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[page 5]

no language can express how deeply I feel indebted to you for the tender sollicituse you have shewn concerning my unfortunate Eyes – & the very flattering and delightful projects you propose for their Relief — I should indeed be most happy to have you as the assistant of my literary Pursuits, & enchanted to hear your own Poetry from yr own Lips - I will certainly embrace this pleasure whenever I can — at present I have much literary Business to dispatch, in which I am hardly able to advance at all from various social Engagements, & the Infirmity of my Eyes — I must however assure yr affectionate Heart, that my Complaint however teizing is not dangerous - being more in the Lids than the Eye; but the slightest Indiscretion of any kind produces immediate \Inflammation/ & what Power can make a poor Poet always discreet? – With all yr Magic, you have no Spell of such Influence - for even while I am talking to you on the necessity of discretion, I know not how to practive it by laying down my pen, tho my Eyes have frequently given me Hints that I ought to do so - God bless you - May you be long exempted from Complaints of every kind & love me in spite of Mine!– adieu adieu