CCCCXLIX
And fairè didden off their hoods,
And set them on their knee:
‘Welcome,’ they said. ‘our dear mastèr,
Under this green-wood tree!’
CCCCL
Robin dwelt in greenè-wood
Twenty year and two;
For all dread of Edward our King,
Again[922] would he not go.
CCCCLI
Yet he was beguiled, i-wis,
Through a wicked woman,
The prioress of Kirksley,
That nigh was of his kin,
CCCCLII
For the love of a knight,
Sir Roger of Doncastèr,
That was her own special;
Full evil might they fare!
CCCCLIII
They took together their counsel
Robin Hood for to sle,
And how they might best do that deed,
His banis[923] for to be.