Page:Famous exploits of Robin Hood, Little John, and his merry men all.pdf/19

Rh grey stead, while he rode laughing along for joy. But as they were riding through the forest, in which their road lay, the bishop espied an hundred tall bowmen coming out of the wood. 'O, who are these men? said the bishop, 'and; who is that man that leads them so boldly?' 'In good faith,' said the old woman, 'I think it is Robin Hood.' 'Then who art thou?' said the bishop. 'I am only a poor old woman,' said she, 'hast thou any occasion for me now?' Robin Hood coming up, took the bishop by the hand, and placing him upon the stump of a tree, made him tune his voice, and sing a full mass to all the company; afterwards they brought him through the wood, and having set him upon his horse with his face towards the tail, they charged him for ever to pray for Robin Hood; and putting the tail in his hand, bid him begone.

As Robin Hood wandered about the fields one day, he met a fair lady who came weeping along the road, in great distress. 'O why do you weep so pitifully,' said Robin, 'and what is the cause of your great distress?' 'I weep.' she replied, 'for the sorrowful fate of three brothers, the bravest and dearest of men, who are all condemned to die.' 'What church have they robbed,' said Robin, 'or what parish priest have