Lithe and listen, gentlemen, That be of freeborn blood; I shall you tell of a good yeom-an, His name was Robin Hood. Robin was a proud outlaw, Whil-es he walked on ground, So curteyse an outlawe as he was one Was never none yfound. Robin stood in Barnysdale, And leaned him to a tree, And by h-im stood Little John, A good yeom-an was he; And also did good Scath-elock, And Much the miller's son; There was no inch of his bod-y, But it was worth a groom.
Then bespake him Little John All unto Robin Hood, "Master, if ye would dine betime, It would do you much good."
Then bespak-e good Rob-in, "To dine I have no lust, Till I have some bold bar-on, Or some unketh gest, That may pay for the best; Or some knight or some squy-ere That dwelleth here by west."
A good mann-er then had Robin In land where that he were, Every day ere he would dine Three masses would he hear: The one in the worship of the Father, The other of the Holy Ghost, The third was of our dear Lady, That he loved of all other most.
Robin loved our dear Lad-y, For dout of deadly sin; Would he never do company harm That any woman was in.
"Master," then said Little John, "An we our board shall spread, Tell us whither we shall gon, And what life we shall lead; Where we shall take, where we shall leave, Where we shall bide behind, Where we shall rob, where we shall reve, Where we shall beat and bind."
"Thereof no force," then said Rob-in, "We shall do well enow; But look ye do no housbonde harm That tilleth with his plow; No more ye shall no good yeoman, That walk'th by green wood shaw, Ne no knight, ne no squy-er, That would be a good fel-aw. These bishops, and these archbishops, Ye shall them beat and bind; The high sheriff of Nottingham, Him hold in your mind."
"This word shall be holde," said Little John, "And this lesson shall we lere; It is ferr-e days, God send us a geste, That we were at our dinere!"
"Take thy good bow in thy hand," said Robin, "Let Much wend-e with thee, And so shall William Scath-elock, And no man abide with me: And walk up to the Sa-yl-es, And so to Watling Street, And wait after some unketh gest, Up-chance ye mowe them meet. Be he earl or any bar-on, Abb-ot or any knight, Bring him to lodge to me, His dinner shall be dight."
They went unto the Sa-yl-es, These yeomen all three, They look-ed east, they look-ed west, They might-e no man see. But as they looked in Barnisdale, By a dern-e street, Then came th-ere a knight rid-ing, Full soon they gan him meet. All drear-y was his semblaunce, And little was his pride, His one foot in the stirrup stood, That other waved beside. His hood hanging over his eyen two, He rode in simple array; A sorrier man than he was one Rode never in summer's day.
Little John was full curt-eyse, And set him on his knee: "Welcome be ye, gentle knight, Welc-ome are ye to me, Welcome be thou to green wood, Hende knight and free; My master hath abiden you fast-ing, Sir, all these hour-es three."
"Who is your master?" said the knight.
John said, "Robin Hood."
"He is a good yeoman," said the knight, "Of him I have heard much good. I grant," he said, "with you to wend, My brethren all in-fere; My purpose was to have dined to-day At Blyth or Doncastere."
Forth then went this gentle knight, With a careful cheer, The tears out of his eyen ran, And fell down by his lere. They brought him unto the lodge door, When Robin gan him see, Full curteysly he did off his hood, And set him on his knee.
"Welc-ome, sir knight," then said Rob-in, "Welc-ome thou art to me; I have abiden you fasting, sir, All these hour-es three."
Then answered the gentle knight, With word-es fair and free, "God thee sav-e, good Rob-in, And all thy fair meyn-e."
They washed together and wip-ed both, And set to their dinere; Bread and wine they had enough, And numbles of the deer; Swans and pheasants they had full good, And fowls of the rivere; There fail-ed never so little a bird, That ever was bred on brere.
"Do gladly, sir knight," said Rob-in.
"Gram-ercy, sir," said he, "Such a dinner had I not Of all these week-es three; If I come again, Rob-in, Here b-y this countr-e, As good a dinner I shall thee make, As thou hast made to me."
"Gramerc-y, knight," said Rob-in, "My dinner when I have; I was never so greedy, by dere-worthy God, My dinner for to crave. But pay ere ye wend," said Rob-in, "Me thinketh it is good right; It was never the manner, by dere-worthy God, A yeoman to pay for a knight."
"I have nought in my coffers," said the knight, "That I may proffer for shame."
"Little John, go look," said Robin, "Ne let not for no blame. Tell me truth," then said Rob-in, "So God have part of thee."
"I have no more but ten shillings," said the knight, "So God have part of me!"
"If thou have no more," said Rob-in, "I will not one penn-y; And if thou have need of any more, More shall I lend thee. Go now forth, Little John, The truth tell thou me, If there be no more but ten shillings No penny of that I see."
Little John spread down his mantle Full fair upon the ground, And there he found in the knight's coff-er But even half a pound. Little John let it lie full still, And went to his master full low.
"What tiding-e, John?" said Rob-in.
"Sir, the knight is true enow."
"Fill of the best wine," said Rob-in, "The knight shall begin; Much wonder thinketh me Thy clothing is so thin. Tell me one word," said Rob-in, "And counsel shall it be; I trow thou were made a knight of force, Or else of yeomanry; Or else thou hast been a sorry housband And lived in stroke and strife; An okerer, or lechour," said Rob-in, "With wrong hast thou led thy life."
"I am none of them," said the knight, "By him that mad-e me; An hundred winter here before, Mine aunsetters knights have be. But oft it hath befal, Rob-in, A man hath be disgrate; But God that sitteth in heaven above May amend his state. Within two or three year, Robin," he said, "My neighbours well it kend, Four hundred pound of good mon-ey Full well then might I spend. Now have I no good," said the knight, "But my children and my wife; God hath shapen such an end, Till he it may amend."
"In what manner," said Rob-in, "Hast thou lore thy rich-esse?"
"For my great folly," he said, "And for my kind-enesse. I had a son, for sooth, Rob-in, That should have been my heir, When he was twenty winter old, In field would joust full fair; He slew a knight of Lancashire, And a squyer bold; For to save him in his right My goods beth set and sold; My lands beth set to wed, Rob-in, Until a certain day, To a rich abbot here beside, Of Saint Mar-y abbay."
"What is the summ-e?" said Rob-in, "Truth then tell thou me."
"Sir," he said, "four hundred pound, The abb-ot told it to me."
"Now, an thou lose thy land," said Robin, "What shall fall of thee?"
