Who can live in heart so glad br As the merry country lad? br Who upon a fair green balk br May at pleasure sit and walk, br And amid the azure skies br See the morning sun arise, br While he hears in every spring br How the birds do chirp and sing: br Or before the hounds in cry br See the hare go stealing by: br Or along the shallow brook, br Angling with a baited hook, br See the fishes leap and play br In a blessed sunny day: br Or to hear the partridge call br Till she have her covey all: br Or to see the subtle fox, br How the villain plies the box; br After feeding on his prey, br How he closely steals away, br Through the hedge and down the furrow br Till he gets into his burrow: br Then the bee to gather honey; br And the little black-haired coney, br On a bank for sunny place, br With her forefeet wash her face,- br Are not these, with thousands moe br Than the courts of kings do know, br The true pleasing spirit's sights br That may breed true love's delights?br br Nicholas Bretonbr br