Here beginneth a little geste of Robin Hood
Lithe and listen, GentlemenThat be of free-born blood!I shall you tell of a good yeoman:His name wasRobin Hood.Robinwas a proud outlaw,Whiles he walked on ground,So courteous an outlaw as he was one,Was never none yfound.Robinstood in Bernysdale,And leaned him to a tree;And by him stood LittleJohn,A good yeoman was he:And also did goodScathelock,AndMuchthe miller's son,There was no inch of his bodyBut it was worth a groom.Then bespake him LittleJohn,All untoRobin Hood,"Master, if ye would dine betime,It would do you much good!"Then bespake goodRobin,"To dine I have no lust,Till I have some bold Baron,Or some unketh guest,That may pay for the best,Or some Knight or some SquireThat dwelleth here by West."A good manner then hadRobin,In land where that he were,Every day or he would dine,ThreeMasseswould he hear.The one in the worship of the FatherThe other of the Holy Ghost,The third was of our dear LadyThat he loved, aldermost.Robinloved our dear Lady;For doubt of deadly sin,Would he never do company harmThat any woman was in."Master!" then said LittleJohn,"And we our board shall spread,Tell us, Whither we shall gone,And what life we shall lead?Where we shall take? Where we shall leave?Where we shall abide behind?Where shall we rob? where shall we 'reave?Where we shall beat and bind?""Thereof no force!" saidRobin,"We shall do well enough!But look, ye do no husband harm,That tilleth with his plough!No more ye shall no good yeomanThat walketh by green-wood shaw!Ne no Knight, ne no SquireThat would be a good fellaw!These Bishops and these Archbishops,Ye shall them beat and bind!The High Sheriff ofNottingham,Him hold ye in your mind!""This word shall be held," saith LittleJohn,"And this lesson shall we lere!It is far day, God send us a guest,That we were at our dinnèr!""Take thy good bow in thy hand," saidRobin,"LetMuchwend with thee!And so shallWilliam Scathelock!And no man abide with me.And walk up to the Sayles,And so to Watling street,And wait after some unketh guest,Upchance, ye may them meet:Be he Earl or any Baron,Abbot or any Knight,Bring him to lodge to me!His dinner shall be dight!"They went unto the Sayles,These yeomen all three;They looked East, they looked West,They might no man see.But as they looked in Bernysdale,By a derne street,Then came there a Knight riding:Full soon they 'gan him meet.All dreary then was his semblante,And little was his pride,His one foot in the stirrup stood,That other waved beside.His hood hanged in his eyen two,He rode in simple array;A sorrier man than he was one,Rode never in summer's day.LittleJohnwas full curteys,And set him on his knee,"Welcome be ye, gentle Knight!Welcome are ye to me!Welcome be thou to green wood,Hende Knight and free!My master hath abiden you fasting,Sir! all these hours three!""Who is your master?" said the Knight.Johnsaid, "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-dayAt Blyth or Doncaster."Forth then went that gentle Knight,With a careful cheer;The tears out of his eyen ran,And fell down by his leer.They brought him unto the lodge door:WhenRobin'gan him see,Full courteously did off his hood,And set him on his knee."Welcome, Sir Knight!" then saidRobin,"Welcome thou art to me;I have abide you fasting, Sir,All these hours three!"Then answered the gentle KnightWith words fair and free,"God thee save, goodRobin!And all thy fair meiny!"They washed together, and wiped both;And set till their dinner:Bread and wine they had enough,And nombles of the deer;Swans and pheasants they had full good,And fowls of the rivèr.There failed never so little a birdThat ever was bred on brere."Do gladly, Sir Knight!" saidRobin."Grammercy, Sir!" said he,"Such a dinner had I notOf all these weekes three:If I come again,Robin,Here by this country,As good a dinner, I shall thee makeAs thou hast made to me!""Grammercy, Knight!" saidRobin,"My dinner when I haveI was never so greedy, by dear-worthy God!My dinner for to crave:But pay ere ye wend!" saidRobin;"Methinketh it is good right,It was never the manner, by dear-worthy God!A yeoman pay for a Knight!""I have nought in my coffers," said the Knight,"That I may proffer, for shame!""LittleJohn! go look!" saidRobin Hood,"Ne let not, for no blame,Tell me truth!" saidRobin,"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," saidRobin,"I will not one penny!And if thou have need of any more;More shall I lend thee!Go now forth, LittleJohn,The truth, tell thou me!If there be no more but ten shillings,Not one penny that I see!"LittleJohnspread down his mantleFull fair upon the ground;And there he found, in the Knight's coffer,But even half a pound.LittleJohnlet it lie full still,And went to his master full low."What tidings,John?" saidRobin."Sir, the Knight is true enow!""Fill of the best wine!" saidRobin,"The Knight shall begin!Much wonder thinketh meThy clothing is so thin!Tell me one word," saidRobin,"And counsel shall it be:I trow thou wert made a Knight, of force,Or else of yeomanry!Or else thou hast been a sorry husbandAnd lived in stroke and strife,And okerer or else a lecher," saidRobin,"With wrong hast thou led thy life!""I am none of them," said the Knight,"By God that made me!A hundred winters herebefore,My ancestors Knights have beBut oft it hath befallen,Robin!A man hath been disgrate,But God that sitteth in heaven above,May amend his state!Within this two year,Robin!" he said,"(My neighbours well it know!)Four hundred pounds of good moneyFull well then might I spend.Now, have I no goods," said the Knight;"God hath shapen such an end,—But my children and my wife,Till God it may amend!""In what manner," saidRobin,"Hast thou lost thy riches?""For my great folly," he said,"And for my kindness!I had a son, forsooth,Robin!That should have been my heir:When he was twenty winters old,In field would joust full fair.He slew a Knight of LancashireAnd a Squire bold.For to save him in his rightMy goods be set and sold,My lands be set to wed,Robin!Until a certain dayTo a rich Abbot here besides,Of SaintMary'sAbbey.""What is the sum?" saidRobin;"Truth then tell thou me!""Sir," he said, "four hundred pounds,The Abbot told it to me!""Now, and thou lose thy land!" saidRobin,"What shall 'fall of thee?""Hastily I will me busk," said the Knight,"Over the salt sea,And see whereChristwas quick and deadOn the Mount of Calvary!Farewell, friend! and have good day!It may not better be!"Tears fell out of his eyen two,He would have gone his way."Farewell, friends, and have good day!I ne have more to pay!""Where be thy friends?" saidRobin."Sir! never one will know me!While I was rich enough at homeGreat boast then would they blow;And now they run away from meAs beasts in a row,They take no more heed of meThan they me never saw!"For ruth then wept LittleJohn,ScathelockandMuchalso."Fill of the best wine!" saidRobin,"For here is a simple cheer.Hast thou any friends," saidRobin,"The borrows that will be?""I have none!" then said the Knight,"But God that died on the tree!""Do way thy japes!" saidRobin,"Thereof will I right none!Weenest thou I will have God to borrow,Peter,Paul, orJohn?Nay, by Him that me made,And shaped both sun and moon!Find a better borrow," saidRobin,"Or money gettest thou none!""I have none other!" said the Knight,"The sooth for to say,But if it be Our dear LadyShe failed me never or this day!""By dear worthy God!" saidRobin,"To seek all England through,Yet found I never to my payA much better borrow!Come now forth, LittleJohn!And go to my treasure!And bring me four hundred pound,And look that it well told be!"Forth then went LittleJohnAndScathelockwent before,He told out four hundred poundBy eighteen [?eight and twenty] score."Is this well told?" say LittleMuch."Johnsaid, "What grieveth thee?It is alms to help a gentle KnightThat is fallen in poverty!""Master!" then said LittleJohn,"His clothing is full thin!Ye must give the Knight a liveryTo lap his body therein:For ye have scarlet and green, Master!And many a rich array;There is no merchant in merry EnglandSo rich, I dare well say.""Take him three yards of every colour,And look it well meeted be!"LittleJohntook none other measureBut his bow tree;And of every handful that he metHe leaped over feet three."What devilkins draper!" said LittleMuch,"Thinkst thou to be?"Scathelockstood full still, and laughed,And said "By God Almight!Johnmay give him the better measure,For it cost him but light!""Master!" said LittleJohn,All untoRobin Hood,"Ye must give the Knight an horseTo lead home all this good.""Take him a grey courser!" saidRobin,"And a saddle new!He is Our Lady's Messenger;God leve that he be true!""And a good palfrey," said LittleMuch,"To maintain him in his right!""And a pair of boots," saidScathelock,"For he is a gentle Knight!""What shalt thou give him, LittleJohn?" saidRobin,"Sir; a pair of gilt spurs clean,To pray for all this company;God bring him out of teen!""When shall my day be," said the Knight,"Sir! and your will be?""This day twelvemonth!" saidRobin,"Under this green-wood tree.It were great shame," saidRobin,"A Knight alone to ride;Without Squire, yeoman, or page,To walk by his side!I shall thee lend, LittleJohn, my man;For he shall be thy knave!In a yeoman's stead, he may thee stand,If thou great need have!"¶The second fytte.Now is the Knight went on his way,This game him thought full good,When he looked on Bernysdale,He blessèdRobin Hood:And when he bethought on Bernysdale,OnScathelock,Much, andJohn;He blessed them for the best companyThat ever he in come.Then spake that gentle Knight,To LittleJohn'gan he say,"To-morrow, I must to York town,To Saint Mary's Abbey,And to the Abbot of that placeFour hundred pound I must pay:And but I be there upon this nightMy land is lost for aye!"The Abbot said to his Convent,There he stood on ground:"This day twelve months came there a Knight,And borrowed four hundred pound.[He borrowed four hundred pound]Upon his land and fee;But he come this ilk dayDisherited shall he be!""It is full early!" said the Prior,"The day is not yet far gone!I had lever to pay an hundred poundAnd lay [it] down anon.The Knight is far beyond the seaIn England is his right,And suffereth hunger and coldAnd many a sorry night:It were great pity," said the Prior,"So to have his land:And ye be so light of your conscienceYe do to him much wrong!""Thou art ever in my beard," said the Abbot;"By God and Saint Richard!"With that came in, a fat-headed monk,The High Cellarer."He is dead or hanged!" said the Monk,"By God that bought me dear!And we shall have to spend in this place,Four hundred pounds by year!"The Abbot and High CellarerStart forth full bold:The Justice of England,The Abbot there did hold.The High Justice, and many mo,Had taken into their handWholly all the Knight's debt,To put that Knight to wrong.They deemed the Knight wonder soreThe Abbot and his meiny,But he come this ilk dayDisherited shall he be."He will not come yet," said the Justice,"I dare well undertake!"But in sorrow time for them all,The Knight came to the gate.Then bespake that gentle KnightUntil his meiny,"Now, put on your simple weedsThat ye brought from the sea!"[They put on their simple weeds,]They came to the gates anon,The Porter was ready himself,And welcomed them everych one."Welcome, Sir Knight!" said the Porter;"My Lord, to meat is he;And so is many a gentlemanFor the love of thee!"The Porter swore a full great oath"By God that made me!Here be the best coresed horseThat ever yet saw I me!Lead them into the stable!" he said,"That easèd might they be!""They shall not come therein!" said the Knight,"By God that died on a tree!"Lords were to meat ysetIn that Abbot's hall:The Knight went forth, and kneeled down,And salued them, great and small."Do gladly, Sir Abbot!" said the Knight,"I am come to hold my day!"The first word the Abbot spake,"Hast thou brought my pay?""Not one penny!" said the Knight,"By God that makèd me!""Thou art a shrewd debtor!" said the Abbot;"Sir Justice, drink to me!What doest thou here," said the Abbot,"But thou hadst brought thy pay?""For 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 God!" said he."Now, good Sir Abbot! be my friend!For thy courtesy;And hold my lands in thy handTill I have made thee gree:And I will be thy true servantAnd truly serve theeTill ye have four hundred poundsOf money good and free."The Abbot sware a full great oath,"By God that died on a tree!Get thee land where thou mayest;For thou gettest none of me!""By dear 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 Maiden born,Leave us well to speed!For it is good to assay a friendOr that a man have need!"The Abbot loathly on him 'gan call:And villainously him 'gan look:"Out," he said, "thou false Knight!Speed thee out of my hall!""Thou liest!" then said the gentle Knight,"Abbot in thy hall!False Knight was I never,By God that made us all!"Up then stood that gentle Knight:To the Abbot, said he,"To suffer a Knight to kneel so long,Thou canst no courtesy!In jousts and in tournamentFull far then have I be;And put myself as far in pressAs any that ever I see.""What will ye give more," said the Justice,"And the Knight shall make a release?And else I dare safely swearYe hold never your land in peace!""An hundred pounds!" said the Abbot.The Justice said, "Give him two!""Nay, by God!" said the Knight,"Yet get ye it not so!Though ye would give a thousand more,Yet wert thou never the near!Shalt there never be mine heir,Abbot! Justice! ne Friar!"He started him to a board anon,Till a table round,And there he shook out of a bagEven four hundred pound."Have here thy gold, Sir Abbot!" said the Knight,"Which that thou lentest me!Hadst thou been courteous at my coming,Rewarded shouldst thou have be!"The Abbot sat still, and eat no more,For all his royal fare:He cast his head on his shoulder,And fast began to stare."Take me my gold again!" said the Abbot,"Sir Justice, that I took thee!""Not a penny!" said the Justice,"By God that died on the tree!""Sir Abbot, and ye Men of Law!Now have I held my day!Now shall I have my land againFor ought that you can say!"The Knight started out of the door,Away was all his care!And on he put his good clothing,The other he left there.He went him forth full merry singingAs men have told in tale,His Lady met him at the gateAt home in Verysdale."Welcome, my Lord!" said his Lady,"Sir, lost is all your good?""Be merry, Dame!" said the Knight,"And pray forRobin Hood!That ever his soul be in bliss;He helped me out of my teen.Ne had not been his kindness,Beggars had we been!The Abbot and I accorded be;He is served of his pay!The good yeoman lent it me,As I came by the way."This Knight then dwelled fair at home,The sooth for to say,Till he had got four hundred poundsAll ready for to pay.He purveyed him an hundred bows,The strings well dight;An hundred sheafs of arrows good,The heads burnished full bright:And every arrow an ell longWith peacock well ydight;Ynocked all with white silver,It was a seemly sight.He purveyed him an hundred men,Well harnessed in that stead,And himself in that same setAnd clothed in white and red.He bare a lancegay in his hand,And a man led his mail,And riden with a light songUnto Bernysdale.But at Wentbridge there was a wrestling,And there tarried was he:And there was all the bestyeomenOf all the West country.A full fair game there was up set;A white bull up i-pight;A great courser, with saddle and bridleWith gold burnished full bright;A pair of gloves, a red gold ring,A pipe of wine, in fay:What man beareth him best, IwisThe prize shall bear away.There was ayeomanin that place,And best worthy was he.And for he was far and fremd besteadYslain he should have be.The Knight had ruth of his yeomanIn place where that he stood:He said, "The yeoman should have no harm,For love ofRobin Hood!"The Knight pressed into the place,An hundred followed him free,With bows bent and arrows sharpFor to shend that company.They shouldered all and made him roomTo wit what he would say;He took the yeoman by the handAnd gave him all the play;He gave him five marks for his wine,There it laid on the mould:And bade it should be set abroach,Drink who so would!Thus long tarried this gentle KnightTill that play was done:So long abodeRobinfasting,Three hours after the noon.¶The third fytte.Lithe and listen, Gentlemen!All that now be here,Of LittleJohn, that was the Knight's man,Good mirth ye shall hear.It was upon a merry dayThat young men would go shoot,LittleJohnfetched his bow anonAnd said he "would them meet."Three times, LittleJohnshot about,And always he sleste [slit] the wand:The proud Sheriff ofNottinghamBy the Marks 'gan stand.The Sheriff swore a full great oath,"By Him that died on the tree!This man is the best archerThat yet saw I me!Say me now, wight young man!What is now thy name?In what country wert thou born?And where is thy woning wane?""In Holderness, I was born,I-wis, all of my dame:Men call meReynold Greenleaf,When I am at home.""Say me,Reynold Greenleaf!Wilt thou dwell with me?And every year, I will thee giveTwenty marks to thy fee!""I have a Master," said LittleJohn,"A courteous Knight is he;May ye get leave of him, the better may it be."The Sheriff got LittleJohnTwelve months of the Knight;Therefore he gave him right anonA good horse and a wight.Now is LittleJohna Sheriff's man,God give us well to speed!But always thought LittleJohnTo quite him well his meed."Now, so God me help!" said LittleJohn,"And be my true lewte!I shall be the worst servant to himThat ever yet had he!"It befel upon a Wednesday,The Sheriff on hunting was gone,And LittleJohnlay in his bed, and was forgot at home,Therefore he was fasting till it was past the noon."Good Sir Steward, I pray thee,Give me to dine!" said LittleJohn."It is long forGreenleaf, fasting so long to be.Therefore I pray thee, Steward, my dinner give thou me!""Shalt thou never eat nor drink," said the Steward,"Till my lord be come to town!""I make my avow to God," said LittleJohn"I had lever to crack thy crown!"The Butler was full uncourteous,There he stood on floor;He started to the buttery, and shut fast the door.LittleJohngave the Butler such a rapHis back went nigh in twoThough he lived an hundred winters, the worse he should go.He spurned the door with his foot, it went up well and fine!And there he made a large 'liveryBoth of ale and wine."Sir, if ye will not dine," said LittleJohn,"I shall give you to drink!And though ye live an hundred winters,On LittleJohnye shall think!"LittleJohneat and littleJohndrank, the while 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 hind,In any household to dwell! for to ask thus to dine!"And there he lent LittleJohnGood strokes three."I make mine avow," said LittleJohn,"These strokes liketh well.Thou art a bold man and a hardy,And so thinketh me!And ere I pass from this placeAssayed better shalt thou be!"LittleJohndrew a good sword,The Cook took another in hand;They thought nothing for to flee,But stiffly for to stand.There they fought sore together,Two mile way and more;Might neither other harm doThe maintenance of an hour."I make mine avow to God," said LittleJohn,"And by my true lewte!Thou art one of the best swordsmenThat ever yet saw I me,Couldst thou shoot as well in a bow,To green wood, thou shouldst with me!And two times in the year, thy clothingYchanged should be!And every year ofRobin Hood,Twenty marks to thy fee!""Put up thy sword," said the Cook,"And fellows will we be!"Then he fetch to LittleJohn,The nombles of a doe,Good bread, and full good wine.They eat and drank thereto.And when they had drunken well,Their troths together they plight,That they would be withRobinThat ilk same night.They did them to the treasure houseAs fast as they might go;The locks that were good steel,They brake them everych one.They took away the silver vessels,And all that they might get;Piece, mazers, ne spoons,Would they none forget.Also they took the good pence,Three hundred pounds and more:And did them strait toRobin HoodUnder the green-wood hoar."God thee save, my dear master!AndChristthee save and see!"And then saidRobinto LittleJohn,"Welcome might thou be!And also that fair yeoman,Thou bringest there with thee!What tidings from Nottingham,LittleJohn? tell thou me!""Well thee greeteth the proud Sheriff!And send thee here by me,His Cook and his silver vessels,And three hundred pounds and three!""I make mine avow to God!" saidRobin,"And to the Trinity!It was never by his good-willThis good is come to me!"LittleJohnhim there bethoughtOn a shrewd wile. Five miles in the forest he ran.Him happed at his will!Then he met the proud SheriffHunting with hounds and horn.LittleJohncould his courtesy,And kneeled him beforne."God thee save, my dear Master!AndChristthee save and see!""Reynold Greenleaf!" said the Sheriff,"Where hast thou now be?""I have been in this forest;A fair sight can I see;It was one of the fairest sightsThat ever yet saw I me!Yonder I see a right fair hart,His colour is of green!Seven score of deer upon a herd,Be with him all bedeen,His tynde are so sharp, Master,Of sixty and well mo,That I durst not shoot for dread,Lest they would me slo!""I make mine avow to God!" said the Sheriff,"That sight would I fain see!""Busk you thitherward, my dear MasterAnon, and wend with me!"The Sheriff rode, and LittleJohn,Of foot he was full smart;And when they came aforeRobin,"Lo, here is the master Hart!"Still stood the proud Sheriff:A sorry man was he!"Woe the worth,Reynold Greenleaf,Thou hast betrayed me!""I make mine avow to God," said LittleJohn,"Master, ye be to blame!I was mis-served of my dinner,When I was with you at home!"Soon he was to supper set,And served with silver white:And when the Sheriff saw his vessel,For sorrow, he might not eat!"Make good cheer," saidRobin Hood,"Sheriff! for charity!And for the love of LittleJohnThy life is granted to thee!"When they had supped well,The day was all agone,Robincommanded LittleJohnTo draw off his hosen and his shoon,His kirtle and his courtepy,That was furred well fine;And took him a green mantle,To lap his body therein.Robincommanded his wight young men,Under the green-wood tree,They shall lay in that same suit,That the Sheriff might them see.All night lay that proud Sheriff,In his breech and in his shirt:No wonder it was in green woodThough his sides do smart."Make glad cheer," saidRobin Hood,"Sheriff, for charity!For this is our order, I-wis,Under the green-wood tree!""This is harder order," said the Sheriff,"Than any Anchor or Frere!For all the gold in merry England,I would not long dwell here!""All these twelve months," saidRobin,"Thou shalt dwell with me!I shall thee teach, proud Sheriff,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 Sheriff,"For saint charity!And I will be thy best friend,That yet had ye!""Thou shalt swear me an oath!" saidRobin,"On my bright brand,Thou shalt never await 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 swearTo help them that thou may!"Now has the Sheriff ysworn this oath,And home he began 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,AndRobinand his merry menWent to wood anon."Go we to dinner?" said LittleJohn.Robin Hoodsaid, "Nay!For I dread our Lady be wroth with me;For she [has] sent me not my pay!""Have no doubt, Master!" said LittleJohn."Yet is not the sun not at rest:For I dare say and safely swearThe Knight is true and trust!""Take thy bow in thy hand!" saidRobin."LetMuchwend with thee!And so shallWilliam Scathelock;And no man abide with me!And walk up under the Sayles,And to Watling Street;And wait after such unketh guest,Upchance ye may them meet.Whether he be messenger,Or a man that mirths can;Of my good, he shall have someIf he be a poor man!"Forth then started LittleJohn,Half in tray or teen,And girded him with a full good swordUnder a mantle of green.They went up to the Sayles,These yeomen all three,They looked East, they looked West,They might no man see.But as they looked in Bernysdale,By the highwayThen were they 'ware of two black monks,Each on a good palfrey.Then bespake LittleJohn,ToMuchhe 'gan say:"I dare lay my life to wedThese monks have brought our pay!""Make glad cheer," said LittleJohn,"And frese our bows of yew!And look your hearts be sicker and sad,Your strings trusty and true!"The monk had fifty and two [men]And seven somers full strong,There rideth no Bishop in this landSo royally I understand."Brethren," said LittleJohn,"Here are no more but we three;But we bring them to dinner,Our Master, dare we not see!""Bend your bows!" said LittleJohn,"Make all yon press to stand!The foremost monk, his life and his death,Are closed in my hand.Abide, churl Monk!" said LittleJohn,"No further that thou go,If thou dost, by dear-worthy God!Thy death is in my hand!And evil thrift on thy head!" said LittleJohn,"Right under thy hat's band:For thou hast made our Master wroth,He is fasting so long!""Who is your Master?" said the Monk.LittleJohnsaid, "Robin Hood!""He is a strong thief!" said the Monk;"Of him heard I never good!""Thou liest then!" said LittleJohn,"And that shall rue thee!He is a yeoman of the forest;To dine, he hath bidden thee!"Muchwas