Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
death_n know_v life_n time_n 7,912 5 3.6056 3 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A35671 Letters upon several occasions written by and between Mr. Dryden, Mr. Wycherly, Mr. ----, Mr. Congreve, and Mr. Dennis, published by Mr. Dennis with a new translation of select letters of Monsieur Voiture. Dennis, John, 1657-1734.; Dryden, John, 1631-1700.; Wycherley, William, 1640-1716.; Congreve, William, 1670-1729.; Voiture, Monsieur de (Vincent), 1597-1648. 1696 (1696) Wing D1033; ESTC R6297 77,708 226

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

for_o forgiveness_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v very_o great_a deny_v i_o not_o one_o dear_a part_a look_v let_v i_o see_v you_o once_o before_o i_o must_v never_o see_v you_o more_o christ_n i_o want_v patience_n to_o support_v that_o accurse_a thought_n i_o have_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v dear_a to_o i_o but_o you_o you_o have_v make_v every_o thing_n else_o indifferent_a and_o can_v i_o resolve_v never_o to_o see_v you_o more_o in_o spite_n of_o myself_o i_o must_v always_o see_v you_o your_o form_n be_v fix_v by_o fate_n in_o my_o mind_n and_o be_v never_o to_o be_v remove_v i_o see_v those_o lovely_a pierce_a eye_n continual_o i_o see_v each_o moment_n those_o ravish_a lip_n which_o i_o have_v gaze_v on_o still_o with_o desire_n and_o still_o have_v touch_v with_o transport_n and_o at_o which_o i_o have_v so_o often_o fly_v with_o all_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o most_o violent_a love_n jesus_n from_o whence_o and_o whither_o be_o i_o fall_v from_o the_o hope_n of_o blissful_a ecstasy_n to_o black_a despair_n from_o the_o expectation_n of_o immortal_a transport_v which_o none_o but_o your_o dea●_n self_n can_v give_v i_o and_o which_o none_o but_o he_o who_o love_v like_o i_o can_v ever_o so_o much_o 〈◊〉_d think_v of_o to_o a_o complication_n of_o cruel_a passion_n and_o the_o most_o dreadful_a condition_n of_o humane_a life_n my_o fault_n indeed_o have_v bee●_n very_o great_a and_o cry_v aloud_o for_o the_o severe●●_n vengeance_n see_v it_o inflict_v on_o i_o see_v 〈◊〉_d despair_n and_o die_v for_o that_o fault_n but_o let_v i_o 〈◊〉_d die_v unpardoned_a madam_n i_o die_v for_o you_o but_o die_v in_o the_o most_o cruel_a and_o dreadful_a manner_n the_o wretch_n that_o lie_v break_v on_o the_o wheel_n alive_a feel_v not_o a_o quarter_n of_o what_o i_o endure_v yet_o boundless_a love_n have_v be_v all_o my_o crime_n unjust_a ungrateful_a barbarous_a return_n of_o it_o suffer_v i_o to_o take_v my_o eternal_a leave_n of_o you_o when_o i_o have_v do_v that_o how_o easy_a will_v it_o be_v to_o bid_v all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n adieu_n dear_a madam_n this_o be_v the_o three_o letter_n that_o i_o have_v send_v you_o since_o i_o come_v hither_o those_o which_o go_v before_o it_o be_v all_o the_o overflowing_n of_o a_o heart_n more_o full_a of_o passion_n than_o ever_o be_v man_n before_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o i_o to_o be_v distant_a from_o you_o but_o i_o must_v send_v to_o you_o by_o every_o occasion_n and_o yet_o you_o can_v resolve_v to_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o all_o my_o tenderness_n yes_o my_o dear_a inhuman_a creature_n you_o can_v you_o have_v be_v sick_a nay_o dangerous_o sick_a and_o