88 ‘But list you, sirs,’ quoth William yong, ‘I dare not trust the king; It is some fetch is in his head, Whereby to bring vs in. 89 ‘Nay, stay we here: or first let me A messenger be sent Vnto the court, where I may know His Maiestie’s intent.’ 90 This pleased Adam Bell: ‘So may we liue in peace, We are at his most high command, And neuer will we cease. 91 ‘But if that still we shall be vrged, And called by traitrous name, And threated hanging for euery thing, His Highnesse is to blame. 92 ‘Neare had His Grace subiects more true, And sturdier then wee, Which are at His Highnesse will; God send him well to bee!’ 93 So to the court is yong William gone, To parley with the king, Where all men to the king’s presence Did striue him for to bring. 94 When he before the king was come, He kneeled down full low; He shewed quickly to the king What duty they did owe; 95 In such delightfull order blith, The king was quickly wonne To comfort them in their request, As he before had done. 96 ‘Fetch bread and drinke,’ then said His Grace, ‘And meat all of the best; And stay all night here at the court, And soundly take thy rest.’ 97 ‘Gramercies to Your Grace,’ said William, ‘For pardon graunted I see:’ ‘For signe thereof, here take my seale, And for more certainty.’ 98 ‘God’s curse vpon me,’ sayd William, ‘For my part if I meane Euer againe to stirre vp strife! It neuer shall bee seene.’ 99 The nobles all to William came, He was so stout and trimme, And all the ladies, for very ioy, Did come to welcome him. 100 ‘Faire Cisley now I haue to wife, In field I haue her wonne;’ ‘Bring her here, for God’s loue,’ said they all, ‘Full welcome shall she be [soone].’ 101 Forth againe went William backe, To wood that he did hie, And to his father there he shewd The king his pardone free. 102 ‘Health to His Grace,’ quoth Adam Bell, ‘I beg it on my knee!’ The like said Clim of the Clough, And William of Cloudesley. 103 To the court they all prepare, Euen as fast as they can hie, Where graciously they were receiud, With mirth and merry glee. 104 Cisley faire is wend alone Vpon a gelding faire; A proprer damsell neuer came In any courtly ayre. 105 ‘Welcome, Cisley,’ said the queene, ‘A lady I thee make, To wait vpon my owne person, In all my chiefest state.’ 106 So quickly was this matter done, Which was so hardly doubted, That all contentions after that From court were quickly rowted. 107 Fauourable was the king; So good they did him finde, The[y] neuer after sought againe To vex his royall minde. 108 Long time they liued in court, So neare vnto the king That neuer after was attempt Offred for any thing.