So rare a flock
In such a sward
A pleasure 'tis to guard!

A flock so rare,
Of such a breed,
Will quickly feed
On land most bare;
When grass is fair
In such a sward
A pleasure 'tis to guard!

'Tis my delight
To lead the sheep
And fold to sleep
Their ranks by night;
The frosts are slight,
In such a sward
A pleasure 'tis to guard!

The fruitful throng
In silence goes;
No bleating shows
It suffers wrong;
Ere shades grow long
In such a sward
A pleasure 'tis to guard!

'Tis well to mind
The precious thing
And safely bring
Where no thieves find;
A flock so kind
In such a sward
A pleasure 'tis to guard!

O shepherd charmed,
In a happy vale,
Where the wolves may rail,
But none is harmed;
A flock unarmed
In such a sward
A pleasure 'tis to guard!

A shepherd true
Shall I alway be,
Since a joy to me
Is my flock to view;
And I swear to you
I shall ne'er discard,
But ever faithful guard!