[Page [108]]

TO M. I.

1 LIGHT breezes dance along the air,
2 The sky in smiles is drest,
3 And heav'ns pure vault, serene and fair,
4 Pourtrays the cheerful breast.
5 Each object on this moving ball
6 Assumes a lovely hue;
7 So fair good-humour brightens all
8 That comes within her view.
9 Her presence glads the youthful train,
10 Reanimates the gay,
11 And, round her, by the couch of pain,
12 The light-wing'd graces play.
[Page 109]
13 Her winning mien and prompt reply,
14 Can sullen pride appease;
15 And the sweet arching of her eye
16 E'en apathy must please.
17 To you, with whom the damsel dwells
18 A voluntary guest,
19 To you, Maria, memory tells,
20 This tribute is addrest.
21 The feeble strains that I bequeath,
22 With melody o'erpay;
23 And let thy lov'd piano breathe
24 A sweet responsive lay.
25 Although the mellow sounds will rise,
26 So distant from my ear,
27 The charmer Fancy, when she tries,
28 Can make them present here.
29 Can paint thee, as with raptur'd bend,
30 You hail the powers of song;
31 When the light fingers quick descend,
32 And fly the notes along:
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33 Feel the soft chord of sadness meet,
34 An echo in the soul,
35 And waking joy the strains repeat,
36 When Mirth's quick measures roll,
37 This "mistress of the powerful spell,"
38 Can every joy impart;
39 And ah! you doubtless know too well
40 How she can wring the heart.
41 She rules me with despotic reign,
42 As now I say adieu;
43 And makes me feel a sort of pain,
44 As if I spoke to you.
             FEB. 14, 1797.

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About this text

Title (in Source Edition): TO M. I.
Author: (Mary) Matilda Betham
Themes:
Genres: ode

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Source edition

Betham, Mary Matilda, 1776-1852. Elegies and Other Small Poems, by Matilda Betham. Ipswich: Printed by W. Burrell, and sold by Longman, Paternoster-Row, and Jermyn and Forster, Ipswich, 1797, pp. [108]-110.  (ESTC T143264)

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