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　　LETTER 589

　　CHARLES AND MARY LAMB TO EDWARD MOXON

　　[P.M. Sept. 26, 1833.]

　　Thursday.

　　We shall be most happy to see Emma, dear to every body. Mary's spirits are much better, and she longs to see again our twelve years' friend. You shall afternoon sip with me a bottle of superexcellent Port, after deducting a dinner-glass for them. We rejoyce to have E. come, the first Visit, without Miss ——, who, I trust, will yet behave well; but she might perplex Mary with questions. Pindar sadly wants Preface and notes. Pray, E., get to Snow Hill before 12, for we dine before 2. We will make it 2. By mistake I gave you Miss Betham's letter, with the exquisite verses, which pray return to me, or if it be an improved copy, give me the other, and Albumize mine, keeping the signature. It is too pretty a family portrait, for you not to cherish.

　　Your loving friends

　　C. LAMB.

　　M. LAMB.

　　[Pindar was Cary's edition, which Moxon had just published. Miss Betham's verses I am sorry not to be able to give; but the following poem was addressed to Moxon by Lamb and printed in The Athenaeum for December 7, 1833:—

　　TO A FRIEND ON HIS MARRIAGE

　　What makes a happy wedlock? What has fate

　　Not given to thee in thy well-chosen mate?

　　Good sense—good humour;—these are trivial things,

　　Dear M——-, that each trite encomiast sings.

　　But she hath these, and more. A mind exempt

　　From every low-bred passion, where contempt,

　　Nor envy, nor detraction, ever found

　　A harbour yet; an understanding sound;

　　Just views of right and wrong; perception full

　　Of the deformed, and of the beautiful,

　　In life and manners; wit above her sex,

　　Which, as a gem, her sprightly converse decks;

　　Exuberant fancies, prodigal of mirth,

　　To gladden woodland walk, or winter hearth;

　　A noble nature, conqueror in the strife

　　Of conflict with a hard discouraging life,

　　Strengthening the veins of virtue, past the power

　　Of those whose days have been one silken hour,

　　Spoil'd fortune's pamper'd offspring; a keen sense

　　Alike of benefit, and of offence,

　　With reconcilement quick, that instant springs

　　From the charged heart with nimble angel wings;

　　While grateful feelings, like a signet sign'd

　　By a strong hand, seem burnt into her mind.

　　If these, dear friend, a dowry can confer

　　Richer than land, thou hast them all in her;

　　And beauty, which some hold the chiefest boon,

　　Is in thy bargain for a make-weight thrown.] The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 6