“My pouch and pipes,
  Two oxen tripes,
  An oaken dish well carved,
  My little dog,
  And spotted hog,
  With two young pigs just starved.

 “This is my store,
  I have no more,
  I heartily do give it: 
  My years are spun,
  My days are done,
  And so I think to leave it.

 “Thus Father Abbey left his spouse,
  As rich as church or college mouse,
  Which is sufficient invitation
  To serve the college in his station.”
    Newhaven, January 2, 1731.

“Our sweeper having lately buried his spouse, and accidentally hearing of the death and will of his deceased Cambridge brother, has conceived a violent passion for the relict.  As love softens the mind and disposes to poetry, he has eased himself in the following strains, which he transmits to the charming widow, as the first essay of his love and courtship.

 “MISTRESS Abbey
  To you I fly,
  You only can relieve me;
  To you I turn,
  For you I burn,
  If you will but believe me.

 “Then, gentle dame,
  Admit my flame,
  And grant me my petition;
  If you deny,
  Alas!  I die
  In pitiful condition.

 “Before the news
  Of your dear spouse
  Had reached us at New Haven,
  My dear wife dy’d,
  Who was my bride
  In anno eighty-seven.

 “Thus[78] being free,
  Let’s both agree
  To join our hands, for I do
  Boldly aver
  A widower
  Is fittest for a widow.

 “You may be sure
  ’T is not your dower
  I make this flowing verse on;
  In these smooth lays
  I only praise
  The glories[79] of your person.

 “For the whole that
  Was left by[80] Mat.
  Fortune to me has granted
  In equal store,
  I’ve[81] one thing more
  Which Matthew long had wanted.

 “No teeth, ’t is true,
  You have to shew,
  The young think teeth inviting;
  But silly youths! 
  I love those mouths[82]
  Where there’s no fear of biting.

 “A leaky eye,
  That’s never dry,
  These woful times is fitting. 
  A wrinkled face
  Adds solemn grace
  To folks devout at meeting.

“[A furrowed brow, Where corn might grow, Such fertile soil is seen in ’t, A long hook nose, Though scorned by foes, For spectacles convenient.][83]

 “Thus to go on
  I would[84] put down
  Your charms from head to foot,
  Set all your glory
  In verse before ye,
  But I’ve no mind to do ’t.[85]

 “Then haste away,
  And make no stay;
  For soon as you come hither,
  We’ll eat and sleep,
  Make beds and sweep. 
  And talk and smoke together.

 “But if, my dear,
  I must move there,
  Tow’rds Cambridge straight I’ll set me.[86]
  To touse the hay
  On which you lay,
  If age and you will let me."[87]