‘Take him three yards of each coloùr,
And look well mete[760] it be.’—
Little John took no measùre
But his bowè-tree.
LXXIII
And at every handful that he met[761]
He leapèd o’er feet three;
‘What devilkin’s draper,’ said Little Much,
‘Thinkest thou for to be?’
LXXIV
Scathèlock stood full still and laughed,
And said, ‘He meteth right.
John may give him good measure,
For it costeth him but light.’
LXXV
‘Master,’ then said Little John
All unto Robin Hood,
‘Ye must give the Knight a horse
To lead home all this good.’
LXXVI
‘Take him a grey courser,’ said Robin,
‘And a saddle new;
He is Our Lady’s messenger;
God grant that he be true!’