THE INTRODUCTION. I that great mafter of language and art, Sir Henry Wotton, the late Provost of Eaton College, had lived to see the publication of these sermons, he had presented the world with the Author's life exactly written; and it was pity he did not; for it was a work worthy his undertaking, and he fit to undertake it betwixt whom, and the Author, there was fo mutual a knowledge, and fuch a friendship contracted in their youth, as nothing but death could force a feparation. And, though their bodies were divided, their affections were not for that learned Knight's love followed his friend's fame beyond death and the forgetful grave"; which he teftified by entreating me, whom he acquainted with his defign, to inquire of fome particulars that concerned it, not doubting but my knowledge of the Author, and love to his memory, might make my diligence useful: I did most gladly undertake the employment, and continued it with great content till I had made my collection ready to be augmented and completed by his matchless pen: but then, death prevented his intentions. When I heard that fad news, and heard also that these fermons were to be printed, and want the Author's life, which I thought to be very remarkable: Indignation or grief (indeed I know not which) transported me so far, that I reviewed my forfaken collections, and refolved the world should fee the best plain picture of the Author's life that my artless pencil, guided by the hand of t.uth, could prefent to it. It must be remembered that the life of Dr. Donne was originally prefixed to the firft volume of his fermons, printed in 1640. • The grave which caufes forgetfulness. In this fenfe the epithet is used in Milton "If the fleepy drench "Of that forgetful lake benumb not still. "Obliviofo lævia Maffico "Cibaria exple. Οντι πῳ ἐις Αιδαν γε τον ἐκλελάθοντα φυλάξεις, PAR. LOST, B. II. ver. 73. HOR. L. II. Od. VII. ver. 21. THEOCR. Ειδυλλ. α. 63. |