Lincoln and Ann Rutledge

[Houmes]

(09-03-2014 03:09 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Here are the words from Masters' poem:

Out of me unworthy and unknown
The vibrations of deathless music;
"With malice toward none with charity for all."
Out of me the forgiveness of millions toward millions,
And the beneficent face of a nation
Shining with justice and truth.
I am Anne Rutledge who sleep beneath these weeds,
Beloved in life of Abraham Lincoln,
Wedded to him, not through union
But through separation.
Bloom forever, O Republic,
From the dust of my bosom!

The 8th line of Masters' poem is "Beloved in life of Abraham Lincoln."

But the words "in life" were left off the gravestone. Anybody know why?

Ann Rutledge's grave stone with the poem was placed in the cemetery in 1921. Robert Todd Lincoln was still alive in 1921, and both he and his mother were enraged at the Ann Rutledge story ever since Herndon started talking about it in the 1800's. Robert Todd Lincoln didn't die until 1926.

Coincidence? Or careful editing?