Note 1. It is a very bold general proposition to say that “nuns fret not at their narrow rooms” and that “hermits are content with their cells.” Thousands of nuns, there is no doubt, have fretted horribly, and do fret; and hermitages have proved so little satisfactory, that we no longer hear of their existence in civilized countries. We are to suppose, however, that the poet alludes only to such nuns and hermits as have been willing to be solitary. So also in regard to the spinning maids, and the weavers. The instances are not thoroughly happy; for the spinning and the weaving are too often anything but voluntary, however cheerfully made the best of. The rest of the sonnet is very good and pleasant, and the reflection respecting “the weight of too much liberty” admirable. [back]
