640 - Martin Madan to Judith Cowper

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  • Letter Details
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Image #2 of letter: Martin Madan to Judith Cowper
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I am this moment come Town, & by misfortune
surrounded by a Room full of Company. I’ve heard no=
=thing, but Mr Madan, we give you Joy, we hear you are
married, perhaps it is to tantalize me, have you not in=
=form’d them yt you design to make the Creature uneasie
some time longer? Dear Mrs Cowper resolve, & Resolutely
fix a Day to compleat my happiness how can yr Good
nature take a Pleasure in Giving pain? After you have
assur’d me of yr Esteem, wt way can you confirm it,
but by complying with my desire? My Dear Miss Cowper
how dreadful must this Evening pass away, when I
reflect upon the passages, of last night? Where is the

[f.18v]

soft hand? Where are those Dear Lips I breath’d my soul upon?
Why didn’t you retain me, by promising xxx a repetition of my
inexpressible Bliss? Let me have a return for me Love Love
me if you can, I truely deserve it, look on Yr Finger, that
may be a means, of remembering me, & then you’ll pitty my
absence, surely there will be a time that we shall be stran=
=gers, to separation till then, I shall be unhappy – adieu
my Dearest Soul adieu –
M Madan
Teusday Evening
PS I don’t fail leaving a Letter for me at Mrs Squires

+
ye yellow Brilliant Ring I have since Gain My Dear
Martin, as it was, his Beloved Fathers Presents to me
JM
I am this moment come Town, & by misfortune
surrounded by a Room full of Company. I’ve heard no=
=thing, but Mr Madan, we give you Joy, we hear you are
married, perhaps it is to tantalize me, have you not in=
=form’d them yt you design to make the Creature uneasy
some time longer? Dear Mrs Cowper resolve, & Resolutely
fix a Day to complete my happiness how can yr Good
nature take a Pleasure in Giving pain? After you have
assured me of yr Esteem, wt way can you confirm it,
but by complying with my desire? My Dear Miss Cowper
how dreadful must this Evening pass away, when I
reflect upon the passages, of last night? Where is the

[f.18v]

soft hand? Where are those Dear Lips I breathed my soul upon?
Why didn’t you retain me, by promising xxx a repetition of my
inexpressible Bliss? Let me have a return for me Love Love
me if you can, I truly deserve it, look on Yr Finger, that
may be a means, of remembering me, & then you’ll pity my
absence, surely there will be a time that we shall be stran=
=gers, to separation till then, I shall be unhappy – adieu
my Dearest Soul adieu –
M Madan
Tuesday Evening
PS I don’t fail leaving a Letter for me at Mrs Squires

+
ye yellow Brilliant Ring I have since Gain My Dear
Martin, as it was, his Beloved Fathers Presents to me
JM
Details

Martin Madan to Judith Cowper

Further discussion of their courtship / engagement – it appears Judith has still not given him a firm answer. He has arrived in London, and is surrounded by people who are teasing him about his situation. He wonders if she is making him uneasy on purpose, and this goes against her usual kind disposition. His emotions are rooted in the body - he discusses missing her soft hands and lips, and how he offered his soul to her. Discussion of a ring on her finger, which he should look at as a means of remembering him.

Madan Family

Eng Letter C.284 f.18

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

172

True

[England]

[England]

  • reporting
  • response

  • conflictual
  • metaphorical

  • closing
  • main body
  • opening
  • throughout (inconsistent)

41-60%

People
Person: Martin Madan
View full details of Person: Martin Madan

primary author

  • breathing
  • gifting

separation

uneasy

  • feeling
  • happy
  • hopeful
  • love (romantic)
  • low
  • worried

  • self
  • soul

pain

urban

courting

Person: Judith Madan
View full details of Person: Judith Madan

primary addressee

  • hands
  • lips

  • aesthetics
  • clothing

separation

disposition

courting