There was no shot these yeomen shot, That any prick might them stand. Then spake William of Cloudeslè, "By Him that for me died, I hold him never no good archer That shooteth at butts so wide." "Whereat?" then said our king, "I pray thee tell me:" "At such a butt, sir," he said, "As men use in my countre." William went into a field, And his two brethren with him, There they set up two hazel rods, Twenty score paces between. "I hold him an archer," said Cloudeslè, "That yonder wand cleaveth in two: "Here is none such," said the king, "Nor none that can so do." (_busk_, make ready. _prick_, peg in target) "I shall essay, sir," said Cloudeslè, "Or that I farther go:" Cloudeslè, with a bearing arrow, Clave the wand in two. "Thou art the best archer," then said the king, "Forsooth that ever I see "And yet for your love," said William, "I will do more maistry. "I have a son is seven year old, He is to me full dear; I will him tie to a stake, All shall see that be here; "And lay an apple upon his head, And go six score paces him fro, And I myself, with a broad arrow, Shall cleave the apple in two." "Now haste thee," then said the king, "By Him that died on a tree; But if thou do not as thou hast said, Hanged shalt thou be. "And thou touch his head or gown, In sight that men may see, By all the saints that be in heaven, I shall hang you all three." (_maistry_, mastery.) "That I have promised," said William, "I will it never forsake;" And there even before the king, In the earth he drove a stake, And bound thereto his eldest son, And bad him stand still thereat, And turned the child's face fro him, Because he should not start. An apple upon his head he set, And then his bow he bent; Six score paces they were out met, And thither Cloudesle went. There he drew out a fair broad arrow, His bow was great and long, He set that arrow in his bow, That was both stiff and strong. He prayed the people that was there, That they would still stand, "For he that shooteth for such a wager, Behoveth a stedfast hand." Much people prayed for Cloudeslè, That his life saved might be, And when he made him ready to shoot, There was many a weeping eye. (_met_, meted, measured.) Thus Cloudeslè cleft the apple in two, That many a man might see; "Over God's forbode," said the king, "That thou shoot at me! "I give thee xviii. pence a day, And my bow shalt thou bear, And over all the north count re, I make thee chief rider," "And I give thee xvii. pence a day," said the queen, "By God and by my fay; Come fetch thy payment when thou wilt, No man shall say thee nay. "William, I make thee a gentleman, Of clothing and of fee, And thy two brethren yeomen of my chamber,