With hawk and hound he made him bowne,[85]
With horn, and eke with bow;
To Drayton Basset he took his way,
With all his lords in a row.
And he had ridden o'er dale and down
By eight of clock in the day,
When he was 'ware of a bold tannèr,
Come riding along the way.
A fair russet coat the tanner had on
Fast buttoned under his chin,
And under him a good cow-hide,
And a mare of four shilling.[86]
Now stand you still, my good lords all,
Under the greenwood spray;
And I will wend to yonder fellow,
To weet[87] what he will say.
God speed, God speed thee, said our king.
Thou art welcome, sir, said he.
The readiest way to Drayton Basset
I pray thee to show to me.
To Drayton Basset wouldst thou go,
Fro' the place where thou dost stand?
The next pair of gallows thou comest unto,
Turn in upon thy right hand.
That is an unready way, said our king,
Thou dost but jest I see;
Now show me out the nearest way,
And I pray thee wend with me.
Away with a vengeance! quoth the tanner:
I hold thee out of thy wit:
All day have I ridden on Brock my mare,
And I am fasting yet.