115 — A Little Geste of Robin Hood and His Meiny — The Oxford Book of Ballads by Arthur Quiller-Couch

115 A Little Geste of Robin Hood and His Meiny707

The First Fytte

How Robin Hood befriended a poor Knight, Sir Richard at the Lee

Lithe 708 and listen, Gentlemen,
That be of free-born blood:
I shall you tell of a good yeoman,
His name was Robin Hood.

Robin was a proud outlaw,
The while he walked on ground;
So courteous an outlaw as he was one
Was never none y-found.

III

Robin stood in Barnèsdale 709,
And leaned him to a tree;
And by him stood Little John,
A good yeoman was he.

And also did good Scathèlock,
And Much, the miller’s son;
There was none inch of his body,
But it was worth a groom 710.

Then bespake him Little John
All unto Robin Hood:
‘Master, an ye would dine betimes
It would do you much good.’

Then bespake him good Robin:
‘To dine I have no lest 711,
Till that I have some bold baron,
Or some uncouth 712 guest,

VII

‘Till that I have some bold baron
That may pay for the best,
Or else some knight, or some squièr
That dwelleth here by West.’

VIII

A good mannèr then had Robin;
In land where that he were 713,
Every day ere he would dine
Three masses would he hear:

The one in worship of the Father,
The other of the Holy Ghost,
The third was of Our dear Lady
That he loved alder-most 714.

Robin loved our dear Lady;
For doubt 715 of deadly sin
Would he no company do harm
That woman was therein.

‘Master,’ then said Little John,
‘An we our board shall spread,
Tell us whither we shall go,
And what life we shall lead;

XII

‘Where we shall take, where we shall leave,
Where we shall abide behind,
Where we shall rob, where we shall reave 716,
Where we shall beat and bind.’

XIII

‘Thereof no force 717,’ then said Robin;
‘We shall do well enow;
But look ye do no husband 718 harm
That tilleth with his plough.

XIV

‘No more ye shall no good yeoman
That walketh by green-wood shaw 719;
Nor yet no knight nor no squièr
That will be a good fellaw.

‘These bishops and these archbishops,
Ye shall them beat and bind;
The High Sheriff of Nottingham,
Him hold ye in your mind.’

XVI

‘This word shall be held,’ said Little John,
‘This lesson we shall lere 720;
It is far days 721; God send us a guest,
That we were at our dinnere.’

XVII

‘Take thy good bow,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Let Much wend with thee,
And so shall William Scathèlock,
And no man abide with me;

XVIII

’And walk ye up unto the Sayles 722,
And so to Watling Street 723,
And wait after some uncouth guest;
Upchance 724 ye may them meet.

XIX

‘Be he an earl, or any baron,
Abbot, or any knight,
Bring ye him to lodge with me;
His dinner shall be dight 725.’

Then went they up unto the Sayles,
Those yeoman allè three;
They lookèd east, they lookèd west,
They mightè no man see.

XXI

But as they looked in Barnèsdale,
By a dernè 726 street 727,
Then came a knight a-riding up;
Full soon they gan him meet.

XXII

All dreary then was his semblaunt 728,
And little was his pride;
His one foot in the stirrup stood,
The other waved beside.

XXIII

His hood hang’d in his eyen two;
He rode in simple array;
A sorrier man than he was one
Rode never in summer day.

XXIV

Little John was full courteous,
And set him 729 on his knee;
‘Welcome be ye, gentle Knight,
Welcome are ye to me.

XXV

‘Welcome be thou to greenè wood.
Hendè 730 Knight and free;
My master hath abiden you fasting
Sir, all these hourès three.’

XXVI

‘Who is thy master?’ said the Knight.
John said, ‘Robin Hood.’
‘He is a good yeoman,’ said the Knight,
‘Of him I have heard much good.

XXVII

‘I grant,’ he said, ‘with you to wend,
My brethren, all in fere 731;
My purpose was to have dined to-day
At Blyth 732 of Doncastere.’

XXVIII

Forth then went this gentle Knight,
With a careful cheer 733;
The tears out of his eyen ran,
And fell down by his leer 734.

XXIX

They brought him to the lodgè door;
When Robin gan him see,
Full courteously did off his hood,
And set him on his knee.

XXX

‘Welcome, Sir Knight,’ then said Robin,
‘Welcome art thou to me;
I have abiden you fasting, sir,
All these hourès three.’

XXXI

Then answerèd the gentle Knight,
With wordès fair and free;
‘God thee savè, good Robin,
And all thy fair meinèe.’

XXXII

They washèd together and wipèd both,
And set to their dinnere;
Bread and wine they had enough,
And numbles 735 of the deer.

XXXIII

Swans and pheasants they had full good,
And fowls of the rivere;
There failèd none so little a bird
That ever was bred on brere 736.

XXXIV

‘Do gladly, Sir Knight,’ said Robin.
‘Gramerci, sir,’ said he;
‘Such a dinner had I not
Of all these weekès three.

XXXV

‘If I come again, Robin,
Here by this country,
As good a dinner I shall thee make
As thou hast made to me.’

XXXVI

‘Gramerci, Knight,’ said Robin Hood;
‘My dinner when I have,
I was never so greedy, by dear-worth 737 God,
My dinner for to crave.

XXXVII

‘But pray ere ye wend,’ said Robin Hood;
‘Me thinketh it is good right;
It was never the manner, by dear-worth God,
A yeoman to pay for a knight.’

XXXVIII

‘I have nought in my coffers,’ said the Knight,
‘That I may proffer for shame:’
‘Little John, go look,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Nor let 738 not for no blame.’

XXXIX

‘Tell me truth,’ said Robin Hood,
‘So God have part of thee 739.’—
‘I have no more than ten shillings,
So God have part of me.’

‘If thou hast no more,’ said Robin,
‘I will not one pennỳ;
And if thou need of any more,
More shall I lendè thee.

XLI

‘Go now forth, Little John,
The truthè tell thou me;
If there be no more but ten shillings,
No penny that I see.’

XLII

Little John his mantle spread
Full fair upon the ground,
And there he found in the Knight’s coffer
But even half a pound.

XLIII

Little John let it lie full still,
And went to his master low;
‘What tidings, John?’ said Robin Hood.—
‘Sir, the Knight is true enow.’

XLIV

‘Fill of the best wine,’ said Robin,
‘The Knight shall begin;
Muchè wonder thinketh me
Thy clothing is so thin.

XLV

‘Tell me one word,’ said Robin,
’And counsel 740 shall it be;
I trow thou wert made a knight of force 741,
Or else of yeomanry 742.

XLVI

‘Or else thou hast been a sorry husband 743,
And lived in stroke and strife;
An okerer 744, or a lecher 745,
With wrong hast led thy life.’

XLVII

‘I am none of thosè,’ said the Knight,
‘By Him that madè me;
An hundred winter here before
Mine anc’tors knights have be.

XLVIII

‘But oft it hath befal’n, Robin,
A man hath been disgrate 746;
But God, that sitteth in heaven above,
May amend his state.

XLIX

‘Within these two years, Robin,’ he said,
‘My neighbours well it kenn’d 747,
Four hundred pounds of good monèy
Full well then might I spend,

‘Now have I no good,’ said the Knight,
‘God hath shapen such an end,
But my children and my wife,
Till God it may amend.’

‘In what mannèr,’ then said Robin,
‘Hast thou lorn 748 thy richess?’
‘For my great folly,’ he said,
’And for my kindèness.

LII

‘I had a son forsooth, Robin,
That should have been mine heir;
When he was twenty winter old
In field would joust full fair.

LIII

‘He slew a knight of Lancashire,
And a squièr bold;
For to save him in his right
My goods are set and sold.

LIV

‘My lands are set to wed 749, Robin,
Until a certain day,
To a rich Abbot here beside
Of St. Mary’s Abbèy.’

‘What is the sum?’ said Robin Hood;
‘The truthè tell thou me;’
‘Sir,’ he said, ‘four hundred pound;
The Abbot told 750 it me.’

LVI

‘An thou lose thy land,’ said Robin Hood,
‘What shall fall of 751 thee?’—
‘Hastily I will me busk 752
Over the saltè sea,

LVII

‘And see where Christ was quick and dead,
On the mount of Calvary;
Farewell, friend, and have good day;
It may no better be.’

LVIII

Tears fell out of his eyen two;
He would have gone his way;
‘Farewell, friends, and have good day,
I have no more to pay.’

LIX

‘Where be thy friends,’ said Robin Hood.
‘Sir, never one will me know;
While I was rich enough at home
Great boast then would they blow.

‘And now they run away from me,
As beastès in a raw 753;
They takè no more heed of me
Than they me never saw.’

LXI

For ruth then weptè Little John,
Scathèlock and Much in fere;
‘Fill of the best wine,’ said Robin,
‘For here is a simple cheer.

LXII

‘Hast thou any friends,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Thy borrows 754 that will be?’
‘I havè none,’ then said the Knight,
‘But Him that died on tree!’

