By spirits free to live their own love’s life.
Who gains aught where the spirit is not free?
Think you the veil, too hastily assumed,
May never change the hues and views of life,
Perverting them?—or cause beclouded love
That might have bloom’d in light, to fade in gloom?
’Tis only when those knowing what they leave
Turn calmly from all else to convent walls
That love should not dissuade them. Let them find
Large, sunny, healthful halls; and dwell therein: