"We are shepherds," said bold Robin Hood,25
"And we keep sheep all the year,
And we are disposed to be merry this day,
And to kill of the kings fat deer."
"You are brave fellows!" said the bishop,
"And the king of your doings shall know:30
Therefore make haste, and come along with me,
For before the king you shall go."
"O pardon, O pardon," said bold Robin Hood,
"O pardon, I thee pray!
For it becomes not your lordships coat35
To take so many lives away."
"No pardon, no pardon," said the bishòp,
"No pardon I thee owe;
Therefore make haste, and come along with me,
For before the king you shall go."40
Then Robin set his back against a tree,
And his foot against a thorn,
And from underneath his shepherds coat
He pull'd out a bugle horn.
He put the little end to his mouth,45
And a loud blast did he blow,
Till threescore and ten of bold Robins men
Came running all on a row,
All making obeysance to bold Robin Hood;
'Twas a comely sight for to see.50
"What is the matter, master," said Little John,
"That you blow so hastily?"
"O here is the bishop of Hereford,
And no pardon we shall have:"
"Cut off his head, master," said Little John,55
"And throw him into his grave."
"O pardon, O pardon," said the bishop,
"O pardon, I thee pray,
For if I had known it had been you,
I'd have gone some other way."60
"No pardon, no pardon," said bold Robin Hood,
"No pardon I thee owe;
Therefore make haste, and come along with me,
For to merry Barnsdale you shall go."