| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | The Penitent Nun | | By John Lockman (1698–1771) |
| | (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.” | | | | |
|
|
