Page:History of Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough, and William of Cloudeslie (1).pdf/17

 ( 17 ) These yeomen thus to London gone,

As fast as they could hie,

Till they came to the King's palace,

Where they most sure would be.

Now when they came to the King’s court,

Unto the palace gate,

Of no man would they ask leave,

Boldly went in thereat.

They presently approach’d the hall,

Of no man they had dread;

The porter came and did there call,

And with them ’gan to chide.

The Usher said, what would you have,

I pray you tell to me:

You might have been officers sent;

Good Sirs, from whence come ye:

We be out-laws of the forest,

Sure without any lease,

And hither we come to the king,

For a charter of peace.

Now when they came before the King,

’Twas the laws of the land;

They kneeled down without leering,

And each held up his hand

They said, lord, we beseech thee here,

That thou wouldst grant us grace;

For we have slain your fallow deer,

In many sundry place,

What be your names, then said the king,

Anon pray tell to me,