How do you honor your beloved on Valentine’s Day? Many of us choose the traditional offerings of chocolate, flowers, or a sentimental card, all of which are (usually) received with joyful gratitude. Sailors once made elaborate creations out of shells for their sweethearts when away at sea, which came to be known as “sailors’ valentines” (pictured left). However, those with literary talents might choose to celebrate a loved one with a gift from the heart and the pen – perhaps a poem! I happened to find just such a Valentine’s Day offering in the SHS archives, written by Nathan Briggs (1799-1870), father of Benjamin Briggs, the captain of the ill-fated Mary Celeste. The poem was transcribed in 1978 by Nathan’s great-grandson, Donald Briggs, who compiled the memoirs and writings of Nathan Briggs and James Briggs (another of Nathan’s sons, and Donald’s grandfather). According to a note above the poem, Nathan Briggs addressed his words to the Misses Cobb (two sisters) in 1824. The wisdom of sending this poem to both sisters might be questioned; we can only speculate on the girls’ responses! Enjoy the poem, and may you each find a valentine today!
From early time (old people tell me so)
But whence, or how, or why, I do not know;
Whether from Rome it sprang, or Greece,
Or whether it has known more ancient days;
But this alone I hear, and this I state,
That on this day all birds will choose their mate,
And all our fathers say that in their prime
A custom ’twas to choose a valentine.
If right, I wean this custom speaks no more
Than this; a present from some friend before
Was sent, expressing a kind wish or so;
Perhaps it might be passed from girl to beau,
or beau to girl, their friendship to entwine
By one more wreath, and called it Valentine.
If this be all to custom I adhere
And choose me two for the succeeding year.
With valentines I mean to be supplied,
And if a choice alone will make them mine
That man’s a fool that lacks a valentine.
On you the election lights but stops your voice
I should have known before I made my choice.
However, it is made and if you spurn it
You will this scrawl destroy, or else return it.
If not, excuse my ordinary rhyme,
Accept my wishes, and my valentine.
Sippican Historical Society!
