653 - Martin Madan to Judith Cowper, 1723
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- Letter Details
- People (2)
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Yr Kind Expression to me last night, in
relation to yr Fathers consent, Dear Miss Cowper
can never be effac’d from my memory, it con=
=firms me in the good opinion, I always had, of
your sincerity & Generosity – I am Grateful
I am truely sensible of my Obligations to you
But surely you’l repeat no more to me, that harsh
Expression {^viz} that you had been guilty of a Folly
in declaring yr sentiments to me, I’ll flatter
my self they were but words, since in yr Last
you told me, you shou’d neither be dissatisfied
or miserable, provided I asur’d you I was
[f.32v]
entirely yours, it is wt I thought I’d confirm’d
to you before, but I’ll repeat it to Eternity, & pro=
=test to you my Heart is entirely yours, my
last Gasp will confirm the sincerity, of my Passion
why do you imagine I can change? am I so insen=
sible of perfection? No – believe me Dr Cowper
I can distinguish innumerable Charms, only center’d
in you, you are mistress (& ever will be) of my
Thoughts, actions, & of my whole Soul, four a
Clock I suppose you’ll be at Mr Squires – be steady,
Resolute, & not change – Adieu,
M Madan
Monday Noon
relation to yr Fathers consent, Dear Miss Cowper
can never be effac’d from my memory, it con=
=firms me in the good opinion, I always had, of
your sincerity & Generosity – I am Grateful
I am truely sensible of my Obligations to you
But surely you’l repeat no more to me, that harsh
Expression {^viz} that you had been guilty of a Folly
in declaring yr sentiments to me, I’ll flatter
my self they were but words, since in yr Last
you told me, you shou’d neither be dissatisfied
or miserable, provided I asur’d you I was
[f.32v]
entirely yours, it is wt I thought I’d confirm’d
to you before, but I’ll repeat it to Eternity, & pro=
=test to you my Heart is entirely yours, my
last Gasp will confirm the sincerity, of my Passion
why do you imagine I can change? am I so insen=
sible of perfection? No – believe me Dr Cowper
I can distinguish innumerable Charms, only center’d
in you, you are mistress (& ever will be) of my
Thoughts, actions, & of my whole Soul, four a
Clock I suppose you’ll be at Mr Squires – be steady,
Resolute, & not change – Adieu,
M Madan
Monday Noon
Yr Kind Expression to me last night, in
relation to yr Fathers consent, Dear Miss Cowper
can never be effaced from my memory, it con=
=firms me in the good opinion, I always had, of
your sincerity & Generosity – I am Grateful
I am truly sensible of my Obligations to you
But surely you'll repeat no more to me, that harsh
Expression {^viz} that you had been guilty of a Folly
in declaring yr sentiments to me, I’ll flatter
my self they were but words, since in yr Last
you told me, you should neither be dissatisfied
or miserable, provided I assured you I was
[f.32v]
entirely yours, it is wt I thought I’d confirmed
to you before, but I’ll repeat it to Eternity, & pro=
=test to you my Heart is entirely yours, my
last Gasp will confirm the sincerity, of my Passion
why do you imagine I can change? am I so insen=
sible of perfection? No – believe me Dr Cowper
I can distinguish innumerable Charms, only centred
in you, you are mistress (& ever will be) of my
Thoughts, actions, & of my whole Soul, four a
Clock I suppose you’ll be at Mr Squires – be steady,
Resolute, & not change – Adieu,
M Madan
Monday Noon
relation to yr Fathers consent, Dear Miss Cowper
can never be effaced from my memory, it con=
=firms me in the good opinion, I always had, of
your sincerity & Generosity – I am Grateful
I am truly sensible of my Obligations to you
But surely you'll repeat no more to me, that harsh
Expression {^viz} that you had been guilty of a Folly
in declaring yr sentiments to me, I’ll flatter
my self they were but words, since in yr Last
you told me, you should neither be dissatisfied
or miserable, provided I assured you I was
[f.32v]
entirely yours, it is wt I thought I’d confirmed
to you before, but I’ll repeat it to Eternity, & pro=
=test to you my Heart is entirely yours, my
last Gasp will confirm the sincerity, of my Passion
why do you imagine I can change? am I so insen=
sible of perfection? No – believe me Dr Cowper
I can distinguish innumerable Charms, only centred
in you, you are mistress (& ever will be) of my
Thoughts, actions, & of my whole Soul, four a
Clock I suppose you’ll be at Mr Squires – be steady,
Resolute, & not change – Adieu,
M Madan
Monday Noon
Details
Martin Madan to Judith Cowper, 1723
Madan is delighted to hear confirmation of Cowper’s father’s consent to the memory – he will never forget that conversation. Discussion of feelings and sentiments expressed to each other, and the conventions of expressing these sentiments. This discussion is rooted in embodied language: his heart will be hers until his last breath, she will always have power over his thoughts and soul. He expects he will see her later that day.
Madan Family
Eng Lett C.284 f.32
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
1723
[England]
[England]
- reporting
- response
- happy
- metaphorical
- closing
- main body
- opening
- throughout (inconsistent)
41-60%
People
Person: Martin Madan
View full details of Person: Martin Madan
primary author
heart
- breathing
- death/dying
longevity
- feeling
- grateful
- happy
- hopeful
- love (romantic)
- memory
- self
- soul
- thought
courting
Person: Judith Madan
View full details of Person: Judith Madan
primary addressee
visiting
- feeling
- happy
- love (romantic)
- low
disposition
courting