And it were not for bursting of my bowe,
John, I thy head wold breake."
As often wordes they breeden bale,[23]
So they parted Robin and John:
And John is gone to Barnesdale;
The gates[24] he knoweth eche one.
But when he came to Barnesdale,
Great heavinesse there he hadd,
For he found tow of his own fellowes