IV
‘O have they parishes burnt?’ he said,
‘Or have they ministers slain?
Or have they robb’d any virgin,
Or other men’s wives have ta’en?’—
V
‘They have no parishes burnt, good sir,
Nor yet have ministers slain,
Nor have they robbed any virgin,
Nor other men’s wives have ta’en.’
VI
‘O what have they done?’ said bold Robin Hood,
‘I pray thee tell to me.’—
‘It’s for slaying of the King’s fallow deer,
Bearing their long bows with thee.’—
VII
‘Dost thou not mind, old woman,’ he said,
‘Since thou made me sup and dine?
By the truth of my body,’ quoth bold Robin Hood,
‘You could tell it in no better time.’
VIII
Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
With a link a down and a day,
And there he met with a silly old palmer,
Was walking along the highway.