Much people prayed for Cloudesly, That his life saved might be, And when he made him ready to shoot, There was many a weeping ee. But Cloudesly cleft the apple in two, His son he did not nee.[74] Over Gods forebode,[75] said the king, That thou should shoot at me. I give thee eighteen pence a day, And my bow shalt thou bear, And over all the north country I make thee chief ranger. And I thirteen pence a day, said the queen, By God, and by my fa'; 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, For they are so seemly to see. Your son, for he is tender of age, Of my wine-cellar he shall be; And when he cometh to man's estate, Better advanced shall he be. And, William, bring to me your wife, said the queen, Me longeth her sore to see: She shall be my chief gentlewoman, To govern my nursery. The yeomen thanked them courteously. To some bishop will we wend, Of all the sins that we have done, To be assoyld[76] at his hand. So forth be gone these good yeomen, As fast as they might he;[77] And after came and dwelled with the king, And died good men all three. Thus ended the lives of these good yeomen; God send them eternal bliss. And all, that with a hand-bow shooteth, That of heaven they never miss. Amen. FOOTNOTES: [35] Clem (Clement) of the cliff. [36] Called. [37] Mate. [38] Pass. [39] Noon. [40] Glad. [41] Red. [42] Wild. [43] Pressed. [44] Condemned. [45] Hang. [46] Sorrow. [47] Redeem. [48] Part of a song. [49] Hastened. [50] Sluggard. [51] Mad. [52] Time. [53] Noon. [54] Summons to arms. [55] Fight. [56] Hindereth. [57] Lime-tree. [58] Company. [59] Might for could. [60] Fat hart. [61] Lies. [62] Quickly. [63] Disgraced. [64] Immediately. [65] Dear. [66] Rather. [67] Lies. [68] The King's foresters. [69] Slain. [70] Dress. [71] Instantly. [72] An arrow that flies well. [73] Measured. [74] Nigh. [75] God forbid. [76] Absolved. [77] Hie. SIR LANCELOT DU LAKE. When Arthur first in court began, And was approved king, By force of arms great victories won, And conquest home did bring. Then into England straight he came With fifty good and able Knights, that resorted unto him, And were of his round table: And he had jousts and tournaments, Whereto were many prest, Wherein some knights did far excell And far surmount the rest. But one, Sir Lancelot du Lake, Who was approved well, He for his deeds and feats of arms, All others did excell. When he had rested him a while, In play, and game, and sport, He said he would go prove himself In some adventurous sort.