"For I remember one Saturday night,
Thou brought me both shoes and hose;
Therefore I'le provide thy person to hide,35
And keep thee from thy foes."
"Then give me soon thy coat of grey,
And take thou my mantle of green;
Thy spindle and twine unto me resign,
And take thou my arrows so keen."40
And when Robin Hood was thus araid,
He went straight to his company,
With his spindle and twine, he oft lookt behind
For the bishop and his company.
"O who is yonder," quoth Little John,45
"That now comes over the lee?
An arrow I will at her let flie,
So like an old witch looks she."
"O hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin Hood then,
"And shoot not thy arrows so keen;50
I am Robin Hood, thy master good,
And quickly it shall be seen."
The bishop he came to the old womans house,
And called with furious mood,
"Come let me soon see, and bring unto me,55
That traitor Robin Hood."
The old woman he set on a milk-white steed,
Himselfe on a dapple gray;
And for joy he had got Robin Hood,
He went laughing all the way.60
But as they were riding the forrest along,
The bishop he chanc'd for to see
A hundred brave bowmen bold,
Stand under the green-wood tree.
"O who is yonder," the bishop then said,65
"That's ranging within yonder wood?"
"Marry," says the old woman, "I think it to be
A man call'd Robin Hood."
"Why, who art thou," the bishop he said,
"Which I have here with me?"70
"Why, I am an old woman, thou cuckoldy bishop;
Lift up my leg and see."