|
-
|
|
December 7, 1764. No.
25. |
|
The
C E R E M O N Y of giving a
VEIL
to a N U N
|
|
Still
I recall the Day, fresh on her Cheek
The purple Bloom of Youth, when LAURA bids
The World Adieu, resign’d its flatt’ring Pomp,
And took the holy Veil. I view her still
Beside the Altar, like a Victim deck’d |
5 |
Magnificently:
Fair as the pearly Dew
Which on the Rose-bud lies, or hangs within
The Lily’s Cup, what Time Hyperion mounts
The Eastern Hill. Before the miter’d Priest
She kneels submissive, on the sacred Floor, |
10 |
Casting
those Eyes, whose Fires were sure design’d
To light the Torch of Venus, and provoke
To amourous Parly; other Office far
Now doom’d to serve!—Who can unmov’d behold
Such Sacrifice? Yet ’tis her Choice, and lo |
15 |
She
sings consenting! Lo,
the Prelate cuts
Her graceful Hair, and strips it of the Gems
That sparkl’d ’midst her Tresses! then conducts
The willing Fair-one to the Convent’s Gate,
Where she, in one last, one eternal Kiss, |
20 |
Dissolves
all social Bands. The
Abbess then receives her,
And invests her beautious Limbs (unfriendly Change)
In coarse monastic Weeds, while all the
Virgin Choir in Hymnes announce,
Thee, Laura, thee become the Spouse of Christ. |
25 |
Self-banish’d,
self-condemn’d, now to thy Cell,
Too rigid Maid, retire, and deck it round
With Bones and Sculls, torn from the ravag’d
Grave, to paint a gloomy Mortal.
———————Peace be thine, |
30 |
|
And
calm Content; nor ever may thine Eyes,
Like wand’ring Exiles, cast a longing Look
Back to their native, their forsaken Home.
|
|
|
