_Scar._ Its ful seaven years since we were outlawed first, And wealthy Sherewood was our heritage: For all those yeares we raigned uncontrolde, From Barnsdale shrogs to Notingham’s red cliffes. At Blithe and Tickhill were we welcome guests: Good George a Greene at Bradford was our friend, And wanton Wakefield’s pinner lov’d us well.[44] At Barnsley dwels a potter, tough and strong, That never brookt we brethren should have wrong. The nunnes of Farnsfield (pretty nunnes they bee) Gave napkins, shirts, and bands to him and mee. Bateman of Kendall gave us Kendall greene; And Sharpe of Leedes sharpe arrows for us made. At Rotherham dwelt our bowyer, God him blisse, Jackson he hight, his bowes did never misse. This for our goode, our scathe let Scathlocke tell, In merry Mansfield how it once befell. _Scath._ In merry Mansfield, on a wrestling day, Prizes there were, and yeomen came to play, My brother Scarlet and myselfe were twaine; Many resisted, but it was in vaine, For of them all we wonne the mastery, And the gilt wreathes were given to him and me. There by Sir Doncaster of ‘Hothersfield,’ We were bewraied, beset, and forst to yield; And so borne bound from thence to Notingham, Where we lay doom’d to death till Warman came.” Some cordial expressions pass between Robin and Matilda. He commands all the yeomen to be cheerful; and orders Little John to read the articles. “_Joh._ First, no man must presume to call our master, By name of earle, lorde, baron, knight, or squire: But simply by the name of Robin Hoode.―― That faire Matilda henceforth change her name, ‘And’ by maid Marian’s name be only cald. Thirdly, no yeoman following Robin Hoode In Sherewood, shall use widowe, wife, or maid, But by true labour, lustfull thoughts expell. Fourthly, no passenger with whom ye meete, Shall yee let passe till hee with Robin feaste: Except a poast, a carrier, or such folke, As use with foode to serve the market townes. Fiftly, you never shall the poore man wrong. {lviii} Nor spare a priest, a usurer, or a clarke. Lastly, you shall defend with all your power Maids, widowes, orphants, and distressed men. _All._ All these we vowe to keepe, as we are men. _Rob._ Then wend ye to the greenewod merrily, And let the light roes bootlesse from yee runne, Marian and I, as soveraigns of your toyles, Will wait, within our bower, your bent bowes spoiles. [_Exeunt winding their hornes._”