A setting of my translation of a poem by La Fontaine (one of his tales, not one of his fables), for voice and ‘cello.
Once Sister Jean had borne a child,
Her piety was unexcelled.
The other nuns, though undefiled,
Had cravings they had not dispelled.
“Our Jean,” the Abbess said with pride,
“Has set all sinful thoughts aside.
You all should strive to be so clean.”
“We will,” piped up one younger nun.
“We all will be as good as Jean,
When we have done what Jean has done.”
