In summer time, when leaves grow green,
It [wa]s a seemely sight to see,
How Robin Hood himselfe had drest,55
And all his yeomandry.
He clothed his men in Lincolne green,
And himselfe in scarlet red;
Blacke hats, white feathers, all alike,
Now bold Robin Hood is rid.60
And when hee came at Londons court,
Hee fell downe on his knee.
"Thou art welcome, Locksly," said the queen,
"And all thy good yeomandree."
The king is into [Finsbury field],65
Marching in battle ray,
And after follows bold Robin Hood,
And all his yeomen gay.
"Come hither, Tepus," said the king,
"Bow-bearer after me;70
Come measure me out with this line,
How long our mark must be.
"What is the wager?" said the queene,
"That must I now know here:"
"Three hundred tun of Rhenish wine,75
Three hundred tun of beere;
"Three hundred of the fattest harts
That run on Dallom lee;
That's a princely wager," said the king,
"That needs must I tell thee."80
With that bespake one Clifton then,
Full quickly and full soone;
"Measure no markes for us, most soveraigne liege,
Wee'l shoot at sun and moone."
"Ful fifteene score your marke shall be,85
Ful fifteene score shall stand;"
"I'll lay my bow," said Clifton then,
"I'll cleave the willow wand."
With that the kings archers led about,
While it was three and none;90
With that the ladies began to shout,
"Madam, your game is gone."