Probably written from Amiens, to which place Donne accompanied Sir Robert
Drury in 1611, on that journey during which he had the vision described by
Walton:
"Two days after their arrival there [in Paris], Mr. _Donne_ was left alone
in that room in which Sir _Robert_, and he, and some other friends had
din'd together. To this place Sir _Robert_ return'd within half an hour,
and, as he left, so he found Mr. _Donne_ alone; but in such an Extasie,
and, so alter'd as to his looks, as amaz'd Sir _Robert_ to behold him:
insomuch that he earnestly desired Mr. _Donne_ to declare what had befaln
him in the short time of his absence? to which, Mr. _Donne_ was not able
to make a present answer: but, after a long and perplext pause, did at
last say, _I have seen a dreadful vision since I saw you; I have seen my
dear wife pass twice by me through this room, with her hair hanging about
her shoulders, and a dead child in her arms: This I have seen since I saw
you._ To which Sir _Robert_ reply'd; '_Sure Sir, you have slept since I
saw you; and, this is the result of some melancholy dream, which I desire
you to forget, for, you are now awake._' To which Mr. _Donne's_ reply was,
'_I cannot be surer that I now live, then, that I have not slept since I
saw you: and I am as sure, that at her second appearing, she stopt, and
look'd me in the face, and vanisht._' Rest and sleep, had not alter'd Mr.
_Donne's_ opinion the next day: for he then affirm'd this vision with a
more deliberate, and so confirm'd a confidence, that he inclin'd Sir
_Robert_ to a faint belief that the Vision was true.--It is truly said,
_that desire, and doubt, have no rest_: and it prov'd so with Sir
_Robert_, for he immediately sent a servant to _Drewry_ house, with a
charge to hasten back, and bring him word, whether Mrs. _Donne_ were
alive? and if alive, in what condition she was, as to her health?--The
twelfth day the Messenger returned with this account--That he found and
left Mrs. _Donne_ very sad, and sick in her bed: and, that after a long
and dangerous labour, she had been deliver'd of a dead child. And upon
examination, the abortion prov'd to be the same day, and about the very
hour that Mr. _Donne_ affirm'd he saw her pass by him in his Chamber."