Robin was reachles[21] of a root,
And stumbled at that tide;
And Guy was quick and nimble withal,
And hit him o'er the left side.
Ah dear Lady, said Robin Hood, thou,
Thou art both mother and may',[22]
I think it was never man's destiny
To die before his day.
Robin thought on our Lady dear,
And soon leapt up again,
And straight he came with a backward stroke,
And he sir Guy hath slain.
He took sir Guy's head by the hair,
And stuck it upon his bow's-end:
Thou hast been a traitor all thy life,
Which thing must have an end.
Robin pull'd forth an Irish knife,
And nick'd sir Guy in the face,
That he was never o' woman born,
Could tell whose head it was.
Says, Lie there, lie there now, sir Guy,
And with me be not wroth;
If thou have had the worst strokes at my hand,
Thou shalt have the better cloth.
Robin did off his gown of green,
And on sir Guy did throw,
And he put on that capull hide,
That clad him top to toe.
The bow, the arrows, and little horn,
Now with me I will bear;
For I will away to Barnèsdale,
To see how my men do fare.
Robin Hood set Guy's horn to his mouth,
And a loud blast in it did blow,
That beheard the sheriff of Nottingham,
As he leaned under a lowe.[23]