IHAVE learn'd by those lawes wherein I am
a[1] little conversant, that hee which bestowes any cost upon the dead, obliges him which is dead, but not the[2] heire; I do not therefore send this paper to your Ladyship, that you should thanke mee for it, or thinke that I thanke you in it; your favours and benefits to mee are so much above my merits, that they are even above my gratitude, if that were to be judged by words which must expresse it: But, Madame, since your noble brothers fortune being yours, the evidences also concerning it are yours,[3] so his vertue[4] being yours, the evidences concerning it,[5] belong also to you, of which by your acceptance this may be one peece, in which quality I humbly present it, and as a testimony how intirely your familie possesseth
Your Ladiships most humble
and thankfull servant
John Donne.
To the Countesse &c. 1633-69, and in most of the MSS. as next page
[1] a 1633-54: om. 1669
[2] the] his 1669]
[3] yours, 1633: yours: 1635-69
[4] vertue 1633: vertues 1635-69
[5] it, 1633: that 1635-69