"The curtall fryer in Fountaines Abbey25
Well can a strong bow draw;
He will beat you and your yeomèn,
Set them all on a row."
Robin Hood he tooke a solemne oath,
It was by Mary free,30
That he would neither eate nor drinke
Till the fryer he did see.
Robin Hood put on his harnesse good,
On his head a cap of steel,
Broad sword and buckler by his side,35
And they became him weele.
He tooke his bow into his hand,
It was made of a trusty tree,
With a sheafe of arrowes at his belt,
And to Fountaine Dale went he.40
And comming unto Fountaine Dale,
No farther would he ride;
There he was aware of the curtall fryer,
Walking by the water side.
The fryer had on a harnesse good,45
On his head a cap of steel,
Broad sword and buckler by his side,
And they became him weele.
Robin Hood lighted off his horse,
And tyed him to a thorne:50
"Carry me over the water, thou curtall fryer,
Or else thy life's forlorne."
The fryer tooke Robin Hood on his backe,
Deepe water he did bestride,
And spake neither good word nor bad,55
Till he came at the other side.
Lightly leapt Robin offe the fryers backe;
The fryer said to him againe,
"Carry me over this water, [thou] fine fellow,
Or it shall breed thy paine."60
Robin Hood took the fryer on his backe,
Deepe water he did bestride,
And spake neither good word nor bad,
Till he came at the other side.