Then both drew their swords, and so cut ’em, and slasht ’em,
That five out of them did fall.
The three that remain’d call’d to Robin for quarter,
And pitiful John begg’d their lives :
When John’s boon was granted, he gave them good counsel,
And sent them all home to their wives.
This battle was fought near to Titbury town,
When the bagpipes baited the bull ;
I’m the king of the fidlers, and I swear ’tis truth,
And I call him that doubts it a gull :[287]