Then downe they flung their packes each one,
And stayde till Robin came.
Quod Robin, "I saide ye had better stayde;55
Good sooth, ye were to blame."
"And who art thou? by S. Crispin, I vowe,
Ile quickly cracke thy head!"
Cried Robin, "Come on, all three, or one;
It is not so soone done as said.60
"My name, by the roode, is Robin Hood,
And this is Scarlett and John;
It is three to three, ye may plainelie see,
Soe now, brave fellowes, laye on."
The first peddlers blowe brake Robins bowe,65
That he had in his hand;
And Scarlett and John, they eche had one
That they unneath could stand.
"Now holde your handes," cried Robin Hood,
"For ye have oken staves;70
But tarie till wee can get but three,
And a fig for all your braves."
Of the peddlers the first, his name Kit o Thirske,
Said, "We are well content;"
So eche tooke a stake for his weapon, to make75
The peddlers to repent.
Soe to it they fell, and their blowes did ring well
Uppon the others backes;
And gave the peddlers cause to wish
They had not cast their packes.80
Yet the peddlers three of their blowes were so free,
That Robin began for to rue;
And Scarlett, and John, had such loade laide on,
It made the sunne looke blue.
At last Kits oke caught Robin a stroke,85
That made his head to sound;
He staggerd, and reelde, till he fell on the fielde,
And the trees with him went round.
"Now holde your handes," cried Little John,
And soe said Scarlett eke;90
"Our maister is slaine, I tell you plaine,
He never more will speake."