They climbed the wall of a grass-grown yard.

Some vines were planted along its side,

Their trailing branches left room to hide;

Where, neither by pity moved nor shame,

They crouched, till one of the sisters came

To gather herbs for the noonday meal;

Then out from under the leaves they steal!

So she was taken, poor soul, and bound,

And carried off to our camping ground.

A harmless creature, who knew no more

Of the world outside her convent door,

Than you or I of the moon up there!

A shame, to take her in such a snare!

"But, Father, I wished that I had been

Ten miles away, when they brought her in,

To hold for ransom; or if that failed—

Oh, well, we knew when the pirates sailed!

We knew their captain, who paid us well,

And carried our prisoners off to sell.

They never beheld their country more,

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