The Folger Shakespeare Library

L.b.534: Letter from John Donne to Sir Thomas Egerton, 1602 February: autograph manuscript signed

Catalog record:http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=244741
Collection:Papers of the More family of Loseley Park, Surrey
Preferred Citation:Letter from John Donne to Sir Thomas Egerton, 1602 February: autograph manuscript signed, Papers of the More family of Loseley Park, Surrey. Transcription by Early Modern Manuscripts Online (EMMO). MS L.b.534, Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC.
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leaf 1 recto

The honorable fauor that your lordship hath afforded me,
in allowinge me the liberty of myne own Chamber,
hath giuen me leaue so much to respect and loue
my self, that now I can desire to be well. And
therfore, for health, not pleasure, (of which your lordships
displeasure hath dulld in me all tast and ap=
prehension) I humbly beseeche your lordship, so much more
to slacken my fetters, that as I ame by your lordships fa=
uor, myne own keeper, and Surety, so I may be myne
owne phisician and Apothecary: which your lordship shall
worke, yf yow graunt me Liberty to take the
Ayre, about this Towne. The whole world ys a
streight Imprisonment to me, whilst I ame barrd
your lordships sight. But this fauor may lengthen
and better my lyfe, which I desire to preserve, onely
in hope to redeeme by my sorrowe, and desire to do
your lordship Seruice, my Offence past. Allmighty god
dwell euer in your lordships hart, and fill yt with good
desires, and graunt them.

Your lordships
poorest seruant
Iohn Donne


leaf 1 verso || leaf 2 recto

leaf 2 verso

To the right honorable
my very good Lord and
Master, Sir Thomas Eger-
ton knight, Lord keeper of
the great seale of
England.