ToAlex.Cunningham,ESQ.,Writer

toalex.cunningham,esq.,writer

ellisland,nithsdale,july27th,1788.

mygodlikefriend—nay,donotstare,

youthinkthephraseisodd-like;

butgodislove,thesaintsdeclare,

thensurelythouartgod-like.

andisthyardourstillthesame?

andkindledstillatanna?

othersmayboastapartialflame,

butthouartavolcano!

ev'nwedlockasksnotlovebeyond

death'stie-dissolvingportal;

butthou,omnipotentlyfond,

may'stpromiseloveimmortal!

thywoundssuchhealingpowersdefy,

suchsymptomsdireattendthem,

thatlastgreatantihectictry—

marriageperhapsmaymendthem.

sweetannahasanair—agrace,

divine,magnetic,touching:

shetalks,shecharms—butwhocantrace

theprocessofbewitching?