He wander'd about till at length he came45
To the tent of Robin Hood;
The letter he shows; bold Robin arose,
And there on his guard he stood.
"They'd have me surrender," quoth bold Robin Hood,
"And lie at their mercy then;50
But tell them from me, that never shall be,
While I have full seven score men."
Sir William the knight, both hardy and bold,
He offer'd to seize him there,
Which William Locksley by fortune did see,55
And bid him that trick to forbear.
Then Robin Hood set his horn to his mouth,
And blew a blast or twain,
And so did the knight, at which there in sight
The archers came all amain.60
Sir William with care he drew up his men,
And plac'd them in battle array;
Bold Robin, we find, he was not behind;
Now this was a bloody fray.
The archers on both sides bent their bows,65
And the clouds of arrows flew;
The very first flight, that honour'd knight
Did there bid the world adieu.
Yet nevertheless their fight did last
From morning till almost noon;70
Both parties were stout and loth to give out,
This was on the last day of June.
At length they left off; one party they went
To London with right good will;
And Robin Hood he to the green-wood tree,75
And there he was taken ill.
He sent for a monk, to let him blood,
Who took his life away:
Now this being done, his archers they run,
It was not a time to stay.80
Some got on board, and cross'd the seas
To Flanders, France, and Spain,
And others to Rome, for fear of their doom,
But soon return'd again.