Boston May 10th. 1755 Dear Sr.,

I'm vastly obliged to you for your most Ingenuous Letter1 (in answer to my last) which was, I dare say it, without a fault and intirely Consistant with the Strictest rules of Grammer and Logick nor did it want Embelishing, for more Rhetorick would have Spoiled it: and I think it quite Impossible for the most penetrating Critic to find a single fault wth. it, the Subject being the Solution of the following riddle.

Before creating Nature will'd That Atoms into form should Jarr, By me the boundless space well fill'd From me was built the first made star For me a Saint will break his word By the proud atheist I'm revered At me the Coward draws his Sword And by the Hero I am fear'd Scorn'd by the meek and humble mind Yet often by the Vain possest Heard by the deaf seen by the blind And to the Troubled Conscience rest Than Wisdoms Sacred self I'm wiser And yet by Every block-head known I'm freely given by the miser Kept by the prodigal alone The K----2 God bless him as 'tis said At me sometimes is in a passion Yet even him I can perswade To Act against his Inclination As Vice deform'd as Vertue fair The Courtiers loss, the Patriots gain The poets curse the Coxcombs care Read and you have it for your pains. 271

I shall conclude by ading the Solution.3 & Subscribing myself yr. Lovg. brother,

JOS. GREENLEAF

RC ; addressed: "To Mr. Robt. Treat Paine att Lancaster. To be left at Capt. Abijah Willards"; endorsed.

1.

Not located.

2.

King.

3.

Not given.

Tuesday Morning 4, o'Clock Boston 3d. June, 1755 Mr. Paine Sir,

The great satisfaction you gave me last Night, makes me think of You this Morning with Pleasure, & no Wonder, for this is what I have been in pursuit of these Fifteen Years. I could not help thinking of these lines in Milton, where he introduces the Discourse between Raphael & Adam, When Raphael at the request of Adam related how & wherefore this World was first Created.1

The Angel ended & in Adams ear, So charming lift his voice, that he a while Thought him still speaking, still stood fix'd to hear: Then, as new wak'd, thus gratefully reply'd. What thanks sufficient, or what recompence Equal, have I to render thee divine Mathematitian Historian! Who thus largely hast Allay'd the thirst I had of knowledge, & vouchsaf'd this friendly Condescension to relate Things else by me unsearchable; now heard wth. Wonder, But delight; & as is due, with Glory attributed to the High Creator. `When Raphael left him -- Adam thus follow'd with benediction. Since to part! Go Heavenly guest, Etherial messenger, Sent from Whose sov'reign goodness I adore! Gentle to me, & affable, hath been thy condescension, 272 And shall be honour'd ever, with gratefull Memory: Thou to mankind be good, and friendly still, and oft return So parted they; the Angel up to Heaven From the thick shade, and Adam to his bower.

NB. I shall be very glad to wait upon You when Your at leisure, to fix this Dial of Ahaz2 for me Parrelell to the plain of the Equinox. Sr. the sooner you come the more You will Oblige Your very Humble Servt.,

GAWN: BROWNE

RC ; addressed: "For Mr. Robt. Treat Paine in Boston this QDC"; endorsed.

1.

Paradise Last, Book VIII.

2.

Isaiah 38:8.