Who, when they arrived, and Robin espy'd,
Cry'd "Master, what is your will?
We thought you had in danger been,
Your horn did sound so shrill."
"Now nay, now nay," quoth Robin Hood,25
"The danger is past and gone;
I would have you welcome my nephew here,
That has paid me two for one."
In feasting and sporting they pass'd the day,
Till Phœbus sunk into the deep;30
Then each one to his quarters hy'd,
His guard there for to keep.
Long had they not walked within the greenwood,
When Robin he soon espy'd
[A] beautiful damsel all alone,35
That on a black palfrey did ride.
Her riding-suit was of sable hew black,
Cypress over her face,
Through which her rose-like cheeks did blush,
All with a comely grace.40
"Come tell me the cause, thou pretty one,"
Quoth Robin, "and tell me aright,
From whence thou comest, and whither thou goest,
All in this mournful plight?"
"From London I came," the damsel reply'd,45
"From London upon the Thames,
"Which circled is, O grief to tell!
Besieg'd with foreign arms;
"By the proud prince of Arragon,
Who swears by his martial hand50
To have the princess to his spouse,
Or else to waste this land;
"Except such champions can be found,
That dare fight three to three,
Against the prince, and giants twain,55
Most horrid for to see;
"Whose grisly looks, and eyes like brands,
Strike terrour where they come,
With serpents hissing on their helms,
Instead of feathered plume.60