Part 14 (1/2)
He took his leave full courteously To green wood then went he.
When he came to green wood In a merry morning, There he heard the notes small Of birds, merry singing.
”It is far gone,” said ROBIN, ”That I was last here.
Me list a little for to shoot At the dun deer.”
ROBIN slew 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 together In a little throw, Seven score of wight young men Came ready on a row, And fair did off their hoods And set them on their knee.
”Welcome!” they said, ”our Master!
Under this green-wood tree!”
ROBIN dwelled in green wood Twenty years and two; For all dread of EDWARD our King Again would he not go.
Yet was he beguiled i-wis Through a wicked woman, The Prioress of Kirkesley.
That nigh was of his kin, For the love of a Knight, Sir ROGER of Donkesley.
That was her own special (Full evil might they thee!) They took together their counsel ROBIN HOOD for to slee, And how they might best do that deed His banes for to be.
Then bespake good ROBIN, In place where as he stood, ”To-morrow, I must to Kirkesley Craftily to be let blood!”
Sir ROGER of Doncaster, By the Prioress he lay: And there they betrayed good ROBIN HOOD Through their false play.
CHRIST have mercy on his soul!
(That died on the rood) For he was a good outlaw, And did poor men much good.
+Explicit. King Edward and Robin Hood and Little John. Imprinted at London in Fleet street at the sign of the Sun. By Wynken de Worde.+
_English Carols._ [From a Ma.n.u.script at Balliol College, Oxford.]
=Written before 1500.=
=From a Balliol MS. of c. 1540=
_English Carols._ From a Ma.n.u.script at Balliol College, Oxford.
_Mater, ora filium, ut post hoc exilium n.o.bis donet gaudium beatorum omnium!_
Fair maiden, who is this bairn That thou bearest in thine arm?
Sir it is a Kinges Son, That in Heaven above doth wone.
_Mater, ora, etc._
Man to father he hath none, But Himself G.o.d alone!
Of a maiden He would be born, To save mankind that was forlorn!
_Mater, ora, etc._
The Kings brought him presents, Gold, myrrh, and frankincense To my Son full of might, King of Kings and Lord of right!
_Mater, ora, etc._
Fair maiden pray for us Unto thy Son, sweet Jesus, That He will send us of His grace In heaven on high to have a place!