[85]. The gap at 302 occurs between two pages, and is peculiarly regrettable. The former reading of “Robyns men” in 301 made matters much worse, since there was no way of accounting for the appearance of his men at this point. We must suppose that some one of Robin’s many friends carries the news of his capture to his band, and not simply that; with this there must have come information that their leader was to be held to await knowledge of the king’s pleasure, otherwise delay would be dangerous, and summary measures for his deliverance be required.
[86]. The porter or warden, in such cases, may commonly look to have his neck wrung, to be thrown over the wall, into a well, etc.: compare Adam Bell, st. 65; Jock o the Side, sts 13, 14; the Tale of Gamelyn, Skeat, v. 303–05; Fulk Fitz Warine, Wright, pp 44, 82 f; King Horn. ed. Wissmann, vv 1097–99; Romance de don Gaiferos, F. Wolf, Ueber eine Sammlung spanischer Romanzen, p. 76, Wolf y Hofmann, Primavera, II, 148, No 174; etc.
[87]. En le temps de Averyl e May, quant les prees e les herbes reverdissent, et chescune chose vivaunte recovre vertue, beaute e force, les mountz e les valeys retentissent des douce chauntz des oseylouns, e les cuers de chescune gent, pur la beaute du temps e la sesone, mountent en haut e s’enjolyvent, etc.: Wright, Warton Club, 1855, p. 1; Stevenson, Radulphi de Coggeshall Chronicon Anglicanum, etc., p. 277.
[88]. Already cited at p. 41. Bower wrote 1441–47, and died 1449: Skene, Johannis de Fordun Chronica, pp xv, xli.
[89]. .sp 1
Par cest exemple bien veons
Que li dous Deux en qui creons
Ame et chierist et honneure
Celui qui volentiers demeure
Pour oïr messe en sainte eglise, etc.