[112. Robyn and Gandelyn]

I

I herde a carpyng[636] of a clerk,
Al at yone wodes ende,
Of gode Robyn and Gandeleyn;
Was ther non other thynge.
Robynn lyth in grene wode bowndyn.

II

Stronge thevys wern tho chylderin none,
But bowmen gode and hende[637];
He[638] wentyn to wode to getyn hem fleych,
If God wold it hem sende.

III

Al day wentyn tho chylderin two,
And fleych fowndyn he non,
Til it were ageyn evyn[639];
The chylderin wold gon hom.

IV

Half an honderid of fat falyf der
He comyn ayon[640],
And alle he wern fayr and fat i-now,
But markyd was ther non:
‘Be dere God,’ seyde gode Robyn,
‘Hereof we shul have on[641].’

V