The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-08-20
POETRY

The following lines were written by the cele-
brated John Trumbull, author Of Mc'Fin-
gal, addressed to Miss Nancy Cook, in the
year I776. The circumstances which gave
rise to them were as follows -
Trumbull and Thomas Wooster, both of
whom have since been men of eminence, were
fellow students at law at GOVERNOR Girls
wold's, father of the late Governour Girls
void Of Connecticut. Both of them were in
the habit of visiting the family of the Hon.
John P. Cook, whose daughter Nancy was a
young lady of uncommon beauty and accom-
Observation-Disclosures became extravagantly
fond of her, but sic conducted with the pru-
dence becoming her station, not manifesting
any partially for him more than for others
who visited the house. At one of these par
ties, Trumbull, who was always full of viva
Sity, observsi to Nancy, that Tom was so
ashful he never could tell her how much he
we'd her, and therefore he would persuade
M to address her by letter. Soon after
TAmbull wrote the following witty lines, and
sen them to Nancy, without the knowledge
Of Wooster; butas all concerned knew that
1t WIS the production of Trumbull, none were
ofensed, and it became the subject of fire.
qnentmirth at their family parties. II is sup
but this communication was taken from the
original, found few years since in the drawer
otthe table occupied by Trumbull and Woos-
ter aPq au at O sSss.' who '''A-' Port. States.
To thee Dear Nancy, thee my sweeting,
Poor Colonel Thomas sendeth greeting,
Whereas, so pleas'd the powers above,
I'm fallen most desp'rately in love;
Nor Cupid took station sly,
IN one bright corner of your eye,
And from his bow let fly dart,
Which miss'd my ribs and pierc'd my heart
Pierced through and through, and passing
further,
Put all my insides out of order.
Nor this the only plague found;
Love entered at the viewless wound:
As Nice into Cheese viii creep
Through some small scratch, and entering
deep
While all without looks fair and well
They leave your Cheese an empty shell.
90 thieyish love when once got through
Stole and bore off my heart to you,
And left me heariless still at ease
An empty shell like foresaid cheese.
Colonel Tom being in great smart
Beseech thee to return my heart:
Or else to cure my ceaseless moan,
Make an exchange and send your own.
Oh! Nancy, thee love more fully
Than ever Hudibras lov'd Tully:
. Not Eneas of old nor Dido,
Could love one half so much as do.
] hold my Nancy more Goddess
Than Venus gay, OF Dian modest;
Throughout the world thy glories shine,
Nor hath the sun such power as thine
Thy beauty keeps the world together,
Thy looks make fair the cloudy weather:
And If drought should come again,
If you should frown know 'twould rain.
For yoG the earth produces flowers,
For you clouds drop in lovely showers;
Fruits only grow that you may eat,
And pigs and calves to find you meat.
Your cheering smiles which we observe.
Should you withdraw, the world would starye
Earth would refrain her wonted store,
And plumbs and peaches be no more.
Oh Nancy. would you love but me,
How mighty glad poor Tom would be;
I'd stick to you like pitch forever,
Not chance nor fate our love should sever.
Then love me, Nancy, for tell you
l am a pretty clever fellow;
And you must think tits true, for why:
No one can tell as well as /.
Here follow then, without objections,
The : Rent-rolp' of poor Toms projections.
Know then all womankind that /,
When stretched out straight am six feet high,
Whence from plain reasoning it appears
Pm one of natures Grenadiers
Yet do whisper this between us
Serve only in the wars of Venus.
Pm fair, and one good sign observe is,
1 have red hair Ma'aln at your service.
OF wit brag not, yet have brains
Enough to walk in when it rains;
| know the odds 'twixt cheese and chalk,
To tell handsaw from hawk;
To cane a man if be abuse me,
And hang myself il you refuse me.