Evening in summer

Shepherds all and maidens fair,

Fold your flocks up, for the air

'Gins to thicken, and the sun

Already his great course hath run.

See the dew-drops how they kiss

Every little flower that is,

Hanging on their velvet heads

Like a rope of crystal beads.

See the heavy clouds low falling,

And bright Hesperus down calling

The dead night from under ground,

At whose rising mists unsound,

Damps and vapours fly apace,

Hovering o'er the wanton face

Of these pastures, where they come

Striking dead both bud and bloom;

Therefore, from such danger, lock

Every one his lovèd flock;

And let your dogs lie loose without,

Lest the wolf come as a scout

From the mountain, and, ere day,

Bear a lamb or kid away;

Or the crafty thievish fox

Break upon your simple flocks.

To secure yourself from these

Be not too secure in ease;

Let one eye his watches keep,

While the other eye doth sleep;

So you shall good shepherds prove,

And for ever hold the love

Of our great God. Sweetest slumbers,

And soft silence, fall in numbers

On your eyelids! So, farewell!

Thus I end my evening's knell.