On A Nun

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Of two fair virgins, modest, though admired,
  Heaven made us happy; and now, wretched sires,
  Heaven for a nobler doom their worth desires,
And gazing upon either, both required.
Mine, while the torch of Hymen newly fired
  Becomes extinguish'd, soon - too soon - expires:
But thine, within the closing grate re­tired,
  Eternal captive, to her God aspires.
But thou at least from out the jealous door,
  Which shuts between your never - meet­ing eyes,
May'st hear her sweet and pious voice once more:
I to the marble, where my daughter lies,
  Rush, - the swoln flood of bitterness I pour,
  And knock, and knock, and knock but none replies.

© George Gordon Byron