Part 10 (1/2)
”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!
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 G.o.d!” said the Sheriff, ”That sight would I fain see!”
”Busk you thitherward, my dear Master Anon, and wend with me!”
The Sheriff rode, and Little JOHN, Of foot he was full smart; And when they came afore ROBIN, ”Lo, here is the master Hart!”
Still stood the proud Sheriff: A sorry man was he!
”Woe the worth, REYNOLD GREENLEAF, Thou hast betrayed me!”
”I make mine avow to G.o.d,” said Little JOHN, ”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,” said ROBIN HOOD, ”Sheriff! for charity!
And for the love of Little JOHN Thy life is granted to thee!”
When they had supped well, The day was all agone, ROBIN commanded Little JOHN To 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.
ROBIN commanded 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 s.h.i.+rt: No wonder it was in green wood Though his sides do smart.
”Make glad cheer,” said ROBIN 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,” said ROBIN, ”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!” said ROBIN, ”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 swear To 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, And ROBIN and his merry men Went to wood anon.
”Go we to dinner?” said Little JOHN.
ROBIN HOOD said, ”Nay!
For I dread our Lady be wroth with me; For she [has] sent me not my pay!”
”Have no doubt, Master!” said Little JOHN.
”Yet is not the sun not at rest: For I dare say and safely swear The Knight is true and trust!”
”Take thy bow in thy hand!” said ROBIN.
”Let MUCH wend with thee!
And so shall WILLIAM 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 some If he be a poor man!”
Forth then started Little JOHN, Half in tray or teen, And girded him with a full good sword Under 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 highway Then were they 'ware of two black monks, Each on a good palfrey.
Then bespake Little JOHN, To MUCH he 'gan say: ”I dare lay my life to wed These monks have brought our pay!”
”Make glad cheer,” said Little JOHN, ”And frese our bows of yew!
And look your hearts be sicker and sad, Your strings trusty and true!”
The monk had fifty and two [men]