629 - Martin Madan to Judith Cowper, 13 October 1723
- Transcription
- Letter Details
- People (2)
Image 1 of 2
Image 2 of 2
I came from Bucks last Thursday night, to
Hertford, where I met a Harpie yth screech’t to me ye
Death of Ld Cowper, immediately I condol’d with the
Family for so great a Loss; but self Love soon pre=
vail’d, my Reflections turn’d upon a subject yt affected
me in a more sensible manner. Now must I bid adieu,
now must I be depriv’d, seeing her, in whom centerd all
my wishes – How must I reflect upon the
many happy Hours I’ve past wth Miss Cowper? & think
they are no more, How must I call her Beautifull
Image to my view (an wch I’ve gaz’d my Soul away)
without Frenzy! – Monday next, I’ll stalk &
wander through the many Paths, I’ve seen you tread
There will I clasp yr Phantom, pull out the Letter you’ve
so often ask’t for, & kiss it to its native White.
I
when I can possibly see you? Life to a dying sinner
[f.4v]
would not be more priz’d, believe it then, a Charity
justly bestow’d upon me, that am Madam
your most Obedt humble
Servant
M. Madan
Sunday Morn:
PS: Mrs Squire knows nothing of this, but only thinks it
to send me another in Exchange
I came from Bucks last Thursday night, to
Hertford, where I met a Harpie yth screeched to me ye
Death of Ld Cowper, immediately I condoled with the
Family for so great a Loss; but self Love soon pre=
vailed, my Reflections turned upon a subject yt affected
me in a more sensible manner. Now must I bid adieu,
now must I be deprived, seeing her, in whom centred all
my wishes – How must I reflect upon the
many happy Hours I’ve past wth Miss Cowper? & think
they are no more, How must I call her Beautiful
Image to my view (an wch I’ve gazed my Soul away)
without Frenzy! – Monday next, I’ll stalk &
wander through the many Paths, I’ve seen you tread
There will I clasp yr Phantom, pull out the Letter you’ve
so often asked for, & kiss it to its native White.
I
when I can possibly see you? Life to a dying sinner
[f.4v]
would not be more prized, believe it then, a Charity
justly bestowed upon me, that am Madam
your most Obedt humble
Servant
M. Madan
Sunday Morn:
PS: Mrs Squire knows nothing of this, but only thinks it
to send me another in Exchange
Martin Madan to Judith Cowper, 13 October 1723
A courtship letter from Martin Madan to Judith Cowper, shortly before their marriage in 1723. Upon returning from his travels he was confronted with the news of the death of William Cowper (Judith’s grandfather), and has sent condolences to Cowper’s family, but is most concerned about how this will affect his ability to see Judith. He has been thinking of her beauty often, and has ‘gazed his soul’ away. He describes, whether metaphorically or not, retracing the walks that she often takes, and kissing the page of the letter that she has often asked that he send her. He wishes to know when he can see her next – seeing her would be more valuable than ‘life to a dying sinner’.
Madan Family
Eng Lett C.284 f.4
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
1723
10
13
[England]
[England]
- enquiry
- reporting
- metaphorical
- negative
- positive
- main body
- opening
- throughout (inconsistent)
61-80%
primary author
- kissing
- looking
- thinking
- travel
- walking
- writing
separation
- desire
- feeling
- hopeful
- love (romantic)
- low
- self
- soul
sight
courting
primary addressee
face
walking
aesthetics