Fifteenth Century Prose and Verse Part 9

The Abbot sat still, and eat no more, For all his royal fare: He cast his head on his shoulder, And fast began to stare.

"Take me my gold again!" said the Abbot, "Sir Justice, that I took thee!"

"Not a penny!" said the Justice, "By G.o.d that died on the tree!"

"Sir Abbot, and ye Men of Law!

Now have I held my day!

Now shall I have my land again For ought that you can say!"

The Knight started out of the door, Away was all his care!

And on he put his good clothing, The other he left there.

He went him forth full merry singing As men have told in tale, His Lady met him at the gate At home in Verysdale.

"Welcome, my Lord!" said his Lady, "Sir, lost is all your good?"

"Be merry, Dame!" said the Knight, "And pray for ROBIN HOOD!

That ever his soul be in bliss; He helped me out of my teen.

Ne had not been his kindness, Beggars had we been!

The Abbot and I accorded be; He is served of his pay!

The good yeoman lent it me, As I came by the way."

This Knight then dwelled fair at home, The sooth for to say, Till he had got four hundred pounds All ready for to pay.

He purveyed him an hundred bows, The strings well dight; An hundred sheafs of arrows good, The heads burnished full bright: And every arrow an ell long With peac.o.c.k well ydight; Ynocked all with white silver, It was a seemly sight.

He purveyed him an hundred men, Well harnessed in that stead, And himself in that same set And clothed in white and red.

He bare a lancegay in his hand, And a man led his mail, And riden with a light song Unto Bernysdale.

But at Wentbridge there was a wrestling, And there tarried was he: And there was all the best yeomen Of all the West country.

A full fair game there was up set; A white bull up i-pight; A great courser, with saddle and bridle With gold burnished full bright; A pair of gloves, a red gold ring, A pipe of wine, in fay: What man beareth him best, Iwis The prize shall bear away.

There was a yeoman in that place, And best worthy was he.

And for he was far and fremd bestead Yslain he should have be.

The Knight had ruth of his yeoman In place where that he stood: He said, "The yeoman should have no harm, For love of ROBIN HOOD!"

The Knight pressed into the place, An hundred followed him free, With bows bent and arrows sharp For to shend that company.

They shouldered all and made him room To wit what he would say; He took the yeoman by the hand And gave him all the play; He gave him five marks for his wine, There it laid on the mould: And bade it should be set abroach, Drink who so would!

Thus long tarried this gentle Knight Till that play was done: So long abode ROBIN fasting, Three hours after the noon.

+The third fytte.+

Lithe and listen, Gentlemen!

All that now be here, Of Little JOHN, that was the Knight's man, Good mirth ye shall hear.

It was upon a merry day That young men would go shoot, Little JOHN fetched his bow anon And said he "would them meet."

Three times, Little JOHN shot about, And always he sleste [_slit_] the wand: The proud Sheriff of NOTTINGHAM By the Marks 'gan stand.

The Sheriff swore a full great oath, "By Him that died on the tree!

This man is the best archer That yet saw I me!

Say me now, wight young man!

What is now thy name?

In what country wert thou born?

And where is thy woning wane?"

"In Holderness, I was born, I-wis, all of my dame: Men call me REYNOLD GREENLEAF, When I am at home."

"Say me, REYNOLD GREENLEAF!

Wilt thou dwell with me?

And every year, I will thee give Twenty marks to thy fee!"

"I have a Master," said Little JOHN, "A courteous Knight is he; May ye get leave of him, the better may it be."

The Sheriff got Little JOHN Twelve months of the Knight; Therefore he gave him right anon A good horse and a wight.

Now is Little JOHN a Sheriff's man, G.o.d give us well to speed!

But always thought Little JOHN To quite him well his meed.

"Now, so G.o.d me help!" said Little JOHN, "And be my true lewte!

I shall be the worst servant to him That ever yet had he!"

It befel upon a Wednesday, The Sheriff on hunting was gone, And Little JOHN lay in his bed, and was forgot at home, Therefore he was fasting till it was past the noon.

"Good Sir Steward, I pray thee, Give me to dine!" said Little JOHN.

"It is long for GREENLEAF, fasting so long to be.

Therefore I pray thee, Steward, my dinner give thou me!"

"Shalt thou never eat nor drink," said the Steward, "Till my lord be come to town!"

"I make my avow to G.o.d," said Little JOHN "I had lever to crack thy crown!"

The Butler was full uncourteous, There he stood on floor; He started to the b.u.t.tery, and shut fast the door.

Little JOHN gave the Butler such a rap His back went nigh in two Though he lived an hundred winters, the worse he should go.

He spurned the door with his foot, it went up well and fine!

And there he made a large 'livery Both of ale and wine.

"Sir, if ye will not dine," said Little JOHN, "I shall give you to drink!

And though ye live an hundred winters, On Little JOHN ye shall think!"

Little JOHN eat and little JOHN drank, the while he would.

The Sheriff had in his kitchen a Cook, A stout man and a bold, "I make mine avow to G.o.d!" said the Cook, "Thou art a shrewd hind, In any household to dwell! for to ask thus to dine!"

And there he lent Little JOHN Good strokes three.

"I make mine avow," said Little JOHN, "These strokes liketh well.

Thou art a bold man and a hardy, And so thinketh me!

And ere I pa.s.s from this place a.s.sayed better shalt thou be!"

Little JOHN drew a good sword, The Cook took another in hand; They thought nothing for to flee, But stiffly for to stand.

There they fought sore together, Two mile way and more; Might neither other harm do The maintenance of an hour.

"I make mine avow to G.o.d," said Little JOHN, "And by my true lewte!

Thou art one of the best swordsmen That ever yet saw I me, Couldst thou shoot as well in a bow, To green wood, thou shouldst with me!

And two times in the year, thy clothing Ychanged should be!

And every year of ROBIN HOOD, Twenty marks to thy fee!"

"Put up thy sword," said the Cook, "And fellows will we be!"

Then he fetch to Little JOHN, The nombles of a doe, Good bread, and full good wine.

They eat and drank thereto.

And when they had drunken well, Their troths together they plight, That they would be with ROBIN That ilk same night.

They did them to the treasure house As fast as they might go; The locks that were good steel, They brake them everych one.

They took away the silver vessels, And all that they might get; Piece, mazers, ne spoons, Would they none forget.

Also they took the good pence, Three hundred pounds and more: And did them strait to ROBIN HOOD Under the green-wood h.o.a.r.

"G.o.d thee save, my dear master!

And CHRIST thee save and see!"

And then said ROBIN to Little JOHN, "Welcome might thou be!

And also that fair yeoman, Thou bringest there with thee!

What tidings from Nottingham, Little JOHN? tell thou me!"

"Well thee greeteth the proud Sheriff!

And send thee here by me, His Cook and his silver vessels, And three hundred pounds and three!"

"I make mine avow to G.o.d!" said ROBIN, "And to the Trinity!

It was never by his good-will This good is come to me!"

Little JOHN him there bethought On a shrewd wile. Five miles in the forest he ran.

Him happed at his will!

Then he met the proud Sheriff Hunting with hounds and horn.

Little JOHN could his courtesy, And kneeled him beforne.

"G.o.d thee save, my dear Master!

And CHRIST thee save and see!"

"REYNOLD GREENLEAF!" said the Sheriff, "Where hast thou now be?"