Written in 1619, on the eve of Donne's departure for the Palatinate. (See
VII, note.) "My Lord" is, of course, Lord Hay. "M. Gher" is George
Gerrard. "M. Martin" is presumably Donne's friend, Richard Martin,
mentioned in XIX and XLI. He died a few months before the date of this
letter, and Sir Henry Goodyer has evidently been urging Donne to write a
poem in his memory.
The Queen died on March 2d. "That noble Countess" is Lady Bedford.