Loves but their oldest clothes.
The Undertaking, p. [10].
Page 218. To the Countesse of Bedford.
l. 13. Care not then, Madam,'how low your praysers lye. I cannot but think that the 'praysers' of the MSS. is preferable to the 'prayses' of the editions. It is difficult to construe or make unambiguous sense of 'how low your prayses lie'. Donne does not wish to suggest that the praise is poor in itself, but that the giver is a 'low person'. The word 'prayser' he has already used in a letter to the Countess (p. [200]), and there also it has caused some trouble to editors and copyists.
ll. 20-1. Your radiation can all clouds subdue;
But one, 'tis best light to contemplate you.
Grosart and the Grolier Club editor punctuate these lines so as to connect 'But one' with what precedes.
Your radiation can all clouds subdue
But one; 'tis best light to contemplate you.