To thee encreaser of my days
Title:
An Hymn of Thanksgiving after a dangerous fit of sickness in the year 1715. Primary Text:
MS Wellesley, 76-8. Secondary Ed:
1988 Ellis d'Alessandro prints Wellesley text, 106-8. 20C:
1992 McGovern prints Wellesley text, 202-4; McGovern & Hinnant, 37-39. Comment:
Touching resolve to be cheerful, grateful, and no longer fear depression ("the spleen"). Date:
This event is referred to somewhat obliquely in Finch's letter of October 28, 1715, to Arabella Marrow: "And Winchilsea more warm in love/Drew near a colder end." Perhaps the illness occurred earlier in the year.
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