The sheriff there failed of Robin Hood,
He might not have his prey,
Then he awaited that gentle knight,
Both by night and by day.
Ever he awaited that gentle knight,
Sir Richard at the Lee.
As he went on hawking by the river side,
And let his hawk-es flee,
Took he there this gentle knight,
With men of arm-es strong,
And led him home to Nottingham ward,
I-bound both foot and hond.
The sheriff swore a full great oath,
By him that died on a tree,
He had liever than an hundred pound,
That Robin Hood had he.
Then the lad-y, the knight-es wife,
A fair lad-y and free,
She set her on a good palfr-ey,
To green wood anon rode she.
When she came to the for-est,
Under the green wood tree,
Found-e she there Robin Hood,
And all his fair meyn-e.
"God thee save, good Robin Hood,
And all thy compan-y;
For our deare Ladyes love,
A boon grant thou to me.
Let thou never my wedded lord
Shamefully slain to be;
He is fast i-bounde to Nottingham ward,
For the love of thee."
Anon then said good Rob-in,
To that lad-ye free,
"What man hath your lord i-take?"
"The proud sheriff," then said she.
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