Selected Works of Jean de La Fontaine

ONCE more permit me, nuns, and this the last; I canÕt resist, whatever may have passed, But must relate, what often IÕve been told; Your tales of convent pranks are seldom cold; They have a grace that no where else we find, And, somehow, better seem to please designed. Another then weÕll have, which three will make:Ñ Three did I say?-Ôtis four, or I mistake; LetÕs count them well:-The GARDÕNER first, weÕll name; Then comes the ABBESS, whose declining frame Required a youth, her malady to cure A story thought, perhaps, not over pure; And, as to SISTER JANE, whoÕd got a brat, I cannot fancy we should alter that. These are the whole, and fourÕs a number round; YouÕll probably remark, Ôtis strange IÕve found Such pleasure in detailing convent scenes:Ñ ÔTis not my whim, but TASTE, that thither leans: And, if youÕd kept your breviary in view, ÔTis clear, youÕd nothing had with this to do; We know, howeÕer, Ôtis not your fondest care; So, quickly to our histÕry letÕs repair. A CHARMING youth would frequent visits pay, To nuns, whose convent near his dwelling lay; And, Ômong the sisters, one his person saw, Who, by her eyes, would fain attention draw; Smiles she bestowed, and other complaisance, But not a single step would he advance; By old and young he greatly was admired; Sighs burst around, but none his bosom fired.