Page:True tale of Robin Hood (1).pdf/8

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

Before that to his men and he,
 * his Lordſhip had ſaid maſs

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

And with his face towards his arſe
 * he forced him to ride

His men were forced to be his guide,
 * for he rode backwards home:

The Abbot being thus villify'd,
 * did ſorely fret and fume.

Thus Robin Hood did vindicate
 * his former wrongs received.

For it was this covetous prelate
 * him of his land bereav'd.

The Abbot rode unto the King,
 * with all the haſte he could,

And to his grace in every thing
 * exactly did unfold.

And ſaid if that no cauſe was ta'en;
 * by force or ſtratagem.

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

The King proteſted by and by
 * unto the Abbot then,

That Robin Hood with ſpeed ſhould die;
 * and all his merry men:

But e'er the King did any ſend,
 * he did another feat,