Multi sunt presbyteri

Many are the Presbyters
Lacking information
Why the Cock on each church tow'r
Meetly finds his station ;
Therefore I will now hereof
Tell the cause and reason,
If ye lend me patient ears
For a little season.

Cock, he is a marvellous
Bird of God's creating,
Faithfully the Priestly life
In his ways relating:
Such a life as he must lead
Who a parish tendeth,
And his flock from jeopardy
Evermore defendeth.

From what point the wind his course
On the tower directeth,
To that point the cock his head
Manfully objecteth :
Thus the Priest, where'er he sees
Satan's warfare waging,
Thither doth he turn himself
For his flock engaging.

Cock, he, more than other birds
Way through ether winging,
Heareth high above the clouds
Choirs Angelic singing ;
Thus he warns us cast away
Evil word and doing,
Thoughts and joys of things above
Evermore ensuing.

On his head a royal crown,
Like a king, he beareth ;
On his foot a shapely spur,
Like a knight, he weareth ;
Waxeth golden more and more
As in age he groweth ;
And the lion quakes with fear,
When by night he croweth.

Thus they spur the idle on,
On their warfare bowning,
Thus God marks His heritage,
By the tonsure crowning ;
As they wax in age their crowns
Should but shine more glorious,
And the Lion-foe should quake
At their shout victorious.

Cock hath soldier's buskins on,
Strengthening and protecting,
Singularly every fault
Of his hens correcting :
So the Priest is bound to do,
Punishing transgression,
Making men in word and deed
Better by confession.

Cock, he rules a tribe of hens,
Laws and customs giving,
And hath many cares of heart
For their way of living :
Even thus parochial cure
Whoso entertaineth,
Let him learn and let him do
That which God ordaineth.

Cock, he findeth grains of wheat,
And his hens he calleth,
Giving to the dearer ones
What to each befalleth :
Midst his people thus the clerk
Scripture nurture shareth,
And for sick, and poor, and maim'd
Providently careth.

Cock is speedy, in his hens
Very sore amercing,
Whom with other than himself
He may find conversing :
Thus the Priest doth, unto them
Due correction giving,
From the Lord who turn away
Unto evil living.

From the egg that cock hath hatch'd
Basilisk proceedeth ;
From the negligence of Priest
Satan's increase speedeth ;
If he teach not men to fear
Punishment infernal,
If he lead not men to look
Up to joys supernal.

When it draws to vesper-tide,
Cock neglecteth never,
But he goeth straight to roost,
With his subjects ever :
So that then, when midnight comes,
He may well and truly
Call God's Priests to rise and sing
Matin service duly.

Cock at midnight croweth loud,
And in this delighteth ;
But, before he crows, his sides
With his wings he smiteth :
So the Priest at midnight, when
Him from rest he raiseth,
Firstly doeth penitence,
After that he praiseth.

Let the present things suffice
Of the cock related,
Only in the hearers' hearts
Let them be located :
This sweet musk, if fully chewed
In its truth and meetness,
Shall abound with more than all
Aromatic sweetness.

Thus the cock hath preached to you ;
Hear with duty fervent,
Priests and Levites of the Lord,
Every faithful servant !
That at last it may be said,
" Come to joys supernal : — "
Yea, bestow on all of us,
Father, Life Eternal !