So soon as day appeareth in the east
Give thanks to him, and mercy crave;
So in this life thou shalt be surely blest,
And mercy shalt thou find in grave. 
The conscience that is clear
No horror doth it fear;
’Tis void of mortal care,
And never doth despair;
but ever,
but ever
Doth in the word of God persever.

Thus living, when thou drawest to thy end
Thy joys they shall much more increase,
For then thy soul, thy true and loving friend,
By death shall find a wished release
From all that caused sin,
In which it lived in;
For then it doth begin
Those blessed joys to win,
for ever,
for ever,
For there is nothing can them sever.

Those blessed joys which then thou shalt possess,
No mortal tongue can them declare: 
All earthly joys, compared with this, are less
Than smallest mote to the world so fair. 
Then is not that man blest
That must enjoy this rest? 
Full happy is that guest
Invited to this feast,
that ever,
that ever
Endureth and is ended never.

When they opened the window or door, then would he run away laughing ho, ho, hoh! Sometimes would he go like a bellman in the night, and with many pretty verses delight the ears of those that waked at his bell ringing:  his verses were these—­

Maids in your smocks,
Look well to your locks,
And your tinder box,
Your wheels and your rocks,
Your hens and your cocks,
Your cows and your ox,
And beware of the fox. 
When the bellman knocks,
Put out your fire and candle-light,
So they shall not you affright: 
May you dream of your delights,
In your sleeps see pleasing sights. 
Good rest to all, both old and young: 
The bellman now hath done his song.

Then would he go laughing ho, ho, hoh! as his use was.  Thus would he continually practise himself in honest mirth, never doing hurt to any that were cleanly and honest-minded.

HOW THE FAIRIES CALLED ROBIN GOOD-FELLOW TO DANCE WITH THEM, AND HOW THEY SHOWED HIM THEIR SEVERAL CONDITIONS

Robin Good-fellow being walking one night heard the excellent music of Tom Thumb’s brave bag-pipe:  he remembering the sound (according to the command of King Obreon) went towards them.  They, for joy that he was come, did circle him in, and in a ring did dance round about him.  Robin Good-fellow, seeing their love to him, danced in the midst of them, and sung them this song to the tune of To him Bun.

THE SONG

Round about, little ones, quick and nimble,
In and out wheel about, run, hop, or amble. 
Join your hands lovingly:  well done, musician! 
Mirth keepeth man in health like a physician. 
Elves, urchins, goblins all, and little fairies
That do filch, black, and pinch maids of the dairies;
Make a ring on the grass with your quick measures,
Tom shall play, and I’ll sing for all your pleasures.