Page:History of Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough, and William of Cloudeslie (1).pdf/16

 ( 16 ) ame, says he, be merry and glad,

And thank my brethren two.

Herereof to speak, said Adam Bell;

I wish it is no hurt;

The meat we must sup withal,

It resteth yet on foot.

Then went they down into the land,

These noble men all three;

Each of them slew an heart of Greece,

The best that they could see.

Here, have the best, Alice, my wife,

Said William of Cloudeslie,

Because ye boldly stood by me,

When I was slain full nigh.

And then they all to supper went,

With such meat as they had;

And thankful for their fortune good,

They were merry and glad.

And when they had all supped well,

So certain without lease,

Cloudeslie said, we’ll to our king,

And get a charter of peace.

Alice shall be our sojourning,

In the nunnery beside:

My two dear sons shall with her go,

And there they shall abide.

My eldest son shall go with me,

For him I have no care;

For he shall bring you word again,

How that we all do fare.