have_v never_o send_v to_o i_o have_v i_o leave_v all_o the_o world_n for_o you_o and_o can_v you_o resolve_v to_o leave_v the_o world_n without_o i_o nay_o without_o so_o much_o as_o give_v i_o the_o least_o notice_n of_o it_o c●rist_n can_v you_o resolve_v to_o leave_v i_o to_o despair_n and_o to_o endless_a misery_n without_o express_v the_o least_o concern_v for_o i_o and_o can_v i_o persist_v in_o love_a one_o so_o ingrateful_a be_v there_o such_o another_o ingrateful_a creature_n alive_a no_o there_o live_v not_o so_o ingrateful_a a_o creature_n but_o the●e_n l●u●s_v not_o one_o ●o_o charm_v dear_a madam_n can_n you_o be_v angry_a still_o with_o yo●●_n poor_a penitent_a you_o can_v have_v the_o ill-n●ture_a sure_a yes_o but_o you_o can_v you_o say_v since_o he_o can_v have_v the_o presumption_n to_o be_v angry_a with_o you_o but_o my_o dear_a there_o 〈◊〉_d this_o difference_n betwixt_o your_o anger_n and_o 〈◊〉_d mine_n be_v cause_v by_o the_o cruelty_n of_o your_o suppose_a infidelity_n and_o you_o by_o the_o kindness_n of_o your_o lover_n resentment_n for_o if_o i_o have_v not_o be_v fond_a of_o thou_o to_o the_o last_o degree_n i_o have_v not_o be_v so_o incense_v against_o you_o yet_o even_o when_o i_o be_v most_o so_o i_o can_v soon_o have_v pluck_v out_o a_o eye_n than_o have_v resolve_v to_o have_v part_v with_o thou_o nay_o i_o can_v soon_o have_v tear_v out_o both_o eye_n if_o the_o loss_n of_o both_o will_v not_o have_v for_o ever_o deprive_v i_o of_o the_o dear_a the_o ravish_a sight_n of_o thou_o but_o if_o you_o still_o think_v that_o my_o anger_n have_v gild_n in_o it_o and_o that_o i_o ought_v to_o suffer_v for_o it_o the_o mean_n to_o punish_v i_o with_o utmost_a severity_n and_o to_o make_v i_o my_o own_o tormentor_n be_v to_o tell_v i_o you_o love_v i_o then_o i_o shall_v curse_v myself_o and_o my_o rage_n and_o feel_v all_o the_o plague_n of_o remorse_n for_o have_v offend_v thou_o i_o shall_v look_v upon_o myself_o as_o the_o base_a the_o most_o ungrateful_a of_o man_n for_o abuse_v thy_o goodness_n and_o thy_o charm_a tenderness_n i_o shall_v believe_v that_o i_o can_v never_o humble_v myself_o enough_o and_o never_o suffer_v enough_o to_o deserve_v forgiveness_n thus_o madam_n you_o have_v your_o revenge_n in_o your_o power_n it_o be_v a_o false_a modesty_n which_o restrain_v you_o from_o take_v it_o in_o order_n to_o it_o you_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o to_o prove_v yourself_o tender_a and_o to_o show_v yourself_o grateful_a if_o you_o must_v be_v ashamed_a blush_v at_o your_o cruelty_n blush_v at_o your_o inhumanity_n but_o gratitude_n be_v reason_n and_o love_n be_v nature_n never_o be_v ashamed_a of_o those_o do_v but_o consider_v there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o i_o be_v happy_a in_o your_o esteem_n yes_o there_o have_v be_v a_o time_n in_o which_o i_o be_v think_v not_o altogether_o void_a of_o reason_n by_o you_o how_o then_o can_v you_o blush_v at_o the_o own_n a_o passion_n which_o you_o command_v with_o a_o absolute_a sway_n at_o the_o very_a t●me_n that_o it_o tyrannise_v over_o i_o dear_a madam_n my_o friend_n stratagem_n give_v i_o a_o opportunity_n of_o see_v you_o by_o find_v fault_n with_o you_o it_o must_v proceed_v from_o design_n or_o madness_n if_o i_o find_v fault_n with_o thou_o thy_o lovely_a face_n be_v the_o very_a same_o that_o set_v all_o my_o blood_n in_o a_o