LXIII

‘Do way thy japès 755,’ said Robin,
‘Thereof will I right none;
Ween’st thou I would have God to 756 borrow,
Peter, Paul or John?

LXIV

‘Nay, by Him that madè me,
And shope 757 both sun and moon,
Find better borrow,’ said Robin,
‘Or money get’st thou none.’

LXV

‘I have none other,’ said the Knight,
‘The soothè for to say,
But if 758 it be Our dear Lady;
She fail’d never ere this day.’

LXVI

‘By dear-worth God,’ said Robin Hood,
‘To seek all England thorough,
Yet found I never to my pay
A muchè better borrow.

LXVII

‘Come now forth, Little John,
And go to my treasurỳ,
And bringè me four hundred pound,
And look well told it be.’

LXVIII

Forth then wentè Little John,
And Scathèlock went before;
He told him out four hundred pound
By eight and twenty score.

LXIX

‘Is this well told?’ said Little Much;
John said, ‘What grieveth thee?
It is alms to help a gentle knight
That is fal’n in poverty.’

LXX

‘Master,’ then said Little John,
‘His clothing is full thin;
Ye must give the Knight a livery
To lap 759 his body therein.

LXXI

‘For ye have scarlet and green, master,
And many a rich array;
There is no merchant in merry England
So rich, I dare well say.’—

LXXII

‘Take him three yards of each coloùr,
And look well mete 760 it be.’—
Little John took no measùre
But his bowè-tree.

LXXIII

And at every handful that he met 761
He leapèd o’er feet three;
‘What devilkin’s draper,’ said Little Much,
‘Thinkest thou for to be?’

LXXIV

Scathèlock stood full still and laughed,
And said, ‘He meteth right.
John may give him good measure,
For it costeth him but light.’

LXXV

‘Master,’ then said Little John
All unto Robin Hood,
‘Ye must give the Knight a horse
To lead home all this good.’

LXXVI

‘Take him a grey courser,’ said Robin,
‘And a saddle new;
He is Our Lady’s messenger;
God grant that he be true!’

LXXVII

‘And a good palfrey 762,’ said Little Much,
‘To maintain him in his right;’
‘And a pair of boots,’ said Scathèlock,
‘For he is a gentle knight.’

LXXVIII

‘What shalt thou give him, Little John?’—
‘Sir, a pair of gilt spurs clean,
To pray for all this company;
God bring him out of teen 763.’

LXXIX

‘When shall my day be,’ said the Knight,
‘Sir, an your willè be?’—
‘This day twelve moneth,’ said Robin,
‘Under this green-wood tree.

LXXX

‘It were great shamè,’ said Robin,
‘A knight alone to ride,
Withoutè squire, yeoman, or page,
To walkè by his side.

LXXXI

‘I shall thee lend Little John, my man,
For he shall be thy knave 764;
In a yeoman’s stead he may thee stand,
If thou great needè have.’

The Second Fytte

How the Knight paid his Creditors against their will

LXXXII

Now is the Knight gone on his way;
This game him thought full good;
When he looked on Barnèsdale,
He blessèd Robin Hood.

LXXXIII

And when he thought on Barnèsdale,
On Scathelock, Much, and John,
He blessèd them for a company
The best he ever in come 765.

LXXXIV

Then spake that gentle Knight,
To Little John gan he say,
‘To-morrow I must to York town
To Saint Mary’s Abbèy;

LXXXV

‘And to the Abbot of that place
Four hundred pound must pay;
But 766 I be there upon this night
My land is lost for aye.’

LXXXVI

The Abbot said to his Convènt,
Where he stood on ground,
‘This day twelve moneth came a knight,
And borrowed four hundred pound.

LXXXVII

‘He borrowèd four hundred pound
Upon his land and fee 767;
But he come this ilkè 768 day
Disherited shall he be.’

LXXXVIII

‘It is full early,’ said the Prior,
‘The day is not yet far gone;
I had liever pay an hundred pound,
And lay it down anon.

LXXXIX

‘The Knight is far beyond the sea,
In England is his right,
And suffereth hunger and cold
And many a sorry night.

‘It were great pity,’ said the Prior,
‘So to have his land;
An ye be so light of your conscience,
Ye do him muchè shand 769.’

XCI

‘Thou art ever in my beard 770,’ said the Abbot,
‘By God and Saint Richard!’
With that came in a fat-headed monk,
The Highè Cellarèr.

XCII

‘He is dead or hangèd,’ said the monk,
‘By Him that bought me dear,
And we shall have to spend in this place
Four hundred pound by year.’

XCIII

The Abbot and the High Cellarer
Started forth full bold,
The High Justice of Engèland
The Abbot there did hold.

XCIV

The High Justice and many mo
Had taken into their hand
Wholly all the Knightès debt,
To put that Knight to shand.

XCV

They deemèd 771 the Knight wonder sore 772,
The Abbot and his meinèe:
‘But he come this ilkè day,
Disherited shall he be.’

XCVI

‘He will not come yet,’ said the Justice,
‘I dare well undertake.’
But in sorry timè for them all
The Knight came to the gate.

XCVII

Then bespake that gentle Knight
Until 773 his meinèe:
‘Now put on your simple weeds
That ye brought from the sea.’

XCVIII

They putten on their simple weeds,
They came to the gates anon;
The Porter was ready himself,
And welcomed them every one.

XCIX

‘Welcome, Sir Knight,’ said the Porter,
‘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 madè me,
Here be the bestè corsèd 774 horse
That ever yet I see.

‘Lead them into the stable,’ he said,
‘That easèd might they be’;
‘They shall not come therein,’ said the Knight,
‘By Him that died on tree.’

CII

Lordès were to meat y-set
In that Abbot’s hall;
The Knight went forth and kneelèd down
And salued 775 them great and small.

CIII

‘Do gladly, Sir Abbot,’ said the Knight,
‘I am come to hold my day.’
The first word that the Abbot spake,
‘Hast thou brought me my pay?’

CIV

‘Not one penny,’ said the Knight,
‘By Him that makèd me’:
‘Thou art a shrewd 776 debtor,’ said the Abbot;
‘Sir Justice, drink to me!’

‘What doest thou here,’ said the Abbot,
‘But 777 thou hadst brought thy pay?’
‘Alack is me,’ then said the Knight,
‘To pray of a longer day!’

CVI

‘Thy day is broke,’ said the Justice,
‘Land gettest thou none.’—
‘Now, good Sir Justice, be my friend,
And fend 778 me of my fone 779!’

CVII

‘I am held with the Abbot,’ said the Justice,
‘Both with cloth and fee.’—
‘Now, good Sir Sheriff, be my friend!’
‘Nay, nay, not I,’ said he.

CVIII

‘Now, good Sir Abbot, be my friend,
For thy courtesy,
And hold my landès in thy hand
Till I have made thee gree 780

CIX

‘And I will be thy true servànt
And truly servè thee,
Till ye have four hundred pound
Of money good and free.’

The Abbot sware a full great oath,
‘By Him that died on tree,
Get thy landès where thou mayst,
For thou gettest none of me!’

CXI

‘By dear-worth God,’ then said the Knight,
‘That all this worldè wrought,
But I have 781 my land again,
Full dear it shall be bought.

CXII

‘God, that was of a maiden born,
Give us well to speed!
For it is good to assay a friend
Ere that a man have need.’

CXIII

The Abbot loathly on him gan look,
And villainously him gan call;
‘Out,’ he said, ‘thou falsè Knight,
Speed thee out of my hall!’

CXIV

‘Thou liest,’ said the gentle Knight;
‘Abbot, in thy hall;
Falsè Knight was I never,
By God that made us all.’

CXV

Up then stood that gentle Knight,
To the Abbot said he,
‘To suffer a knight to kneel so long,
Thou canst 782 no courtesy.

CXVI

‘In joustès and in tournaments
Full far then have I be,
And put myself as far in press 783
As any that ever I see.’

CXVII

‘What will ye give more,’ said the Justice,
‘An the Knight shall make a release 784?
And ellès 785 dare I safely swear
Ye hold never your land in peace.’

CXVIII

‘An hundred pound,’ said the Abbot;
The Justice said, ‘Give him two;’
‘Nay, by God,’ said the Knight,
‘Ye get not my land so.

CXIX

‘Though ye would give a thousand more,
Yet were ye never the nigher;
Shall there never be mine heir
Abbot, Justice, nor Friar.’

CXX

He started to a board anon,
Till a table round,
And here he shook out of a bag
Even four hundred pound.

CXXI

‘Have here thy gold, Sir Abbot,’ he said,
‘Which that thou lentest me;
Hadst thou been courteous at my coming,
I would have rewarded thee.’

CXXII

The Abbot sat still, and ate no more,
For all his royal fare;
He cast his head on his shouldèr,
And fast began to stare.

