The Barefooted Friar
By Walter Scott (Sir)
1.
Ill give thee, good fellow, a twelvemonth or twain,
To search Europe through, from Byzantium to Spain;
But neer shall you find, should you search till you tire,
So happy a man as the Barefooted Friar.
2.
Your knight for his lady pricks forth in career,
And is brought home at even-song prickd through with a spear;
I confess him in haste, for his lady desires
No comfort on earth save the Barefooted Friars.
3.
Your monarch? Pshaw! many a prince has been known
To barter his robes for our cowl and our gown,
But which of us eer felt the idle desire
To exchange for a crown the grey hood of a Friar!
4.
The Friar has walkd out, and whereer he has gone,
The land and its fatness is markd for his own;
He can roam where he lists, he can stop when he tires,
For every mans house is the Barefooted Friars.
5.
Hes expected at noon, and no wight till he comes
May profane the great chair, or the porridge of plums
For the best of the cheer, and the seat by the fire,
Is the undenied right of the Barefooted Friar.
6.
Hes expected at night, and the pastys made hot,
They broach the brown ale, and they fill the black pot,
And the goodwife would wish the goodman in the mire,
Ere he lackd a soft pillow, the Barefooted Friar.
7.
Long flourish the sandal, the cord, and the cope,
The dread of the devil and trust of the Pope;
For to gather lifes roses, unscathed by the briar,
Is granted alone to the Barefooted Friar.