flame_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a my_o heart_n can_v never_o be_v alter_v how_o it_o tremble_v in_o my_o breast_n when_o i_o see_v you_o last_o and_o by_o its_o trouble_n confess_v its_o conqueror_n how_o it_o have_v burn_v ever_o since_o with_o redouble_a fury_n when_o i_o shall_v be_v free_a from_o this_o flame●_n heaven_n only_o know_v for_o the_o hour_n of_o my_o death_n heaven_n only_o know_v it_o be_v a_o flame_n that_o h●s_v incorporate_v with_o that_o of_o my_o life_n and_o both_o will_v go_v out_o together_o in_o vain_a i_o invoke_v my_o reason_n to_o resist_v my_o sense_n my_o reason_n find_v you_o more_o lovely_a than_o my_o eye_n do_v before_o show_v i_o all_o the_o grace_n of_o thy_o beauteous_a mind_n and_o grow_v please_v and_o pride_n itself_o in_o its_o own_o captivity_n you_o accuse_v i_o they_o say_v of_o some_o extraordinary_a crime_n a_o crime_n against_o who_o against_o you_o who_o i_o love_v against_o you_o for_o who_o i_o can_v die_v strange_a accusation_n yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n you_o refuse_v to_o see_v i_o you_o refuse_v to_o receive_v my_o letter_n and_o must_v i_o be_v condemn_v unheard_a robber●_n be_v allow_v to_o speak_v before_o they_o be_v sentence_v murderer_n have_v the_o privilege_n to_o plead_v for_o their_o live●_n and_o shall_v the_o tender_a love_n be_v deny_v the_o privilege_n which_o be_v grant_v to_o the_o black_a malice_n i_o have_v be_v guilty_a of_o nothing_o but_o too_o much_o love_n if_o too_o much_o love_n be_v a_o fault_n why_o have_v you_o give_v credit_n to_o my_o enemy_n before_o you_o have_v hear_v i_o i_o may_v indeed_o be_v convince_v of_o a_o error_n but_o i_o can_v never_o be_v convict_v of_o a_o crime_n against_o you_o the_o man_n must_v be_v mad_a nay_o desperate_o mad_a who_o can_v design_n to_o injure_v himself_o and_o thou_o be_v by_o much_o the_o better_o the_o dear_a part_n of_o i_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o see_v you_o once_o more_o before_o i_o depart_v let_v i_o see_v once_o more_o that_o face_n which_o have_v undo_v i_o yet_o charm_v i_o even_o in_o ruin_n o_o face_n industrious_o contrive_v by_o heaven_n to_o fix_v my_o eye_n and_o captivate_v my_o soul_n nay_o i_o will_v see_v you_o if_o it_o be_v but_o to_o upbraid_v you_o with_o your_o barbarous_a wish_n if_o at_o the_o time_n that_o you_o make_v it_o you_o have_v strike_v a_o dagger_n in_o my_o heart_n you_o have_v give_v it_o a_o gentle_a wound_n the_o only_a wish_n that_o i_o have_v to_o make_v be_v to_o be_v happy_a in_o thou_o if_o that_o succeed_v not_o i_o have_v another_o and_o that_o be_v to_o lie_v
course_n for_o the_o gaiety_n of_o your_o letter_n relieve_v i_o considerable_o then_o what_o must_v your_o conversation_n do_v come_v up_o and_o make_v the_o experiment_n and_o impart_v that_o vigour_n to_o i_o which_o tunbridge_n have_v restore_v to_o you_o i_o be_o your_o most_o humble_a servant_n john_n dennis_z mr._n to_o mr._n dennis_n namur_n take_v and_o a_o letter_n from_o mr_n dennis_n be_v two_o of_o the_o most_o agreeable_a surprise_v i_o '_o ever_o meet_v with_o and_o nothing_o but_o the_o reflection_n how_o dear_a the_o conquest_n will_v cost_v we_o i_o mean_v the_o innumerable_a ill_a poem_n it_o will_v produce_v can_v allay_v the_o pleasure_n a_o have_v watch_v for_o a_o victory_n a_o long_a time_n and_o will_v not_o miss_v this_o opportunity_n