Good Robin bound him to his brand, But that prov’d likewise vain, The beggar lighted on his hand With his pike-staff again : [I] wot he might not draw a sword For forty days and mair. Good Robin could not speak a word, His heart was ne’er so sair. {102} He could not fight, he could not flee, He wist not what to do ; The beggar with his noble tree Laid lusty slaps him to. He paid good Robin back and side, And baist him up and down, And with his pyke-staff laid on loud, Till he fell in a swoon. Stand up, man, the beggar said, ’Tis shame to go to rest ; Stay till thou get thy money told, I think it were the best : And syne go to the tavern house, And buy both wine and ale ; Hereat thy friends will crack full crouse, Thou hast been at the dale. Good Robin answer’d ne’er a word, But lay still as a stane ; His cheeks were pale as any clay, And closed[259] were his een. The beggar thought him dead but fail, And boldly bound his way.— I would ye had been at the dale, And gotten part of the play. {103} THE SECOND PART. Now three of Robin’s men, by chance, Came walking by the way, And found their master in a trance, On ground where that he lay. Up have they taken good Robìn, Making a piteous bear, Yet saw they no man there at whom They might the matter spear. They looked him all round about, But wound on him saw ‘nane,’ Yet at his mouth came bocking out The blood of a good vain. Cold water they have gotten syne, And cast unto his face ; Then he began to hitch his ear, And speak within short space. Tell us, dear master, said his men, How with you stands the case. Good Robin sigh’d e’er he began To tell of his disgrace. {104} “I have been watchman in this wood Near hand this twenty year, Yet I was never so hard bestead As ye have found me here ; A beggar with a clouted clock, Of whom I fear’d no ill Hath with his pyke-staff cla’d my back, I fear ’twill never be well. See, where he goes o’er yon hill, With hat upon his head ; If e’er ye lov’d your master well, Go now revenge this deed ; And bring him back again to me, If it lie in your might, That I may see, before I die, Him punish’d in my sight : And if you may not bring him back, Let him not go loose on ; For to us all it were great shame If he escape again.” “One of us shall with you remain, Because you’re ill at ease, The other two shall bring him back, To use him as you please.” {105} Now, by my truth, says good Robìn, I true there’s enough said ; And he get scouth to wield his tree, I fear you’ll both be paid. “Be not fear’d, our mastèr, That we two can be dung With any bluter base beggàr, That has nought but a rung. His staff shall stand him in no stead, That you shall shortly see, But back again he shall be led, And fast bound shall he be, To see if ye will have him slain, Or hanged on a tree.”