Love Poem to Mary Batcheller from Abel

A handwritten love poem by Abel Harwood to his first wife Mary Batcheller in 1843.

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“To my wife”

In eighteen hundred thirty six,

When in this book I chanced to fix

Some urgent lines, divinely true

Our Mutual love was out of view

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But soon the heavenly plant was 

Reaf on the soil, it never died:

It grew, it spread, was full of life,

The fruit it bore, husband and wife

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And still it lives, it never can die–

Unfeigned friendship, gentle tie

‘Tis this, unites our kindred hearts

And sweetest purest bliss impart

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Together let us do our best,

Affection thriving in our breast

To be of those whom Christ doth love

And gain the holy best above

-

A. Harwood

Lexington, Ky,

Jan, 20th, 1843