CXXIII

‘Take 786 me my gold again.’ he said,
‘Sir Justice, that I took thee.’—
‘Not a penny,’ said the Justice,
‘By Him that died on tree.’—

CXXIV

‘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.’

CXXV

The Knight out started of the door,
Away was all his care,
And on he put his good clothing.
The other he left there.

CXXVI

He went him forth full merry singing,
As men have told in tale;
His Lady met him at the gate,
At home in Uttersdale.

CXXVII

‘Welcome, my lord,’ said his Lady;
‘Sir, lost is all your good?’—
‘Be merry, damè,’ said the Knight,
’And pray for Robin Hood,

CXXVIII

‘That ever his soulè be in bliss:
He help me out of teen;
Ne had not been 787 his kindèness,
Beggars had we been.

CXXIX

‘The Abbot and I accorded be,
He is servèd of his pay;
The goodè yeoman lent it me,
As I came by the way.’

CXXX

This Knight then dwellèd fair at home,
The soothè for to say,
Till he had got four hundred pound,
All ready for to pay.

CXXXI

He purvey’d him an hundred bows,
The stringès well y-dight,
An hundred sheaf of arrows good,
The heads burnish’d full bright;

CXXXII

And every arrow an ellè long,
With peacock well y-dight 788,
Y-notchèd all with white silvèr;
It was a seemly sight.

CXXXIII

He purvey’d him an hundred men,
Well harness’d in that stead,
And himself in that samè suit,
And clothed in white and red.

CXXXIV

He bare a lancegay 789 in his hand,
And a man led his mail 790,
And roden 791 with a lightè song
Unto Barnèsdale.

CXXXV

As he went at a bridge there was a wrestling,
And there tarrièd was he,
And there was all the best yeomen,
Of all the west countrỳ.

CXXXVI

A full fair game there was upset,
A white bull up y-pight 792;
A great courser with saddle and bridle,
With gold burnish’d full bright;

CXXXVII

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.

CXXXVIII

There was a yeoman in that place,
And best worthy was he,
And for he was far and frembd bestad 793,
I-slain he should have be.

CXXXIX

The Knight had ruth of this yeoman.
In place where that he stood,
He said that yeoman should have no harm,
For love of Robin Hood.

CXL

The Knight pressèd into the place,
An hundred followed him free,
With bows bent, and arrows sharp,
For to shende 794 that company.

CXLI

They shoulder’d all, and made him room,
To wete 795 what he would say,
He took the yeoman by the hand
And gave him all the play;

CXLII

He gave him five mark for his wine,
There it lay on the mould,
And bade it should be set a-broach,
Drink who so would.

CXLIII

Thus long tarried this gentle Knight,
Till that play was done...
So long abode Robin fasting,
Three hours after the noon.

The Third Fytte

How Little John robbed the Sheriff of Nottingham and delivered him into Robin Hood’s hands

CXLIV

Lithe and listen, gentlemen,
All that now be here,
Of Little John, that was the Knight’s man,
Good mirth shall ye hear.

CXLV

It was upon a merry day,
That young men would go shete 796;
Little John fet 797 his bow anon,
And said he would them meet.

CXLVI

Three times Little John shot about,
And alway cleft the wand,
The proud Sherìff of Nottingham
By the marks gan stand.

CXLVII

The Sheriff swore a full great oath,
‘By Him that died on a tree,
This man is the best archèr
That yet saw I me.

CXLVIII

‘Say me now, wight 798 young man,
What is now thy name?
In what country were thou born,
And where is thy woning wane 799?’—

CXLIX

‘In Holderness I was bore,
I-wis 800, all of my dame,
Men call me Reynold Greenleaf,
When I am at hame.’—

‘Say me, Reynold Greenleaf,
Wilt thou dwell with me?
And every year I will thee give
Twenty mark to thy fee.’—

CLI

‘I have a master,’ said Little John,
‘A courteous knight is he
May ye get leave of him,
The better may it be.’

CLII

The Sheriff got Little John
Twelve months of the Knight,
Therefore he gave him right anon
A good horse and a wight.

CLIII

Now is Little John the Sheriff’s man,
He give us well to speed,
But alway thought Little John
To quit him well his meed 801.

CLIV

‘Now so God me help,’ said Little John,
‘And by my true lewtè 802,
I shall be the worst servant to him
That ever yet had he.’

CLV

It befell upon a Wednesday,
The Sheriff on hunting was gone,
And Little John lay in his bed,
And was forgotten at home.

CLVI

Therefore he was fasting
Till it was past the noon.
‘Good sir steward, I pray thee,
Give me to dine,’ said Little John.

CLVII

‘It is too long for Greenleaf,
Fasting so long to be;
Therefore I pray thee, steward,
My dinner give thou me.’

CLVIII

‘Shall thou never eat nor drink,’ said the steward,
‘Till my lord be come to town.’
‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Little John,
‘I had liefer to crack thy crown.’

CLIX

The butler was full uncourteous,
There he stood on floor,
He started to the buttery,
And shut fast the door.

CLX

Little John gave the butler such a rap,
His back yede 803 nigh in two:
Tho’ he lived an hundred winter,
The worse he should go.

CLXI

He spurn’d the door with his foot,
It went up well and fine,
And there he made a large livery 804
Both of ale and wine.

CLXII

‘Sith 805 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.’

CLXIII

Little John ate, and Little John drank,
The while that he wolde.
The Sheriff had in his kitchen a cook,
A stout man and a bold.

CLXIV

‘I make mine avow to God,’ said the cook,
‘Thou art a shrewd hind 806,
In an household to dwell,
For to ask thus to dine.’

CLXV

And there he lent 807 Little John,
Good strokès three.
‘I make mine avow,’ said Little John,
‘These strokes liketh well me.

CLXVI

‘Thou art a bold man and an hardy,
And so thinketh me;
And or I pass from this place,
Assay’d better shalt thou be.’

CLXVII

Little John drew a good sword,
The cook took another in hand;
They thought nothing for to flee,
But stiffly for to stand.

CLXVIII

There they fought sore together,
Two mile way and more,
Might neither other harm done,
The mountenance 808 of an hour.

CLXIX

‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Little John,
’And by my true lewtè,
Thou art one of the best swordsmen
That ever yet saw I me.

CLXX

‘Couldest thou shoot as well in a bow,
To green-wood thou shouldest with me,
And two times in the year thy clothing
I-changèd should be;

CLXXI

‘And every year of Robin Hood
Twenty mark to thy fee.’—
‘Put up thy sword,’ said the cook,
’And fellows will we be.’

CLXXII

Then he fette 809 to Little John
The numbles of a doe,
Good bread and full good wine,
They ate and drank thereto.

CLXXIII

And when they had drunken well,
Their troths together they plight,
That they would be with Robin
That ilk same day at night.

CLXXIV

They did them to the treasure-house,
As fast as they might gone,
The locks that were of good steel
They broke them every one;

CLXXV

They took away the silver vessel,
And all that they might get,
Pieces, masars 810, and spoons,
Would they none forget;

CLXXVI

Also they took the good pence,
Three hundred pound and three;
And did them straight to Robin Hood,
Under the green-wood tree.

CLXXVII

‘God thee save, my dear master,
And Christ thee save and see!’
And then said Robin to Little John,
‘Welcome might thou be;

CLXXVIII

’And also be that fair yeoman
Thou bringest there with thee.
What tidings from Nottingham
Little John, tell thou me?’—

CLXXIX

‘Well thee greeteth the proud Sheriff,
And send thee here by me
His cook and his silver vessel,
And three hundred pound and three.’—

CLXXX

‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin,
‘And to the Trinity,
It was never by his good will,
This good is come to me.’

CLXXXI

Little John him there bethought,
On a shrewèd wile,
Five mile in the forest he ran,
Him happèd at his will.

CLXXXII

Then he met the proud Sheriff,
Hunting with hound and horn,
Little John cou’d 811 his courtesy,
And kneelèd him beforn:

CLXXXIII

‘God thee save, my dear master,
And Christ thee save and see!’—
‘Reynold Greenleaf,’ said the Sheriff,
‘Where hast thou now be?’—

CLXXXIV

‘I have been in this forest,
A fair sight can I see,
It was one of the fairest sights
That ever yet saw I me;

CLXXXV

‘Yonder I see a right fair hart,
His colour is of green,
Seven score of deer upon an herd
Be with him all bedene 812;

CLXXXVI

‘His tyndès 813 are so sharp, master,
Of sixty and well mo,
That I durst not shoot for dread
Lest they would me sloo 814.’

CLXXXVII

‘I make mine avow to God,’ said the Sheriff,
‘That sight would I fain see.’
‘Busk you thitherward, my dear master,
Anon, and wend with me.’

CLXXXVIII

The Sheriff rode, and Little John
Of foot he was full smart,
And when they came afore Robin:
‘Lo, here is the master hart!’

CLXXXIX

Still stood the proud Sheriff,
A sorry man was he:
‘Woe worth thee, Reynold Greenleaf!
Thou hast now betrayèd me.’

