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THE KING'S SURVEYOR.
William his name; yet low and high
Called him "Shepherd,"—I know not why,
Unless it may be he was wont to keep
His flock of horses as shepherds their sheep.
Called him "Shepherd,"—I know not why,
Unless it may be he was wont to keep
His flock of horses as shepherds their sheep.
His long beard sweeping the faded vest
Carelessly buttoned across his breast,
In his clumsy boots and corduroys,
Teased and courted by all the boys,
Carelessly buttoned across his breast,
In his clumsy boots and corduroys,
Teased and courted by all the boys,
The old man went on his daily rounds,
Rich in importance though poor in pounds,
Feeling old honors about him cling,
And praying persistently, "God save the King!"
Rich in importance though poor in pounds,
Feeling old honors about him cling,
And praying persistently, "God save the King!"
Under and over him horse-skins spread,
The old man slept on his comfortless bed,
Unvexed by the raid of rats in his den
So his worm-eaten treasures were safe from men.
The old man slept on his comfortless bed,
Unvexed by the raid of rats in his den
So his worm-eaten treasures were safe from men.
The moth and the mouse they lacked no food,
But well-nigh deserted his stables stood,
For the crib was empty, the rack was bare,
And the beast would starve that waited there.
But well-nigh deserted his stables stood,
For the crib was empty, the rack was bare,
And the beast would starve that waited there.
So up and down, up and down,
Shepherd's horses roamed the town,
From morn till noon and from noon till night,
Pausing wherever they found a bite.
Shepherd's horses roamed the town,
From morn till noon and from noon till night,
Pausing wherever they found a bite.
