Valentines day! - Newton Abbot Museum

Added: 14 February 2013

Today's picture is a hand written valentines day love token written by John Tinckham in 1792. Unfortunately, he was unlucky in love!

Inside it reads
"Eight hearts in one you may behold
And they into each other fold
For when you would them separate
Each one is like unto his mate.

Tis  I my love have sent to thee
To shew how firm my Love shall be
And if you have any love at all
Pray shew it me tho it be small.

Love if you were a thousand miles
A distance from me a while
Yet still my love is sent to thee
In token of my loyalty.

And let my love be not forgot
Tho you from me are gon
For unto thee i'll constant be
Tho now I sigh and mourn.

See here each other points do not meet
With unity and love so sweet
That nothing from them you can take
Unless that you a Heart do break.

Tis you I do Admire
And your sweet charms I do desire
And with my Heart resolve to be
For ever constant unto thee.

So let us both united be
And live in love and unity
And when that God doth call us hither
We both may live in joy together.

Love let those which are thy foes
Off thee there pleasure have
But grant to me thy love so free
And that is all I crave.

Try me love speak when provoked
there now we apart
Yet still to thee I'll constant be
So now I leave my heart

This Heart of mine which is now thine
And is not this a Wonder
 You should posess; A Heart of mine
And we so far asunder

My Heart so free I have sent to thee
Love take me for no Stranger
For unto thee I'll constant be
Or I am not a Stranger

So now my Dear I bid Adew
To one I love so Dear
For unto thee I'll Constant be
Pray do not be Severe."