"Hastily I will me busk," said the knight, "Over the salt-e sea, And see where Christ was quick and dead, On the mount of Calvar-y. Fare well, friend, and have good day, It may no better be"--
Tears fell out of his eyen two, He would have gone his way-- "Fare well, friends, and have good day, I ne have more to pay."
"Where be thy friends?" said Rob-in.
"Sir, never one will me know; While I was rich enow at home Great boast then would they blow, And now they run away from me, As beast-es on a row; They take no more heed of me Than they me never saw."
For ruth-e then wept Little John, Scathelocke and Much also. "Fill of the best wine," said Rob-in, "For here is a simple cheer. Hast thou any friends," said Robin, "Thy borowes that will be?"
"I have none," then said the knight, "But him that died on a tree."
"Do way thy jap-es!" said Rob-in, "Thereof will I right none; Weenest thou I will have God to borowe? Peter, Paul, or John? Nay, by him that me made, And shope both sun and moon, Find a better borowe," said Robin, "Or money gettest thou none."
"I have none other," said the knight, "The sooth for to say, But if it be our dear Lad-y, She failed me ne'er ere this day."
"By dere-worthy God," then said Rob-in, "To seek all England thorowe, Yet found I never to my pay, A much better borowe. Come now forth, Little John, And go to my treasur-y, And bring me fo-ur hundred pound, And look that it well told be."
Forth then went Little John, And Scathelock went before, He told out fo-ur hundred pound, By eighteen-e score.
"Is this well told?" said Little Much.
John said, "What grieveth thee? It is alms to help a gentle knight That is fall in povert-y. Master," then said Little John, "His clothing is full thin, Ye must give the knight a liver-ay, To wrap his bod-y therein. For ye have scarl-et and green, mast-er, And many a rich array, There is no merch-ant in merry Engl-and So rich, I dare well say."
"Take him three yards of every colo-ur, And look that well mete it be."
Little John took none other meas-ure But his bow-e tree, And of every handfull that he met He leapt ouer foot-es three.
"What devilkyns draper," said Little Much, "Thinkest thou to be?"
Scathelock stood full still and lough, And said, "By God allmight, John may give him the better meas-ure, For it cost him but light."
"Master," then said Little John, All unto Robin Hood, "Ye must give that knight an horse, To lead home all this good."
"Take him a gray cours-er," said Robin, "And a saddle new; He is our Lady's messengere, God lend that he be true!"
"And a good palfr-ey," said Little Much, "To maintain him in his right."
"And a pair of boots," said Scath-elock, "For he is a gentle knight."
"What shalt thou give him, Little John?" said Robin.
"Sir, a paire of gilt spurs clene, To pray for all this company: God bringe him out of tene!"
"When shall my day be," said the knight, "Sir, an your will be?"
"This day twelve month," said Rob-in, "Under this green wood tree. It were great sham-e," said Rob-in, "A knight alone to ride, Without squy-er, yeoman or page, To walk-e by his side. I shall thee lend Little Johan my man, For he shall be thy knave; In a yeoman's stead he may thee stand If thou great need have."
THE SECONDE FYTTE.
Now is the knight went on his way, This game he thought full good, When he looked on Barnisdale, He bless-ed Robin Hood; And when he thought on Barnisdale On Scathelock, Much, and John, He blessed them for the best compan-y That ever he in come.
Then spake that gentle knight, To Little John gan he say, "To-morrow I must to York town, To Saint Mar-y abbay; And to the abbot of that place Four hundred pound I must pay: And but I be there upon this night My land is lost for aye."
The abbot said to his conv-ent, There he stood on ground, "This day twelve month came there a knight And borrowed four hundred pound Upon all his land free, But he come this ilk-e day Disherited shall he be."
"It is full early," said the prior, "The day is not yet far gone, I had liever to pay an hundred pound, And lay it down anone. The knight is far beyond the sea, In England is his right, And suffereth hung-er and cold And many a sorry night: It were great pity," said the prior, "So to have his lond; An ye be so light of your consci-ence, Ye do to him much is wrong."
"Thou art ever in my beard," said the abb-ot, "By God and Saint Rich-ard!"
With that came in a fat-headed monk, The high cellarer; "He is dead or hang-ed," said the monk, "By him that bought me dear, And we shall have to spend in this place Four hundred pound by year."
The abbot and the high cellarer, Stert-e forth full bold.
The high justice of Englond The abb-ot there did hold; The high just-ice and many mo Had take into their hond Wholly all the knight-es debt, To put that knight to wrong. They deemed the knight wonder sore, The abb-ot and his meyn-e: "But he come this ilk-e day Disherited shall he be."
"He will not come yet," said the just-ice, "I dare well undertake."
But in sorrow-e tim-e for them all The knight came to the gate. Then bespake that gentle knight Unto his meyn-e, "Now put on your simple weeds That ye brought from the sea." And cam-e to the gates anone, The porter was ready himself, And welcom-ed them every one.
"Welc-ome, sir knyght," said the port-er, "My lord to meat is he, And so is many a gentle man, For the love of thee." The porter swore a full great oath, "By him that mad-e me, Here be the best cores-ed horse That ever yet saw I me. Lead them into the stable," he said, "That eas-ed might they be."
"They shall not come therein," said the knight, "By him that died on a tree."
Lord-es were to meat iset In that abb-ot-es hall, The knight went forth and kneel-ed down, And salved them great and small. "Do gladly, sir abb-ot," said the knight, "I am come to hold my day."
The first word the abbot spake, "Hast th-ou brought m-y pay?"
"Not one penny," said the knight, "By him that mak-ed me."
"Thou art a shrewd debtor!" said the abb-ot; "Sir justice, drink to me! What dost thou here," said the abb-ot, "But thou hadst brought thy pay?"
"For-e God," then said the knight, "To pray of a longer day."
"Thy day is broke," said the justice, "Land gettest thou none."
"Now, good sir justice, be my friend, And fend me of my fone."
"I am hold with the abbot," said the justice, "Both with cloth and fee."
"Now, good sir sheriff, be my friend."
"Nay, for-e God," said he.
"Now, good sir abbot, be my friend, For thy curteys-e, And hold my land-es in thy hand Till I have made thee gree; And I will be thy true serv-ant, And truly serv-e thee, Till ye have fo-ur hundred pound Of money good and free."
The abbot sware a full great oath, "By him that died on a tree, Get the land where thou may, For thou gettest none of me."
