The king did soon let them understand He had been in the green-wood, And from that day, for evermore, He'd forgiven Robin Hood. Then [when] the people they did hear, 145 And [that] the truth was known, They all did sing, "God save the king! Hang care, the town's our own!" "What's that Robin Hood?" then said the sheriff, "That varlet I do hate; 150 Both me and mine he caus'd to dine, And serv'd us all with one plate." "Ho, ho," said Robin Hood, "I know what you mean; Come, take your gold again; Be friends with me, and I with thee, 155 And so with every man. "Now, master sheriff, you are paid, And since you are beginner, As well as you give me my due, For you ne'er paid for that dinner. 160 "But if that it should please the king So much your house to grace, To sup with you, for, to speak true, [I] know you ne'er was base." The sheriff could not that gainsay, 165 For a trick was put upon him; A supper was drest, the king was a guest, But he thought 'twould have outdone him. They are all gone to London court, Robin Hood, with all his train; 170 He once was there a noble peer, And now he's there again. Many such pranks brave Robin play'd, While he liv'd in the green-wood: Now, my friend, attend, and hear an end[L175] 175 Of honest Robin Hood.[L176] 119, 120. Wanting in Ritson; supplied by Gutch. 175, 176. The two concluding lines refer to _Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight_, (see p. 888,) which ballad in some collections follows the present. ROBIN HOOD AND THE GOLDEN ARROW. RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 175. From an Aldermary-Churchyard Garland. Perhaps by the same feeble and vulgar hand as the preceding, and, like that, founded on the _Lytell Geste_. When as the sheriff of Nottingham Was come with mickle grief, He talk'd no good of Robin Hood, That strong and sturdy thief. _Fal la dal de_. So unto London road he past, 5 His losses to unfold To king Richàrd, who did regard The tale that he had told. "Why," quoth the king, "what shall I do? Art thou not sheriff for me" 10 The law is in force, to take thy course Of them that injure thee. "Go get thee gone, and by thyself Devise some tricking game For to enthral yon rebels all; 15 Go take thy course with them." So away the sheriff he return'd, And by the way he thought Of th' words of the king, and how the thing To pass might well be brought. 20