On a Nun
On a Nun - meaning Summary
Longing for Forbidden, Unreachable Love
The speaker contrasts two virtuous women: one married and soon dead, the other cloistered as a nun and forever inaccessible. He addresses a friend who can still hear the nun’s pious voice, while the speaker’s daughter lies entombed beneath marble. The poem expresses grief, frustration, and a desperate, futile attempt to reach the lost child—knocking repeatedly at a sealed monument that returns no answer.
Read Complete AnalysesOf two fair virgins, modest, though admired, Heaven made us happy; and now, wretched sires, Heaven for a nobler doom their worth desires, And gazing upon either, both required. Mine, while the torch of Hymen newly fired Becomes extinguish’d, soon – too soon – expires: But thine, within the closing grate retired, Eternal captive, to her God aspires. But thou at least from out the jealous door, Which shuts between your never – meeting eyes, May’st hear her sweet and pious voice once more: I to the marble, where my daughter lies, Rush, – the swoln flood of bitterness I pour, And knock, and knock, and knock but none replies.
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