At the last shot that Robin shot, For all his friendès fare, Yet he fail’d of the garlànd Three fingers and mair. CCCCIV Then bespake him good Gilbèrt, And thus he gan him say: ‘Master,’ he said, ‘your tackle is lost, Stand forth and take your pay.’ CCCCV ‘If it be so,’ said Robin Hood, ‘That may no better be, Sir Abbot, I deliver thee mine arrow, I pray thee, serve thou me.’ CCCCVI ‘It falls[909] not for mine order,’ said our King, ‘Robin, by thy leave, For to smite no good yeomàn, For doubt I should him grieve.’ CCCCVII ‘Smite on boldly,’ said Robin, ‘I give thee largè leave.’ Anon our King with that same word He folded up his sleeve, CCCCVIII And such a buffet he gave Robin, To ground he yede full near: ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin, ‘Thou art a stalwart frere[910]. CCCCIX ‘There is pith in thine arm,’ said Robin, ‘I trow thou canst well shoot.’ Thus our King and Robin Hood Together then they met. CCCCX Robin beheld our comely King Wistly in the face, So did Sir Richard at the Lee, And knelt down in that place. CCCCXI And so did all the wild outlàws, When they saw them kneel: ‘My lord the King of Engèland, Now I know you weel!’ CCCCXII ‘Mercy then, Robin,’ said our King, ‘Under your trystell-tree, Of thy goodness and thy grace, For my men and me!’ CCCCXIII ‘Yes, ’fore God,’ said Robin Hood, ‘And also God me save! I ask mercy, my lord the King, And for my men I crave.’ CCCCXIV ‘Yes, ’fore God,’ then said our King, ‘And thereto sent I me, With that thou leave the greenè-wood, And all thy company; CCCCXV ‘And come home, sir, unto my court, And there dwell with me.’-- ‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin, ‘And right so shall it be. CCCCXVI ‘I will come unto your court, Your service for to see, And bringè with me of my men Seven score and three. CCCCXVII ‘But me like[911] well your service, I will come again full soon, And shooten at the dunnè deer, As I am wont to doon.’ _The Eighth Fytte_ How Robin Hood lived a while at the King’s Court, but returned to the Green-wood CCCCXVIII ‘Hast thou any green cloth?’ said our King, ‘That thou wilt sell now to me?’-- ‘Yea, ’fore God,’ said Robin, ‘Thirty yards and three.’ CCCCXIX ‘Robin,’ said our King, ‘Now pray I thee, To sell me some of that cloth, To me and my meinèe.’ CCCCXX ‘Yes, ’fore God,’ then said Robin, ‘Or else I were a fool; Another day ye will me clothe, I trow, against the Yule.’ CCCCXXI