Page:Life and death of Robin Hood.pdf/5

 One hundred men in all he got,
 * with whom, the story says.

Three hundred common men durst not
 * hold combat any ways.

The Yorkshire woods frequented much,
 * and Lancashire also;

Wherein the practices were such
 * that they wrought muckle woe,

None rich durst travel to and fro,
 * tho’ ne’er so strongly arm’d;

But by these thieves, so strong in shew,
 * they still were rob’d and harm’d.

His chiefest spite to the clergy was,
 * that liv’d in monstrous pride;

No one of them he could let pass
 * along the highway side;

But first they must to dinner go,
 * and afterwards to shift;

Full many a one he served so,
 * thus while he liv’d by theft.

No monks or friars he would let go,
 * without paying their fees;

If they thought much to be used so,
 * their gear he made them leave.

For such as they the country fill’d
 * with bastards in those days;