"And my sheriff also?"

"Sir, they be slain, without leasing,

And many an officer moe."

"Who hath them slain?" said the king,

"Anon thou tell me:"

"Adam Bel, and Clym of the Clough,

And William of Cloudeslè."

"Alas for ruth!" then said our king,

"My heart is wondrous sore;

I had liefer than a thousand pound,