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