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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON A NUN by JACOPO VITTORELLI

First Line: OF TWO FAIR VIRGINS, MODEST, THOUGH ADMIRED
Last Line: AND KNOCK, AND KNOCK, AND KNOCK -- BUT NONE REPLIES.
Subject(s): DAUGHTERS; DEATH - CHILDREN; NUNS; DEATH - BABIES;

OF two fair virgins, modest, though admired,
Heaven made us happy; and now, wretched sires,
Heaven for a nobler doom their worth desires,
And, gazing upon either, both required.
Mine, while the torch of Hymen newly fired
Becomes extinguish'd, soon -- too soon -- expires;
But thine, within the closing grate retired,
Eternal captive, to her God aspires.
But thou at least from out the jealous door,
Which shuts between your never-meeting eyes,
Mayst hear her sweet and pious voice once more:
I to the marble, where my daughter lies,
Rush, -- the swoln flood of bitterness I pour,
And knock, and knock, and knock -- but none replies.



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