Come, gentlemen all, and listen a while;
A story I’ll to you unfold—
How Robin Hood servèd the Bishop,
When he robb’d him of his gold.
II
As it befel in merry Barnsdale,
And under the green-wood tree,
The Bishop of Hereford was to come by,
With all his companye.
III
‘Come, kill a ven’son,’ said bold Robin Hood,
‘Come, kill me a good fat deer;
The Bishop’s to dine with me to day,
And he shall pay well for his cheer.
IV
‘We’ll kill a fat ven’son,’ said bold Robin Hood,
‘And dress’t by the highway-side,
And narrowly watch for the Bishop,
Lest some other way he should ride.’
V
He dress’d himself up in shepherd’s attire,
With six of his men also;
And the Bishop of Hereford came thereby,
As about the fire they did go.