Half a year dwelt our comely King In Nottingham, and more; Could he not hear of Robin Hood, In what country he wore. CCCLXVI But alway wentè good Robin By halk[891] and eke by hill, And alway slew the Kingès deer, And wielded them at will. CCCLXVII Then bespake a proud forstèr[892], That stood by our Kingès knee: ‘If ye will see good Robin Hood, Ye must do after me. CCCLXVIII ‘Take five of the bestè knights That be in yourè lede[893], And walkè down by yon Abbèy, And get you monkès weed. CCCLXIX ‘And I will be your leadès-man[894], And leadè you the way, And ere ye come to Nottingham Mine head then dare I lay CCCLXX ‘That ye shall meet with good Robin, Alive if that he be; Ere ye come to Nottingham With eyes ye shall him see.’ CCCLXXI Full hastily our King was dight, So were his knightès five. Each of them in monkès weed, And hasted thither blive. CCCLXXII Our King was great above his cowl, A broad hat on his crown, Right as he were abbot-like, They rode into the town. CCCLXXIII Stiff boots our King had on, Forsooth as I you say; Singing he rode to the greenè-wood, The convent[895] was clothed in gray. CCCLXXIV His mail-horse[896] and his great somèrs Followed our King behind, Till they came to greenè-wood A mile under the lind[897]. CCCLXXV There they met with good Robin, Standing on the way, And so did many a bold archèr, For sooth as I you say. CCCLXXVI Robin took the Kingè’s horse Hastily in that stide[898], And said, ‘Sir Abbot, by your leave, A while ye must abide. CCCLXXVII ‘We be yeomen of this forèst Under the green-wood tree; We livè by our Kingès deer, None other shift have we. CCCLXXVIII ‘And ye have churches and rentès both And gold full great plentỳ, Give us some of your spending For saintè charity.’ CCCLXXIX Then bespake our comely King, Anon then saidè he, ‘I have brought no more to greenè-wood But forty pound with me. CCCLXXX ‘I have lain at Nottingham This fortnight with our King, And spent I have full muchè good On many a great lording[899]. CCCLXXXI ‘And I have but forty pound, No more I have with me: But if I had an hundred pound, I vouch it half on thee.’ CCCLXXXII Robin took the forty pound, And departed it in twain; Halfen-deal[900] he gave his men, And bade them be full fain. CCCLXXXIII Full courteously Robin gan say, ‘Sir, this for your spending! We shall meet another day.’-- ‘Gramerci!’ said our King. CCCLXXXIV