CCCLX
‘And he that would smite off the Knightès head,
And bring it unto me
He shall have the Knightès lands,
Sir Richard at the Lee.
CCCLXI
‘I give it him with my chartèr,
And seal it with my hand,
To have and hold for evermore
In all merry England.’
CCCLXII
Then bespake a fair old Knight
That was true in his fay[889]:
‘Ah! my liegè lord the King,
One word I shall you say.
CCCLXIII
‘There is no man in this country
May have the Knightès lands,
While Robin Hood may ride or go,
And bear a bow in his hands.
CCCLXIV
‘That he ne shall not lose his head,
The best ball in his hood;
Give it no man, my lord the King,
That ye will[890] any good.’