’Before the Light this Morning dawned upon the Earth I awaked, and lay in Expectation of its return, not that it cou’d give any new Sense of Joy to me, but as I hoped it would bless you with its chearful Face, after a Quiet which I wish’d you last Night.  If my Prayers are heard, the Day appeared with all the Influence of a Merciful Creator upon your Person and Actions.  Let others, my lovely Charmer, talk of a blind Being that disposes their Hearts, I contemn their low Images of Love.  I have not a Thought which relates to you, that I cannot with Confidence beseech the All-seeing Power to bless me in.  May he direct you in all your Steps, and reward your Innocence, your Sanctity of Manners, your Prudent Youth, and becoming Piety, with the Continuance of his Grace and Protection.  This is an unusual Language to Ladies; but you have a Mind elevated above the giddy Motions of a Sex insnared by Flattery, and misled by a false and short Adoration into a solid and long Contempt.  Beauty, my fairest Creature, palls in the Possession, but I love also your Mind; your Soul is as dear to me as my own; and if the Advantages of a liberal Education, some Knowledge, and as much Contempt of the World, join’d with the Endeavours towards a Life of strict Virtue and Religion, can qualify me to raise new Ideas in a Breast so well disposed as yours is, our Days will pass away with Joy; and old Age, instead of introducing melancholy Prospects of Decay, give us hope of Eternal Youth in a better Life.  I have but few Minutes from the Duty of my Employment to write in, and without time to read over what I have writ, therefore beseech you to pardon the first Hints of my Mind, which I have expressed in so little Order.

    I am, dearest Creature,

    Your most Obedient,

    most Devoted Servant_.’

  The two next were written after the Day of our Marriage was fixed.

    September 25, 1671

    Madam,_

’It is the hardest thing in the World to be in Love, and yet attend Business.  As for me, all that speak to me find me out, and I must lock myself up, or other People will do it for me.  A Gentleman asked me this Morning what News from Holland, and I answered, She’s Exquisitely handsome.  Another desir’d to know when I had been last at Windsor, I reply’d, ’She designs to go with me.  Prethee, allow me at least to kiss your Hand before the appointed Day, that my Mind may be in some Composure.  Methinks I could write a Volume to you, but all the Language on Earth would fail in saying how much, and with what dis-interested Passion, I am ever Yours.

    September 30, 1671.

    Seven in the Morning.

    Dear Creature,