to_o mortify_v the_o day_n of_o thanksgiving_n and_o scribble_n a_o way_n the_o public_a joy_n the_o devil_n take_v will_n coffe-house_n i_o can_v be_v the_o easy_a man_n in_o the_o world_n under_o my_o calamity_n if_o it_o be_v not_o for_o some_o of_o the_o company_n there_o who_o be_v now_o the_o great_a enemy_n i_o have_v in_o the_o world_n worse_o than_o the_o company_n from_o which_o i_o be_o just_a now_o steal_v to_o write_v this_o letter_n among_o the_o rest_n be_v a_o country_n gentleman_n who_o dictate_v politic_n abundant_o for_o with_o we_o as_o well_o as_o at_o old_a rome_n we_o take_v dictator_n from_o the_o blow_n but_o we_o be_v such_o as_o ought_v never_o to_o remove_v their_o hand_n from_o it_o i_o be_o you_o etc._n etc._n mr._n to_o mr._n dennis_n while_o you_o be_v happy_a in_o the_o politic_n of_o the_o grave_a club_n club_n club_n club_n two_o coventgarden_n club_n and_o the_o pun_n of_o the_o rabble_n you_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o the_o forlorn_a state_n of_o your_o poor_a friend_n before_o i_o leave_v london_n i_o feign_v a_o hundred_o agreeable_a melancholy_a pleasure_n with_o which_o i_o may_v fool_n away_o a_o retirement_n but_o now_o i_o d_a be_v alone_a and_o question_n whither_o mankind_n or_o solitude_n be_v the_o fit_a subject_n for_o a_o satyr_n of_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o god_n allmighty_n rather_o than_o be_v alone_o create_v the_o devil_n and_o man_n rather_o than_o be_v alone_o choose_v a_o wife_n whatever_o advantage_n i_o have_v lose_v by_o my_o country_n life_n i_o believe_v i_o have_v gain_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n in_o the_o wilderness_n for_o i_o foretell_v the_o poem_n with_o which_o a_o have_v visit_v we_o i_o be_o you_o etc._n etc._n mr._n to_o mr._n dennis_n to_o your_o business_n hereafter_o namur_n hereafter_o hereafter_o note_v that_o whereas_o in_o some_o of_o the_o last_o letter_n there_o be_v find_v this_o mark_n a_n the_o letter_n a_o be_v not_o set_v for_o the_o first_o letter_n of_o the_o man_n be_v own_o name_n but_o of_o his_o nom_fw-la de_fw-la guerre_fw-fr which_o be_v remark_v to_o prevent_v a_o mistake_n because_o a_o very_a ingenious_a gentleman_n who_o name_n begin_v with_o a_o have_v late_o write_v a_o poem_n upon_o the_o take_v of_o namur_n but_o first_o let_v we_o have_v a_o dance_n as_o mr._n bays_n say_v when_o i_o come_v home_o from_o the_o west_n where_o i_o have_v pass_v a_o fortnight_n i_o find_v your_o three_o letter_n full_a of_o wit_n and_o humour_n i_o be_v charm_v with_o the_o scandal_n you_o write_v in_o the_o first_o and_o enclose_v in_o the_o last_o viz._n a_n poem_n i_o find_v the_o preamble_n before_o the_o poem_n to_o be_v like_o a_o suterkin_fw-mi before_o a_o dutch_a child_n i_o read_v it_o over_o in_o great_a haste_n in_o hope_n to_o be_v please_v at_o last_o with_o the_o end_n of_o it_o but_o this_o be_v the_o first_o time_n i_o ever_o dislike_v his_o conclusion_n for_o he_o threaten_v strange_a thing_n i_o hope_v it_o be_v only_o in_o terrorem_fw-la if_o not_o i_o hope_v god_n in_o his_o goodness_n will_v send_v we_o a_o peace_n and_o prevent_v his_o song_n of_o triumph_n certain_o since_o the_o devil_n be_v dumb_a there_o never_o be_v such_o a_o poet._n a_o dedication_n design_v to_o the_o volunteer_n by_o mrs._n shadwell_n to_z the_o queen_n write_a by_o mr._n dennis_n madam_n i_o presume_v