As that word was spoke, Clorinda came by,105
The queen of the shepherds was she;
And her gown was of velvet as green as the grass,
And her buskin did reach to her knee.
Her gait it was graceful, her body was straight,
And her countenance free from pride;110
A bow in her hand, and a quiver of arrows
Hung dangling by her sweet side.
Her eye-brows were black, ay, and so was her hair,
And her skin was as smooth as glass;
Her visage spoke wisdom, and modesty too;215
Sets with Robin Hood such a lass!
Said Robin Hood, "Lady fair, whither away?
O whither, fair lady, away?"
And she made him an answer, "To kill a fat buck;
For to-morrow is Titbury day."120
Said Robin Hood, "Lady fair, wander with me
A little to yonder green bower;
There set down to rest you, and you shall be sure
Of a brace or a [leash] in an hour."
And as we were going towàrds the green bower,125
Two hundred good bucks we espy'd;
She [chose] out the fattest that was in the herd,
And she shot him through side and side.
"By the faith of my body," said bold Robin Hood,
"I never saw woman like thee;130
And com'st thou from east, or com'st thou from west,
Thou needst not beg venison of me.
"However, along to my bower you shall go,
And taste of a forrester's meat:"
And when we came thither we found as good cheer135
As any man needs for to eat.
For there was hot venison, and warden pies cold,
Cream clouted, with honey-combs plenty;
And the servitors they were, besides Little John,
Good yeomen at least four and twenty.140
Clorinda said, "Tell me your name, gentle sir;"
And he said, "'Tis bold Robin Hood:
'Squire Gamwel's my uncle, but all my delight
Is to dwell in the merry Sherwood;