But as they looked in Barnèsdale, By the highè-way, Then were they ware of a Black Monk[828], Upon a good palfrèy. CCXIV Then bespake him Little John, To Muchè gan he say: ‘I dare well lay my life to wed[829], That Monk hath brought our pay. CCXV ‘Make glad cheer,’ said Little John, ‘And dress your bows of yew, And look your hearts be seker and sad[830], Your strings trusty and true. CCXVI ‘The Monk hath two and fifty men, And seven somers[831] strong; There rideth no bishop in this land So royally along. CCXVII ‘Bretheren,’ said Little John, ‘Here are no more but three; But[832] we bring them to dinnèr, Our master we dare not see. CCXVIII ‘Bend your bows,’ said Little John, ‘Make all yon press[833] to stand; The foremost Monk, his life and death Is closèd in my hand. CCXIX ‘Abide, churl Monk!’ said Little John, ‘No further that thou wend; If thou dost, by dear-worth God, Thy death is in my hend[834]. CCXX ‘And evil thrift[835] upon thy head, Right under thy hat’s band! For thou hast made our master wroth, He is so lang fastand.’ CCXXI ‘Who is your master?’ said the Monk.-- Little John said, ‘Robin Hood.’-- ‘He is a strong thief,’ said the Monk, ‘Of him I never heard good.’ CCXXII ‘Thou lìest,’ then said Little John, ‘And that shall ruè thee; He is a yeoman of the forest, To dine he hath bidden thee.’ CCXXIII Much was ready with a bolt[836], Rathely[837] and anon, He set the Monk to-fore[838] the breast To the ground that he gan gon[839]. CCXXIV Of two and fifty wight yeomen There abode not one, Save a little page and a groom To lead the somers on. CCXXV They brought the Monk to the lodgè door, Whether he were loath or lief[840], For to speak with Robin Hood, Maugre in his teeth[841]. CCXXVI Robin did a-down his hood, The Monk when that he see; The Monk was not so courteous, His hood he lettè be. CCXXVII ‘He is a churl, by dear-worth God,’ Then said Little John. ‘Thereof no force[842],’ said Robin Hood, ‘For courtesy can be none.’ CCXXVIII ‘How many men,’ said Robin Hood, ‘Haddè this Monk, Johan?’-- ‘Fifty and two when that we met, But many of them be gane.’ CCXXIX ‘Let blow a horn,’ said Robin Hood, ‘That fellowship may us know.’-- Seven score of wight yeomen Came pricking on a row. CCXXX Each of them had a good mantèl Of scarlet and of ray[843]; All they came to good Robin, To wit what he would say. CCXXXI They made the Monk to wash and wipe, And sit at his dinnere, Robin Hood and Little John They served him both in fere. CCXXXII