Inscription for the Front of Singleton Abbey

Know, Trav'ller, in this sweet, sequester'd cell, No weeping maids, no slighted virgins dwell; Within these walls are found a vestal train, The loveliest maids that e'er adorn'd the plain; Nor yet esteem this pile a specious tomb, Where beauty pines in never-ending gloom; No mattins here disturb the morning sleep, No lovelorn maids forsake their couch to weep; Along these walls no gloomy torches burn, Nor sad disclose where rests some mould'ring urn; Before no sculptur'd saints they prostrate weep, Nor at their shrines the midnight vigil keep; Here dwell the Graces three, the Sisters nine, And them alone these maidens deem divine; By fancy led, they sought these pleasing shades, And are what vulgar mortals call Old Maids; Yet many a native charm they still possess, Unborrow'd from the gaudy art of dress; Still on each cheek the bloom of youth appears, And prudence is their only proof of years.