The Spectacles and Other

The subject may at length fatigue the mind; My Muse the veil howeÕer is still inclined, Conspicuously to hold to publick view, And, Ômong the sisters, scene and scene pursue.

Is this too much?Ñthe nicest tricks they play; Through soft amours oft artfully they stray, And these in full IÕd readily detail, If I were sure the subject would not fail; And thatÕs impossible I must admit, ÔTwould endless be, the tales appear so fit; ThereÕs 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 IÕve 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 howsoeÕer was well employed, And from it Agnes profit had enjoyed; What profit?Ñtruly 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 evÕry wish to guard the fact from light) A little creature that our histÕries say, Was found ColettaÕs features to display.