"By dere-worthy God," then said the knight, "That all this world wrought, But I have my land again, Full dear it shall be bought; God, that was of a maiden borne, Lene us well to speed! For it is good to assay a friend Ere that a man have need."
The abb-ot loathl-y on him gan look, And villainousl-y gan call; "Out," he said, "thou fals-e knight! Speed thee out of my hall!"
"Thou liest," then said the gentle knight, "Abbot in thy hall; Fals-e knight was I nev-er, By him that made us all."
Up then stood that gentle knight, To the abb-ot said he, "To suffer a knight to kneel so long, Thou canst no courtes-y. In joust-es and in tournem-ent Full far then have I be, And put myself as far in press As any that e'er I see."
"What will ye give more?" said the just-ice, "And the knight shall make a release; And ell-es dare I safely swear Ye hold never your land in peace."
"An hundred pound," said the abb-ot.
The justice said, "Give him two."
"Na-y, by God," said the knight, "Yet get ye it not so: Though ye would give a thousand more, Yet were thou never the nere; Shall there never be mine heir, Abb-ot, just-ice, ne frere."
He stert him to a board anon, To a table round, And there he shook out of a bag Even fo-ur hundred pound.
"Have here thy gold, sir abb-ot," said the knight, "Which that thou lentest me; Haddest thou been curteys at my com-ing, Rewarded shouldst thou have be." The abb-ot sat still, and ate no more. For all his royal cheer, He cast his hood on his should-er, And fast began to stare. "Take me my gold again," said the abb-ot, "Sir just-ice, that I took thee."
"Not a penny," said the just-ice, "By him that died on a tree."
"Sir abbot, and ye men of law, Now have I held my day, Now shall I have my land again, For aught that you can say." The knight stert out of the door, Away was all his care, And on he put his good cloth-ing, The other he left there. He went him forth full merry sing-ing, As men have told in tale, His lady met him at the gate, At home in Uterysdale.
"Welc-ome, my lord," said his lady; "Sir, lost is all your good?"
"Be merry, dam-e," said the knight, "And pray for Robin Hood, That ever his soul-e be in bliss, He holp me out of my tene; Ne had not be his kind-enesse, Beggars had we been. The abb-ot and I accorded ben, He is served of his pay, The good yeoman lent it me, As I came by the way."
This knight then dwell-ed fair at home, The sooth for to say, Till he had got four hundred pound, All ready for to pay. He p-urveyed him an hundred bows, The string-es well ydight, An hundred sheaf of arrows good, The heads burn-ished full bright, And every arrow an ell-e long, With peacock well ydight, I-nock-ed all with white silv-er, It was a seemly sight. He p-urveyed him an hundred men, Well harneysed in that stead, And h-imself in that sam-e set, And clothed in white and red. He bare a launsgay in his hand, And a man led his male, And ridden with a light song, Unto Barnisdale.
As he went at a bridge there was a wresteling, And there tarried was he, And there was all the best yeom-en Of all the west countree. A full fair game there was upset, A white bull up i-pight; A great cours-er with saddle and bridle, With gold burn-ished full bright; A pair of gloves, a red gold ring, A pipe of wine, in good fay: What man beareth him best, i-wis, The prize shall bear away.
There was a yeoman in that place, And best worth-y was he. And for he was ferre and fremd bestad, I-slain he should have be. The knight had ruth of this yeom-an, In place where that he stood, He said that yeoman should have no harm, For love of Robin Hood. The knight press-ed into the place, An hundred followed him free, With bow-es bent, and arrows sharp, For to shend that company.
They shouldered all, and made him room, To wete what he would say, He took the yeoman by the hand, And gave him all the play; He gave him five mark for his wine, There it lay on the mould, And bade it should be set abroach, Drink-e who so would. Thus long tarried this gentle knight, Till that play was done, So long abode Rob-in fasting, Three hours after the none.
THE THYRDE FYTTE.
Lithe and listen, gentle men, All that now be here, Of Little John, that was the knight's man, Good mirth ye shall hear.
It was upon a merry day, That young men would go shete, Little John fet his bow anon, And said he would them meet. Three times Little John shot about, And always cleft the wand, The proud sher-iff of Nottingham By the marks gan stand. The sheriff swore a full great oath, "By him that died on a tree, This man is the best arch-er That ever yet saw I me. Sa-y me now, wight young man, What is now thy name? In what country were thou born, And where is thy wonning wan?"
"In Hold-ernesse I was bore, I-wis all of my dame, Men call me Reynold Greenleaf, Whan I am at hame."
"Say me, Reynold Greenleaf, Wilt thou dwell with me? And every year I will thee give Twent-y mark to thy fee."
"I have a master," said Little John, "A curteys knight is he, Ma-y ye get leave of him, The better may it be."
The sher-iff gat Little John Twelve months of the knight, Theref-ore he gave him right anon A good horse and a wight.
Now is Little John the sheriff's man, He give us well to speed, But alw-ay thought Little John To quite him well his meed. "Now so God me help," said Little John, "And by my true lewt-e, I sh-all be the worst serv-ant to him That ever yet had he!"
It befell upon a Wednesday, The sheriff a-hunting was gone, And Little John lay in his bed, And was forgot at home. Therefore he was fast-ing Till it was past the none. "Good sir Steward, I pray thee, Give me to dine," said Little John; "It is too long for Greenleaf, Fast-ing so long to be; Therefore I pray thee, stew-ard, My dinner give thou me!"
"Shalt thou never eat ne drink," said the stew-ard, "Till my lord be come to town."
"I make mine avow," said Little John, "I had liever to crack thy crown!"
The butler was full uncurteys, There he stood on floor, He stert to the buttery, And shut fast the door. Little John gave the butler such a stroke His back yede nigh in two, Though he lived an hundred winter, The worse he should-e go. He spurned the door with his foot, It went up well and fine, And there he made a large liveray Both of ale and wine. "Sith ye will not dine," said Little John, "I shall give you to drink, And though ye live an hundred winter, On Little John ye shall think!" Little John ate, and Little John drank, The whil-e that he would. The sheriff had in his kitchen a cook, A stout man and a bold.
"I make mine avow to God," said the cook, "Thou art a shrewd-e hind, In an household to dwell, For to ask thus to dine." And there he lent Little John, Good strok-es three.
"I make mine avow," said Little John, "These strok-es liketh well me. Thou art a bold man and an hardy, And so thinketh me; And ere I pass from this place, Assayed better shalt thou be."
