Page:Fire-side companions.pdf/6

 The next you muſt tell me, without any doubt,

How long I'll be riding the world about:

And my third queſtion flight you muſt not,

You muſt tell me, O Biſhop what is my thought. etc

They are three hard queſtions for my ſilly wit,

And the anſwer of them I cannot well get;

But if that you grant me three days ſpace,

I will reſolve them unto your Grace. Derry, etc.

Three days is the longest that thou doſt crave,

Three days is the longeſt thou haſt to live;

The Biſhop took horſe and went away home,

And he met with a ſhepherd who was alone.

Your ſervant, Sir Biſhop, you're welcome home;

What news have you brought from good King John?

Bad news, ſaid the Bishop, I'll ne'er prevail,

For to take learning at a ſheep's tail. Derry, etc.

What, Mr. Biſhop, Have you not heard yet,

That a fool may teach a wife man wit?

Then ſaid the Biſhop ſince thou anſwer'd me ſo,

The whole ſtory unto thee I will ſhow. etc

Firſt, I muſt sell him when upon his ſteed,

And a crown of pure gold upon his head,

With all his nobility, joy, and great mirth,

I muſt tell him to one penny, what he is worth, etc.

Next, I muſt tell him, without any doubt,

How long he'll be riding the world, about:

And the third queſtion flight I muſt not,

To tell him, Oh ſhepherd! what is his thought. etc.