She kindly meant to take off day by day.

That female Friend who gave our virgin praise

For flying man and all his treacherous ways,

Now heard with mingled anger, shame, and fear

Of one accepted, and a wedding near;

But she resolved again with friendly zeal

To make the maid her scorn of wedlock feel;

For she was grieved to find her work undone,

And like a sister mourn’d the failing nun.

Why are these gentle maidens prone to make