Scripto | Transcribe Page

[page 5]

sheet 2

as I fear yr Idleness or rather yr visiting Business my dear Sister of Parnassus I shall give a Spur to yr Ambition by telling you of a Rival - Know then that the little poetical Helen whom you saw here in the Summer has just entreated Permission to send me a long Historical Poem to Criticize — I had not a Heart to refuse this young trembling Poetess tho in Truth I am overwhelmed with various Loads of literary Business & the Poem is now actually arrived at Eartham —now are you my dear Nancy on the Tip-toe of Curiosity – well dear Bard I hear you cry pray tell me what is the Subject? is it tolerable? — I will not tell you till you have made some Progress with the black Prince — yes on second Thoughts I will tell you that it amounts to 60 Folio Pages fully written but thank Heaven in a large Hand – it has really wonderful merit considering her Youth