‘What matter is this?’ said the Bishop;
‘Or for whom do you make this a-do?
Or why do you kill the King’s ven’son,
When your company is so few?’
VII
‘We are shepherds,’ said bold Robin Hood,
‘And we keep sheep all the year;
And we are disposed to be merry this day,
And to kill of the King’s fat deer.’
VIII
‘You are brave fellowes,’ said the Bishop,
‘And the King of your doings shall know;
Therefore make haste, come along with me,
For before the King you shall go.’
IX
‘O pardon, O pardon,’ says bold Robin Hood,
‘O pardon, I thee pray!
For it never becomes your lordship’s coat
To take so many lives away.’
X
‘No pardon, no pardon!’ the Bishop says;
‘No pardon I thee owe;
Therefore make haste, come along with me,
For before the King you shall go.’