to_o lay_v at_o your_o majesty_n foot_n this_o last_o poem_n which_o be_v write_v by_o my_o deceased_a husband_n the_o obligation_n which_o he_o have_v to_o the_o king_n and_o your_o majesty_n be_v of_o that_o high_a nature_n that_o all_o i_o can_v do_v be_v to_o take_v this_o occasion_n of_o humble_o acknowledge_v the_o mighty_a debt_n my_o husband_n so_o true_o honour_v you_o live_v that_o if_o he_o have_v now_o any_o sense_n of_o what_o be_v do_v here_o below_o i_o can_v do_v a_o more_o grateful_a thing_n for_o he_o than_o in_o give_v he_o a_o opportunity_n of_o appear_v before_o you_o after_o his_o death_n and_o entertain_v you_o in_o a_o form_n which_o i_o hope_v will_v not_o seem_v frightful_a to_o you_o i_o have_v often_o hear_v he_o say_v in_o his_o life_n time_n that_o wit_n wherever_o it_o grow_v in_o your_o majesty_n dominion_n aught_o no_o less_o than_o silver_n or_o gold_n to_o be_v a_o royal_a mine_n unless_o as_o it_o happen_v late_o in_o wales_n the_o noble_a ore_n have_v too_o great_a a_o mixture_n of_o base_a meta●●_n that_o wit_n which_o be_v nothing_o but_o gay_a wisdom_n be_v no_o less_o than_o gold_n subservient_fw-fr to_o government_n and_o when_o it_o be_v make_v current_n by_o the_o royal_a stamp_n contribute_v no_o less_o to_o the_o public_a prosperity_n that_o the_o end_n of_o the_o drama_n be_v to_o reform_v mankind_n which_o as_o tragedy_n attain_v by_o purge_v the_o passion_n comedy_n arrive_v at_o by_o correct_v the_o humour_n which_o tho'_o they_o may_v no●_n lead_v man_n into_o great_a crime_n immediate_o yet_o when_o they_o be_v irregular_a they_o most_o ce●●tainly_o prepare_v the_o way_n to_o they_o tha●_n comedy_n never_o fail_v to_o make_v a_o good_a subject_n whenever_o it_o make_v a_o good_a man._n that_o more_o particular_o the_o humour_n which_o be_v ex●posed_v in_o this_o comedy_n be_v at_o this_o conjuncture_n utter_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o good_a subject_n that_o the_o vicious_a folly_n of_o these_o time_n be_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o your_o majesty_n service_n that_o the_o affecta●ions_n of_o f●ance_n have_v do_v england_n more_o harm_n than_o all_o its_o matchivillian_a principle_n that_o where_o these_o last_o have_v make_v ten_o bad_a subject_n by_o render_v they_o interest_v or_o discontent_v the_o former_a have_v make_v a_o hundred_o by_o make_v they_o fop_n and_o beau_n english_a gentleman_n he_o use_v to_o say_v in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o brave_a ancestor_n be_v always_o the_o flower_n of_o english_a army_n in_o ●imes_n when_o to_o die_v brave_o in_o the_o service_n of_o king_n and_o country_n be_v esteem_v a_o desirable_a fate_n and_o more_o than_o recompense_v with_o eternal_a fame_n but_o now_o say_v he_o our_o gentleman_n either_o go_v not_o to_o the_o war_n or_o if_o they_o go_v they_o very_o often_o make_v we_o hearty_o wish_v that_o they_o have_v sta●d_v at_o home_o what_o indeed_o can_v be_v expect_v from_o a_o degenerate_a race_n who_o worthy_a ambition_n be_v either_o to_o be_v wicked_a with_o a_o good_a grace_n or_o to_o be_v dextrous_o foppish_a who_o emulate_v one_o another_o spend_v their_o live_a time_n in_o dress_v to_o see_v who_o shall_v run_v away_o with_o the_o immortal_a reputation_n of_o have_v the_o profound_a capacity_n for_o a_o valet_fw-la de_fw-fr chambre_fw-fr he_o have_v often_o tell_v i_o that_o