As I was wandering one evening
Between the corn beside a balke,
The dew in the dale began to spring,
And herdsmen around their sheep to walk,
Then one of them began to talk,
Full carefully clothèd from the cold:
“These Prelates,—they like us should stalk
To keep their sheep well in the fold”.

The seed of sin so thick is sown
Among the clergy with pomp and pride
That the grass of grace cannot grow;
So your sheep are hurt on every side.
But the Grace of God must be your guide
To cure your conscience that is so cold:
Be ware then when abroad you ride
Lest your sheep be scabbèd in the fold.

Peter at Rome some time Pope was:
Our Lord's law he kept truly;
He preached the Gospel and through God's grace
Full many a soul was saved thereby.
This made men flee from their folly
To keep their souls from evil's cold:
Peter never rode too royally
But kept the sheep well in the fold.

The Grace of the Gospel was manifested
So long as they evidenced cleanness of life;
In that time its truths were not hid
From king nor knight, nor maid nor wife.
For dymes and offerings there was no strife;
Then covetousness walked away cold:
For among men Charity then was rife;
Their sheep they kept well in the fold.

Bishops were then steadfast and stable
And free of the goods that God them lent;
They preached the Gospel without fable
In this world where'er they went.
Then rode no prelates to Parliament
With knights and squires and yeomen bold:
I dare no more say lest I were shent,
But I rede you, keep well God's fold.