[46], he had.

[THE SECOND PART.]

Now Robin he is to Nottingham bound,
With his bag hanging down to his knee,
His staff, and his coat, scarce worth a groat,
Yet merrilie passed he.80

As Robin he passed the streets along,
He heard a pittiful cry;
Three brethren dear, as he did hear,
Condemned were to dye.

Then Robin he highed to the sheriffs,85
Some reliefe for to seek;
He skipt, and leapt, and capered full high,
As he went along the street.

But when to the sheriffs doore he came,
There a gentleman fine and brave,90
"Thou beggar," said he, "come tell unto me
What it is thou wouldest have."

"No meat, nor drink," said Robin Hood then,
"That I come here to crave;
But to get the lives of yeomen three,95
And that I fain would have."

"That cannot be, thou bold beggàr,
Their fact it is so cleer;
I tell to thee, they hanged must be,
For stealing of our kings deer."100

But when to the gallows they did come,
There was many a weeping eye:
"O hold your peace," said Robin Hood then,
"For certainly they shall not dye."

Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth,105
And he blew out blastès three,
Till a hundred bold archers brave
Came kneeling down to his knee.