PART THE THIRD.
Sore then sighed the fair Alice:
That ever I saw this day!
For now is my dear husband slain:
Alas! and well-a-way!
Might I have spoken to his dear brethren,
Or with either of them twain,
To show to them what him befell,
My heart were out of pain.
Cloudesly walked a little beside,
He looked under the green-wood lynde;
He was aware of his wife, and children three,
Full woe in heart and mind.
Welcome, wife, then said William,
Under this trusty tree:
I had ween'd yesterday, by sweet saint John,
Thou shouldst me never have see.
Now well is me that ye be here,
My heart is out of woe;
Dame, he said, be merry and glad,
And thank my brethren two.
Hereof to speak, said Adam Bell,
I think it is no boot:
The meat, that we must sup withal,
It runneth yet fast on foot.
Then went they down into a lawn,
These noble archers all three;
Each of them slew a hart of grease,[60]
The best that they could see.
Have here the best, Alice my wife,
Said William of Cloudesly;
Because ye so boldly stood by me
When I was slain full nigh.