ready with a bolt,Readily and anon,He set the Monk tofore the breastTo the ground that he can gone.Of fifty-two wight young yeomenThere abode not one;Save a little page and a groomTo lead the somers with LittleJohn.They brought the Monk to the lodge door,Whether he were loth or lief,For to speak withRobin Hood,Maugre in their teeth.Robindid adown his hood,The Monk when that he see,The Monk who was not so courteousHis hood then let he be."He is a churl, Master! by dear-worthy God!"Then said LittleJohn."Thereof no force!" saidRobin,"For courtesy can he none!How many men," saidRobin,"Had this Monk,John?""Fifty and two when that we met;But many of them be gone.""Let blow a horn!" saidRobin,"That fellowship may us know!"Seven score of wight yeomenCame pricking on a row,And everych of them a good mantleOf scarlet and of ray,All they came to goodRobinTo wit what he would say.They made the Monk to wash and wipe,And sit at his dinner,Robin Hoodand LittleJohnThey served him both in-fere."Do gladly, Monk!" saidRobin."Grammercy, Sir!" said he."Where is your Abbey, when ye are at home;And who is your avow?""St. Mary's Abbey," said the Monk,"Though I be simple here.""In what office?" saidRobin."Sir! the High Cellarer.""Ye be the more welcome," saidRobin."So ever might I thee.""Fill of the best wine!" saidRobin,"This Monk shall drink to me!But I have great marvel," saidRobin,"Of all this long day,I dread our Lady be wroth with me,She sent me not my pay!""Have no doubt, Master!" said LittleJohn,"Ye have no need, I say:This Monk, it hath brought, I dare well swear!For he is of her Abbey.""And She was a borrow," saidRobin,"Between a Knight and me,Of a little money that I him lentUnder the green-wood tree;And if thou hast that silver ybrought,I pray thee let me see,And I shall help thee eftsoonsIf thou have need to me!"The Monk swore a full great oath,With a sorry cheer,"Of the borrowhood thou speakest to meHeard I never ere!""I make mine avow to God!" saidRobin,"Monk, thou art to blame!For God is held a righteous man,And so is his dame.Thou toldest with thine own tongueThou mayst not say 'Nay!'How thou art her servant,And servest her every day:And thou art made her messenger,My money for to pay.Therefore I can the more thanks,Thou art come to thy day!What is in your coffers?" saidRobin;"True, then, tell thou me?""Sir!" he said, "twenty marks!Also might I thee!""If there be no more," saidRobin,"I will not one penny.If thou hast myster of any more,Sir, more I shall lend to thee!And if I find more," saidRobin,"Iwis, thou shalt it forgo;For of thy spending silver, Monk!Thereof will I right none.""Go now forth, LittleJohn,And the truth, tell thou me!If there be no more but twenty marksNo penny [of] that I see!"LittleJohnspread his mantle down,As he had done before,And he told out of the Monk's mailEight hundred pound and more.LittleJohnlet 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!""I make mine avow to God!" saidRobin,"Monk, what told I thee!Our Lady is the truest womanThat ever yet found I me!By dear worthy God!" saidRobin,"To seek all England through;Yet found I never to my pay,A much better borrow.Fill of the best wine, and do him drink!" saidRobin;"And greet well thy Lady hend;And if she have need toRobin Hood,A friend she shall him find:And if she needeth any more silver,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 horseTo bring him under foot."Whither be ye away?" saidRobin."Sir, to manors in this land,To reckon with our ReevesThat have done much wrong.""Come now forth, LittleJohn!And hearken to my tale!A better yeoman, I know noneTo seek a Monk's mail.How much is in yonder other corser?" saidRobin,"The sooth must we see!""By our Lady!" then said the Monk,"That were no courtesy;To bid a man to dinner,And sith him beat and bind!""It is our old manner!" saidRobin,"To leave but little behind."The Monk took the horse with spur,No longer would he abide!"Ask to drink!" then saidRobin,"Or that ye further ride?""Nay, for God!" said the Monk,"Me rueth I came so near!For better cheap, I might have dinedIn Blyth or in Doncaster!""Greet well, your Abbot!" saidRobin,"And your Prior, I you pray!And bid him send me such a MonkTo dinner every day!"Now let we that Monk be still;And speak we of the Knight!Yet he came to hold his dayWhile that it was light.He did him strait to Bernysdale,Under the green-wood tree.And he found thereRobin HoodAnd all his merry meiny.The Knight light down off his good palfrey.Robinwhen he 'gan see;So courteously he did adown his hoodAnd set him on his knee."God thee save,Robin Hood,And all this company!""Welcome, be thou, gentle Knight!And right welcome to me!"Then bespake himRobin 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 been so long?""For the Abbot and high JusticeWould have had my land?""Hast thou thy land again?" saidRobin,"Truth then tell thou me!""Yea, for God!" said the Knight,"And that I thank God and thee!But take not a grief," said the Knight,"That I have been so long,I came by a wrestling,And there I helped a poor yeoman,Who with wrong was put behind.""Nay, for God!" saidRobin,"Sir Knight, that thank I thee!What man that helpeth a good yeoman,His friend then will I be.""Have here four hundred pounds!" then said the Knight"The which ye lent me,And here is also twenty marks for your courtesy!""Nay, for God!" then saidRobin,"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,Welcome art thou to me!"WhenRobinhad told his tale,He laughed and had good cheer,"By my troth!" then said the Knight,"Your money is ready here!""Brook it well!" saidRobin,"Thou gentle Knight so free!And welcome be thou, gentle Knight,Under my trystel tree!But what shall these bows do?" saidRobin,"And these arrows yfeathered free?""By God!" then said the Knight,"A poor present to thee!""Come now forth, LittleJohn,And go to my treasure,And bring me there four hundred poundsThe Monk overtold it me.Have here four hundred pounds,Thou gentle Knight and true!And buy horse and harness good,And gilt thy spurs all new!And if thou fail any spending,Come toRobin Hood!And, by my troth, thou shalt none failThe whiles I have any good;And brook well thy four hundred poundsWhich I lent to thee!And make thyself no more so bare;By the counsel of me."Thus then helped him, goodRobin,The