He bound the abbot to a tree,
And would not let him passe,
Before that to his men and he
His lordship had said masse.100
Which being done, upon his horse
He set him fast astride,
And with his face towards his——
He forced him to ride.
His men were faine to be his guide,105
For he rode backward home:
The abbot, being thus villified,
Did sorely chafe and fume.
Thus Robbin Hood did vindicate
His former wrongs receiv'd;110
For 'twas this covetous prelàte
That him of land bereav'd.
The abbot he rode to the king,
With all the haste he could,
And to his grace he every thing115
Exactly did unfold:
And sayd if that no course were ta'en,
By force or stratagem,
To take this rebel and his traine,
No man should passe for them.120
The king protested by and by
Unto the abbot then,
That Robbin Hood with speed should dye,
With all his merry men.
But e're the king did any send,125
He did another feate,
Which did his grace much more offend,
The fact indeed was great.
For in a short time after that
The kings receivers went130
Towards London with the coyne they got,
For 's highness northerne rent.
Bold Robbin Hood and Little John,
With the rest of their traine,
Not dreading law, set them upon,135
And did their gold obtaine.