These words cheer'd Robin to the heart,
Joy shone within his face;
Within his arms he hugged them both,
And kindly did imbrace.
Quoth he, "We'll put on motley gray,105
And long staves in our hands,
A scrip and bottle by our sides,
As come from the holy land.
"So may we pass along the high-way,
None will ask from whence we came,110
But take us pilgrims for to be,
Or else some holy men."
Now they are on their journey gone,
As fast as they may speed,
Yet for all their haste, ere they arriv'd,115
The princess forth was led,
To be deliver'd to the prince,
Who in the list did stand,
Prepar'd to fight, or else receive
His lady by the hand.120
With that he walk'd about the lists,
With giants by his side:
"Bring forth," said he, "your champions,
Or bring me forth my bride.
"This is the four and twentieth day,125
The day prefixt upon:
Bring forth my bride, or London burns,
I swear by [Alcaron]."
Then cries the king, and queen likewise,
Both weeping as they spake,130
"Lo! we have brought our daughter dear,
Whom we are forc'd to forsake."
With that stept out bold Robin Hood,
Crys, "My liege, it must not be so;
Such beauty as the fair princèss135
Is not for a tyrant's mow."
The prince he then began to storm,
Cries, "Fool, fanatick, baboon!
How dare you stop my valour's prize?
I'll kill thee with a frown."140