Little John drew a good sword, The cook took another in hand; They thought nothing for to flee, But stiffly for to stand. There they fought sor-e together, Two mile way and more, Might neither other harm don, The mountenance of an hour. "I make mine avow," said Little John, "And by my true lewt-e, Thou art one of the best swordmen That ever yet saw I me. Couldest thou shoot as well in a bow, To green wood thou shouldest with me, And two times in the year thy clothing I-changed should-e be; And every year of Robin Hood Twent-y mark to thy fee."
"Put up thy sword," said the cook, "And fellows will we be."
Then he fet to Little John The numbles of a doe, Good bread and full good wine, They ate and drank thereto. And when they had drunken well, Their troths together they plight, That they would be with Rob-in That ilke same day at night. They hied them to the treasure-house, As fast as they might gone, The locks that were of good steel They brake them every one; They took away the silver vessel, And all that they might get, Pi-eces, mas-ars, and spoons, Would they none forget; Also they took the good pence, Three hundred pound and three; And did them straight to Robin Hood, Under the green wood tree.
"God thee save, my dear mast-er, And Christ thee save and see."
And then said Rob-in to Little John, "Welcome might thou be; And also be that fair yeom-an Thou bringest there with thee. What tiding-es from Nottingham? Little John, tell thou me."
"Well thee greeteth the proud sher-iff, And sendeth thee here by me, His cook and his silv-er vessel, And three hundred pound and three."
"I make mine avow to God," said Robin, "And to the Trinit-y, It was never by his good will, This good is come to me."
Little John him there bethought, On a shrewed wile, Five mile in the for-est he ran, Him happ-ed at his will; Then be met the proud sher-iff, Hunt-ing with hound and horn, Little John coud his curteysye, And kneel-ed him beforn: "God thee save, my dear mast-er, And Christ thee save and see."
"Raynold Greenleaf," said the sher-iff, "Where hast thou now be?"
"I have be in this for-est, A fair sight can I see, It was one of the fairest sights That ever yet saw I me; Yonder I see a right fair hart, His colour is of green, Seven score of deer upon an herd, Be with him all bedene; His tynde are so sharp, mast-er, Of sixty and well mo, That I durst not shoot for drede Lest they wold me slo."
"I make mine avow to God," said the sheriff, "That sight would I fain see."
"Busk you thitherward, my dear mast-er, Anon, and wend with me."
The sheriff rode, and Little John Of foot he was full smart, And when they came afore Robin: "Lo, here is the master hart!"
Still stood the proud sher-iff, A sorry man was he: "Wo worth thee, Raynold Greenleaf! Thou hast now betray-ed me."
"I make mine avow," said Little John, "Mast-er, ye be to blame, I was misserved of my dinere, When I was with you at hame."
Soon he was to supper set, And served with silver white; And when the sher-iff see his vess-el, For sorrow he might not eat. "Make good cheer," said Robin Hood, "Sher-iff, for charit-y, And for the love of Little John; Thy life is granted to thee."
When they had supp-ed well, The day was all agone, Robin commanded Little John To draw off his hosen and his shone, His kirtle and his coat a pye, That was furr-ed well fine, And take him a green mant-ell, To lap his body therein. Robin commanded his wight young men, Under the green wood tree, They shall lie in that same sort, That the sheriff might them see. All night lay that proud sher-iff In his breche and in his sherte, No wonder it was, in green wood, Though his sides do smerte. "Make glad cheer," said Robin Hood, "Sher-iff, for charit-e, For this is our ord-er i-wis, Under the green wood tree."
"This is harder order," said the sheriff, "Than any anker or frere; For all the gold in merry Engl-and I would not long dwell here."
"All these twelve months," said Rob-in, "Thou shalt dwell with me; I shall thee teach, thou proud sher-iff, An outlaw for to be."
"Ere I here another night lie," said the sheriff, "Robin, now I pray thee, Smite off my head rather to-morn, And I forgive it thee. Let me go," then said the sher-iff, "For saint Charit-e, And I will be thy best friend That ever yet had thee."
"Thou shalt swear me an oath," said Robin, "On my bright brand, Thou shalt never awayte me scathe, By water ne by land; And if thou find any of my men, By night or by day, Upon thine oath thou shalt swear, To help them that thou may."
Now hath the sheriff i-swore his oath, And home he gan to gone, He was as full of green wood As ever was heap of stone.
THE FOURTH FYTTE.
The sheriff dwelled in Nottingham, He was fain that he was gone, And Robin and his merry men Went to wood anone.
"Go we to dinner," said Little John. Robin Hood said, "Nay; For I dread Our Lady be wroth with me, For she sent me not my pay."
"Have no doubt, master," said Little John, "Yet is not the sun at rest, For I dare say, and safely sware, The knight is true and trust."
"Take thy bow in thy hand," said Robin, "Let Much wende with thee, And so shall William Scathelock, And no man abide with me, And walk up into the Sa-yl-es, And to Watling Street, And wait after such unketh gest, Up-chance ye may them meet. Whether he be messeng-er, Or a man that mirth-es can, Or if he be a poor man, Of my good he shall have some."
Forth then stert Little John, Half in tray and teen, And girded him with a full good sword, Under a mantle of green. They went up to the Sa-yl-es, These yeomen all three; They look-ed east, they look-ed west, They might no man see. But as he looked in Barnisdale, By the high way, Then were they ware of two black monks, Each on a good palfray.
Then bespak-e Little John, To Much he gan say, "I dare lay my life to wed, That these monks have brought our pay. Make glad cheer," said Little John, "And frese our bows of yew, And look your hearts be sicker and sad, Your strings trust-y and true. The monk hath fifty-two men, And seven som-ers full strong, There rideth no bishop in this land So royally, I understond. Brethren," said Little John, "Here are no more but we three; But we bring them to dinn-er, Our master dare we not see. Bend your bows," said Little John, "Make all yon press to stand! The foremost monk, his life and his death Is clos-ed in my hand! Abide, churl monk," said Little John, "No farther that thou gone; If thou dost, by dere-worthy God, Thy death is in my hond. And evil thrift on thy head," said Little John, "Right under thy hat's bond, For thou hast made our master wroth, He is fast-ing so long."
"Who is your master?" said the monk.
Little John said, "Robin Hood."
"He is a strong thief," said the monk, "Of him heard I never good."
"Thou liest!" then said Little John, "And that shall rew-e thee; He is a yeoman of the for-est, To dine hath bod-e thee." Much was ready with a bolt, Redly and anon, He set the monk tofore the breast, To the ground that he can gon. Of fifty-two wight young men, There abode not one, Save a little page, and a groom To lead the somers with Little John.
