_She_. I think not nay, but as ye say, It is no maiden's lore: But love may make me for your sake, As I have said before, To come on foot, to hunt, and shoot To get us meat in store; For so that I your company May have, I ask no more: From which to part, it maketh my heart As cold as any stone; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. _He_. For an outlaw this is the law, That men him take and bind; Without pitie, hanged to be, And waver with the wind. If I had need (as God forbid!) What socours could ye find? Forsooth, I trow, ye and your bow For fear would draw behind: And no marvel; for little avail Were in your counsel then: Wherefore I will to the green-wood go, Alone, a banished man. _She_. Right well know ye that woman be But feeble for to fight; No womanhede it is indeed To be bold as a knight: Yet, in such fear if that ye were With enemies day or night, I would withstand, with bow in hand, To grieve them as I might, And you to save; as women have From death men many one; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. _He_. Yet take good heed; for ever I dread That ye could not sustain The thorny ways, the deep valleys, The snow, the frost, the rain, The cold, the heat: for dry, or wet, We must lodge on the plain; And, us above, no other roof But a brake bush, or twain: Which soon should grieve you, I believe, And ye would gladly than That I had to the green-wood go, Alone, a banished man. _She_. Sith I have here been partynere With you of joy and bliss, I must also part of your woe Endure, as reason is: Yet am I sure of one pleasure; And shortly, it is this: That, where ye be, me seemeth, parde, I could not fare amiss. Without more speech, I you beseech That we were soon agone; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. _He_. If you go thyder, ye must consider, When ye have lust to dine, There shall no meat be for you gete, Neither beer, ale, nor wine; No slakes clean, to lie between, Made of thread and twine; None other house but leaves and boughs, To cover your head and mine, Lo, mine heart sweet, this evil diete Should make you pale and wan; Wherefore I will to the green-wood go, Alone, a banished man. _She_. Among the wild deer, such an archere As men say that ye be, Ne may not fail of good vitayle, Where is so great plente: And water clear of the rivere Shall be full sweet to me; With which in hele I shall right wele Endure, as ye shall see; And, or we go, a bed or two I can provide anone; For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone. _He_. Lo yet, before, ye must do more, If ye will go with me: As cut your hair up by your ear, Your kirtle by the knee; With bow in hand, for to withstand Your enemies, if need be: And this same night before daylight. To woodward will I flee. If that ye will all this fulfil, Do it shortly as ye can: Else will I to the green-wood go, Alone, a banished man.