I thank you for expressing your love to me, by this diligence; I know you
can distinguish between the voyces of my love, and of my necessity, if any
thing in my Letters sound like an importunity. Besides, I will adde thus
out of counsell to you, that you can do nothing so thriftily as to keep
in your purpose the payment of the rest of this years rent, (though at
your conveniency) for Sir _E. H['s]_ curiosity being so served at first,
I shall be no farther cause, but that the rest be related, and you in as
good possession of his love, and to as good use, as your love deserves of
him. You mocke us when you aske news from hence. All is created there, or
relates thither where you are. For that book which you command me to send,
I held it but half an hour: which served me to read those few leafes,
which were directed upon some few lines of my book. If you come to town
quickly, you may get a fair widow: for M{ris} _Brown_ is fallen to that
state by death of her husband. No man desires your comming more, nor shall
be readier to serve you, then
_Your affectionate friend and servant_
J. Donne.
[cix.]
_To my Honoured friend Mr_ George Gherard, _over against_ Salisbury
_house_.