TO M. I. (Mary) Matilda Betham Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T143264 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.

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TO M. I. LIGHT breezes dance along the air , The sky in smiles is drest , And heav'ns pure vault , serene and fair , Pourtrays the cheerful breast . Each object on this moving ball Assumes a lovely hue ; So fair good-humour brightens all That comes within her view . Her presence glads the youthful train , Reanimates the gay , And , round her , by the couch of pain , The light-wing'd graces play . Her winning mien and prompt reply , Can sullen pride appease ; And the sweet arching of her eye E'en apathy must please . To you , with whom the damsel dwells A voluntary guest , To you , Maria , memory tells , This tribute is addrest . The feeble strains that I bequeath , With melody o'erpay ; And let thy lov'd piano breathe A sweet responsive lay . Although the mellow sounds will rise , So distant from my ear , The charmer Fancy , when she tries , Can make them present here . Can paint thee , as with raptur'd bend , You hail the powers of song ; When the light fingers quick descend , And fly the notes along : Feel the soft chord of sadness meet , An echo in the soul , And waking joy the strains repeat , When Mirth's quick measures roll , This " mistress of the powerful spell , " Can every joy impart ; And ah ! you doubtless know too well How she can wring the heart . She rules me with despotic reign , As now I say adieu ; And makes me feel a sort of pain , As if I spoke to you .              FEB. 14 , 1797.