Chapter XXII: Book V: 112. Robyn and Gandelyn (2)

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.’--

CL

‘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.’

CC

‘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 = 13_s._ 4_d._

[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.

_116. Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne_

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