Shall hover round thy destined brow
Diffusing may their influence be,
And with the blossom blast the tree!”[[109]]
These almost inimitable lines were sent to the Rev. John Wesley by Mehetabel’s wretched husband, and were accompanied by the following letter, which is given here, as a contrast to his wife’s poem, and to show how the two were utterly unsuited for each other:—
“Dear Bro,—This comes to Let you know that my wife is brought to bed and is in a hopefull way of Doing well but the Dear child Died—the Third day after it was born—which has been of great concerne to me and my wife She Joynes With me in Love to your Selfe and Bro. Charles
“From your loveing Bro. to Comnd
“Wm. Wright.
“P.S.—Ive sen you sum verses that my wife maid of Dear Lamb Let me hear from one or both of you as soon as you think Conveniant.”
Dr Adam Clarke observes, that Wright’s letter is, like the ancient Hebrew, without points.
We cannot resist the temptation to give another poetic extract, as illustrative of Mehetabel Wesley’s fine genius. It is selected from a poem, entitled, “A Farewell to the World,” and refers to past days of happiness spent in the company of her sister Mary. After speaking of their visits to the poor and sick, she writes:—