No. 44.
_Son_.
Oh, my father! help, I pray!
Death is near my soul to-day;
With your blessing let me be
Made a monk right speedily!
See the foe my life invade!
Haste, oh haste, to give me aid!
Bring me comfort and heart's ease,
Strengthen me in this disease!
_Father_.
Oh, my best-beloved son,
What is this thou wouldst have done?
Weigh it well in heart and brain:
Do not leave me here in pain.
_Son_.
Father, this thy loving care
Makes me weep full sore, I swear;
For you will be childless when
I have joined those holy men.
_Father_.
Therefore make a little stay,
Put it off till the third day;
It may be your danger is
Not unto the death, I wis.
_Son_.
Such the anguish that I feel
Through my inmost entrails steal,
That I bide in doubt lest death
Ere to-morrow end my breath.
_Father_.
Those strict rules that monks observe,
Well I know them! They must serve
Heaven by fasting every day,
And by keeping watch alway.
_Son_.
Who for God watch through the night
Shall receive a crown of light;
Who for heaven's sake hungers, he
Shall be fed abundantly.
_Father_.
Hard and coarse the food they eat,
Beans and pottage-herbs their meat;
After such a banquet, think,
Water is their only drink!
_Son_.
What's the good of feasts, or bright
Cups of Bacchus, when, in spite
Of all comforts, at the last
This poor flesh to worms is cast?
_Father_.
Well, then, let thy parent's moan
Move thee in thy soul, my son!
Mourning for thee made a monk,
Dead-alive in darkness sunk.
_Son_.
They who father, mother love,
And their God neglect, will prove
That they are in error found
When the judgment trump shall sound.
_Father_.
Logic! would thou ne'er hadst been
Known on earth for mortal teen!
Many a clerk thou mak'st to roam
Wretched, exiled from his home.--
Never more thine eyes, my son,
Shall behold thy darling one,
Him, that little clerk so fair,
N., thy friend beyond compare!
_Son_.
Oh, alas! unhappy me!
What to do I cannot see;
Wandering lost in exile so,
Without guide or light I go!--
Dry your tears, my father dear,
Haply there is better cheer;
Now my mind on change is set,
I'll not be a monk, not yet.