The following poem was written by a man who by trade handled the affairs of a Mr. Thomas Carlyle, a man of little note and not remembered. Yet it is this captivating poem that has come down to us and is remembered. The author: James Leigh Hunt. Hunt lived from 1784-1869. What follows is such an interesting story.
The Mr. Hunt lay in bed for several months suffering from a debilitating illness. Upon his recovery, he ventured to make his way to the Carlyle residence. As soon as Jenny saw him, she jumped up from her chair and kissed him. Here is his delightful response penned for the ages.
Jenny kissed me when we met,
James Henry Leigh Hunt
Jumping from the chair she sat in;
Time, you thief, who love to get
Sweets into your list, put that in!
Say I’m weary, say I’m sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me,
Say I’m growing old, but add,
Jenny kissed me.
