Shepherds all, and maidens fair, br Fold your flocks up; for the air br 'Gins to thicken, and the sun br Already his great course hath run. br See the dew-drops, how they kiss br Every little flower that is; br Hanging on their velvet heads, br Like a string of crystal beads. br See the heavy clouds low falling, br And bright Hesperus down calling br The dead night from under ground; br At whose rising, mists unsound, br Damps and vapours, fly apace, br And hover o'er the smiling face br Of these pastures, where they come, br Striking dead both bud and bloom. br Therefore from such danger lock br Every one his loved flock; br And let your dogs lie loose without, br Lest the wolf come as a scout br From the mountain, and, ere day, br Bear a lamb or kid away; br Or the crafty, thievish fox, br Break upon your simple flocks; br To secure yourself from these br Be not too secure in ease; br So shall you good shepherds prove, br And deserve your master's love. br Now, good night! may sweetest slumbers br And soft silence fall in numbers br On your eyelids: so farewell: br Thus I end my evening knell.