There met he with bold Robin Hood.

As soon as bold Robin ‘he did’ [293] espy,

He thought some sport he would make,

Therefore out of hand he bid him to stand,

And thus to him ‘he’ spake :

Why, what art thou, thou bold fellòw,

That ranges so boldly here ?

In sooth, to be brief, thou lookst like a thief,

That comes to steal our kings deer.

For I am a keeper in this forrest,