Sir Knight with stalwart spear and shield,

Where ridest thou to-day?

The sunlight lies across the field;

Thou art weary in the way;

Dismount and stay.

KNIGHT.

Peace to thine house and folds and stalls,

I ride upon my quest.

I travel until evening falls

Whither my Lord deems best,

By me unguessed.

SHEPHERD.

Who is your lord that sends you forth,

Good knight, from your own land?

He needs must be of royal worth,

To whom such warriors stand

At his command.

KNIGHT.

We have not seen His face, we hear

A voice that bids us be

The servants of an unborn year,

Knights of a day that we

Shall never see.

SHEPHERD.

Good reason that ye go astray!

Warrior, I fain would learn—

So many young knights wend this way—

What wages they may earn,

For none return.

KNIGHT.

They go before me in the night,

They follow after me,

They earn the triumph of the right,

Their wages are to be

Faithful as He.

SHEPHERD.

Look you, Sir Knight, I take mine ease,

Fat are my sheep and kine,

I have mine own philosophies,

My way of life———

KNIGHT.

Is thine,

And mine is mine.=

SHEPHERD.

Why, now! The man is gone! Pardie!

A silly wage! I trow

His lord that pays him mad as he,

Fools are a crop will grow

Though no man sow.