Behold thy youth on whom my love is placed,
Adornd with beauty both in limb and face;
Yet beauty fades but love increases still;
Zealous my pleasure always to fulfil;
Envy begone all discord cease; and everything that hinders peace;
Let us my friend our future time employ
In virtuous acts that lead to heavenly joy
That we may join the blessed choir above
In songs of praises for redeeming love
That we may pray when we ourselves present
Lord here are with those whom thou hast lent
And though no consort there to man is given
We might like angels be which are in Heaven
And join their praise and even soar above
For saints not angels sing redeeming love
A note: The first letters of the first five lines spell out BAYSE
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Each rosy blush from fair! Elisas face
Like venus shines in a Majestic grace
In her, her parents have a lovely child
Sweet as a rose or lilly undefiled
A form more lovely than the bloom of may
Bright majesty divine her eyes; display
Each action so gentle beholders gaze
The infant voices lisps Elisas praise
Her blooming face excels the morning ray
Pleased with her voice the sun lights up the day
A crimson tinature in her face appears;
Resembling that the blooming morning wears
Sparkling and blue her eyes: her flowing hair
Or'e spreads her neck like silk a perk??e fair
Nor constellations that adorn the skies
Shine with such beauties as Elisa's Eyes.
A note: The first letters of this poem spell out ELISABETH PARSONS. This refers to her daughter-in-law, Eliza Parsons Welles, wife of Ralph. Thanks, Carol, for pointing out the BETH PARSONS part of this! To paraphrase, there are none so blind as those who cannot see!
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(Note: this must have been written in 1788)
Now I've arrived to years of thirty eight
Nineteen of which I've been your loving mate
Eight sons I've borne thee and 3 daughter have
And still preserved from the dreary grave
Our spring is past and summer's almost gone
And fading Autumn hastily comes on.
Tis time my friend to take a prisdents(?) care
And for(?) a future state for to prepare
Lay up our stores where we may safely trust
Where there's .........(paper folded here has fallen in two and words cut off)
???? say my friend is....(rest of the page)
Enjoy thy love O sweet transporting thought
Let every blessing on thy person wait;
Let wealth and honor guide thy happy seas,
Sure happiness was never more complete.
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