Up have they taken good Robin,5
Making a piteous beir,
Yet saw they no man there at whom
They might the matter speir.
They lookèd him all round about,
But wounds on him saw none,10
Yet at his mouth came bocking out
The blood of a good vein.
Cold water they have taken syne,
And cast into his face;
Then he began to lift his eyne,15
And spake within short space.
"Tell us, dear master," said his men,
"How with you stands the case?"
Good Robin sigh'd e'er he began
To tell of his disgrace.20
"I have been watchman in this wood
Near hand this forty year,
Yet I was never so hard bestead
As you have found me here.
"A beggar with a clouted cloak,25
In whom I fear'd no ill,
Hath with his pike-staff claw'd my back,
I fear 'twill never be well.
See, where he goes o'er yonder hill,
With hat upon his head;30
If e'er you lov'd your master well,
Go now revenge this deed.
"And bring him back again to me,
If it lie in your might,
That I may see, before I die,35
Him punisht in my sight.
"And if you may not bring him back,
Let him not go loose on;
For to us all it were great shame
If he escap't again."40
"One of us shall with you remain,
Because you're ill at ease,
The other two shall bring him back,
To use him as you please."