the_o design_n of_o this_o comedy_n be_v to_o reclaim_v they_o if_o they_o be_v not_o incorrigible_a and_o that_o what_o be_v write_v with_o such_o a_o immediate_a regard_n to_o your_o majesty_n service_n shall_v be_v dedicate_v to_o none_o but_o your_o majesty_n according_a to_o his_o intention_n i_o here_o with_o all_o humility_n present_v it_o to_o you_o you_o madam_n who_o have_v so_o much_o of_o heaven_n in_o you_o will_n like_o that_o accept_v this_o offering_n from_o i_o tho'_o it_o be_v you_o before_o and_o tho'_o it_o be_v make_v by_o a_o disconsolate_a widow_n yes_o madam_n your_o universal_a goodness_n your_o clemency_n and_o compassion_n on_o all_o in_o affliction_n give_v i_o assurance_n that_o you_o wil●_n accept_v it_o quality_n for_o which_o you_o be_v so_o renown_v that_o i_o have_v often_o hear_v these_o noble_a verse_n of_o waller_n very_o just_o apply_v to_o your_o majesty_n all_o her_o affection_n be_v to_o one_o incline_v her_o bounty_n and_o compassion_n to_o mankind_n to_o who_o while_o she_o so_o far_o extend_v her_o grace_n she_o make_v but_o good_a the_o promise_n of_o her_o face_n for_o m●rcy_n have_v can_v mercy_n be_v self_n be_v see_v no_o sweet_a look_n than_o this_o propitious_a queen_n so_o the_o fair_a tree_n on_o which_o the_o
all_o over_o the_o kingdom_n and_o gentleman_n be_v deprive_v peasant_n of_o their_o little_a reason_n in_o order_n to_o obtain_v their_o voice_n mr._n montague_n merit_n while_o he_o be_v silent_a solicit_v for_o he_o so_o importunate_o that_o it_o prevail_v upon_o a_o number_n of_o considerable_a inhabitant_n of_o the_o polite_a part_n of_o the_o town_n to_o come_v and_o make_v it_o their_o humble_a request_n to_o you_o to_o honour_v they_o by_o represent_v they_o which_o put_v i_o in_o mind_n of_o a_o say_v of_o de_fw-fr la_fw-fr bruiere_n that_o the_o people_n be_v then_o at_o their_o height_n of_o happiness_n when_o their_o king_n make_v choice_n for_o his_o con●idents_n and_o for_o his_o minister_n of_o the_o very_a same_o person_n that_o the_o people_n will_v have_v choose_v if_o the_o choice_n have_v be_v in_o their_o power_n this_o at_o present_a be_v our_o own_o case_n for_o doubtless_o the_o same_o people_n who_o without_o any_o brigue_n or_o the_o least_o corruption_n come_v voluntary_o to_o entreat_v you_o to_o suffer_v they_o to_o place_v you_o in_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o kingdom_n will_v if_o the_o choice_n have_v be_v in_o their_o power_n have_v place_v you_o in_o the_o privy-council_n and_o they_o who_o frank_o offer_v to_o trust_v you_o with_o the_o disposal_n of_o the_o money_n which_o be_v in_o their_o house_n will_v have_v trust_v you_o have_v it_o be_v in_o their_o power_n with_o the_o intendency_n of_o that_o in_o the_o treasury_n so_o that_o the_o people_n proffer_n to_o choose_v you_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v a_o loud_a approbation_n of_o the_o choice_n which_o the_o king_n have_v make_v before_o of_o you_o and_o of_o your_o ministration_n upon_o that_o choice_n but_o i_o injure_v the_o public_a while_o i_o detain_v you_o yet_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o end_v with_o my_o zealous_a wish_n for_o you_o that_o the_o happiness_n may_v be_v multiply_v on_o you_o which_o you_o so_o noble_o seek_v to_o communicate_v that_o you_o may_v increase_v in_o riches_n and_o honour_n fast_o than_o you_o advance_v in_o