Therefore a trusty and most worthy knight The king was pleas'd to call, Sir William by name; when to him he came, 15 He told him his pleasure all. "Go you from hence to bold Robin Hood, And bid him, without more ado, Surrender himself, or else the proud elf Shall suffer with all his crew. 20 "Take here a hundred bowmen brave, All chosen men of great might, Of excellent art to take thy part, In glittering armour most bright." Then said the knight, "My sovereign liege, 25 By me they shall be led; I'll venture my blood against bold Robin Hood, And bring him alive or dead." One hundred men were chosen straight, As proper as e'er men saw: 30 On Midsummer-day they march'd away, To conquer that brave outlaw. With long yew bows and shining spears, They marched with mickle pride, And never delay'd, nor halted, nor stay'd, 35 Till they came to the green-wood side. Said he to his archers, "Tarry here; Your bows make ready all, That, if need should be, you may follow me; And see you observe my call. 40 "I'll go first in person," he cry'd, "With the letters of my good king, Well sign'd and seal'd, and if he will yield, "We need not to draw one string." He wander'd about till at length he came 45 To the tent of Robin Hood; The letter he shows; bold Robin arose, And there on his guard he stood. "They'd have me surrender," quoth bold Robin Hood, "And lie at their mercy then; 50 But tell them from me, that never shall be, While I have full seven score men." Sir William the knight, both hardy and bold, He offer'd to seize him there, Which William Locksley by fortune did see, 55 And bid him that trick to forbear. Then Robin Hood set his horn to his mouth, And blew a blast or twain, And so did the knight, at which there in sight The archers came all amain. 60 Sir William with care he drew up his men, And plac'd them in battle array; Bold Robin, we find, he was not behind; Now this was a bloody fray. The archers on both sides bent their bows, 65 And the clouds of arrows flew; The very first flight, that honour'd knight Did there bid the world adieu. Yet nevertheless their fight did last From morning till almost noon; 70 Both parties were stout and loth to give out, This was on the last day of June. At length they left off; one party they went To London with right good will; And Robin Hood he to the green-wood tree, 75 And there he was taken ill.