Robin Hood swam to a bush of broom,
The friar to the willow wand;
Bold Robin Hood he got to the shore,
And took his bow in his hand.
One of the best arrows under his belt
To the friar he let fly:
The curtal friar with his steel buckler
Did put that arrow by.
Shoot on, shoot on, thou fine fellow,
Shoot as thou hast begun;
If thou shoot here a summer's day,
Thy mark I will not shun.
Robin Hood shot so passing well,
Till his arrows all were gone;
They took their swords and steel bucklers,
They fought with might and main.
From ten o'clock that very day,
Till four i' the afternoon;
Then Robin Hood came on his knees,
Of the friar to beg a boon.
A boon, a boon, thou curtal friar,
I beg it on my knee;
Give me leave to set my horn to my mouth,
And to blow blasts three.
That I will do, said the curtal friar,
Of thy blasts I have no doubt;
I hope thou wilt blow so passing well,
Till both thy eyes drop out.
Robin Hood set his horn to his mouth,
And he blew out blasts three,
Half a hundred yeomen, with their bows bent,
Came ranging over the lea.
Whose men are these, said the friar,
That come so hastily?
These men are mine, said Robin Hood,
Friar, what's that to thee?
A boon, a boon, said the curtal friar,
The like I gave to thee;
Give me leave to put my fist to my mouth,
And whute[130] whutes three.