Knight all of his care:God that sits in heaven highGrant us well to fare!The fifth fytte.Now hath the Knight his leave ytake,And went him on his way.Robin Hoodand his merry menDwelled still full many a day.Lithe and listen, Gentlemen!And hearken what I shall say,How the proud Sheriff ofNottinghamDid cry a full fair Play,That all the best archers of the NorthShould come upon a day;And he that shooteth alder best,The game shall bear away!He that shooteth alder bestFurthest, fair, and low,At a pair of finely butts,Under the green-wood shaw,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.This then heard goodRobin,Under his trystel tree."Make you ready, ye wight young men,That shooting will I see!Busk you, my merry young men,Ye shall go with me!And I will wit the Sheriff's faith;True and if be he!"When they had their bows ybent,Their tackles feathered free,Seven score of wight young menStood byRobin's knee.When they came to Nottingham,The butts were fair and long,Many were the bold archersThat shooted with bowès strong."There shall but six shoot with me,The others shall keep my head,And stand with good bows bentThat I be not deceived."The fourth outlaw, his bow 'gan bend,And that wasRobin Hood:And that beheld the proud Sheriff,All by the butt he stood.ThriceRobinshot about,And always sliced the wand;And so did good "GilbertWith the white hand."LittleJohnand goodScathelockWere archers good and free:LittleMuchand goodReynoldThe worst would they not be!When they had shot about,These archers fair and good:Ever more was the best,Forsooth,Robin Hood.Him was delivered the good arrow,For best worthy was he:He took the gift so courteously;To green wood would he!They cried out onRobin Hood,And great horns 'gan they blow!"Woe worth the treason!" saidRobin;"Full evil thou art to know!And woe be thou, thou proud Sheriff!Thus gladding thy guest,Otherwise thou behote meIn yonder wild forest,But had I thee in green wood,Under my trystel tree,Thou shouldst leave me a better wed,Than thy true lewte."Full many a bow there was bent,And arrows let they glide!Many a kirtle there was rent,And hurt many a side!The outlaws' shot was so strongThat no man might them drive,And the proud Sheriff's menThey fled away full blyve.Robinsaw the [am]bushment to broke,In green wood he would have been;Many an arrow there was shotAmong that company.LittleJohnwas hurt full sore,With an arrow in his knee,That he might neither go nor ride:It was full great pity!"Master!" then said LittleJohn,"If ever thou lovest me;And for that ilk Lord's loveThat died upon a tree!And for the meeds of my service,That I have servèd thee:Let never the proud SheriffAlive now find me!But take out thy brown swordAnd smite all off my head!And give me wounds dead and wide,No life on me be left!""I would not that," saidRobin,"John! that thou be slo,For all the gold in merry England,Though it lay now on a row!""God forbid!" said LittleMuch,"That dièd on a tree!That thou shouldst, LittleJohn!'Part our company!"Up he took him on his back,And bare him well nigh a mile:Many a time, he laid him down,And shot another while.Then was there a fair CastleA little within the wood;Double ditched it was about,And wallèd, by the rood:And there dwelt that gentle Knight,SirRichard at the Lee,ThatRobinhad lent his goodUnder the green-wood tree.In he took goodRobinAnd all his company."Welcome be thou,Robin Hood!Welcome art thou, to me!And much thank thee of thy comfortAnd of thy courtesy,And of thy great kindnessUnder the green-wood tree!I love no man, in all this worldSo much as I do thee!For all the proud Sheriff ofNottingham;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 ready!And to the wall ye win!For one thing,Robin! I thee behoteI swear by St. Quintin!These twelve days thou wonest with me,To sup, eat, and dine!"Boards were laid and cloths spreadReadily and anon:Robin Hoodand his merry menTo meat 'gan they gone.¶The sixth fytte.Lithe and listen, Gentlemen!And hearken unto your song!How the proud Sheriff ofNottinghamAnd men of armès strongFull fast came to the High SheriffThe country up to rout,And they beset the Knight's Castle,The walls all about.The proud Sheriff loud 'gan cryAnd said, "Thou traitor Knight!Thou keepest here the King's enemy!Against the laws and right!""Sir, I will avow that I have doneThe deeds that here be dight,Upon all the lands that I have,As I am a true Knight,Wend forth, Sirs, on your way;And do no more to me,Till ye wit our King's willWhat he will say to thee!"The Sheriff thus, had his answerWithout any leasing.Forth he yode to London town,All for to tell the King.There he told them of that Knight,And eke ofRobin Hood;And also of the bold archers,That noble were and good.He would avow that he had doneTo maintain the outlaws strong;He would be Lord, and set you at noughtIn all the North land."I will be at Nottingham," said the King,"Within this fortnight!And take I will,Robin Hood;And so I will that Knight!Go now home, Sheriff," said the King,"And do as I thee bid.And ordain good archers ynowOf all the wide country!"The Sheriff had his leave ytake;And went him on his way.AndRobin Hoodto green wood,Upon a certain day,And LittleJohnwas whole of the arrowThat shot was in his knee;And did him straight toRobin HoodUnder the green-wood tree.Robin Hoodwalked in the forestUnder the leavès green,The proud Sheriff ofNottingham,Thereof he had great teen.The Sheriff there failed ofRobin HoodHe might not have his prey.Then he awaited this gentle Knight,Both by night and by day.Ever he awaited that gentle Knight,SirRichard at the Lee,As he went on hawking by the river sideAnd let his hawks flee;Took he there, this gentle Knight,With men of armès strong,And led him home to Nottingham wardYbound both foot and hand.The Sheriff swore a full great oath,By Him that died on rood,He had lever than a hundred poundThat he hadRobin Hood.This heard the Knight's wifeA fair Lady and free,She set her on a good palfrey;To green wood anon rode she.When she came to the forest,Under the green-wood tree,Found she thereRobin HoodAnd all his fair meiny."God [save] thee, goodRobin!And all thy company,For our dear Lady's loveA boon, grant thou me!Let thou never my wedded LordShamely yslain be!He is fast ybound to Nottingham ward.For the love of thee!"Anon then said goodRobin,To that Lady free:"What man hath your Lord ytake?""For sooth, as I thee say,He is not yet three milesPassèd on your way."Up then started goodRobin,As a man that had been wood;"Busk you, my merry young men,For Him that died on a rood!