CXC

‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Little John,
‘Master, ye be to blame,
I was mis-served of my dinner,
When I was with you at hame.’

CXCI

Soon he was to supper set,
And servèd with silver white;
And when the Sheriff saw his vessel,
For sorrow he might not eat.

CXCII

‘Make good cheer,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Sheriff, for charity!
And for the love of Little John,
Thy life is granted to thee.’

CXCIII

When they had suppèd well,
The day was all agone,
Robin commanded Little John
To draw off his hosen and shoon,

CXCIV

His kirtle and his courtepy 815,
That was furrèd well fine,
And take him a green mantèl,
To lap 816 his body therein.

CXCV

Robin commanded his wight young men,
Under the green-wood tree,
They shall lie in that same sort;
That the Sheriff might them see.

CXCVI

All night lay that proud Sheriff,
In his breech and in his shirt,
No wonder it was in green-wood,
Tho’ his sides do smerte 817.

CXCVII

‘Make glad cheer,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Sheriff, for charity!
For this is our ordèr, i-wis,
Under the green-wood tree.’

CXCVIII

‘This is harder order,’ said the Sheriff,
‘Than any anchor 818 or frere 819;
For all the gold in merry England
I would not long dwell here.’

CXCIX

‘All these twelve months,’ said Robin
‘Thou shalt dwell with me;
I shall thee teach, proud Sheriff,
An outlaw for to be.’

‘Or I here another night lie,’ said the Sheriff,
‘Robin, now I pray thee,
Smite off my head rather to-morne 820,
And I forgive it thee.

CCI

‘Let me go,’ then said the Sheriff,
‘For saint Charity!
And I will be thy best friend
That ever yet had thee.’

CCII

‘Thou shalt swear me an oath,’ said Robin,
‘On my bright brand 821,
Thou shalt never await 822 me scathe 823,
By water nor by land.

CCIII

‘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.’

CCIV

Now has the Sheriff i-sworn his oath,
And home he began to gone,
He was as full of green-wood
As ever was hip 824 of stone.

The Fourth Fytte

How Robin Hood was repaid his Loan

CCV

The Sheriff dwelled in Nottingham,
He was fain that he was gone;
And Robin and his merry men
Went to wood anon.

CCVI

‘Go we to dinner,’ said Little John:
Robin Hood said ‘Nay;
For I fear Our Lady be wroth with me,
For she sent me not my pay.’

CCVII

‘Have no doubt, master,’ said Little John;
‘Yet is not the sun at rest;
For I dare say and safely swear,
The Knight is true and trest 825.’

CCVIII

‘Take thy bow in hande,’ said Robin,
‘Let Much wend with thee,
And so shall William Scathèlock,
And no man abide with me.

CCIX

’And walk ye up unto the Sayles,
And so to Watling Street,
And wait after some uncouth guest,
Upchance ye may them meet.

CCX

‘Whether he be a messenger,
Or a man that mirthès can 826,
Of my good he shall have some,
If he be a poorè man.’

CCXI

Forth then started Little John,
Half in tray and teen 827,
And girt him with a full good sword,
Under a mantle of green.

CCXII

They wenten up unto the Sayles,
Those yeomen allè three;
They lookèd east, they lookèd west,
They mightè no man see.

CCXIII

But as they looked in Barnèsdale,
By the highè-way,
Then were they ware of a Black Monk 828,
Upon a good palfrèy.

CCXIV

Then bespake him Little John,
To Muchè gan he say:
‘I dare well lay my life to wed 829,
That Monk hath brought our pay.

CCXV

‘Make glad cheer,’ said Little John,
’And dress your bows of yew,
And look your hearts be seker and sad 830,
Your strings trusty and true.

CCXVI

‘The Monk hath two and fifty men,
And seven somers 831 strong;
There rideth no bishop in this land
So royally along.

CCXVII

‘Bretheren,’ said Little John,
‘Here are no more but three;
But 832 we bring them to dinnèr,
Our master we dare not see.

CCXVIII

‘Bend your bows,’ said Little John,
‘Make all yon press 833 to stand;
The foremost Monk, his life and death
Is closèd in my hand.

CCXIX

‘Abide, churl Monk!’ said Little John,
‘No further that thou wend;
If thou dost, by dear-worth God,
Thy death is in my hend 834.

CCXX

‘And evil thrift 835 upon thy head,
Right under thy hat’s band!
For thou hast made our master wroth,
He is so lang fastand.’

CCXXI

‘Who is your master?’ said the Monk.—
Little John said, ‘Robin Hood.’—
‘He is a strong thief,’ said the Monk,
‘Of him I never heard good.’

CCXXII

‘Thou lìest,’ then said Little John,
‘And that shall ruè thee;
He is a yeoman of the forest,
To dine he hath bidden thee.’

CCXXIII

Much was ready with a bolt 836,
Rathely 837 and anon,
He set the Monk to-fore 838 the breast
To the ground that he gan gon 839.

CCXXIV

Of two and fifty wight yeomen
There abode not one,
Save a little page and a groom
To lead the somers on.

CCXXV

They brought the Monk to the lodgè door,
Whether he were loath or lief 840,
For to speak with Robin Hood,
Maugre in his teeth 841.

CCXXVI

Robin did a-down his hood,
The Monk when that he see;
The Monk was not so courteous,
His hood he lettè be.

CCXXVII

‘He is a churl, by dear-worth God,’
Then said Little John.
‘Thereof no force 842,’ said Robin Hood,
‘For courtesy can be none.’

CCXXVIII

‘How many men,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Haddè this Monk, Johan?’—
‘Fifty and two when that we met,
But many of them be gane.’

CCXXIX

‘Let blow a horn,’ said Robin Hood,
‘That fellowship may us know.’—
Seven score of wight yeomen
Came pricking on a row.

CCXXX

Each of them had a good mantèl
Of scarlet and of ray 843;
All they came to good Robin,
To wit what he would say.

CCXXXI

They made the Monk to wash and wipe,
And sit at his dinnere,
Robin Hood and Little John
They served him both in fere.

CCXXXII

‘Do gladly, Monk,’ said Robin Hood;
‘Gramerci, sir,’ said he.
‘Where is your Abbey, when you are at home,
And who is your avowè 844?’

CCXXXIII

‘Saint Mary’s Abbey,’ said the Monk,
‘Though I be simple here.’—
‘In what office?’ said Robin;
‘Sir, the High Cellerèr.’

CCXXXIV

‘Ye be the more welcome,’ said Robin,
‘So ever mote I the 845:
Fill of the best wine,’ said Robin,
‘This Monk shall drink to me.

CCXXXV

‘But I have great marvel,’ said Robin,
‘Of all this longè day;
I dread Our Lady be wroth with me,
She sent me not my pay.’

CCXXXVI

‘Have no doubt, master,’ said Little John,
‘Ye have no need, I say,
This Monk hath brought it, I dare well swear,
For he is of her Abbèy.’

CCXXXVII

‘And she was a borrow,’ said Robin,
‘Between a Knight and me,
Of a little money that I him lent,
Under the green-wood tree.

CCXXXVIII

‘And if thou hast that silver brought,
I pray thee let me see;
And I shall helpè thee eftsoons 846,
If thou have need to me.’

CCXXXIX

The Monk swore a full great oath,
With a sorry cheer,
‘Of the borrowhood 847 thou speak’st to me
Heard I never ere.’—

CCXL

‘I makè mine avow to God,
Monk, thou art to blame;
For God is held a righteous Man,
And so is eke his Dame 848.

CCXLI

‘Thou toldest with thine ownè tongue,
Thou mayst not sayè naye,
How thou art her servant,
And servest her every day.

CCXLII

’And thou art made her messenger,
My money for to pay;
Therefore I can thee morè thank
Thou art come at thy day.

CCXLIII

‘What is in your coffers?’ said Robin,
‘Truthè tell thou me.’—
‘Sir,’ he saidè, ‘twenty mark 849,
All so mote I the.’

CCXLIV

‘If there be no more,’ said Robin,
‘I will not one pennỳ;
If thou hast myster 850 of any more,
More I shall lend to thee.

CCXLV

‘And if I find more,’ said Robin,
‘I-wis thou shall it forgone;
For of thy spending-silver, Monk,
Thereof will I right none.

CCXLVI

‘Go now forth, Little John,
The truthè tell thou me;
If there be no more but twenty mark,
No penny that I see.’

CCXLVII

Little John spread his mantle down,
As he had done before,
And he told out of the Monkès mail
Eight hundred pound and more.

CCXLVIII

Little John let it lie full still,
And went to his master in haste;
‘Sir,’ he said, ‘the Monk is true enough,
Our Lady hath doubled your cast 851!’—

CCXLIX

‘I makè mine avow to God,
Monk, what told I thee?
Our Lady is the truest woman
That ever found I me.

CCL

‘By dear-worth God,’ said Robin Hood,
‘To seek all England thorough,
Yet found I never to my pay
A muchè better borrow.

