On ------ Embroydring

How justly art when Cælia aids so well Contends her ms nature to excell The slender needles in that hand create Such forms as hers but of a better date The silk is placd the winding traces laid & the gay scene with rising figures spread here springing lillies opening roses dress in such sweet colours & so fixd a grace they outdoe all but those wthin her face the well turnd leaves if by the natrall shown You'd think they both were workd or both had grown So strange yet beautious birds are here designd as if she had increasd the Phœnix kind Sure had she livd wn poets tho below Where meritt pleaded cou'd a heavn bestow the wondrows product of her needle here had made her self a goddess it a starr. Oh may no moth so rare a piece approach May nought corrupt it with unhallowd touch May nothing—but alas I wast my prayr My wishes rise to loose themselves in air. This work wch angells wou'd not blush to own Must once the common road of ruin run then quickly fairest on yr life reflect Nor all your downy hours of youth neglect think you behold this lovely piece decayd think you are brighter yet must sooner fade then quitt your folly be no more severe Why woud you have no difference appear In how the ugly live & how the fair & tell me Celie where the diffrence lyes 'twixt those who Cant & those who wont possess When both alike are distanc't fm their bliss.