Sister Jane

A poem by Jean de La Fontaine

WHEN Sister Jane, who had produced a child,
In prayer and penance all her hours beguiled
Her sister-nuns around the lattice pressed;
On which the abbess thus her flock addressed:
Live like our sister Jane, and bid adieu
To worldly cares: - have better things in view.

YES, they replied, we sage like her shall be,
When we with love have equally been free.