"Now seeing that I needs must dye,
Grant me one boon," said he,
"For my noble master ne'er had man75
That yet was hang'd on tree.
"Give me a sword all in my hand,
And let me be unbound,
And with thee and thy men I'll fight,
Till I lye dead on the ground."80
But this desire he would not grant,
His wishes were in vain;
For the sheriff swore he hang'd should be,
And not by the sword be slain.
"Do but unbind my hands," he says,85
"I will no weapons crave,
And if I hanged be this day,
Damnation let me have."
"O no, no, no," the sheriff said,
"Thou shalt on gallows dye,90
Ay, and so shall thy master too,
If ever in me it lye."
"O dastard coward!" Stutly cries,
Faint-hearted peasant slave!
If ever my master do thee meet,95
Thou shalt thy payment have.
"My noble master thee doth scorn,
And all thy cowardly crew;
Such silly imps unable are
Bold Robin to subdue."100
But when he was to the gallows gone,
And ready to bid adieu,
Out of a bush steps Little John,
And goes Will Stutly to.
"I pray thee, Will, before thou dye,105
Of thy dear friends take leave;
I needs must borrow him a while,
How say you, master sheriff?"
"Now, as I live," the sheriff said,
"That varlet will I know;110
Some sturdy rebel is that same,
Therefore let him not go."