| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | The Nun | | By Leigh Hunt (1784–1859) |
| | | IF you become a nun, dear, | |
| A friar I will be; | |
| In any cell you run, dear, | |
| Pray look behind for me. | |
| The roses all turn pale, too; | 5 |
| The doves all take the veil, too; | |
| The blind will see the show. | |
| What! you become a nun, my dear? | |
| I’ll not believe it, no! | |
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| If you become a nun, dear, | 10 |
| The bishop Love will be; | |
| The Cupids every one, dear, | |
| Will chant ‘We trust in thee’. | |
| The incense will go sighing, | |
| The candles fall a-dying, | 15 |
| The water turn to wine; | |
| What! you go take the vows, my dear? | |
| You may—but they’ll be mine! | | | | |
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