They brought the monk to the lodge door, Whether be were loth or lief, For to speak with Robin Hood, Maugr-e in their teeth. Robin did adown his hood, The monk when that he see; The monk was not so courteyous, His hood then let he be.
"He is a churl, master, by dere-worthy God," Then said Little John.
"Thereof no force," said Rob-in, "For courtesy can he none. How man-y men," said Rob-in, "Had this monk, John?"
"Fifty and two when that we met, But many of them be gone."
"Let blow a horn," said Robin, "That fellowship may us know."
Seven score of wight yeomen, Came pricking on a row, And everich of them a good mant-ell, Of scarlet and of ray, All they came to good Rob-in, To wite what he would say. They made the monk to wash and wipe, And sit at his dinere, Robin Hood and Little John They served them both infere. "Do gladly, monk," said Robin. "Gram-ercy, sir," said he. "Where is your abbey, whan ye are at home, And who is your avow-e?"
"Saint Mary abbey," said the monk, "Though I be simple here." "In what offic-e?" said Rob-in. "Sir, the high cellarer." "Ye be the more welcome," said Rob-in, "So ever mote I thee. Fill of the best wine," said Rob-in, "This monk shall drink to me. But I have great marvel," said Rob-in, "Of all this long-e day, I dread Our Lady be wroth with me, She sent me not my pay."
"Have no doubt, master," said Little John, "Ye have no need I say, This monk it hath brought, I dare well swear, For he is of her abbay."
"And she was a borow," said Robin, "Between a knight and me, Of a little money that I him lent, Under the green wood tree; And if thou hast that silver i-brought, I pray thee let me see, And I shall help thee eftsoons, If thou have need of me."
The monk swore a full great oath, With a sorry cheer, "Of the borowhood thou speakest to me, Heard I never ere!"
"I make mine avow to God," said Robin, "Monk, thou art to blame, For God is hold a righteous man, And so is his dame. Thou toldest with thine own tongue, Thou may not say nay, How that thou art her serv-ant And servest her every day, And thou art made her messenger, My money for to pay, Therefore I con thee more thank, Thou art come at thy day. What is in your coffers?" said Robin, "True then tell thou me." "Sir," he said, "twenty mark, All so mote I thee."
"If there be no more," said Robin, "I will not one penny; If thou hast mister of any more, Sir, more I shall lend to thee; And if I find more," said Robin, "I-wis thou shalt it forgone; For of thy spending silver, monk, Thereof will I right none. Go now forth, Little John, And the truth tell thou me; If there be no more but twenty mark, No penny of that I see."
Little John spread his mantle down, As he had done before, And he told out of the monk-es mail, Eight hundred pound and more. Little John let it lie full still, And went to his master in haste; "Sir," he said, "the monk is true enow, Our lady hath doubled your cost."
"I make mine avow to God," said Robin, "Monk, what told I thee? Our Lady is the truest woman, That ever yet found I me. By dere-worthy God," said Robin, "To seek all England thorowe, Yet found I never to my pay A much better borowe. Fill of the best wine, do him drink," said Robin; "And greet well thy Lady hend, And if she have need of Robin Hood, A friend she shall him find; And if she needeth any more silv-er, Come thou again to me, And, by this token she hath me sent, She shall have such three!"
The monk was going to London ward, There to hold great mote, The knight that rode so high on horse, To bring him under foot.
"Whither be ye away?" said Robin.
"Sir, to manors in this lond, To reckon with our rev-es, That have done much wrong."
"Come now forth, Little John, And hearken to my tale, A better yeoman I know none, To search a monk-es mail. How much is in yonder other courser?" said Robin, "The sooth must we see."
"By our Lady," then said the monk, "That were no courtes-y To bid a man to dinner, And sith him beat and bind."
"It is our old manner," said Rob-in, "To leave but little behind."
The monk took the horse with spur, No longer would he abide.
"Ask to drink," then said Rob-in, "Ere that ye further ride."
"Nay, fore God," then said the monk, "Me reweth I came so near, For better cheap I might have dined, In Blyth or in Doncastere."
"Greet well your abbot," said Rob-in, "And your prior, I you pray, And bid him send me such a monk To dinner every day!"
Now let we that monk be still, And speak we of that knight, Yet he came to hold his day While that it was light. He did him straight to Barnisdale, Under the green wood tree, And he found there Robin Hood, And all his merry meyn-e. The knight light downe of his good palfr-ey, Rob-in when he gan see. So courteysly he did adown his hood, And set him on his knee.
"God thee save, good Robin Hood, And all this company."
"Welcome be thou, gentle knight, And right welc-ome to me." Then bespake him Robin Hood, To that knight so free, "What need driveth thee to green wood? I pray thee, sir knight, tell me. And welcome be thou, gentle knight, Why hast thou be so long?"
"For the abbot and the high justice Would have had my lond."
"Hast thou thy land again?" said Robin, "Truth then tell thou me."
"Yea, fore God," said the knight, "And that thank I God and thee. But take not a grief," said the knight, "That I have been so long; I came by a wresteling, And there I did help a poor yeom-an, With wrong was put behind."
"Nay, fore God," said Rob-in, "Sir knight, that thank I thee; What man that helpeth a good yeom-an, His friend then will I be."
"Have here four hundred pound," then said the knight, "The which ye lent to me; And here is also twenty mark For your courtes-y."
"Nay, fore God," then said Robin, "Thou brook it well for aye, For our Lady, by her cellarer, Hath sent to me my pay; And if I took it twice, A shame it were to me: But truly, gentle knight, Welc-ome art thou to me."
When Rob-in had told his tale, He laughed and had good cheer. "By my troth," then said the knight, "Your money is ready here."
"Brook it well," said Rob-in, "Thou gentle knight so free; And welcome be thou, gentle knight, Under my trystell tree. But what shall these bows do?" said Robin, "And these arrows i-feathered free?"
"It is," then said the knight, "A poor pres-ent to thee."
"Come now forth, Little John, And go to my treasur-y, And bring me there four hundred pound, The monk over-told it to me. Have here four hundred pound, Thou gentle knight and true, And buy horse and harness good, And gild thy spurs all new: And if thou fail an-y spend-ing, Come to Robin Hood, And by my troth thou shalt none fail The whiles I have any good. And brook well thy four hundred pound, Which I lent to thee, And make thyself no more so bare, By the counsel of me."