CCLI

‘Fill of the best wine,’ said Robin,
’And greet thy Lady hend 852,
And if she have need to Robin Hood
She shall him find a friend.

CCLII

‘And if she need any more silvèr,
Come thou again to me,
And, by this token she hath me sent,
She shall have suchè three.’

CCLIII

The Monk was going to Londonward,
There to hold great moot 853,
The Knight that rode so high on horse,
To bring him under foot.

CCLIV

‘Whither be ye away?’ said Robin.—
‘Sir, to manors in this londe,
To reckon with our revès,
That have done much wrong.’—

CCLV

‘Come now forth, Little John,
And hearken to my tale,
A better yeoman I know none,
To seek 854 a Monkès mail 855.’

CCLVI

‘How much is in yon other forcèr 856?
The soothè must we see:’
‘By our Lady,’ then said the Monk,
‘That were no courtesy,

CCLVII

‘A man to biddè to dinnèr,
And sith 857 him beat and bind.’—
‘It is our old manner,’ said Robin,
‘To leave but little behind.’

CCLVIII

The Monk took the horse with spur,
No longer would he abide;
‘Ask to drink,’ then said Robin,
‘Ere that ye further ride.’

CCLIX

‘Nay, ’fore God,’ then said the Monk,
‘Me rueth I came so near;
For better cheap 858 I might have dined
In Blyth or Doncastere.’

CCLX

‘Greet well your Abbot,’ said Robin,
‘And your prior, I you pray,
And bid him send me such a Monk
To dinner every day!’

CCLXI

Now lettè we that Monk be still,
And speak we of that Knight:
Yet he came to hold his day,
The while that it was light.

CCLXII

He did him straight to Barnèsdale,
Under the green-wood tree,
And he found there Robin Hood,
And all his merry meinèe.

CCLXIII

The Knight lit down off his good palfrèy,
Robin when he gan see;
Courteously he did a-down his hood,
And set him on his knee.

CCLXIV

‘God thee savè, Robin Hood,
And all this company!’—
‘Welcome be thou, gentle Knight,
Right welcome unto me.’

CCLXV

Then bespake him Robin Hood
To that Knight so free:
‘What need driveth thee to greenè-wood?
I pray, sir Knight, tell me.

CCLXVI

‘And welcome be thou, gentle Knight,
Why hast thou been so long?’—
‘For the Abbot and the High Justice
Would have had my land with wrong.’

CCLXVII

‘Hast thou thy land again?’ said Robin;
‘Truthè tell thou me.’—
‘Yea, ’fore God,’ said the Knight,
‘That thank I God and thee.

CCLXVIII

‘But take no grief I have been so long;
I came by a wrestèling,
And there I holp a poor yeoman,
With wrong was put behind.’

CCLXIX

‘Nay, ’fore God,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Sir Knight, that thank I thee;
What man that helpeth a good yeoman,
His friend I willè be.’

CCLXX

‘Have here four hundred pound,’ said the Knight,
‘The which ye lent to me;
And here is also twenty mark
For your courtesy.’

CCLXXI

‘Nay, ’fore God,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Thou brook 859 it well for aye;
For Our Lady, by her Cellarèr,
Hath sent to me my pay.

CCLXXII

‘And if I would it twicè take
A shame it were to me;
But truly now, thou gentle Knight,
Welcome art thou to me.’

CCLXXIII

When Robin Hood had told his tale,
He laugh’d and made good cheer.
‘By my truthè,’ said the Knight,
‘Your money is ready here.’

CCLXXIV

‘Brook it well,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Thou gentle Knight so free;
And welcome be thou, gentle Knight,
Under my trystell-tree!

CCLXXV

‘But what shall these bows do,’ said Robin,
‘And these arrows feather’d free?’—
‘With your will,’ then said the Knight,
‘A poor present to thee.’—

CCLXXVI

‘Come now forth, Little John,
And go to my treasurỳ,
And bring me thence four hundred pound;
The Monk overtold 860 it me.

CCLXXVII

‘Have here four hundred pound,
Thou gentle Knight and true,
And buy thee horse and harness good,
And giltè spurs all new.

CCLXXVIII

’And if thou fail any spending,
Come to Robin Hood,
And by my troth thou shalt none fail,
While I have any good.

CCLXXIX

‘And brook well thy four hundred pound,
Which I lent to thee,
And make thyself no more so bare,
By the counsel of me.’

CCLXXX

Thus then holp him good Robin,
The Knight all of his care:
God, that sitt’st in heaven high,
Grant us well to fare!

The Fifth Fytte

How at Archery in Nottingham Robin Hood was treacherously attacked, but escaped into Sir Richard’s Castle

CCLXXXI

Now hath the Knight his leave i-take,
And went him on his way;
Robin Hood and his merry men
Dwelt still full many a day.

CCLXXXII

Lithe and listen, Gentlemen,
And hearken what I shall say,
How the proud Sheriff of Nottingham,
Did cry a full fair play;

CCLXXXIII

That all the best archers of the North
Should come upon a day,
’And he that shooteth alder-best 861
The game shall bear away.

CCLXXXIV

‘He that shooteth alder-best,
Furthest, fair, and law 862,
At a pair of fynly 863 butts,
Under the green-wood shaw,

CCLXXXV

‘A right good arrow he shall have,
The shaft of silver white,
The head and feathers of rich red gold,
In England is none like.’

CCLXXXVI

This then heardè good Robin,
Under his trystell-tree:
‘Make you ready, ye wight young men;
That shooting will I see.

CCLXXXVII

‘Busk you, my merry young men,
Ye shall go with me;
And I will wete 864 the Sheriff’s faith,
True an if he be.

CCLXXXVIII

When they had their bows i-bent,
Their tackles 865 feather’d free,
Seven score of wight young men
Stood by Robin’s knee.

CCLXXXIX

When they came to Nottingham,
The butts were fair and long;
Many was the bold archèr
That shot with bowè strong.

CCXC

‘There shall but six shoot with me,
The other shall keep my heed,
And stand with good bowès bent
That I be not deceived.’

CCXCI

The fourth outlaw his bow gan bend,
And that was Robin Hood,
And that beheld the proud Sheriff,
All by the butt he stood.

CCXCII

Thrice Robin shot about,
And alway he sliced the wand,
And so did good Gilbert,
With the white hand.

CCXCIII

Little John and good Scathelock
Were archers good and free;
Little Much and good Reynold,
The worst would they not be.

CCXCIV

When they haddè shot about,
These archers fair and good,
Evermore was the best,
For soothè, Robin Hood.

CCXCV

Him was deliver’d the good arròw,
For best worthy was he;
He took the gift so courteously,
To greenè-wood would he.

CCXCVI

They crièd out on Robin Hood
And great horns gan they blow:
‘Woe worth thee 866, treason!’ said Robin,
‘Full evil thou art to know.

CCXCVII

’And woe be thee, thou proud Sheriff,
Thus gladding thy guest;
Otherwise, thou behotè 867 me
In yonder wild forèst.

CCXCVIII

‘But had I thee in greenè-wood,
Under my trystell-tree,
Thou shouldest leave me a better wed 868
Than thy true lewtè.’

CCXCIX

Full many a bowè there was bent,
And arrows let they glide;
Many a kirtle there was rent,
And hurt full many a side.

CCC

The outlaws’ shottè was so strong
That no man might them drive.
And the proudè Sheriff’s men
They fled away full blive 869.

CCCI

Robin saw the bushment 870 broke,
In green-wood he would be;
Many an arrow there was shot
Among that company.

CCCII

Little John was hurt full sore,
With an arrow in his knee,
That he might neither go nor ride;
It was full great pity.

CCCIII

‘Master,’ then said Little John,
‘If ever thou lovest me,
And for that ilk Lordès love,
That died upon a tree,

CCCIV

’And for the meeds 871 of my service,
That I have servèd thee,
Let never the proud Sheriff
Alive now findè me;

CCCV

‘But take out thy brown sword,
And smite all off my head
And give me wounds dead 872 and wide,
No life on me be left.’

CCCVI

‘I would not that,’ said Robin,
‘John, that thou were slawe,
For all the gold in merry England,
Though it lay now on a rawe 873.’

CCCVII

‘God forbid,’ said little Much,
‘That died on a tree,
That thou shouldest, Little John,
Part our company.’

CCCVIII

Up Robin took him on his back,
And bare him well a mile;
Many a time he laid him down,
And shot another while.

CCCIX

Then was there a fair castèll,
A little within the wood;
Double-ditch’d it was about,
And wallèd, by the rood.

CCCX

And there dwelt that gentle Knight,
Sir Richard at the Lee,
That Robin haddè lent his good,
Under the green-wood tree.

CCCXI

In he took good Robin,
And all his company:
‘Welcome be thou, Robin Hood,
Welcome art thou to me;

CCCXII

’And much I thank thee of thy comfort,
And of thy courtesy,
And of thy great kindness,
Under the green-wood tree;

CCCXIII

‘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.