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 ybent,Mo than seven score;Hedge ne ditch spare they noneThat were them before."I make mine avow to God," saidRobin,"The Knight would I fain see;And if I may him take,Yquit then shall it be!"And when they came to NottinghamThey walkèd in the street,And with the proud Sheriff ywisSoon gan they meet."Abide, thou proud Sheriff!" he said,"Abide, and speak with me!Of some tidings of our KingI would fain hear of thee!This seven year, by dear-worthy God!Ne yede I so fast on foot;I make mine avow to God, thou proud Sheriff!That it is not for thy good."Robinbent a good bow,An arrow he drew at his will;He hit so the proud Sheriff,Upon the ground he lay full still:And or 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 Sheriff!Evil might thou thrive!There might no man to thee trust,The whiles thou wert alive!"His men drew out their bright swords,That were so sharp and keen,And laid on the Sheriff's menAnd drived them down bydene.Robinstarted to that Knight,And cut a two his bond;And took him in his hand a bow,And bade him by him stand."Leave thy horse thee behind,And learn for to run!Thou shalt with me to green woodThrough mire, moss, and fen!Thou shalt with me to green woodWithout any leasing,Till that I have got us graceOfEdward, our comely King."¶The seventh fytte.The King came to NottinghamWith Knights in great arrayFor to take that gentle KnightAndRobin Hood, if he may.He asked men of that countryAfterRobin Hood,And after that gentle KnightThat was so bold and stout.When they had told him the case,Our King understood their taleAnd seizèd in his handThe Knight's land all.All the pass of LancashireHe went both far and near;Till he came to Plom[p]ton ParkHe failed many of his deer.There our King was wont to seeHerdès many a one,He could unneath find one deerThat bare any good horn.The King was wondrous wroth withal,And swore, "By the Trinity!I would I hadRobin Hood!With eyen I might him see!And he that would smite off the Knight's head,And bring it to me;He shall have the Knight's landsSirRichard at the Lee.I give it him with my charter,And seal it [with] my hand,To have and hold for evermoreIn all merry England."Then bespake a fair old Knight,That was true in his fay,"O my liege Lord the King,One word I shall you say!There is no man in this countryMay have the Knight's landsWhileRobin Hoodmay ride or goneAnd bear a bow in his hands,That he ne shall lose his head,That is the best ball in his hood:Give it to no man, my Lord the King!That ye will any good!"Half a year dwelled our comely KingIn Nottingham, and well more,Could he not hear ofRobin Hood,In what country that he were:But always went goodRobinBy halke and eke by hill,And always slew the King's deerAnd welt them at his will.Then bespake a proud for'sterThat stood by our King's knee,"If ye will see goodRobinYe must do after me!Take five of the best KnightsThat be in your lead,And walk down by yon AbbeyAnd get you monks' weed!And I will be your leadsmanAnd lead you the way!And or ye come to Nottingham,Mine head then dare I lay!That ye shall meet with goodRobin,In life if that he be:Or ye come to NottinghamWith eyen ye shall him see!"Full hastily our King was dight,So were his Knightès five,Everych of them in monks' weed,And hasted them thither blithe.Our King was great above his cowl,A broad hat on his crown.Right as he were Abbot like,They rode up into the town.Stiff boots our King had on,For sooth as I you say,He rode singing to green wood,The convent was clothed in grey.His mail horse and his great somersFollowed our King behind,Till they came to green woodA mile under the lynde.There they met with goodRobinStanding on the way,And so did many a bold archer,For sooth as I you say.Robintook the King's horse,Hastily in that stead:And said, "Sir Abbot! by your leave;A while ye must abide!We be yeoman of this forest,Under the green-wood tree,We live by our King's deer,Under the green-wood tree;And ye have churches and rents both,And gold full great plenty:Give us some of your spending,For saint charity!"Then bespake our comely King,Anon then said he,"I brought no more to green wood.But forty pounds with me.I have lain at Nottingham,This fortnight with our King;And spent I have full much goodOn many a great Lording:And I have but forty pounds,No more than have I me.But if I had a hundred pounds,I would give it to thee!"Robintook the forty pounds,And departed it in two parts:Halfendell he gave his merry men,And bade them merry to be.Full courteouslyRobin'gan say,"Sir, have this for your spending!We shall meet another day.""Grammercy!" then said our King."But well thee greetethEdwardour King,And sent to thee his seal;And biddeth thee come to Nottingham,Both to meat and meal!"He took out the broad targeAnd soon he let him see.Robincould his courtesy,And set him on his knee."I love no man in all the worldSo well as I do my King!Welcome is my Lord's seal!And monk for thy tiding,Sir Abbot, for thy tidings,To-day, thou shalt dine with me!For the love of my King,Under my trystel tree."Forth he led our comely KingFull fair by the hand;Many a deer there was slain,And full fast dightand.Robintook a full great horn,And loud he 'gan blow,Seven score of wight young menCame ready on a row.All they kneeled on their kneeFull fair beforeRobin.The King said, himself until,And swore, "By SaintAustin!Here is a wondrous seemly sight!Methinketh, by God's pine!His men are more at his biddingThan my men be at mine."Full hastily was their dinner ydight,And thereto 'gan they gone;They served our King with all their might,BothRobinand LittleJohn.Anon before our King was setThe fat venison,The good white bread, the good red wine,And thereto the fine ale brown."Make good cheer!" saidRobin,"Abbot, for charity!And for this ilk tidingBlessèd might thou be!Now shalt thou see what life we lead,Or thou hence wend,That thou may inform our KingWhen ye together lend."Up they start all in haste,Their bows were smartly bent:Our King was never so sore aghast;He wended to have been shent!Two yards there were up setThereto 'gan they gang."By fifty paces," our King said,"The marks were too long!"On every side a rose garland,They shot under the line."Whoso faileth of the rose garland," saithRobin,"His tackle he shall tine,And yield it to his Master,Be it never so fine!