CCCCXLIV

‘Gramerci, lord,’ then said Robin,
And set him on his knee:
He took his leave full courteously,
To green-wood then went he.

CCCCXLV

When he came to greenè-wood
In a merry mornìng,
There he heard the notès small
Of birds merry singìng.

CCCCXLVI

‘It is far gone,’ said Robin Hood,
‘That I was latest here;
Me list[920] a little for to shoot
At the dunnè deer.’

CCCCXLVII

Robin slew a full great hart;
His horn then gan he blow,
That all the outlaws of that forèst
That horn they couldè know,

CCCCXLVIII

And them together gatherèd
In a little throw[921];
Seven score of wight young men
Came ready on a row,