"Accurst of his heart," said jolly Robin,
"That a butcher doth deny;
I will go with you, my brethren true,55
As fast as I can hie."
But when to the sheriffs house they came,
To dinner they hied apace,
And Robin Hood he the man must be
Before them all to say grace.60
"Pray God bless us all," said jolly Robin,
"And our meat within this place;
A cup of sack so good will nourish our blood,
And so do I end my grace.
"Come fill us more wine," said jolly Robin,65
"Let us be merry while we do stay;
For wine and good cheer, be it never so dear,
I vow I the reck'ning will pay.
"Come, 'brothers,' be merry," said jolly Robin,
"Let us drink, and never give ore;70
For the shot I will pay, ere I go my way,
If it cost me five pounds and more."
"This is a mad blade," the butchers then said;
Saies the sheriff, "He is some prodigàl,
That some land has sold for silver and gold,75
And now he doth mean to spend all.
"Hast thou any horn beasts," the sheriff repli'd,
"Good fellow, to sell unto me?"
"Yes, that I have, good master sheriff,
I have hundreds two or three;80
"And a hundred aker of good free land,
If you please it to see:
And Ile make you as good assurance of it,
As ever my father made me."
The sheriff he saddled his good palfrèy,85
And, with three hundred pound in gold,
Away he went with bold Robin Hood,
His horned beasts to behold.
Away then the sheriff and Robin did ride,
To the forrest of merry Sherwood;90
Then the sheriff did say, "God bless us this day
From a man they call Robin Hood!"