MEDIÆVAL HYMNS.
199
Cock at midnight croweth loud,
And in this delighteth;
But, before he crows, his sides
With his wings he smiteth:
So the Priest at midnight, when
Him from rest he raiseth,
Firstly doeth penitence,
After that he praiseth.
Let the present things suffice
Of the cock related,
Only in the hearers' hearts
Let them be located:
This sweet musk, if fully chewed
In its truth and meetness,
Shall abound with more than all
Aromatic sweetness.
Thus the cock hath preached to you;
Hear with duty fervent,
Priests and Levites of the Lord,
Every faithful servant!
That at last it may be said,
"Come to joys supernal:—"
Yea, bestow on all of us,
Father, Life Eternal!
a cock has sat, exists in Normandy to the present day.
