"Tell me, if that thou rightly ken, 45 When must Will Stutly dye, Who is one of bold Robin's men, And here doth prisoner lye?" "Alas, alas," the palmer said, "And for ever woe is me! 50 Will Stutly hang'd will be this day, On yonder gallows tree. "O had his noble master known, He would some succour send; A few of his bold yeomanry 55 Full soon would fetch him hence." "Ay, that is true," the young man said; "Ay, that is true," said he; "Or, if they were near to this place, They soon would set him free. 60 "But fare thou well, thou good old man, Farewel, and thanks to thee; If Stutly hanged be this day, Reveng'd his death will be." No sooner he was from the palmer gone, 65 But the gates were open'd wide, And out of the castle Will Stutly came, Guarded on every side. When he was forth from the castle come, And saw no help was nigh, 70 Thus he did say unto the sheriff, Thus he said gallantly: "Now seeing that I needs must dye, Grant me one boon," said he, "For my noble master ne'er had man 75 That yet was hang'd on tree. "Give me a sword all in my hand, And let me be unbound, And with thee and thy men I'll fight, Till I lye dead on the ground." 80 But this desire he would not grant, His wishes were in vain; For the sheriff swore he hang'd should be, And not by the sword be slain. "Do but unbind my hands," he says, 85 "I will no weapons crave, And if I hanged be this day, Damnation let me have." "O no, no, no," the sheriff said, "Thou shalt on gallows dye, 90 Ay, and so shall thy master too, If ever in me it lye." "O dastard coward!" Stutly cries, Faint-hearted peasant slave! If ever my master do thee meet, 95 Thou shalt thy payment have. "My noble master thee doth scorn, And all thy cowardly crew; Such silly imps unable are Bold Robin to subdue." 100 But when he was to the gallows gone, And ready to bid adieu, Out of a bush steps Little John, And goes Will Stutly to. "I pray thee, Will, before thou dye, 105 Of thy dear friends take leave; I needs must borrow him a while, How say you, master sheriff?" "Now, as I live," the sheriff said, "That varlet will I know; 110 Some sturdy rebel is that same, Therefore let him not go."