Until he came bold Robin to see,
Then he fell on his knee;
‘A boon, a boon!’ cries Little John,
‘Master, I beg of thee!’
XX
‘What is that boon,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Little John, thou begs of me?’—
‘It is to burn fair Kirkleys-hall,
And all their nunnerye.’
XXI
‘Now nay, now nay,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘That boon I’ll not grant thee;
I never hurt woman in all my life,
Nor men in their company.
XXII
‘I never hurt maid in all my time,
Nor at mine end shall it be;
But give me my bent bow in my hand,
And a broad arrow I’ll let flee;
And where this arrow is taken up
There shall my grave digg’d be.
XXIII
‘But lay me a green sod under my head,
And another at my feet;
And lay my bent bow at my side,
Which was my music sweet;
And make my grave of gravel and green,
Which is most right and meet.