Why, Jesus, it is thou, as I’m alive, come back to us at last. Well, we’ve been expecting thee this long while. And thou hast not come back too soon, as my poor flock testifies. I’m ashamed of them; but thou’lt not speak too harshly of my flock to Hazael, who thinks if he complains enough he’ll work me up into a good shepherd despite my natural turn for an indoor life. But I’d not have thee think that the flock perished through my fault, and see in them a lazy shepherd lying always at length on the hillside. I walk with them in search of pasture from daylight till dark, wearing my feet away, but to no purpose, as any man can see though he never laid eyes on a sheep before. But it was thou, Brother, that recommended me for a shepherd, and I can think of naught but my love of wandering with
