THOUGH she had nearly fallen on the floor, In thus attempting secrets to explore, No jest she thought the accident, 'twas plain, But would with force the discipline maintain. A chapter instantly the lady held; Long time upon the circumstance they dwelled. The youthful wolf that caused the direful shock; At length was given to the aged flock, Who tied his hands and bound him to a tree Face 'gainst the wood, that none his front might see; And while the cruel troop, with rage inflamed, Considered of rewards that vengeance framed; While some the besoms from the kitchen brought; And others, in the convent ars'nal sought The various instruments the sisters used To punish when obedience was refused; Another double-locked, within a room. The nuns of tender hearts and youthful bloom:-- By chance, a friend to sly gallants appeared, And soon removed, what most our hero feared: A miller mounted on his mule came by, A tight-built active lad with piercing eye; One much admired by all the girls around; Played well at kayles:--a good companion found. Aha! cried he, what's here?--a nice affair; Young man, pray tell me who has placed thee there? The sisters, say'st thou?--hast thou had thy fun, And pleased thy fancy with a wanton nun? Art satisfied?--and was she pretty too? In truth, to judge by what appears to view, Thou seemest thoroughly a wily wight, That convent belles would relish morn and night. ALAS! replied the other with a sigh, In vain the nuns my virtue sought to try; 'Twas my misfortune:--patience heav'n bestow; For worlds such wickedness I would not know. THE miller laughed at what the other spoke; Untied his hands, and ev'ry bandage broke. Said he, thou ninny, scruples can'st thou find To counteract, and prove to pleasure blind? The business clearly should to me belong; Our rector ne'er had thought such conduct wrong, And never would have played the fool like this; Fly, haste away, away; I'll thee dismiss, First having nicely set me in thy place; Like me thou wert not formed for soft embrace; I'm stout and able:--quarter ne'er will ask; Come ALL, these nuns, I'll execute the task, And many pranks they'll see, unless a freak Should happen any way the string to break. The other never asked his wishes twice, But tied him well, and left him in a trice.