In a book compiled by grandson Samuel Beddome and found in the Angus Library there is a printed poem preserved with the heading we have reproduced here. It must be from the early 1740s.
ORIGINAL POETIC EPISTLE
From the late REV. BEN. B
- ME, to the late REV. JOHN RYLAND; written from Tewksbury, the Day
after he had left Bristol, his friend Ryland having accompanied him
about ten Miles from Town.
DEAR BROTHER, WHEN of
your company bereft,
I turn'd a little to the
left;
I spurr'd my mare, and
made her go
Thro' thick and thin,
thro' hail and snow:
But she (alas!) is aged
grown,
As by her pace may well
be known.
To Tethrington (Tytherington) I came at
last,
At nine o'clock, or
somewhat past;
Down by the fire I
straightway sat,
Hoping the snow wou'd
soon abate.
From head to foot (alas)
wet thro',
I dry'd my coat, and
stockings too.
I ate-and drank, and fed
my, Horse:
(The charge was small,
the diet coarse:)
But now an hour full
expir'd,
And I with waiting almost
tir'd;
I call'd to know what was
to pay,
Then took my horse and
rode away.
Large flakes of snow came
down apace,
And still the wind was in
my face:
With feet benumb'd and
spirits down,
At length I came to
Newport town
Then on I passed to
Cambridge Inn
And there arrived wet to
the skin
Again I drank, again I
ate,
And gave my horse a
little meat
Again I dry'd, then on I
went,
Nor e'er repin'd at what
I spent.
Still heavy clouds
obscur'd the sky,
Now rains descended from
on high.
I travell'd on, and
thought of you,
And Bristol friends, and
you know who;
Perhaps (said I) some of
them see
The beating storm, and
think of me.
Sometimes I wish'd that
heav'nly grace
Might thus bedew our
fallen race.
'The Lord' (said I) 'with
gentle show'rs
Visit these barren souls
of ours,
Till ev'ry plant of grace
within
Be like the earth more
fresh and green!'
At Gloster now did I
arrive,
A quarter wanting just of
five;
At Mrs Smith's I made
some stay,
Tir'd with the labours of
the day.
Such acts of kindness
there I met,
'Twou'd be ungrateful to
forget.
A welcome glass, some
cheering tea,
I wish'd my RYLAND there
with me;
If ever you to Gloster
come,
I'd have you make that
house your home.
But still to Tewkesbury
I must go;
There's nought enduring
here below;
And now the heav'ns more
fair and bright
(At even tide there oft
is light)
I took the hint and
mounted straight
And got to Tewkesbury
just at eight.
O thou e'er-availing
Power above
Accept the tribute of my
love.
O thine upholder of my
ways
Now move my lips to
grateful praise!
This night I've had a
little sleep
And onwards am engag'd to
keep.
The Lord be with you, my
dear friend,
And me to those I know
commend,
To parents dear be love
expressed,
And then to Mrs Evans
next
First read, then burn
these doggerel lines.
But I must haste - day
brightly shines.
Then think of me as I of
you,
My dearest friend once
more adieu.
