Page:Life and death of Robin Hood.pdf/7

 He bound the Abbot to a tree,
 * and would not let him pass.

Before that (to his men and he}
 * his lordship said a mass,

Which being done, upon his horse
 * he set him fast astride.

And with his face the contrair course,
 * he forced him to ride.

His men were forc'd to be his guide,
 * for he rode backwards home;

The Abbot being thus vilified,
 * did sorely chafe and foam.

Thus Robin Hood did vindicate
 * his former wrongs receiv’d;

For ’twas the covetous prelate,
 * that him of land bereav’d.

The Abbot he rode to the king,
 * with all the haste he could;

And to his grace he every thing
 * exactly did unfold:

And said, that if no course was ta'en
 * (by force or stratagem)

To take this rebel and his train,
 * no man could pass for them.

The king protested by and by, unto the Abbot then,