Chapter 2

To no restoratives our Wight would run; Though these do little, where much work is done: So oft the lad was pressed for cheering play, That with the abbess, when engaged one day, He said, where'er I go, 'tis common talk, With only sev'n an able bird should walk, Yet constantly I've got no less than nine:-- The abbess cried,--A miracle divine! Here nuns, pray haste, and quickly come around; We've fasted with success:--his tongue is found. The eight encircled him with great surprise; No longer dumb.--they viewed with eager eyes: A consultation instantly was had, When 'twas agreed to honour well the lad, And try to make him secrecy observe; But if dismissed, from silence he might swerve. The active youth, well fed, well paid, thus blessed, Did all he could,--and others did the rest. He for the nuns procured a little lot, That afterward two little friars got, And in the sequel fathers soon became; The sisters mothers too, in spite of shame; But never name more justly was applied: In vain their mysteries they strove to hide.

* The parlour in a convent is the room where the nuns are permitted to speak to their friends through a lattice.

ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:

A pretty wife? Beware the monks as you would guard your life Monks are knaves in Virtue's mask