‘But take no grief I have been so long;
I came by a wrestèling,
And there I holp a poor yeoman,
With wrong was put behind.’
CCLXIX
‘Nay, ’fore God,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Sir Knight, that thank I thee;
What man that helpeth a good yeoman,
His friend I willè be.’
CCLXX
‘Have here four hundred pound,’ said the Knight,
‘The which ye lent to me;
And here is also twenty mark
For your courtesy.’
CCLXXI
‘Nay, ’fore God,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Thou brook[859] it well for aye;
For Our Lady, by her Cellarèr,
Hath sent to me my pay.
CCLXXII
‘And if I would it twicè take
A shame it were to me;
But truly now, thou gentle Knight,
Welcome art thou to me.’