All the people of Nottingham They stood and beheld, They saw nothing but mantles of green, They covered all the feld; Then every man to other gan say, "I dread our king be slone; Come Robin Hood to the town, i-wis, On live he leaveth not one." Full hastily they began to flee, Both yeomen and knaves, And old wives that might evil go, They hopp-ed on their staves. The king be lough full fast, And commanded them again; When they see our comely king, I-wis they were full fain. They ate and drank, and made them glad, And sang with not-es hie. Then bespake our comely king To Sir Richard at the Lee: He gave him there his land again, A good man he bade him be. Robin thanked our comely king, And set him on his knee. Had Robin dwelled in the king's court But twelv-e months and three, That he had spent an hundred pound, And all his menn-es fee, In every place where Robin came, Ever more he laid down, Both for knights and squires, To get him great renown. By then the year was all agone, He had no man but twain, Little John and good Scathlocke, With him all for to gane. Robin saw yong-e men to shoot, Full fair upon a day, "Alas!" then said good Rob-in, "My wealth is went away. Sometime I was an archer good, A stiff and eke a strong, I was committed the best arch-er That was in merry Englond. Alas!" then said good Rob-in, "Alas and well away! If I dwell longer with the king, Sorrow will me slay!" Forth then went Robin Hood, Till he came to our king: "My lord the king of Englond, Grant me mine ask-ing. I made a chapel in Barnysdale, That seemly is to see, It is of Mary Magdalene, And thereto would I be; I might never in this seven-night, No time to sleep ne wink, Neither all these seven days, Neither eat ne drink. Me longeth sore to Barnysdale, I may not be therefro, Barefoot and woolward I have hight Thither for to go." "If it be so," then said our king, "It may no better be; Seven-night I give thee leave, No longer, to dwell fro me."