CCCCXXIX
Full hastily they began to flee,
Both yeoman and knaves,
The old wives that might evil go,
They hippèd[914] on their staves.
CCCCXXX
The King laughed full fast,
And commanded them again;
When they saw our comely King,
I-wis they were full fain.
CCCCXXXI
They ate and drank, and made them glad,
And sang with notès high.
Then bespake our comely King
To Sir Richard at the Lee:
CCCCXXXII
He gave him there his land again,
A good man he bade him be.
Robin thanked our comely King,
And set him on his knee.
CCCCXXXIII
Robin had dwelt in the Kingès court
But twelvè months and three,
That he had spent an hundred pound,
And all his mennès fee.