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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.
