Folk Song (16th Century)

AS many as sand-grains in the sea,

As many as stars in heaven be,

As many as beasts that dwell in fields,

As many as pence that money yields,

As much as blood in veins will flow,

As much as heat in fire will glow,

As much as leaves in woods are seen

And little blades of grass in green,

As many as thorns that prick on hedges,

As grains of wheat that harvest pledges,

As much as clover in meadows fair,

As dust a-flying in the air,

As many as fish in streams are found

And shells upon the ocean’s ground,

And drops that in the sea must go,

As many as flakes that shine in snow—

As much, as manifold as life abounds about, abroad,

So much, so many times forever we must thank our God.