"--
"Madam, sith it is your desire,
Your asking granted shall be;
But I had liever have given you
Good market town-es three."
The Queen she was a glad wom-an,
And said: "Lord, gramerc-y,
I dare well undertake for them
That true men shall they be.
But, good lord, speak some merry word,
That comfort they may see."--
"I grant you grace," then said our King;
"Wash, fellows, and to meat go ye."
They had not sitten but a while,
Certain, without leas-ing,
There came two messengers out of the north,
With letters to our King.
And when they came before the King,
They kneeled down upon their knee,
And said: "Lord, your officers greet you well
Of Carlisle in the north countree."--
"How fareth my Justice?" said the King,
"And my Sheriff also?"--
"Sir, they be slain, without leas-ing,
And many an officer mo."--
"Who hath them slain?" then said the King,
"Anon thou tell-e me."--
"Adam Bell, and Clym of the Clough,
And William of Cloudeslie."--
"Alas, for ruth!" then said our King,
"My heart is wondrous sore;
I had liever than a thousand pound
I had known of this before;
For I have y-granted them grace,
And that forthinketh me:
But had I known all this before,
They had been hanged all three.
Pages:
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75