XLI. ROBIN HOOD AND THE VALIANT WHEN Robin Hood, and his merry men all, Had reigned many years, The king was then told that they had been bold To his bishops and noble peers. Therefore they called a council of state, Having consulted a whole summer's day, That one should be sent to try the event, Therefore a trusty and most worthy knight The king was pleased to call, Sir William by name: when to him he came, He told him his pleasure all. Go you from hence to bold Robin Hood, And bid him, without more ado, Surrender himself, or else the proud elf Shall suffer with all his crew. Take here an hundred bowmen brave, Of excellent art for to take thy part, Then said the knight, my sovereign liege, By me they shall be led ; I'll venture my blood against Robin Hood, And bring him alive or dead. One hundred men were chosen straight, On mid-summer day they marched away, With long yew bows, and shining spears, Said he to his archers, tarry here, Your bows make ready all, That if need should be, you may follow me, And see you observe my call. I'll go in person first, he cried, He wander'd about 'till at length he came To the tent of Robin Hood: The letter he shows, bold Robin arose, They'd have me surrender, quoth bold Robin Hood, But tell them from me, that never shall be, Sir William the knight, both hardy and bold, Which William Locksley by fortune did see, Then Robin Hood set his horn to his mouth, And so did the knight, at which there in sight Sir William with care he drew up his men, Bold Robin, we find, he was not behind ; The archers on both sides bent their bows, The very first flight that honour'd knight Yet nevertheless their fight did last Both parties were stout, and loth to give out: At length they left off; one party they went To London with right good will; And Robin Hood he to the green-wood tree, And there he was taken ill. He sent for a monk, to let him blood, Now this being done, his archers they run, Some got on board, and cross'd the seas, And others to Rome, for fear of their doom, XLII. ROBIN HOOD'S DEATH AND BURIAL. WHEN Robin Hood and Little John Went o'er yon bank of broom, Said Robin Hood to Little John, We have shot for many a pound. But I am not able to shoot one shot more, But I have a cousin lives down below, Now Robin is to fair Kirkley gone, As fast as he can win, But before he came there, as we do hear, He was taken very ill. And when that he came to fair Kirkley-hall, But none was so ready as his cousin herself |