The king in person, with some lords,
To Nottingham did ride,
To try what strength and skill affords
To crush these outlaws pride.300
And, as he once before had done,
He did againe proclaime,
That whosoe'er would take upon
To bring to Nottingham,
Or any place within the land,305
Rebellious Robbin Hood,
Should be prefer'd in place to stand
With those of noble blood.
When Robbin Hood heard of the same,
Within a little space,310
Into the towne of Nottingham
A letter to his grace
He shot upon an arrow head,
One evening cunningly;
Which was brought to the king, and read315
Before his majestie.
The tennure of this letter was
That Robbin would submit,
And be true liegeman to his grace
In any thing that's fit,320
So that his highnesse would forgive
Him and his merry men all;
If not, he must i' th' green wood live,
And take what chance did fall.
The king would faine have pardoned him,325
But that some lords did say
"This president will much condemn
Your grace another day."
While that the king and lords did stay
Debating on this thing,330
Some of these outlawes fled away
Unto the Scottish king.
For they suppos'd, if he were tane,
Or to the king did yeeld,
By th' commons all the rest of 's train335
Full quickely would be quell'd.