year_n till_o you_o arrive_v at_o that_o height_n of_o prosperity_n which_o may_v be_v answerable_a to_o your_o high_a desert_n and_o till_o fortune_n may_v be_v say_v to_o pour_v down_o her_o gift_n upon_o you_o in_o emulation_n of_o art_n and_o nature_n yet_o envy_n after_o all_o shall_v be_v force_v to_o declare_v that_o mr._n montague_n spring_v from_o a_o illustrious_a stock_n and_o load_v with_o plenty_n and_o honour_n be_v yet_o noble_a by_o desert_n than_o he_o be_v by_o descent_n and_o great_a by_o virtue_n than_o he_o be_v by_o fortune_n i_o be_o sir_n your_o most_o humble_a and_o most_o obedient_a servant_n john_n dennis_z to_o the_o reader_n i_o once_o resolve_v to_o have_v a_o long_a preface_n before_o this_o little_a book_n but_o the_o impression_n have_v be_v so_o long_o retard_v by_o the_o fault_n of_o those_o who_o have_v the_o care_n of_o it_o that_o i_o have_v now_o neither_o time_n nor_o humour_n to_o execute_v what_o i_o intend_v i_o shall_v therefore_o only_o give_v a_o compendious_a account_n of_o what_o i_o propose_v to_o have_v treat_v of_o more_o at_o large_a i_o design_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o have_v say_v something_o of_o the_o nature_n and_o of_o the_o end_n of_o a_o letter_n and_o think_v to_o have_v prove_v that_o the_o invention_n of_o it_o be_v to_o supply_v conversation_n and_o not_o to_o imitate_v it_o for_o that_o nothing_o but_o the_o dialogue_n be_v capable_a of_o do_v that_o from_o whence_o i_o have_v draw_v this_o conclusion_n that_o the_o style_n of_o a_o letter_n be_v neither_o to_o come_v quite_o up_o to_o that_o of_o conversation_n nor_o yet_o to_o keep_v at_o too_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o it_o after_o that_o i_o determine_v to_o show_v that_o all_o conversation_n be_v not_o familiar_a that_o it_o may_v be_v ceremonious_a that_o it_o may_v be_v grave_a nay_o that_o it_o may_v be_v sublime_a or_o that_o tragedy_n must_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v out_o of_o nature_n that_o if_o the_o sublime_a be_v easy_a and_o unconstrained_a it_o may_v be_v as_o consistent_a with_o the_o epistolary_a style_n as_o it_o be_v with_o the_o didactique_a that_o voiture_fw-fr have_v admirable_o join_v it_o with_o one_o of_o they_o and_o longinus_n with_o both_o after_o this_o i_o resolve_v to_o have_v say_v something_o of_o th●se_a who_o have_v most_o succeed_v in_o letter_n among_o the_o ancient_n and_o modern_n and_o to_o have_v treat_v of_o their_o excellency_n and_o their_o defect_n to_o have_v speak_v more_o particular_o of_o cicero_n and_o pliny_n among_o the_o ancient_n and_o among_o the_o modern_n of_o balzac_n and_o voiture_fw-fr to_o have_v sh●wn_v that_o cicero_n be_v too_o simple_a and_o too_o dry_a and_o that_o pliny_n be_v too_o affect_v and_o too_o refine_v that_o one_o of_o they_o have_v too_o much_o of_o art_n in_o he_o and_o that_o both_o of_o they_o have_v too_o little_a of_o nature_n that_o the_o elevation_n of_o balzac_n be_v frequent_o force_v and_o his_o sublime_a affect_a that_o his_o thought_n be_v often_o above_o his_o subject_n and_o his_o expression_n almost_o always_o above_o his_o thought_n and_o that_o whatsoever_o his_o subject_n be_v his_o style_n be_v seldom_o alter_v that_o voiture_fw-fr be_v easy_a and_o unconstrained_a and_o natural_a when_o he_o be_v most_o exalt_v that_o he_o seldom_o endeavour_v to_o be_v witty_a at_o the_o