The Knight lit down off his good palfrèy,
Robin when he gan see;
Courteously he did a-down his hood,
And set him on his knee.
CCLXIV
‘God thee savè, Robin Hood,
And all this company!’—
‘Welcome be thou, gentle Knight,
Right welcome unto me.’
CCLXV
Then bespake him Robin Hood
To that Knight so free:
‘What need driveth thee to greenè-wood?
I pray, sir Knight, tell me.
CCLXVI
‘And welcome be thou, gentle Knight,
Why hast thou been so long?’—
‘For the Abbot and the High Justice
Would have had my land with wrong.’
CCLXVII
‘Hast thou thy land again?’ said Robin;
‘Truthè tell thou me.’—
‘Yea, ’fore God,’ said the Knight,
‘That thank I God and thee.