CCXCVII
‘And woe be thee, thou proud Sheriff,
Thus gladding thy guest;
Otherwise, thou behotè[867] me
In yonder wild forèst.
CCXCVIII
‘But had I thee in greenè-wood,
Under my trystell-tree,
Thou shouldest leave me a better wed[868]
Than thy true lewtè.’
CCXCIX
Full many a bowè there was bent,
And arrows let they glide;
Many a kirtle there was rent,
And hurt full many a side.
CCC
The outlaws’ shottè was so strong
That no man might them drive.
And the proudè Sheriff’s men
They fled away full blive[869].
CCCI
Robin saw the bushment[870] broke,
In green-wood he would be;
Many an arrow there was shot
Among that company.