T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Penitent Nun
By John Lockman (16981771)(From Musical Miscellany, c. 1731) DAME Jane a sprightly Nun, and gay, | |
And formed of very yielding Clay, | |
Had long with resolution strove | |
To guard against the Shafts of Love. | |
Fond Cupid smiling, spies the Fair, | 5 |
And soon he baffles all her Care, | |
In vain she tries her Pain to smother, | |
The Nymph too frail, the Nymph too frail, | |
Becomes a Mother. | |
But no, these little Follies o’er, | 10 |
She firmly vows she’ll sin no more; | |
No more to Vice will fall a Prey, | |
But spend in Prayer each fleeting Day. | |
Close in her Cell immur’d she lies, | |
Nor from the Cross removes her Eyes; | 15 |
Whilst Sisters crowding at the Crate, | |
Spend all their Time, spend all their Time in | |
Worldly Prate. | |
The Abbess, overjoyed to find | |
This happy Change in Jenny’s Mind, | 20 |
The rest, with Air composed, addressing, | |
“Daughters, if you expect a Blessing, | |
From pious Jane, Example take, | |
The World and all its Joys forsake.” | |
“We will” (they all reply’d as One) | 25 |
“But first let’s do as Jane has done.” | |