Classic Poem

Wilt thou be a nun, Sophie?
Nothing but a nun?
Is it not a better thing
With thy friends to laugh and sing?
To be loved and sought?
To be woo'd and — won?
Dost thou love the shadow, Sophie,
Better than the sun?

I 'm a poor lay-brother, Sophie;
Yet, I this may say, —
Thou had'st better bear with love,
Than dwell here, a prison'd dove,
Weeping life away.
Oh! I 'd bear love's pangs, rather,
Fifty times a day!