The priests their hands in their pockets put,
But mony would find none:
"We'l search ourselves," said Robin Hood,
"Each other, one by one."
Then Robin Hood took pains to search them both,65
And he found good store of gold,
Five hundred peeces presently
Upon the grass was told.
"Here is a brave show," said Robin Hood,
"Such store of gold to see,70
And you shall each one have a part,
Cause you prayed so heartily."
He gave them fifty pounds a-peece,
And the rest for himself did keep:
The priests durst not speak one word,75
But they sighed wondrous deep.
With that the priests rose up from their knees,
Thinking to have parted so:
"Nay, stay," says Robin Hood, "one thing more
I have to say ere you do go.80
"You shall be sworn," said bold Robin Hood,
"Upon this holy grass,
That you will never tell lies again,
Which way soever you pass.
"The second oath that you here must take,85
That all the days of your lives,
You shall never tempt maids to sin,
Nor lye with other mens wives.
"The last oath you shall take, it is this,
Be charitable to the poor;90
Say, you have met with a holy fryar,
And I desire no more."
He set them on their horses again,
And away then they did ride;
And he return'd to the merry green-wood,95
With great joy, mirth, and pride.
[8] to.