Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-04-10
y 0 etrp y /.
A LOVE LETTER.
BIZ THE AUTHOR OF MAcFIYoAL.


. The following poetical epistle was written |
by the celebrated John Trumbull, author of
MacFingal," In the year 1875. The occa.
sion Of it is thus related: ...
Trumbull and Thomas Wooster were fellow
students in the Office of Judge Matthew Girls.
would father Of Governor Roger Griswould,
Oh Connecticut. Both Of them we're in the
habit OF visiting .he family Of the Hon. J. z.
COOK, whose daughter Nancy was young
lady OF uncommon beauty and accomplish
ments. wooster became extravagantly fond
oil her. but she conducted herself with the pru.
dence and dignity becoming her station, no t
manilestlng partiality for him more than for
others who visited the house. At party at
Mr.. Cooks one evening, Trumbull who was
always iull OF vivacity. observed to Nancy
that Tom was so bashful that he could never
muster courage enough to tell her how much
he was IN love with her. and therefore he in
tended so persuade him to address her by let.
ter. Soon after Trumbull wrote the follow
ing witty lines, and sent them to Nancy with.
out the knowledge Of Wooster, but as all con.
cerned knew it wns the production of Trum.
bull none were offended, and it became the
subject OF frequent mirth ut their subsequent
tamily parties. tbs supposed to have been
published about the time it was written, but
the Trend TO whom we are indebted for our
WIZ pcOn ~ SoHc y-uVb years ago from
the old manuscript in the possession of gen.
tleman who studied law many years before in
Judge Griswoulds Office where it was found
IN the drawer Of the old table which had been
occupied by Trnmbull and Wooster.
10 thee, dear Nancy, thee my sweeting,
IooF Colonel Thomas sendeth greeting,
whereas, so pleased the powers above,
I'm fallen desperately in love,
For Cupid took station sly.
In one bright, cornor Of your eye,
And from his bow let fly dart
Which missed my ribs and pierced my heart
Pierced through and through, and passing
further
Put all my insides out of order,
Not this the only plague found,
As mice into cheese will creep
Through some small scratch, and entering
deep,
While all without looks fair and well,
They leave your cheese au empty she'll;
SO thieyish Love when once got through,
Stole and bore off my heart to you,
And left me heartless, still at ease,
An empty shell like aforesaid cheese,
J, Col. Tom, being in great smart,
Beseech you 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 Hudbras loved Tully;
But AneGs of old, nor Dido,
Coald love one,haf so much as do,
hold my Nancy more goddess,
Than Venus gay, or Dan modest,
Throughout the world thy glories shine,
or hath the sun such powers as thine;
Thy beauty keeps the world together
Thy looks make fair and cloudy weather;
Aud if draught should come again,
If you should frown know 'twould rain,
For you the earth produces flowers,
For you clouds drop in lovely showers;
Fruits only grew that you may eat,
And pigs and calves to find you meat;
Your cheering smiles, which we observe,
Should you withdraw, the world would starve
Earth would refrain her wonted store,
Aud plums 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,
Nor chance nor fate our love should sever
Then love me, Nancy for tell you
l am pretty clever fellow,
And you must think tits true for wby'
No one can tell as well as l
Here follow then without objections
The "rent rolf OF poor Toms perfections;
Know, then, all womau.kind, that /,
When stretched out straight, am six ie
high;
Whence from plain reasoning it appears,
I'm one of Natures grenadiers;
Yeti do whisper this between US
Serve only 10 the war of Venus,
I'm fair, and one good sign, observe Is,
] have red hair ma'am at your service,
Ofwit | brag not, yet have brains
Enough to malk in-when it rains
know the odds 'twixt cheese and chalk
To tell a handsaw from hawk;
To cane a man should he abuse me.
And hang myself if you refuse ME.