Volume 7 — One Fold.

"And there shall be one fold."

Disciple. "One Fold! Good Lord, how poor thou art, To have but one for all! Methinks the rich with shame will smart To stand in common stall With ragged boors and work-grimed men; And ladies fair, with those who when They pray have dirty, hands. Dost think the wise can be devout When, close beside, an ignorant lout With mouth wide-gaping stands? I would thou wert a richer Lord, And could an hundred folds afford Where each might find his place. Look round, good Lord, and thou wilt see Most men the same have thought with me, And herd with whom they best agree In fashion, creed, and race." Master. "Good child, thou hast a merry thought! But folds like mine cannot be bought, Nor made at fancy's will. If any find my fold too small 'Tis they who like no fold at all, The same who heed no shepherd's call, Whom wolves will find and kill. My fold alone is close and warm, Shielding its inmates from all harm— Its pastures rich and sweet. Hither, with gentle hand, I bring The peasant and the crownèd king Together at my feet. Here no man flings a look of scorn At him who may be baser born, For all as brothers meet. The wise speak kindly to the rude; The lord would not his slave exclude; Proud dames their servants greet. My fold doth equally embrace The men of every clime and race, And here in peace they rest. Here each forgets his rank and state. And only he is high and great Who loveth me the best. The rich, the poor, the bond, the free, The men of high and low degree, My fold unites in one with me— With me, the Shepherd, called The Good, Who rules a loving brotherhood. Therefore, in that my fold is one, Believe me, it is wisely done."