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THE NUNNERY, by                    
First Line: What wond'rous projects formed the fickle fair?
Last Line: And thus the castle sunk ere yet begun.
Subject(s): Convents


WHAT wond'rous projects formed the fickle fair?
How stately rose the castle built in air,
When maids, their charms from lovers' eyes to screen,
Made a rash vow no longer to be seen?
Whose pen shall dare to tell what secret cause
Incited nymphs to spurn great Hymen's laws,
Or show how soon the fatal covenant failed,
And mirth, and flattery, and show prevailed?

Of maids a beauteous bevy late disdained
In matrimonial fetters to be chained;
All banish man with one consenting voice,
Some think by force, but more agree by choice.

But how this bold rebellion to maintain?
A thousand stratagems fill every brain;
Through different ways their resolutions tend,
But all unite in the same fatal end.

Round the tea-table many a time they sat,
Th' important scheme at leisure to debate;
Till one prolific head above the rest,
With serious mien, th' assembled fair addressed:

'How blessed the nymphs in cloistered walks immured,
From all the follies of the world secured;
With what contempt its empty pomp they view,
And with its pleasures bid its cares adieu;
Whatever joys they see, they envy none,
Because no state is equal to their own.
Triumphant votaries! whose hearts possess
Unshaken peace and genuine happiness.
This bliss shall no good Protestant obtain?
Shall only Papists break the nuptial chain?
Forbid it, stars! Let English wit contrive
At equal ease and liberty to live.
If you, my sisters, this advice approve,
My scheme our ills will cure, our fears remove.

'Each fleeting will more durably to bind,
Let all our fortunes in one stock be joined;
Then, where some gloomy grove or lonely plain
Hears the faint murmurs of the distant main,
Let modest art a pleasing mansion build,
With thirty willing votaries to be filled;
But volunteers alone let choice admit;
One crossed in love is but a hypocrite.
One only male our vestal floor shall tread,
A priest with ardent heart and hoary head,
Of blameless manners, and of learning tried,
To read good lessons, and good books provide.
Hereafter on the hours we will agree,
For prayer, for work, for reading and for tea.'

Thus spoke the fair: the project all commend,
And all their wishes to the Nunnery bend.
The Chaplain named, and articles begun,
Full half the work appeared already done.
Whene'er they met, they spoke of future joys,
And the Nuns' Castle all their thoughts employs.

But when the various statutes were surveyed,
And nicely read by each judicious maid,
What sudden changes in their looks appear!
Some are too mild, and some are too severe.
Dorinda cried, 'Are visits then a crime?
And shall we see no friends at any time?'
'Shall dancing be allowed,' Sempronia said,
'And yet no partner ever to be had?'
'Must no man enter here?', brisk Lucia cried;
'Then burn the plan,' fair Thestylis replied;
'Let fellows rather style me wife than nun.'
And thus the Castle sunk ere yet begun.





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