To — LETTER XLI.
MADAME,
COnsider, I beseech you, the effects of your enchantments, since that, in the condition I am in, they have made me utterly insensible of my misfortune, and, being just upon the point of engaging with the greatest affl••ction could have hap∣pened to me, I think my self the most fortunate man in the world. I am within three daies to take my last leave of what∣ever there is of beautie, wit and gentlenesse, beneath heaven, nay I am to shake hands with all goodnesse, Courtesie, and ge∣nerositie. I know that at the same time I must part with all joy, my life and soule and all; and yet, all this notwithstand∣ing, I want not my good Intervalls, and if I have not slept w••ll this last night, I may affirm, J have not had an ill night of it. To say truth, one minute, such as I had yesterday in the after∣noon, is enough for a mans whole life. The very remembrance of the felicitie I have had, is consolation enough in all occur∣rences, nay though J should have but dreamed it, it were enough to make me eternallie happie. You see what considera∣tion my life whollie hangs on at the present, and whereby it is armed against all manner of afflictions, since that the hapi∣nesse I can pretend to is onlie grounded on a certain faith I have that you have some little affection for me. I humblie beg the con∣tinuance of it for some time, and would not you should think it