276
A Ballad of a Nun
Her body seemed to warm the wind;With bleeding feet o'er ice she ran:"I leave the righteous God behind;I go to worship sinful man."
She reached the sounding city's gate;No question did the warder ask:He passed her in: "Welcome, wild mate!"He thought her some fantastic mask.
Half-naked through the town she went;Each footstep left a bloody mark;Crowds followed her with looks intent;Her bright eyes made the torches dark.
Alone and watching in the streetThere stood a grave youth nobly dressed;To him she knelt and kissed his feet;Her face her great desire confessed.
Straight to his house the nun he led:"Strange lady, what would you with me?""Your love, your love, sweet lord," she said;"I bring you my virginity."
He healed her bosom with a kiss;She gave him all her passion's hoard;And sobbed and murmured ever, "ThisIs life's great meaning, dear, my lord.
"I care