Page:Battle of the Boyn, or, King William crossing the Boyn Water (1).pdf/8

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

[ 8 ]


Hart and hind, and fallow deer,
No by ha'f ſo uſeful are;
Frae kings to him that hauds the plow,
Are all oblig'd to tarry woo.

Up ye ſhepherds, dance and ſkip,
O'er the hills and valleys trip,
Sing up the praiſe of tarry woo,
Sing the flocks that bear it too:
Harmleſs creatures, without blame,
That clead the back and cram the wame,
Keeps us warm and hearty fu';
Leeſe me on the tarry woo.

How happy is a ſhepherd's life!
Far frae courts, and free of ſtrife,
While the gimmers bleat and bae,
And the lambkin's anſwer-Mae!
No ſuch muſic to his ear,
Of thief and fox he has no fear;
Sturdy kent, and colly too,
Well defend the tarry woo.

He lives content, and envies none;
Not ev'n a monarch on his throne,
Tho' he the royal ſceptre ſways,
Has not ſweeter holy days.
Who'd be a king, can ony tell,
When a ſhepherd lives ſo well;
Sings ſae well, and pays his due,
With honeſt heart and carry woo.


FINIS.