then the Bishopes hart was of a merry cheere,
"brother, thy paines Ile quitt them cleare, 152
for I will giue thee a patent to thee & to thine
of 50li. a yeere land good and fine."
"I will to thee noe longer croche nor creepe,
nor Ile serue thee noe more to keepe thy sheepe." 156
whereeuer wist you shepard before,
that had in his head witt such store
to pleasure a Bishopp in such a like case,
to answer 3 questions to the Kings grace? 160
whereeuer wist you shepard gett cleare
350li. pound a yeere?
I neuer hard of his fellow before,
nor I neuer shall, now I need to say noe more: 164
I neuer knew shepeard that gott such a liuinge
But David the shepeard that was a King.
ffins.]
FOOTNOTES:
[823] See the collection of Hist. Ballads, 3 vols. 1727. Mr. Wise supposes Olfrey to be a corruption of Alfred, in his pamphlet concerning the White Horse in Berkshire, p. 15.
[824] [harm.]
[825] Meaning probably St. Botolph.