CCCXIV

‘Shut the gates and draw the bridge,
And let no man come in,
And arm you well, and make you ready,
And to the walls ye win 874.

CCCXV

‘For one thing, Robin, I thee behote 875,
I swear by Saint Quintìn,
These twelve days thou wonest 876 with me,
To sup, eat, and dine.’

CCCXVI

Boards were laid, and cloths spread,
Readily and anon;
Robin Hood and his merry men
To meat gan they gone.

The Sixth Fytte

How Sir Richard was cast by the Sheriff into Prison, and rescued by Robin Hood

CCCXVII

Lithe and listen, Gentlemen,
And hearken to my song;
How the proud Sheriff of Nottingham
And men of armès strong

CCCXVIII

Full fast came to the High Sheriff,
The country up to rout 877,
And they beset the Knight’s castell,
The wallès all about.

CCCXIX

The proudè Sheriff loud gan cry,
And said, ‘Thou traitor Knight,
Thou keep’st here the King’s enemies,
Against the law and right.’—

CCCXX

‘Sir, I will avow that I have done,
The deeds that here be dight 878,
Upon all the lands that I have,
As I am a true knight.

CCCXXI

‘Wend forth, sirs, on your way,
And doth no more to me,
Till ye wit our King his will
What he will say to thee.’

CCCXXII

The Sheriff thus had his answère,
Without any leasing 879;
Forth he yede 880 to London town,
All for to tell our King.

CCCXXIII

There he told him of that Knight,
And eke of Robin Hood,
And also of the bold archers
That were so noble and good.

CCCXXIV

‘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 londe.’

CCCXXV

‘I will be at Nottingham,’ said our King,
‘Within this fortènight,
And take I willè Robin Hood,
And so I will that Knight.

CCCXXVI

‘Go home, thou proud Sheriff,
And do as I bid thee,
And ordain good archers enough,
Of all the wide countrey.’

CCCXXVII

The Sheriff had his leave i-take,
And went him on his way;
And Robin Hood to green-wood went
Upon a certain day;

CCCXXVIII

And Little John was whole 881 of the arrow,
That shot was in his knee,
And did him straight to Robin Hood,
Under the green-wood tree.

CCCXXIX

Robin Hood walked in the forest
Under the leavès green;
The proud Sheriff of Nottingham
Thereof he had great teen.

CCCXXX

The Sheriff there fail’d of Robin Hood,
He might not have his prey;
Then he awaited this gentle Knight,
Both by night and day.

CCCXXXI

Ever he waited that gentle Knight,
Sir Richard at the Lee,
As he went hawking by the river side,
And let his hawkès flee.

CCCXXXII

Took he there this gentle Knight,
With men of armès strong,
And led him to Nottingham-ward,
Bound both foot and hond.

CCCXXXIII

The Sheriff swore a full great oath,
By Him that died on a tree,
He had liefer than an hundred pound,
That Robin Hood had he.

CCCXXXIV

This heard the Knightès wife,
A fair lady and a free;
She set her on a good palfrey,
To green-wood anon rode she.

CCCXXXV

When she came in the forèst,
Under the green-wood tree,
Found she there Robin Hood
And all his fair meinèe.

CCCXXXVI

‘God thee save, thou good Robin,
And all thy company;
For Ourè dearè Lady’s sake,
A boon grant thou me!

CCCXXXVII

‘Let thou never my wedded Lord
Shamefully slayen be;
He is fast bound at Nottingham,
For the love of thee.’

CCCXXXVIII

Anon then said good Robin,
To that lady free,
‘What man hath your lord i-take?’—
‘The proud Sheriff,’ then said she.

CCCXXXIX

‘The proud Sheriff hath him i-take
Forsooth as I thee say;
He is not yet three miles,
Passèd on his way.’

CCCXL

Up then started good Robin
As a man that had been wood 882;
‘Buskè you, my merry men,
For Him that died on rood!

CCCXLI

‘And he that this sorròw forsaketh,
By Him that died on a tree,
And by Him that all things maketh,
No longer shall dwell with me.’

CCCXLII

Soon there were good bows y-bent,
More than seven score;
Hedge nor ditch they sparèd none
That was them before.

CCCXLIII

‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin,
‘The Knight would I fain see,
And if I may him takè,
I-quit then shall he be.’

CCCXLIV

And when they came to Nottingham,
They walkèd in the street;
And with the proud Sheriff i-wis
Soonè gan they meet.

CCCXLV

‘Abide, thou proud Sheriff,’ he said,
‘Abide, and speak with me;
Of some tidings of our King
I would fain hear of thee.

CCCXLVI

‘This seven year, by dear-worthy God,
Ne yede I so fast on foot,
I make mine avow to God, thou proud Sheriff,
It is not for thy good.’

CCCXLVII

Robin bent a full good bow,
An arrow he drew at will;
He hit so the proud Sheriff,
On the ground he lay full still.

CCCXLVIII

And or he might up arise,
On his feet to stand,
He smote off the Sheriff’s head,
With his bright brand.

CCCXLIX

‘Lie thou there, thou proud Sheriff;
Evil mote thou thrive:
There might no man to thee trust
The while thou wert alive.’

CCCL

His men drew out their brightè swords
That were so sharp and keen,
And laiden on the Sheriff’s men,
And drave them down bidene 883.

CCCLI

Robin started to the Knight,
And cut in two his band,
And took 884 him in his hand a bow,
And bade him by him stand.

CCCLII

‘Leave thy horsè thee behind,
And learnè for to ren 885;
Thou shalt with me to greenè-wood,
Through mire, moss, and fen.

CCCLIII

‘Thou shalt with me to greenè-wood,
Without any leasing,
Till that I have got us grace
Of Edward, our comely King.’

The Seventh Fytte

How the King rode out to punish Robin Hood, and how he was entertained

CCCLIV

The King came to Nottingham,
With knights in great array,
For to take that gentle Knight
And Robin, if he may.

CCCLV

He askèd men of that country
After Robin Hood,
And eke after that gentle Knight
That was so bold and good.

CCCLVI

When they had him told the case
Our King understood their tale,
And he seizèd in his hand
The Knightès landès all.

CCCLVII

All the pass 886 of Lancashire
He went both far and near,
Till he came to Plompton Park,
He fail’d many of his deer.

CCCLVIII

There 887 our King was wont to see
Herdès many one,
He could unneth 888 find one deer
That bare any good horn.

CCCLIX

The King was wonder wroth withall,
And swore by the Trinity,
‘I would I haddè Robin Hood,
With eyes I might him see.

CCCLX

’And he that would smite off the Knightès head,
And bring it unto me
He shall have the Knightès lands,
Sir Richard at the Lee.

CCCLXI

‘I give it him with my chartèr,
And seal it with my hand,
To have and hold for evermore
In all merry England.’

CCCLXII

Then bespake a fair old Knight
That was true in his fay 889:
‘Ah! my liegè lord the King,
One word I shall you say.

CCCLXIII

‘There is no man in this country
May have the Knightès lands,
While Robin Hood may ride or go,
And bear a bow in his hands.

CCCLXIV

‘That he ne shall not lose his head,
The best ball in his hood;
Give it no man, my lord the King,
That ye will 890 any good.’

CCCLXV

Half a year dwelt our comely King
In Nottingham, and more;
Could he not hear of Robin Hood,
In what country he wore.

CCCLXVI

But alway wentè good Robin
By halk 891 and eke by hill,
And alway slew the Kingès deer,
And wielded them at will.

CCCLXVII

Then bespake a proud forstèr 892,
That stood by our Kingès knee:
‘If ye will see good Robin Hood,
Ye must do after me.

CCCLXVIII

‘Take five of the bestè knights
That be in yourè lede 893,
And walkè down by yon Abbèy,
And get you monkès weed.

CCCLXIX

’And I will be your leadès-man 894,
And leadè you the way,
And ere ye come to Nottingham
Mine head then dare I lay

CCCLXX

‘That ye shall meet with good Robin,
Alive if that he be;
Ere ye come to Nottingham
With eyes ye shall him see.’

CCCLXXI

Full hastily our King was dight,
So were his knightès five.
Each of them in monkès weed,
And hasted thither blive.

CCCLXXII

Our King was great above his cowl,
A broad hat on his crown,
Right as he were abbot-like,
They rode into the town.

CCCLXXIII

Stiff boots our King had on,
Forsooth as I you say;
Singing he rode to the greenè-wood,
The convent 895 was clothed in gray.

CCCLXXIV

His mail-horse 896 and his great somèrs
Followed our King behind,
Till they came to greenè-wood
A mile under the lind 897.

CCCLXXV

There they met with good Robin,
Standing on the way,
And so did many a bold archèr,
For sooth as I you say.

CCCLXXVI

Robin took the Kingè’s horse
Hastily in that stide 898,
And said, ‘Sir Abbot, by your leave,
A while ye must abide.

