MEDIÆVAL HYMNS.
197
Cock hath soldier's buskins on,
Strengthening and protecting,
Singularly every fault
Of his hens correcting:
So the Priest is bound to do,
Punishing transgression,
Making men in word and deed
Better by confession.
Cock, he rules a tribe of hens,
Laws and customs giving,
And hath many cares of heart
For their way of living:
Even thus parochial cure
Whoso entertaineth,
Let him learn and let him do
That which God ordaineth.
Cock, he findeth grains of wheat,
And his hens he calleth,
Giving to the dearer ones
What to each befalleth:
Midst his people thus the clerk
Scripture nurture shareth,
And for sick, and poor, and maim'd
Providently careth.
