King Richard of that name the first,
Sirnamed Cuer de Lyon,
Went to defeate the Pagans curst,
Who kept the coasts of Syon.220
The bishop of Ely, chancelor,
Was left a vice-roy here,
Who like a potent emperor
Did proudly domminere.
Our chronicles of him report,225
That commonly he rode
With a thousand horse from court to court,
Where he would make abode.
He, riding down towards the north,
With his aforesayd train,230
Robbin and his men did issue forth,
Them all to entertaine;
And with the gallant gray-goose wing
They shewd to them such playe,
That made their horses kicke and fling,235
And downe their riders lay.
Full glad and faine the bishop was,
For all his thousand men,
To seek what meanes he could to passe
From out of Robbins ken.240
Two hundred of his men were kil'd,
And fourescore horses good;
Thirty, who did as captives yeeld,
Were carryed to the greene wood;
Which afterwards were ransomed,245
For twenty markes a man;
The rest set spurres to horse, and fled
To th' town of Warrington.
The bishop sore enraged then,
Did, in king Richards name,250
Muster a power of northerne men,
These outlawes bold to tame.
But Robbin with his courtesie
So wonne the meaner sort,
That they were loath on him to try255
What rigor did import.