The Monk took the horse with spur,
No longer would he abide;
‘Ask to drink,’ then said Robin,
‘Ere that ye further ride.’
CCLIX
‘Nay, ’fore God,’ then said the Monk,
‘Me rueth I came so near;
For better cheap[858] I might have dined
In Blyth or Doncastere.’
CCLX
‘Greet well your Abbot,’ said Robin,
‘And your prior, I you pray,
And bid him send me such a Monk
To dinner every day!’
CCLXI
Now lettè we that Monk be still,
And speak we of that Knight:
Yet he came to hold his day,
The while that it was light.
CCLXII
He did him straight to Barnèsdale,
Under the green-wood tree,
And he found there Robin Hood,
And all his merry meinèe.