So with his faulchion he run him through,
A deep and ghastly wound;
Who dam'd and foam'd, curst and blasphem'd,
And then fell to the ground.
Now all the lists with shouts were fill'd,185
The skies they did resound,
Which brought the princess to herself,
Who had fal'n in a swound.
The king and queen and princess fair,
Came walking to the place,190
And gave the champions many thanks,
And did them further grace.
"Tell me," quoth the king, "whence you are,
That thus disguised came,
Whose valour speaks that noble blood195
Doth run through every vain."
"A boon, a boon," quoth Robin Hood,
"On my knees I beg and crave;"
"By my crown," quoth the king, "I grant;
Ask what, and thou shalt have."200
"Then pardon I beg for my merry men,
Which are in the green-wood,
For Little John, and Will Scadlock,
And for me bold Robin Hood."
"Art thou Robin Hood?" then quoth the king;205
"For the valour thou hast shewn,
Your pardons I do freely grant,
And welcome every one.
"The princess I [promis'd] the victor's prize;
She cannot have you all three."210
"She shall chuse," quoth Robin; said Little John,
"Then little share falls to me."
Then did the princess view all three,
With a comely lovely grace,
And took Will Scadlock by the hand,215
Saying "Here I make my choice."
With that a noble lord stept forth,
Of Maxfield earl was he,
Who look'd Will Scadlock in the face,
And wept most bitterly.220