CCCLXXVII

‘We be yeomen of this forèst
Under the green-wood tree;
We livè by our Kingès deer,
None other shift have we.

CCCLXXVIII

‘And ye have churches and rentès both
And gold full great plentỳ,
Give us some of your spending
For saintè charity.’

CCCLXXIX

Then bespake our comely King,
Anon then saidè he,
‘I have brought no more to greenè-wood
But forty pound with me.

CCCLXXX

‘I have lain at Nottingham
This fortnight with our King,
And spent I have full muchè good
On many a great lording 899.

CCCLXXXI

‘And I have but forty pound,
No more I have with me:
But if I had an hundred pound,
I vouch it half on thee.’

CCCLXXXII

Robin took the forty pound,
And departed it in twain;
Halfen-deal 900 he gave his men,
And bade them be full fain.

CCCLXXXIII

Full courteously Robin gan say,
‘Sir, this for your spending!
We shall meet another day.’—
‘Gramerci!’ said our King.

CCCLXXXIV

‘But well thee greeteth Edward our King,
And sent to thee his seal,
And biddeth thee come to Nottingham,
Both to meat and meal.’

CCCLXXXV

He took out the broadè targe 901,
And soon he let him see;
Robin could his courtesy,
And set him on his knee.

CCCLXXXVI

‘I love no man in all the world
So well as I do my King;
Welcome is my lordès seal;
And, Monk, for thy tiding.

CCCLXXXVII

‘Sir Abbot, for thy tidings,
To-day thou shalt dine with me,
For the lovè of my King,
Under my trystell-tree.’

CCCLXXXVIII

Forth he led our comely King
Full fairè by the hand;
Many a deer there was slain,
They were full fast dightànd 902.

CCCLXXXIX

Robin took a full great horn,
And loudè he gan blow;
Seven score of wight young men
Came ready on a row.

CCCXC

All they kneelèd on their knee
Full fair before Robin;
The King said himself until,
And swore by Saint Austìn,

CCCXCI

‘Here is a wonder seemly sight;
Me thinketh, by God’s pine 903,
His men are more at his bidding
Than my men be at mine.’

CCCXCII

Full hastily was their dinner dight,
And thereto gan they gon;
They servèd our King with all their might,
Both Robin and Little John.

CCCXCIII

Anon before our King was set
The fattè venisoun,
The good white bread, the good red wine,
Thereto fine ale and brown.

CCCXCIV

‘Make good cheer,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Abbot, for charity,
And for this ilkè tiding, Sir,
Blessed mote thou be.

CCCXCV

‘Now shalt thou see what life we lead,
Ere thou hennès 904 wend;
Then thou mayst inform our King,
When ye together lend 905.’

CCCXCVI

Up they started all in haste,
Their bows were smartly bent;
Our King was never so aghast,
He weened to have been shent 906.

CCCXCVII

Two yards 907 there were up set,
Thereto gan they gang;
By fifty paces, our King said,
The markès were too lang.

CCCXCVIII

On every side a rose garlànd,
They shot under the line:
‘Who fails of the garland,’ said Robin,
‘His tackle he shall tine 908,

CCCXCIX

‘And yield it unto his mastèr,
Be it never so fine;
For no man will I spare,’ he said,
‘So drink I ale or wine;

CCCC

‘And bear a buffet on his head
I-wis aright all bare:’
And all that fell to Robin’s lot
He smote them wonder sair.

CCCCI

Twice Robin shot about,
And ever he cleft the wand,
And so did eke the good Gilbèrt
With the white hand.

CCCCII

Little John and good Scathèlock,
For nothing would they spare;
When they fail’d of the garlànd
Robin smote them sair.

CCCCIII

At the last shot that Robin shot,
For all his friendès fare,
Yet he fail’d of the garlànd
Three fingers and mair.

CCCCIV

Then bespake him good Gilbèrt,
And thus he gan him say:
‘Master,’ he said, ‘your tackle is lost,
Stand forth and take your pay.’

CCCCV

‘If it be so,’ said Robin Hood,
‘That may no better be,
Sir Abbot, I deliver thee mine arrow,
I pray thee, serve thou me.’

CCCCVI

‘It falls 909 not for mine order,’ said our King,
‘Robin, by thy leave,
For to smite no good yeomàn,
For doubt I should him grieve.’

CCCCVII

‘Smite on boldly,’ said Robin,
‘I give thee largè leave.’
Anon our King with that same word
He folded up his sleeve,

CCCCVIII

And such a buffet he gave Robin,
To ground he yede full near:
‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin,
‘Thou art a stalwart frere 910.

CCCCIX

‘There is pith in thine arm,’ said Robin,
‘I trow thou canst well shoot.’
Thus our King and Robin Hood
Together then they met.

CCCCX

Robin beheld our comely King
Wistly in the face,
So did Sir Richard at the Lee,
And knelt down in that place.

CCCCXI

And so did all the wild outlàws,
When they saw them kneel:
‘My lord the King of Engèland,
Now I know you weel!’

CCCCXII

‘Mercy then, Robin,’ said our King,
‘Under your trystell-tree,
Of thy goodness and thy grace,
For my men and me!’

CCCCXIII

‘Yes, ’fore God,’ said Robin Hood,
‘And also God me save!
I ask mercy, my lord the King,
And for my men I crave.’

CCCCXIV

‘Yes, ’fore God,’ then said our King,
’And thereto sent I me,
With that thou leave the greenè-wood,
And all thy company;

CCCCXV

‘And come home, sir, unto my court,
And there dwell with me.’—
‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin,
’And right so shall it be.

CCCCXVI

‘I will come unto your court,
Your service for to see,
And bringè with me of my men
Seven score and three.

CCCCXVII

‘But me like 911 well your service,
I will come again full soon,
And shooten at the dunnè deer,
As I am wont to doon.’

The Eighth Fytte

How Robin Hood lived a while at the King’s Court, but returned to the Green-wood

CCCCXVIII

‘Hast thou any green cloth?’ said our King,
‘That thou wilt sell now to me?’—
‘Yea, ’fore God,’ said Robin,
‘Thirty yards and three.’

CCCCXIX

‘Robin,’ said our King,
‘Now pray I thee,
To sell me some of that cloth,
To me and my meinèe.’

CCCCXX

‘Yes, ’fore God,’ then said Robin,
‘Or else I were a fool;
Another day ye will me clothe,
I trow, against the Yule.’

CCCCXXI

The King cast off his coat then,
A green garment he did on,
And every knight had so, i-wis,
They clothèd them full soon.

CCCCXXII

When they were clothed in Lincoln green,
They cast away their gray.
‘Now we shall to Nottingham,’
All thus our King gan say.

CCCCXXIII

Their bows bent and forth they went,
Shooting all in fere,
Toward the town of Nottingham,
Outlaws as they were.

CCCCXXIV

Our King and Robin rode together
Forsooth as I you say,
And they shot pluck-buffet 912,
As they went by the way;

CCCCXXV

And many a buffet our King won,
Of Robin Hood that day:
And nothing spared good Robin
Our King in his pay.

CCCCXXVI

‘So God me help,’ said our King,
‘Thy game is nought to lere 913,
I should not get a shot of thee,
Though I shot all this year.’

CCCCXXVII

All the people of Nottingham
They stood and beheld,
They saw nothing but mantles of green
That cover’d all the felde;

CCCCXXVIII

Then every man to other gan say,
‘I dread our King be slone;
Come Robin Hood to the town, i-wis,
On life he leaveth not one.’

CCCCXXIX

Full hastily they began to flee,
Both yeoman and knaves,
The old wives that might evil go,
They hippèd 914 on their staves.

CCCCXXX

The King laughed full fast,
And commanded them again;
When they saw our comely King,
I-wis they were full fain.

CCCCXXXI

They ate and drank, and made them glad,
And sang with notès high.
Then bespake our comely King
To Sir Richard at the Lee:

CCCCXXXII

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.

CCCCXXXIII

Robin had dwelt in the Kingès court
But twelvè months and three,
That he had spent an hundred pound,
And all his mennès fee.

CCCCXXXIV

In every place where Robin came,
Evermore he laid down 915
Both for knightès and for squires,
To get him great renown.

CCCCXXXV

By then 916 the year was all agone
He had no man but twain,
Little John and good Scathèlock
With him all for to gane.

CCCCXXXVI

Robin saw the young men shoot
Full far upon a day;
‘Alas!’ then said good Robin Hood,
‘My wealth is went away.

CCCCXXXVII

‘Sometime I was an archer good,
A stiff and eke a strong;
I was counted the best archèr
That was in merry Englond.

CCCCXXXVIII

‘Alas!’ then said good Robin Hood,
‘Alas and well-a-way!
If I dwell longer with the King,
Sorrow will me slay.’

CCCCXXXIX

Forth then wentè Robin Hood
Till he came to our King:
‘My lord the King of Engèland,
Grant me mine asking!

