Page:True tale of Robin Hood (1).pdf/10

 Should have a thousand marks a year,
 * in gold and silver good.

This promiſe of the King did make
 * full many a yeoman bold

Attempt bold Robin Hood to take,
 * with all the force he could:

But ſtill when any came him to,
 * within the gay green wood,

He soon made them return again,
 * this yeomen was so good,

He shewed to them ſuch martial ſport,
 * with his long bow and arrow,

That they of him did give report,
 * how great it was their sorrow,

That ſuch a worthy man as he
 * should thus be put in shrift:

Being late a Lord of high renown
 * of living quite bereft,

The King to take him more and more,
 * sent men of mickle might

And he with steel did beat them sore,
 * and conquer them in fight,

Or else by love and courteſy
 * to him he won their hearts

So that he lived by robbery
 * in all the northern parts:

And all the country far and near,
 * of Robin Hood and ishis [sic]men

For stouter lads ne'er liv'd by bread,
 * in thois days, nor since then.