The king much moved at the same,
And the abbots talke also,
In this his anger did proclaime,
And sent word to and fro,140
That whosoe'er alive or dead
Could bring bold Robbin Hood,
Should have one thousand markes well paid
In gold and silver good.
This promise of the king did make145
Full many yeomen bold
Attempt stout Robbin Hood to take,
With all the force they could.
But still when any came to him
Within the gay greene wood,150
He entertainement gave to them
With venison fat and good;
And shew'd to them such martiale sport
With his long bow and arrow,
That they of him did give report,155
How that it was great sorow,
That such a worthy man as he
Should thus be put to shift,
Being late a lord of high degree,
Of living quite bereft.160
The king to take him, more and more
Sent men of mickle might;
But he and his still beate them sore,
And conquered them in fight:
Or else with love and courtesie,165
To him he won their hearts.
Thus still he lived by robbery
Throughout the northerne parts;
And all the country stood in dread
Of Robbin Hood and 's men:170
For stouter lads ne're liv'd by bread
In those days, nor since then.
The abbot which before I nam'd
Sought all the meanes he could
To have by force this rebele ta'ne,175
And his adherents bold.