7 ‘Now nay, now nay,’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘The danger is past and gone; I would have you to welcome my nephew here, That hath paid me two for one.’ 8 In feasting and sporting they passed the day, Till Phœbus sunk into the deep; Then each one to his quarters hy’d, His guard there for to keep. 9 Long had they not walked within the green wood, But Robin he was espy’d Of a beautiful damsel all alone, That on a black palfrey did ride. 10 Her riding-suit was of sable hew black, Sypress over her face, Through which her rose-like cheeks did blush, All with a comely grace. 11 ‘Come, tell me the cause, thou pritty one,’ Quoth Robin, ‘and tell me aright, From whence thou comest, and whither thou goest, All in this mournful plight?’ 12 ‘From London I came,’ the damsel reply’d, ‘From London upon the Thames, Which circled is, O grief to tell! Besieg’d with forraign arms. 13 ‘By the proud Prince of Aragon, Who swears by his martial hand To have the princess for his spouse, Or else to waste this land: 14 ‘Except that champions can be found That dare fight three to three, Against the prince and giants twain, Most horrid for to see: 15 ‘Whose grisly looks, and eyes like brands, Strike terrour where they come, With serpents hissing on their helms, Instead of feathered plume. 16 ‘The princess shall be the victors prize, The king hath vowd and said. And he that shall the conquest win Shall have her to his bride. 17 ‘Now we are four damsels sent abroad, To the east, west, north, and south, To try whose fortune is so good To find these champions forth. 18 ‘But all in vaine we have sought about; Yet none so bold there are That dare adventure life and blood, To free a lady fair.’ 19 ‘When is the day?’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘Tell me this and no more:’ ‘On Midsummer next,’ the damsel said, ‘Which is June the twenty-four.’ 20 With that the teares trickled down her cheeks, And silent was her tongue; With sighs and sobs she took her leave, Away her palfrey sprung. 21 This news struck Robin to the heart, He fell down on the grass; His actions and his troubled mind Shewd he perplexed was. 22 ‘Where lies your grief?’ quoth Will Scadlock, ‘O master, tell to me; If the damsels eyes have piercd your heart, I’ll fetch her back to thee.’ 23 ‘Now nay, now nay,’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘She doth not cause my smart; But it is the poor distressed princess That wounds me to the heart. 24 ‘I will go fight the giants all To set the lady free:’ ‘The devil take my soul,’ quoth Little John, ‘If I part with thy company.’ 25 ‘Must I stay behind?’ quoth Will Scadlock; ‘No, no, that must not be; I’le make the third man in the fight, So we shall be three to three.’