Thus then holp him good Rob-in, The knight of all his care. God, that sitteth in heaven high, Grant us well to fare.
THE FIFTH FYTTE.
Now hath the knight his leave i-take, And went him on his way; Robin Hood and his merry men Dwelled still full many a day. Lithe and listen, gentle men, And hearken what I shall say, How the proud sheriff of Nottingham Did cry a full fair play; That all the best archers of the north Should come upon a day, And they that shoot all of the best The game shall bear away.
'He that shooteth all of the best Furthest fair and law, At a pair of fynly butts, Under the green wood shaw, A right good arrow he shall have, The shaft of silver white, The head and the feathers of rich red gold, In England is none like.'
This then heard good Rob-in, Under his trystell tree: "Make you ready, ye wight young men, That shooting will I see. Busk you, my merr-y young men, Ye shall go with me; And I will wete the sheriff's faith, True an if he be."
When they had their bows i-bent, Their tackles feathered free, Seven score of wight young men Stood by Robin's knee. When they came to Nottingham, The butts were fair and long, Many was the bold arch-er That shooted with bow-es strong.
"There shall but six shoot with me, The other shall keep my head, And stand with good bow-es bent That I be not deceived."
The fourth outlaw his bow gan bend, And that was Robin Hood, And that beheld the proud sher-iff, All by the butt he stood. Thri-es Robin shot about, And alway he cleft the wand, And so did good Gilbert, With the whit-e hand. Little John and good Scathelock Were archers good and free; Little Much and good Reynold, The worst would they not be. When they had shot about, These archers fair and good, Evermore was the best, For sooth, Robin Hood. Him was delivered the good arr-ow, For best worthy was he; He took the gift so courteysly To green wood wold-e he.
They cri-ed out on Robin Hood, And great horns gan they blow. "Wo worth thee! treason!" said Rob-in, "Full evil thou art to know! And woe be thou, thou proud sher-iff, Thus gladding thy guest, Otherwise thou behot-e me In yonder wild for-est; But had I thee in green wood, Under my trystell tree, Thou shouldest leave me a better wed Than thy true lewt-e."
Full many a bow there was bent, And arrows let they glide, Many a kirtle there was rent, And hurt man-y a side. The outlaw-es shot was so strong, That no man might them drive, And the proud sherif-es men They fled away full blive. Robin saw the busshement to-broke, In green wood he would have be, Many an arrow there was shot Among that company. Little John was hurt full sore, With an arrow in his knee, That he might neither go nor ride: It was full great pit-e.
"Master," then said Little John, "If ever thou lovest me, And for that ilk-e Lord-es love, That died upon a tree, And for the meeds of my serv-ice, That I have serv-ed thee, Let nev-er the proud sher-iff Aliv-e now find me; But take out thy brown sword, And smite all off my head, And give me wound-es dead and wide, That I after eat no bread."
"I wold-e not that," said Rob-in, "John, that thou wer-e slawe, For all the gold in merry England, Though it lay now on a rawe."
"God forbid," said Little Much, "That died on a tree, That thou shouldest, Little John, Part our company!" Up he took him on his back, And bare him well a mile, Many a time he laid him down, And shot another while.
Then was there a fair cast-ell, A little within the wood, Double-ditched it was about, And wall-ed, by the rood; And there dwelled that gentle knight, Sir Richard at the Lee, That Rob-in had lent his good, Under the green wood tree. In he took good Rob-in, And all his compan-y:
"Welcome be thou, Robin Hood, Welc-ome art thou me; And much thank thee of thy comf-ort, And of thy courtesy, And of thy great kind-eness, Under the green wood tree; I love no man in all this world So much as I do thee; For all the proud sheriff of Nottingham, Right here shalt thou be. Shut the gates, and draw the bridge, And let no man come in; And arm you well, and make you read-y, And to the wall ye win. For one thing, Rob-in, I thee behote, I swear by Saint Quin-tin, These twelve days thou wonest with me, To sup, eat, and dine."
Boards were laid, and cloth-es spread, Readily and anon; Robin Hood and his merry men To meat gan they gon.
THE SIXTH FYTTE.
Lithe and listen, gentle men, And hearken unto your song; How the proud sheriff of Nottingham, And men of arm-es strong, Full fast came to the high sher-iff, The country up to rout, And they beset the knight's cast-ell, The wall-es all about. The proud sher-iff loud-e gan cry, And said, "Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king's enemy, Against the laws and right!"
"Sir, I will avow that I have done, The deeds that here be dight, Upon all the land-es that I have, As I am a true knight. Wend-e forth, sirs, on your way, And doth no more to me, Till ye wite our king-es will What he will say to thee."
The sheriff thus had his answ-er, Without an-y leas-ing, Forth he yode to London town, All for to tell our king. There he told him of that knight, And eke of Robin Hood, And also of the bold arch-ers, That noble were and good. "He would avow that he had done, To maintain the outlaws strong; He would be lord, and set you at nought, In all the north lond."
"I will be at Nottingham," said the king, "Within this fortnight, And take I will Robin Hood, And so I will that knight. Go home, thou proud sher-iff, And do as I bid thee, And ordain good arch-ers enow, Of all the wide countree."
The sheriff had his leave i-take, And went him on his way; And Robin Hood to green wood Upon a certain day; And Little John was whole of the arrow, That shot was in his knee, And did him straight to Robin Hood, Under the green wood tree. Robin Hood walked in the for-est, Under the leav-es green, The proud sher-iff of Nottingham, Therefore he had great teen.
The sheriff there failed of Robin Hood, He might not have his prey, Then he awaited that gentle knight, Both by night and by day. Ever he awaited that gentle knight, Sir Richard at the Lee. As he went on hawking by the river side, And let his hawk-es flee, Took he there this gentle knight, With men of arm-es strong, And led him home to Nottingham ward, I-bound both foot and hond.
The sheriff swore a full great oath, By him that died on a tree, He had liever than an hundred pound, That Robin Hood had he.
Then the lad-y, the knight-es wife, A fair lad-y and free, She set her on a good palfr-ey, To green wood anon rode she. When she came to the for-est, Under the green wood tree, Found-e she there Robin Hood, And all his fair meyn-e.
"God thee save, good Robin Hood, And all thy compan-y; For our deare Ladyes love, A boon grant thou to me. Let thou never my wedded lord Shamefully slain to be; He is fast i-bounde to Nottingham ward, For the love of thee."
