Then Robin he took the bishop by the hand,65
And led him to merry Barnsdale;
He made him to stay and sup with him that night,
And to drink wine, beer, and ale.
"Call in a reckoning," said the bishop,
"For methinks it grows wond'rous high:"70
"Lend me your purse, master," said Little John,
"And I'll tell you bye and bye."
Then Little John took the bishops cloak,
And spread it upon the ground,
And out of the bishops portmantua75
He told three hundred pound.
"Here's money enough, master," said Little John,
"And a comely sight 'tis to see;
It makes me in charity with the bishop,
Tho' he heartily loveth not me."80
Robin Hood took the bishop by the hand,
And he caused the music to play;
And he made the bishop to dance in his boots,
And glad he could so get away.
ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP.
Ritson's Robin Hood, ii. 22.
Shewing how Robin Hood went to an old woman's house and changed cloaths with her to scape from the bishop; and how he robbed the bishop of all his gold, and made him sing a mass. To the tune of Robin Hood and the Stranger.