17 This shoot it was but loosely shot, The arrow flew in vain, And it met one of the sheriff's men, Good William o' Trent was slain. 18 It had been better for William o' Trent 19 And it is said, when men be met 20 "Thou shalt be drawen by dale and down,” quoth the sheriff, "And hanged high on a hill;" "But thou may fail,” quoth John, "If it be Christ's own will.” 21 Let us leave talking of Little John, 22 How these two yeomen together they met, To see what marchandise they made, 23 “Good morrow, good fellow," quoth Sir Guy, “Good morrow, good fellow," quoth he: "Methinks by this bow thou bears in thy hand, A good archer thou seems to be. 24 "I am wilful of my way," quoth Sir Guy, "And of my morning tide:" "I'll lead thee through the wood," quoth Robin, "Good fellow, I'll be thy guide." 25 "I seek an outlaw," quoth Sir Guy, I'd rather meet with him upon a day, 26 "If you two met, it would be seen whether were better, Afore ye did part away; Let us some other pastime find, 27 "Let us some masteries make, And we will walk in the woods even; We may chance meet with Robin Hood Here at some unset steven." 28 They cut them down two summer shrogs, 29 "Lead on, good fellow," said Sir Guy, "Lead on, I do bid thee;" "Nay, by my faith," quoth Robin Hood, "The leader thou shalt be." 30 The first good shot that Robin led Did not shoot an inch the prick fro; Guy was an archer good enough, 31 The second shot Sir Guy shot, He shot within the garland; But Robin Hood shot it better than he, 32 "God's blessing on thy heart," says Guy, "Good fellow, thy shooting is good; For an thy heart be as good as thy hand Thou were better then Robin Hood. 33 "Tell me thy name, good fellow," quoth Guy, "Under the leaves of line;" "Nay, by my faith," quoth good Robin, · 34 "I dwell by dale and down," quoth Guy, "And I have done many a curst turn; And he that calls me by my right name, Calls me Guy of good Gisburn.” 35 "My dwelling is in the wood," says Robin, I am Robin Hood of Barnèsdale, 36 He that had neither been a kith nor kin 37 To have seen how these yeomen together fought Two hours of a summer's day, It was neither Guy nor Robin Hood That fettled them to fly away. 38 Robin was reachless on a root, And stumbled at that tide; And Guy was quick and nimble withal, 39 "Ah, dear Lady," said Robin Hood, "Thou art both mother and may; I think it was never man's destiny To die before his day." 40 Robin thought on Our Lady dear, And soon leapt up again, And thus he came with an awkward stroke, 41 He took Sir Guy's head by the hair, And sticked it on his bow's end: "Thou hast been traitor all thy life, Which thing must have an end." 42 Robin pulled forth an Irish knife, 43 Says, "Lie there, lie there, good Sir Guy, And with me be not wroth; 44 If thou have had the worse strokes at my hand, Robin did off his gown of green, Sir Guy he did it throw, 45 "The bow, the arrows, and little horn, And with me now I'll bear; For I will go to Barnèsdale, To see how my men do fare.” 46 Robin Hood set Guy's horn to his mouth, That beheard the sheriff of Nottingham, 47 “Hearken, hearken,” said the sheriff, 48 "For yonder I hear Sir Guy's horn blow, For yonder comes that wight yeoman, |