The Sheriff had his leave i-take, And went him on his way; And Robin Hood to green-wood went Upon a certain day; CCCXXVIII And Little John was whole[881] of the arrow, That shot was in his knee, And did him straight to Robin Hood, Under the green-wood tree. CCCXXIX Robin Hood walked in the forest Under the leavès green; The proud Sheriff of Nottingham Thereof he had great teen. CCCXXX The Sheriff there fail’d of Robin Hood, He might not have his prey; Then he awaited this gentle Knight, Both by night and day. CCCXXXI Ever he waited that gentle Knight, Sir Richard at the Lee, As he went hawking by the river side, And let his hawkès flee. CCCXXXII Took he there this gentle Knight, With men of armès strong, And led him to Nottingham-ward, Bound both foot and hond. CCCXXXIII The Sheriff swore a full great oath, By Him that died on a tree, He had liefer than an hundred pound, That Robin Hood had he. CCCXXXIV This heard the Knightès wife, A fair lady and a free; She set her on a good palfrey, To green-wood anon rode she. CCCXXXV When she came in the forèst, Under the green-wood tree, Found she there Robin Hood And all his fair meinèe. CCCXXXVI ‘God thee save, thou good Robin, And all thy company; For Ourè dearè Lady’s sake, A boon grant thou me! CCCXXXVII ‘Let thou never my wedded Lord Shamefully slayen be; He is fast bound at Nottingham, For the love of thee.’ CCCXXXVIII Anon then said good Robin, To that lady free, ‘What man hath your lord i-take?’-- ‘The proud Sheriff,’ then said she. CCCXXXIX ‘The proud Sheriff hath him i-take Forsooth as I thee say; He is not yet three miles, Passèd on his way.’ CCCXL Up then started good Robin As a man that had been wood[882]; ‘Buskè you, my merry men, For Him that died on rood! CCCXLI ‘And he that this sorròw forsaketh, By Him that died on a tree, And by Him that all things maketh, No longer shall dwell with me.’ CCCXLII Soon there were good bows y-bent, More than seven score; Hedge nor ditch they sparèd none That was them before. CCCXLIII ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin, ‘The Knight would I fain see, And if I may him takè, I-quit then shall he be.’ CCCXLIV And when they came to Nottingham, They walkèd in the street; And with the proud Sheriff i-wis Soonè gan they meet. CCCXLV ‘Abide, thou proud Sheriff,’ he said, ‘Abide, and speak with me; Of some tidings of our King I would fain hear of thee. CCCXLVI