Anon then said good Rob-in, To that lad-ye free, "What man hath your lord i-take?"
"The proud sheriff," then said she. "Forsooth as I thee say; He is not yet three mil-es Pass-ed on your way."
Up then stert-e good Rob-in, As a man that had be wode: "Busk you, my merr-y young men, For him that died on a rode; And he that this sorrow forsaketh, By him that died on a tree, Shall he never in green wood be, Nor longer dwell with me."
Soon there were good bows i-bent, More than seven score, Hedge ne ditch spar-ed they none, That was them before.
"I make mine avow," said Robin, "The knight would I fain see, And if I ma-y him take, Iquit then shall he be."
And when they came to Nottingham, They walk-ed in the street, And with the proud sheriff, i-wis, Soon-e gan they meet.
"Abide, thou proud sher-iff," he said, "Abide and speak with me, Of some tidings of our king, I would fain hear of thee. This seven year, by dere-worthy God, Ne yede I so fast on foot, I make mine avow, thou proud sheriff, Is not for thy good."
Robin bent a good bow-e, An arrow he drew at his will, He hit so the proud sher-iff, On the ground he lay full still; And ere he might up arise, On his feet to stand, He smote off the sheriff's head, With his bright brand.
"Lie thou there, thou proud sher-iff, Evil mote thou thrive; There might no man to thee trust, The whiles thou were alive."
His men drew out their bright swords That were so sharp and keen, And laid on the sher-iff's men, And drived them down bidene. Robin stert to that knight, And cut atwo his band, And took him in his hand a bow, And bade him by him stand. "Leav-e thy horse thee behind, And learn for to ren; Thou shalt with me to green wood, Through mire, moss, and fen; Thou shalt with me to green wood, Without an-y leas-ing, Till that I have get us grace, Of Edward our comely king."
THE SEVENTH FYTTE.
The king came to Nottingham, With knights in great array, For to take that gentle knight, And Robin Hood, if he may. He asked men of that countr-e, After Robin Hood, And after that gentle knight, That was so bold and stout.
When they had told him the case, Our king understood their tale, And seised in his hand The knight-es landes all, All the pass of Lancashire, He went both far and near, Till he came to Plompton park, He failed many of his deer. Where our king was wont to see Herd-es many one He could unneth find one deer, That bare an-y good horn. The king was wonder wroth withal, And swore by the trinit-e, "I would I had Robin Hood, With eyen I might him see; And he that would smite off the knight-es head. And bring it to me, He shall have the knight-es lands, Sir Rychard at the Lee; I give it him with my chart-er, And seal it with my hand, To have and hold for ever-more, In all merr-y Engl-and."
Then bespake a fair old knight, That was true in his fay, "Ah, my lieg-e lord the king, One word I shall you say: There is no man in this countr-y May have the knight-es lands, While Robin Hood may ride or gon, And bear a bow in his hands, That he ne shall lose his head, That is the best ball in his hood: Give it no man, my lord the king, That ye will any good!"
Half a year dwelled our comely king, In Nottingham, and well more, Could he not hear of Robin Hood, In what country that he were; But alw-ay went good Rob-in By halk and eke by hill, And alway slew the king-es deer, And welt them at his will.
Then bespake a proud forstere, That stood by our king's knee, "If ye will see good Rob-in, Ye must do after me. Take five of the best knyght-es That be in your lede, And walk down by your abb-ey, And get you monk-es weed. And I will be your led-es man, And led-e you the way, And ere ye come to Nottingham, Mine head then dare I lay, That ye shall meet with good Rob-in, Alive if that he be, Ere ye come to Nottingham, With eyen ye shall him see."
Full hastily our king was dight, So were his knight-es five, Each of them in monk-es weed, And hasted them thither blithe. Our king was great above his cowl, A brhat on his crown, Right as he were abbot-like, They rode up into the town. Stiff boots our king had on, Forsooth as I you say, He rode sing-ing to green wood, The convent was clothed in gray, His mail horse, and his great som-ers, Followed our king behind, Till they came to green-e wood, A mile under the lind: There they met with good Rob-in, Standing on the way, And so did many a bold arch-er, For sooth as I you say.
Robin took the king-es horse, Hastily in that stead, And said, "Sir abbot, by your leave, A while ye must abide; We be yeom-en of this for-est, Under the green wood tree, We live by our king-es deer, Other shift have not we; And ye have churches and rent-es both, And gold full great plent-y; Give us some of your spend-ing, For saint Charity."
Than bespake our comely king, Anon then said he, "I brought no more to green-e wood, But forty pound with me. I have lain at Nottingham, This fortnight with our king, And spent I have full much good, On many a great lording; And I have but forty pound, No more then have I me; But if I had an hundred pound, I would give it to thee."
Robin took the forty pound, And departed it in two part-ye, Halfendell he gave his merry men, And bade them merr-y to be. Full courteously Rob-in gan say, "Sir, have this for your spend-ing, We shall meet another day."
"Gramerc-y," then said our king, "But well thee greeteth Edw-ard our king, And sent to thee his seal, And biddeth thee come to Nottingham, Both to meat and meal." He took out the brtarpe, And soon he let him see; Robin coud his courtesy, And set him on his knee: "I love no man in all the world So well as I do my king, Welcome is my lord-es seal; And, monk, for thy tid-ing, Sir abbot, for thy tiding-es, To-day thou shalt dine with me, For the love of my king, Under my trystell tree."
Forth he led our comely king, Full fair by the hand, Many a deer there was slain, And full fast dightand. Robin took a full great horn, And loud he gan blow; Seven score of wight young men, Came ready on a row, All they kneel-ed on their knee, Full fair before Rob-in. The king said himself unto, And swore by saint Austin, "Here is a wonder seemly sight, Me thinketh, by Goddes pine; His men are more at his bidd-ing, Than my men be at mine!"
Full hastily was their dinner i-dight, And thereto gan they gon, They served our king with all their might, Both Robin and Little John. Anon before our king was set The fatt-e venison, The good white bread, the good red wine, And thereto the fine ale brown. "Mak-e good cheer," said Rob-in, "Abb-ot, for charit-y; And for this ilk-e tiding-e, Bless-ed mote thou be. Now shalt thou see what life we lead, Or thou henn-es wend, Then thou may inform our king, When ye together lend."
