Versos English Jean de La Fontaine Sister Jane

English poem

Sister Jane

by (1621–1695)

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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.