Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine — Volume 21

From the opening

I LATELY vowed to leave the nuns alone, So oft their freaks have in my page been shown. The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howe'er is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, 'mong the sisters, scene and scene pursue. Is this too much?--the nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full I'd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And that's impossible I must admit, 'Twould endless be, the tales appear so fit; There's not a clerk so expeditious found, Who could record the stories known around. The sisters to forget, were I to try, Suspicions might arise that, by and by, I should return: some case might tempt my pen; So oft I've overrun the convent-den, Like one who always makes, from time to time, The conversation with his feelings chime. But let us to an end the subject bring, And after this, of other matters sing.

IN former times was introduced a lad Among the nuns, and like a maiden clad; A charming girl by all he was believed; Fifteen his age; no doubts were then conceived; Coletta was the name the youth had brought, And, till he got a beard, was sister thought.

THE period howsoe'er was well employed, And from it Agnes profit had enjoyed; What profit?--truly better had I said, That sister Agnes by him was misled, And store of ills received; misfortune dire Obliged the nun more girdle to require, And ultimately to produce (in spite Of ev'ry wish to guard the fact from light) A little creature that our hist'ries say, Was found Coletta's features to display.

GREAT scandal quickly through the convent ran: How could this child arrive?--the sisters 'gan To laugh and ask, if in an evil hour, The mushroom could have fallen with a show'r? Or self-created was it not supposed? Much rage the abbess presently disclosed; To have her holy mansion thus disgraced!

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