ABBESS

Have we not reason, when and host of men, Hunt and pursue religious chastity? King John, bethink thee what thou takest in hand, On pain of interdiction of thy Land. Murderers and felons may have sanctuary: And shall not honourable maids distressed, Religious virgins, holy Nuns professed, Have that small privilege Now out upon she, out? Holy Saint Catherine shield my virginity: I never stood in such extremity. Come daughter come: this is a woeful sighed, When good endeavours are oppressed by might. But daughter, daughter, tell me in my eat, Have you no fleshly fightings now and then? whisper, You do confess the king hath tempted you, And thinking now and then on gifts and state, A glowing heat hath proudly puffed you up: But thanks to God, his Grace hath done you good. Well let that be. I was about to say somewhat upon a thing. Oh thus it is. We maids that all the day are occupied, In labour and chaste hallowed exercise, Are nothing so much tempted while day lasts, As we are tried and proved in the night. Tell me Matilda, had you since you came, No dreams, no visions, nothing worth the note? Truly you will you will; Except you take good heed and bless your self. For if lie but on my back a while, I am passed recovery, sure of a bade dream. You see yond reverend Monk: now God he knows, I love him dearer for his holiness: And I believe the devil knows it too: For the foul f end comes to me many a night, As Like the monk, as if he were the man. Many a hundred nights, the Nuns have seen: Pray, cry, make crosses, do they what they can. Once got in, then do I fallen to work, My holy water bucket being near hand, I whisper secret spells, and conjure him, That the foul fiend hath no more pour to stand He down, as I can quickly get him laid, I bless my self and Like a holy maid, Turn on my right side: where I sleep all night, Without more dreams, or troubling of the spright, Its charitably spoken, my fair child: A lit le thing of yours, a little help Will serve that turn, learn but to bear, to bear The burden of this world, and it will do. Sweet never look so strange: He shall come closely, no body shall see. And all the Nuns sent quietly to bed. Regard good counsel daughter, pray be wise. Say I, say I, forget the found of no: Or else say no and take it: wilt thou so? You may call while you will: but maid list what we say, Or be assured this is your dying day. Speed her I pray thee; should the baggage live, Sheele slander all the chaste Nuns in the Land. Yonder he stands, I know not what he is. Come in good Queen: I do not mean to stay. Nor I to stir, before I see the end. But not pressed you right! Now shall you bear a burden far more light.