Then bespake a proud forstere,
That stood by our king's knee,
"If ye will see good Rob-in,
Ye must do after me.
Take five of the best knyght-es
That be in your lede,
And walk down by your abb-ey,
And get you monk-es weed.
And I will be your led-es man,
And led-e you the way,
And ere ye come to Nottingham,
Mine head then dare I lay,
That ye shall meet with good Rob-in,
Alive if that he be,
Ere ye come to Nottingham,
With eyen ye shall him see."
Full hastily our king was dight,
So were his knight-es five,
Each of them in monk-es weed,
And hasted them thither blithe.
Our king was great above his cowl,
A broad hat on his crown,
Right as he were abbot-like,
They rode up into the town.
Stiff boots our king had on,
Forsooth as I you say,
He rode sing-ing to green wood,
The convent was clothed in gray,
His mail horse, and his great som-ers,
Followed our king behind,
Till they came to green-e wood,
A mile under the lind:
There they met with good Rob-in,
Standing on the way,
And so did many a bold arch-er,
For sooth as I you say.
Robin took the king-es horse,
Hastily in that stead,
And said, "Sir abbot, by your leave,
A while ye must abide;
We be yeom-en of this for-est,
Under the green wood tree,
We live by our king-es deer,
Other shift have not we;
And ye have churches and rent-es both,
And gold full great plent-y;
Give us some of your spend-ing,
For saint Charity.
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