‘And a good palfrey[762],’ said Little Much,
‘To maintain him in his right;’
‘And a pair of boots,’ said Scathèlock,
‘For he is a gentle knight.’
LXXVIII
‘What shalt thou give him, Little John?’—
‘Sir, a pair of gilt spurs clean,
To pray for all this company;
God bring him out of teen[763].’
LXXIX
‘When shall my day be,’ said the Knight,
‘Sir, an your willè be?’—
‘This day twelve moneth,’ said Robin,
‘Under this green-wood tree.
LXXX
‘It were great shamè,’ said Robin,
‘A knight alone to ride,
Withoutè squire, yeoman, or page,
To walkè by his side.
LXXXI
‘I shall thee lend Little John, my man,
For he shall be thy knave[764];
In a yeoman’s stead he may thee stand,
If thou great needè have.’