Or strive to wreck the choice she’d made.

She told in simple terms the tale.

“And do you wish to take the veil?”

The father asked. “Think long, think twice

And never mourn the sacrifice.”

She quivered, but she said, “I’ve thought;

Our Mary wills it and I ought.”

“And can you gladly say farewell

To earth and love and friends; to dwell

With perfect peace nor ever sigh