Up they stert all in haste, Their bows were smartly bent, Our king was never so sore agast, He weened to have be shent. Two yard-es there were up set, Thereto gan they gang; But fifty pace, our king said, The mark-es were too long. On every side a rose garl-and, They shot under the line. "Whoso faileth of the rose garland," said Robin, "His tackle he shall tine, And yield it to his master, Be it never so fine,-- For no man will I spare, So drinke I ale or wine,-- And bear a buffet on his head I-wys right all bare."
And all that fell in Robin's lot, He smote them wonder sair. Twi-es Robin shot about, And ever he cleaved the wand, And so did good Gilb-ert, With the lily white hand; Little John and good Scath-elock, For nothing would they spare, When they failed of the garl-and, Robin smote them fall sair. At the last shot that Robin shot, For all his friends fair, Yet he failed of the garl-and, Three fingers and mair.
Then bespak-e good Gilb-ert, And thus he gan say, "Master," he said, "your tackle is lost, Stand forth and take your pay." "If it be so," said Rob-in, "That may no better be: Sir abbot, I deliver thee mine arrow, I pray thee, sir, serve thou me."
"It falleth not for mine order," said our king; "Robin, by thy leave, For to smite no good yeom-an, For doubt I should him grieve."
"Smite on boldly!" said Rob-in, "I give thee larg-e leave."
Anon our king, with that word, He fold up his sleeve, And such a buffet he gave Rob-in, To ground he yede full near.
"I make mine avow to God," said Robin, "Thou art a stalworthy frere; There is pith in thine arm," said Rob-in, "I trow thou canst well shoot!"
Thus our king and Robin Hood Together then they met.
Robin beheld our comely king Wistly in the face, So did Sir Richard at the Lee, And kneeled down in that place; And so did all the wild outl-aws, When they see them kneel. "My lord the king of Engl-and, Now I know you well. Merc-y," then Robin said to our king, "Under your trystal tree, Of thy goodness and thy grace, For my men and me! Yes, fore God," said Robin, "And also God me save; I ask merc-y, my lord the king, And for my men I crave."
"Yes, fore God," then said our king, "Thy petition I grant thee, With that thou leave the green wood, And all thy compan-y; And come home, sir, to my court, And there dwell with me."
"I make mine avow," said Rob-in, "And right so shall it be; I will come to your court, Your service for to see, And bring with me of my men Seven score and three. But me like well your serv-ice, I come again full soon, And shoot at the donn-e deer, As I am wont to doon."
THE EIGHTH FYTTE.
"Hast thou any green cloth," said our king, "That thou wilt sell now to me?" "Yea, fore God," said Robin. "Thirty yards and three."
"Robin," said our king, "Now pray I thee, To sell me some of that cloth, To me and my meyn-e."
"Yes, fore God," then said Rob-in, "Or else I were a fool; Another day ye will me clothe, I trow, against the Yule."
The king cast off his cot-e then, A green garment he did on, And every knight had so, i-wis, They cloth-ed them full soon. When they were clothed in Lincoln green, They cast away their gray. Now we shall to Nottingham, All thus our king gan say. Their bows they bent and forth they went, Shooting all in-fere, Toward the town of Nottingham, Outlaws as they were. Our king and Robin rode together, For sooth as I you say, And they shot pluck-buffet, As they went by the way; And many a buffet our king wan, Of Robin Hood that day: And nothing spar-ed good Rob-in Our king in his pay. "So God me help-e," said our king, "Thy name is nought to lere, I should not get a shot of thee, Though I shot all this year."
All the people of Nottingham They stood and beheld, They saw nothing but mantles of green, They covered all the feld; Then every man to other gan say, "I dread our king be slone; Come Robin Hood to the town, i-wis, On live he leaveth not one." Full hastily they began to flee, Both yeomen and knaves, And old wives that might evil go, They hopp-ed on their staves.
The king be lough full fast, And commanded them again; When they see our comely king, I-wis they were full fain. They ate and drank, and made them glad, And sang with not-es hie. Then bespake our comely king To Sir Richard at the Lee: He gave him there his land again, A good man he bade him be. Robin thanked our comely king, And set him on his knee.
Had Robin dwelled in the king's court But twelv-e months and three, That he had spent an hundred pound, And all his menn-es fee, In every place where Robin came, Ever more he laid down, Both for knights and squires, To get him great renown. By then the year was all agone, He had no man but twain, Little John and good Scathlocke, With him all for to gane.
Robin saw yong-e men to shoot, Full fair upon a day, "Alas!" then said good Rob-in, "My wealth is went away. Sometime I was an archer good, A stiff and eke a strong, I was committed the best arch-er That was in merry Englond. Alas!" then said good Rob-in, "Alas and well away! If I dwell longer with the king, Sorrow will me slay!"
Forth then went Robin Hood, Till he came to our king: "My lord the king of Englond, Grant me mine ask-ing. I made a chapel in Barnysdale, That seemly is to see, It is of Mary Magdalene, And thereto would I be; I might never in this seven-night, No time to sleep ne wink, Neither all these seven days, Neither eat ne drink. Me longeth sore to Barnysdale, I may not be therefro, Barefoot and woolward I have hight Thither for to go."
"If it be so," then said our king, "It may no better be; Seven-night I give thee leave, No longer, to dwell fro me."
"Gram-ercy, lord," then said Rob-in, And set him on his knee; He took his leave full courteously, To green wood then went he. When he came to green-e wood, In a merr-y morning, There he heard the not-es small Of bird-es merry sing-ing. "It is ferre gone," said Rob-in, "That I was last here, Me list a little for to shoot At the dunne deer." Robin slew a full great hart, His horn then gan he blow, That all the outlaws of that for-est, That horn could they know, And gathered them together, In a little throw, Seven score of wight young men, Came ready on a row; And fair did off their hoods, And set them on their knee: "Welcome," they said, "our mast-er, Under this green wood tree!"
Robin dwelled in green wood, Twenty year and two, For all dread of Edward our king, Again would he not go. Yet he was beguiled, i-wis, Through a wicked wom-an, The Prioress of Kirklees, That nigh was of his kin, For the love of a knight, Sir Roger of Doncaster, That was her own special, Full evil mote they thee,
They took together their couns-el, Robin Hood for to sle, And how they might best do that deed, His banis for to be. Then bespak-e good Rob-in, In place whereas he stood, "To-morrow I must to Kirklees, Craftily to be letten blood." Sir Roger of Doncaster, By the Prioress he lay, And there they betrayed good Robin Hood, Through their fals-e play. Christ have mercy on his soul, That di-ed on the rood! For he was a good outlaw, And did poor men much good.
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