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Whatsoever place or post Thou assigns me, sooner will I die a thousand deaths, as Socrates said, then depart it. And where wilt Thou have be me? At Rome or Athens?
At Thebes or on a desert island? Only remember me there!
Shouldst Thou send me where man cannot live as Nature would have him, I will depart, not in disobedience to Thee, but as though Thou were sounding the signal for my
retreat:
I am not deserting Thee--far be that from me! I only perceive that thou needs me no longer.