(For no man will I spare,So drink I ale or wine!)And bear a buffet on his headIwis right all bare."And all that fell inRobin's lot,He smote them wondrous sore.TwiceRobinshot about,And ever he cleaved the wand;And so did good "Gilbert,With the good white hand."LittleJohnand goodScathelock,For nothing would they spare.When they failed of the garlandRobinsmote them full sore.At the last shot, thatRobinshotFor all his friends' fare;Yet he failed of the garlandThree fingers and more.Then bespake goodGilbert,And thus he 'gan say,"Master," he said, "your tackle is lost,Stand forth and take your pay!""If it be so," saidRobin,"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 yeoman,For doubt I should him grieve.""Smite on boldly," saidRobin,"I give thee large leave!"Anon our King, with that word,He folded up his sleeve,And such a buffet he gaveRobin,To ground he yede full near."I make mine avow to God," saidRobin,"Thou art a stalwart frere!There is pith in thine arm," saidRobin,"I trow thou canst well shoot."Thus our King andRobin Hood,Together then they met.Robinbeheld our comely King,Wistly in the face:So did SirRichard at the Lee,And kneeled down in that place.And so did all the wild outlaws,When they see them kneel."My Lord, the King of England,Now I know you well.""Mercy, then,Robin," said our King,"Under your trystel tree,Of thy goodness and thy grace,For my men and me!""Yes, for God!" saidRobin,"and also God me save!I ask mercy, my Lord the King,And for my men I crave!""Yes, for God!" then said our King,"And thereto 'sent I me;With that thou leave the green wood,And all thy company;And come home, Sir, to my Court,And there dwell with me.""I make mine avow to God!" saidRobin,"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 service,I come again full soon;And shoot at the dun deerAs I wont to done."¶The eighth fytte.Hast thou any green cloth," said our King,"That thou wilt sell now to me?""Yea, for God!" saidRobin,"Thirty yards and three.""Robin," said our King,"Now pray I thee!Sell me some of that clothTo me and my meiny.""Yes, for God!" then saidRobin,"Or else I were a fool!Another day ye will me clothe,I trow against the yule."The King cast off his cowl then,A green garment he did on,And every knight also, i-wis,Another had 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 bent, and forth they went,Shooting all in-fereToward the town of Nottingham,Outlaws as they were.Our King andRobinrode together,For sooth as I you say,And they shot Pluck-buffet,As they went by the way.And many a buffet our King wonOfRobin Hoodthat day;And nothing spared goodRobinOur King in his pay."So God me help!" said our King,"Thy game is nought to lere;I should not get a shot of thee,Though I shoot all this year!"All the people of Nottingham,They stood and beheld,They saw nothing but mantles of greenThat covered all the field:Then every man to other 'gan say,"I dread our King be slone;ComeRobin Hoodto the town, ywisIn life he left never one!"Full hastily they began to flee,Both yeomen and knaves,And old wives that might evil goThey hippèd on their staves.The King laughed full fast,And commanded them again:When they see our comely KingI-wis they were full fain.They eat and drank and made them glad,And sang with notès high.Then bespake our comely KingTo SirRichard at the Lee:He gave him there his land again;A good man he bade him be.Robinthanked our comely KingAnd set him on his knee.HadRobindwelled in the King's CourtBut twelve months and three;That he had spent an hundred pound,And all his men's fee.In every place whereRobincame,Evermore he laid down,Both for Knights and for SquiresTo get him great renown.By then the year was all agoneHe had no man but twain,LittleJohnand goodScathelockWith him all for to gone.Robinsaw young men shootFull far upon a day."Alas," then said goodRobin,"My wealth is went away!Sometime I was an archer good,A stiff, and eke a strong,I was counted the best archèrThat was in merry England.Alas," then said goodRobin,"Alas, and well a wo!If I dwell longer with the King,Sorrow will me slo!"Forth then wentRobin Hood,Till he came to our King:"My Lord the King of England,Grant me mine asking!I made a chapel in Bernysdale,That seemly is to see:It is ofMary Magdalene;And thereto would I be!I might never in this seven nightNo time to sleep ne wink;Neither all these seven daysNeither eat ne drink:Me longeth sore to Bernysdale.I may not be therefro,Barefoot and woolward I have hightThither for to go.""If it be so," then said our King,"It may no better be!Seven nights I give thee leave,No longer, to dwell from me.""Grammercy, Lord!" then saidRobin,And set him on his knee.He took his leave full courteouslyTo green wood then went he.When he came to green woodIn a merry morning,There he heard the notès smallOf birds, merry singing."It is far gone," saidRobin,"That I was last here.Me list a little for to shootAt the dun deer."Robinslew a full great hart,His horn then 'gan he blow,That all the outlaws of that forest,That horn could they know.And gathered them togetherIn a little throw,Seven score of wight young menCame ready on a row,And fair did off their hoodsAnd set them on their knee."Welcome!" they said, "our Master!Under this green-wood tree!"Robindwelled in green woodTwenty years and two;For all dread ofEdwardour KingAgain would he not go.Yet was he beguiled i-wisThrough a wicked woman,The Prioress of Kirkesley.That nigh was of his kin,For the love of a Knight,SirRogerof Donkesley.That was her own special(Full evil might they thee!)They took together their counselRobin Hoodfor to slee,And how they might best do that deedHis banes for to be.Then bespake goodRobin,In place where as he stood,"To-morrow, I must to KirkesleyCraftily to be let blood!"SirRogerof Doncaster,By the Prioress he lay:And there they betrayed goodRobin HoodThrough their false play.Christhave mercy on his soul!(That died on the rood)For he was a good outlaw,And did poor men much good.