CCCCXL

‘I made a chapel in Barnèsdale
That seemly is to see,
It is of Mary Magdalen,
And thereto would I be.

CCCCXLI

‘I might never in this seven night
No timè sleep nor wink,
Neither all these seven days
Neither eat nor drink.

CCCCXLII

‘Me longeth sore to Barnèsdale,
I may not be therefro 917;
Barefoot and woolward 918 I have hight 919
Thither for to go.’

CCCCXLIII

‘If it be so,’ then said our King,
‘It may no better be;
Seven night I give thee leave,
No longer, to dwell from me.’

CCCCXLIV

‘Gramerci, lord,’ then said Robin,
And set him on his knee:
He took his leave full courteously,
To green-wood then went he.

CCCCXLV

When he came to greenè-wood
In a merry mornìng,
There he heard the notès small
Of birds merry singìng.

CCCCXLVI

‘It is far gone,’ said Robin Hood,
‘That I was latest here;
Me list 920 a little for to shoot
At the dunnè deer.’

CCCCXLVII

Robin slew a full great hart;
His horn then gan he blow,
That all the outlaws of that forèst
That horn they couldè know,

CCCCXLVIII

And them together gatherèd
In a little throw 921;
Seven score of wight young men
Came ready on a row,

CCCCXLIX

And fairè didden off their hoods,
And set them on their knee:
‘Welcome,’ they said. ‘our dear mastèr,
Under this green-wood tree!’

CCCCL

Robin dwelt in greenè-wood
Twenty year and two;
For all dread of Edward our King,
Again 922 would he not go.

CCCCLI

Yet he was beguiled, i-wis,
Through a wicked woman,
The prioress of Kirksley,
That nigh was of his kin,

CCCCLII

For the love of a knight,
Sir Roger of Doncastèr,
That was her own special;
Full evil might they fare!

CCCCLIII

They took together their counsel
Robin Hood for to sle,
And how they might best do that deed,
His banis 923 for to be.

CCCCLIV

Then bespake good Robin,
In place where as he stood,
‘To-morrow I must to Kirksley,
Craftily 924 to be letten blood.’

CCCCLV

Sir Roger [and the prioress
A springe 925 for him did] lay,
And there they betray’d good Robin Hood,
Through their falsè play.

CCCCLVI

Christ have mercy on his soul,
That died upon the rood!
For he was a good outlàw,
And did poor men much good.

Footnotes

707 Meiny = retinue.

708 Lithe = hearken.

709 Barnèsdale = a forest region between Pontefract and Doncaster.

710 groom = man.

711 lest = lust, desire.

712 uncouth = unknown, strange.

713 were = might be.

714 alder = of all.

715 doubt = fear.

716 reave = plunder.

717 force = matter, account.

718 husband = husbandman.

719 shaw = grove.

720 lere = learn.

721 far days = late in the day.

722 the Sayles = a small farm near Pontefract.

723 Watling Street = the great North road.

724 Upchance = perchance.

725 dight = prepared.

726 dernè = hidden, retired.

727 street = road.

728 semblaunt = aspect.

729 And set him, &c. = and knelt down.

730 Hendè = gracious.

731 fere = company.

732 Blyth = near E. Retford.

733 careful cheer = sad countenance.

734 leer = cheek.

735 numbles = inwards, tripe.

736 brere = briar.

737 dear-worth = precious.

738 let = desist.

739 have part of thee = side with thee, aid thee.

740 counsel = secret.

741 of force = by force.

742 of yeomanry = from the yeoman class.

743 a sorry husband = a wretched manager.

744 okerer = usurer.

745 lecher = an unchaste man.

746 disgrate = fallen in fortune.

747 kenn’d = knew.

748 lorn = lost.

749 set to wed = put to pledge, mortgaged.

750 told = counted.

751 fall of = become of.

752 busk = make ready to go.

753 raw = row.

754 borrows = sureties.

755 Do way thy japès = away with thy jests.

756 to = for.

757 shope = created.

758 But if = unless.

759 lap = wrap.

760 mete = meted, measured.

761 met = measured.

762 palfrey = a saddle-horse.

763 teen = trouble.

764 knave = servant.

765 come = came.

766 But = unless.

767 fee = property.

768 ilkè = same.

769 shand = shame.

770 in my beard = contradicting, or thwarting me.

771 deemèd = judged.

772 wonder sore = monstrous severely.

773 Until = unto.

774 corsèd = bodied.

775 salued = saluted.

776 shrewd = cursed.

777 But = if not.

778 fend = defend.

779 fone = foes.

780 gree = satisfaction.

781 But I have = unless I have.

782 canst = knowest.

783 put myself... in press = adventured myself.

784 release = quittance.

785 ellès = else.

786 Take = give.

787 Ne had not been = had it not been for.

788 With peacock... y-dight = fitted with peacock feathers.

789 lancegay = a javelin-lance.

790 his mail = his bag or trunk.

791 roden = they rode.

792 y-pight = placed, fixed.

793 far and frembd bestad = in the plight of one from far and a stranger.

794 shende = shame.

795 wete = know.

796 shete = shoot.

797 fet = fetched.

798 wight = strong, brave.

799 woning wane = usual dwelling-place.

800 I-wis = assuredly.

801 meed = reward.

802 lewtè = loyalty.

803 yede = went.

804 livery = allowance of food.

805 Sith = since.

806 hind = knave, servant.

807 lent = gave.

808 mountenance = extent, space.

809 fette = fetched.

810 masars = maple-bowls.

811 cou’d = knew.

812 bedene = in company, together.

813 tyndès = tines, antlers.

814 sloo = slay.

815 courtepy = a short coat or cloak.

816 lap = wrap.

817 smerte = smart.

818 anchor = hermit.

819 frere = friar.

820 to-morne = to-morrow.

821 brand = sword.

822 await = plan, plot.

823 scathe = harm.

824 hip = the fruit of the wild rose.

825 trest = trusty.

826 that mirthès can = that can crack a joke.

827 tray and teen = grief and trouble.

828 a Black Monk = a Benedictine.

829 wed = wager.

830 seker and sad = sure and steady.

831 somers = pack-horses.

832 But = unless.

833 press = crowd.

834 hend = hands.

835 thrift = thriving, luck.

836 bolt = a blunt arrow.

837 Rathely = quickly.

838 set... to-fore = hit upon.

839 gan gon = did go.

840 lief = glad.

841 Maugre in his teeth = in spite of him.

842 no force = no matter.

843 ray = striped cloth.

844 avowè = founder, patron.

845 So... mote I the = so may I prosper.

846 eftsoons = soon.

847 borrowhood = surety.

848 Dame = Mother.

849 mark = 13s. 4d.

850 myster = need.

851 cast = throw, as in dice.

852 hend = gracious.

853 moot = meeting, assembly.

854 seek = search.

855 mail = wallet, bag.

856 forcèr = coffer, strong-box.

857 sith = then.

858 For better cheap = more cheaply.

859 brook = enjoy, use.

860 overtold = counted over.

861 alder-best = best of all.

862 law = low.

863 fynly = goodly.

864 wete = know.

865 tackles = arrows.

866 worth thee = be to thee.

867 behotè = didst promise.

868 wed = pledge, security.

869 blive = quickly.

870 bushment = ambush.

871 meeds = wages.

872 dead = certain, sure.

873 rawe = row.

874 win = go, attain.

875 behote = promise.

876 wonest = dwellest.

877 up to rout = to assemble in a band, to call to arms.

878 dight = done, performed.

879 leasing = lying.

880 yede = went.

881 whole = healed.

882 wood = furious, mad.

883 bidene = together.

884 took = gave.

885 ren = run.

886 pass = limits, extent.

887 There = where.

888 unneth = scarcely.

889 fay = faith.

890 That ye will = to whom you wish.

891 halk = nook, hiding-place.

892 forstèr = forester.

893 lede = following, retinue.

894 leadès-man = guide.

895 convent = company of monks.

896 mail-horse = baggage-horse.

897 lind = linden, lime tree.

898 stide = stead, place.

899 lording = gentleman.

900 Halfen-deal = half.

901 targe = disk (seal).

902 dightànd = making preparations.

903 pine = pain, passion.

904 hennès = hence.

905 lend = dwell.

906 shent = put to shame, hurt.

907 yards = rods.

908 tine = forfeit.

909 falls = is proper.

910 frere = friar.

911 But me like = unless I like.

912 pluck-buffet = ‘app. a competition between archers, in which he who missed or failed “caught” a buffet from his competitor’ (N.E.D.).

913 lere = learn.

914 hippèd = hopped, limped.

915 laid down = spent money.

916 By then = by the time that.

917 therefro = turned from it.

918 woolward = in a rough woollen shirt (as penance).

919 hight = promised.

920 Me list = it pleases me.

921 throw = interval of time.

922 Again = back.

923 banis = bane, destruction.

924 craftily = skilfully.

925 springe = trap.

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