When we thinke of a friend, we do not count that a lost thought, though
that friend never knew of it. If we write to a friend, we must not call it
a lost Letter, though it never finde him to whom it was addressed: for we
owe our selves that office, to be mindefull of our friends. In payment of
that debt, I send out this Letter, as a Sentinell Perdue; if it finde you,
it comes to tell you, that I was possessed with a Fever, so late in the
year, that I am afraid I shall not recover confidence to come to _London_
till the spring be a little advanced. Because you did our poor family the
favour to mention our _George_ in your Letters to _Spain_, with some
earnestnesse, I should wonder if you never had any thing from thence
concerning him; he having been now, divers moneths, in _Spaine_. If you be
in _London_ and the Lady of the Jewell there too, at your conveniency
informe me what is looked for at my hands, in that businesse; for I would
be loath to leave any thing in my house when I die that were not
absolutely mine own. I have a servant, _Roper_, at _Pauls_ house, who will
receive your commandments, at all times. God blesse you and your sonne,
with the same blessings which I begge for the children, and for the person
of
_Your poor friend and humble
servant in Chr. Jes._
J. Donne.
[cxi.]
_To the Honourable Knight Sir_ Robert Karre, _Gentleman of his Highnesses
Bed-chamber_.