leave it to their discretion. If they incline to any
thing, I should chuse shirt _Hollond_, rather under then above 4 _s._ Our
blessed Saviour multiply his blessings upon that noble family where you
are, and your self, and your sonne; as upon all them that are derived from
_Your poor friend and servant_
J. Donne.
[cviii.]
_To my very much respected friend Mr._ George Garrard.