T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Dress-maker
By Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695)(From Tales and Novels, 1764) A CLOISTERED nun had a lover | |
| Dwelling in the neighb’ring town; | |
| Both racked their brains to discover | |
| How they best their love might crown. | |
| The swain to pass the convent-door!— | 5 |
| No easy matter!—Thus they swore, | |
| And wished it light.—I ne’er knew nun | |
| In such a pass to be outdone:— | |
| In woman’s clothes the youth must dress, | |
| And gain admission, I confess | 10 |
| The ruse has oft been tried before, | |
| But it succeeded as of yore. | |
| Together in a close barred cell | |
| The lovers were, and sewed all day, | |
| Nor heeded how time flew away.— | 15 |
| “What’s that I hear? Refection bell! | |
| ’Tis time to part. Adieu!—Farewell!— | |
| How’s this?” exclaimed the abbess, “why | |
| The last at table?”—“Madam, I | |
| Have had my dress-maker.”—“The rent | 20 |
| On which you’ve both been so intent | |
| Is hard to stop, for the whole day | |
| To sew and mend, you made her stay; | |
| Much work indeed you’ve had to do! | |
| —Madam, ’t would last the whole night through. | 25 |
| When in our task we find enjoyment | |
| There is no end of the employment.” | |