The pillars of the earth

The driver of the cart looked expectantly at the bailiff. The bailiff looked at the sheriff, waiting for the nod. The young priest with the sinister air nudged the sheriff impatiently, but the sheriff took no notice. He let the thief carry on singing. There was a dreadful pause while the ugly's man lovely voice held death at bay.
At dusk the hunter took his prey,
the lark his freedom never.
All birds and men are sure to die,
but songs may live forever.