One night I did attend my sheepe
(Which I with watchfull ward did keepe)
For feare of wolues assaulting
For many times they broake my sleepe,
And would into the cottage creepe,
Till I sent them out haulting.

At length me thought about midnight
(What time cleare Cynthia shined bright)
Beneath I heard a rumbling:
At first the noyse did me affright,
But nought appeared in my sight,
Yet still heard somewhat tumbling.

At length good hart I tooke to rise,
And then my selfe crost three times thrise,
Hence a sharpe shephooke raught:
I feard the wolfe had got a prise,
Yet how he might could not deuise:
I for his entrance sought.

At length by moonelight could I espye
A little boy did naked lye
Frettish't, amongst the flocke:
I him aproched somewhat nye,
He gron'd as he were like to dye,
But falsely me did mocke.

For pittie he crye'd wella-day,
God maister helpe me (if you may)
For I am almost starued:
I pittied him when he did pray,
And brought him to my couch of hay,
But gesse, as I was serued.

He bare about him a long dart,
Well guilded with fine painters art,
And had a pyle of steele:
On it I looked euery part,
Said I, will this pyle wounde an hart:
Tuch it (quoth he) and feele.

With that I tuch't the iauelinges point,
Eft-soones it perced to the ioynt,
And rageth now so fierce:
That all the balmes which it anointe,
Cannot preuaile with it a pointe,
But it myne hart will perce.