expense_n of_o right_a reason_n but_o that_o as_o his_o thought_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n true_a and_o just_a his_o expression_n be_v often_o defective_a and_o that_o his_o style_n be_v too_o little_o diversify_v that_o for_o my_o own_o part_n as_o i_o come_v infinite_o short_a of_o the_o extraordinary_a quality_n of_o these_o great_a man_n i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o endeavour_v the_o rather_o to_o avoid_v their_o fault_n and_o that_o consequent_o i_o have_v take_v all_o the_o care_n that_o i_o can_v not_o to_o think_v out_o of_o nature_n and_o good_a sense_n and_o neither_o to_o force_v nor_o neglect_v my_o expression_n and_o that_o i_o have_v always_o take_v care_n to_o suit_v my_o style_n to_o my_o subject_n whether_o it_o be_v familiar_a or_o sublime_a or_o di●ctique_a and_o and_o that_o i_o have_v more_o or_o less_o vary_a it_o in_o every_o letter_n all_o this_o and_o more_o i_o design_v to_o have_v say_v at_o large_a which_o i_o have_v only_o hint_v now_o in_o a_o hurry_n i_o have_v nothing_o to_o add_v but_o to_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o excuse_v my_o bad_a performance_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o my_o good_a endeavour_n and_o for_o strive_v to_o do_v well_o in_o a_o manner_n of_o write_v which_o be_v at_o all_o time_n useful_a and_o at_o this_o time_n necessary_a a_o manner_n in_o which_o the_o english_a will_v surpass_v both_o the_o ancient_n and_o modern_n if_o they_o will_v but_o cultivate_v it_o for_o the_o very_a same_o reason_n that_o they_o have_v surpass_v they_o in_o comedy_n but_o methinks_v i_o have_v a_o title_n to_o the_o reader_n favour_n for_o i_o have_v more_o than_o make_v amends_o for_o the_o defect_n of_o my_o own_o letter_n by_o entertain_v he_o with_o those_o of_o my_o friend_n a_o collection_n of_o letter_n write_v by_o several_a eminent_a hand_n to_o walter_n moyle_n esq_n dear_a sir_n you_o know_v that_o a_o grave_a fellow_n assure_v we_o that_o upon_o the_o cessation_n of_o oracle_n lamentable_a cry_n be_v hear_v in_o the_o air_n proclaim_v along_o the_o coast_n the_o death_n of_o the_o great_a pan_n and_o have_v not_o you_o upon_o this_o dearth_n of_o good_a sense_n and_o this_o cessation_n of_o wit_n tell_v i_o true_o have_v not_o you_o hear_v these_o sound_n upon_o the_o cornish_a shore_n the_o sage_a will_n e_o be_v no_o more_o ●one_n be_v the_o universal_a lord_n of_o wit_n he_o to_o who_o all_o the_o wit_n pay_v homage_n for_o who_o his_o subject_n set_v a_o tax_n upon_o word_n and_o lay_v exorbitant_a custom_n on_o thought_n he_o be_v dead_a alas_o he_o be_v dead_a dead_a i_o mean_v sir_n in_o a_o legal_a capacity_n that_o be_v outlawed_a and_o go_v into_o the_o friar_n to_o go_v into_o which_o be_v once_o more_o to_o outlaw_n himself_o he_o have_v do_v it_o sir_n and_z and_z ill_a fortune_n have_v bring_v he_o to_o be_v a_o felo_fw-la de_fw-la se_fw-la that_o way_n for_o since_o the_o law_n think_v it_o but_o just_a to_o put_v will_v out_o of_o its_o protection_n will_n think_v it_o but_o prudent_a to_o put_v himself_o out_o of_o its_o power_n and_o since_o the_o law_n can_v use_v he_o with_o so_o much_o contempt_n as_o to_o declare_v to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o it_o do_v not_o care_n for_o will_n e_o will_n who_o be_v extreme_o stout_a in_o adversity_n have_v declare_v by_o his_o action_n