[103. Jolly Wat]
Can I not sing but ‘Hoy’,
Whan the joly shepard made so much joy?
I
The shepard upon a hill he sat;
He had on him his tabard[617] and his hat,
His tarbox, his pipe, and his flagat[618];
His name was callèd Joly Joly Wat,
For he was a gud herdés boy.
Ut hoy!
For in his pipe he made so much joy.
II
The shepard upon a hill was laid;
His dog unto his girdell was taid[619];
He had not slept but a litill braid[620],
But ‘Gloria in excelsis’ was to him said.
Ut hoy!
For in his pipe he made so much joy.
III
The shepard on a hill he stode;
Round about him his shepe they yode[621];
He put his hond under his hode[622],
He saw a star as rede as blode.
Ut hoy!
For in his pipe he made so much joy.
IV
The shepard said anon right,
‘I will go see yon ferly[623] sight,
Whereas the angel singeth on hight,
And the star that shineth so bright.’
Ut hoy!
For in his pipe he made so much joy.