Literary Capabilities and Poetry
According to one early twentieth century account: "although in the we do not see by any means the whole side of his character. His literary capabilities were of no mean order, and some of his poetry and prose shows great talent, while his work for his church was also noreworthy.
On example of Joseph Harding's poetry is cited below. This is a response to Rev. Samuel Wray, who had sent Harding a poem to thank him for sending a hare and Cheddar cheese for Christmas:
My dear Mr. Wary, I answer your lay On behalf of myself and my wife Your poetical lore has raked up my store Long hid' neath the business of life When you speak of our God in sending you here And thank Him for blessings into the third year. You should not have mentioned the cheese and the game They do not deserve among presents a name But I'm pleased that the hare, the "unparadised hare" Stood so high in your own estimation, For though it was sweet, and perhaps a treat, I did not expect its translation. His honours were great, as ordained by fate, For just in the midst of its run With Jerry on trail, just close to its tail She died by a short from my gun. And this was not all, for after her fall 'Twas served on your table so good Supplying two dinners for famishing sinners. At last was angelical food.
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