But when that a little further they came, Bold Robin he chancèd to spy A hundred head of the good red deer, Come tripping the Sheriff full nigh. XXV ‘How like you my horn’d beasts, Master Sheriff? They be fat and fair for to see;’ ‘I tell thee, good fellow, I would I were gone, For I like not thy company.’ XXVI Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth, And blew but blastès three; Then quickly anon there came Little John, And all his company. XXVII ‘What is your will?’ then said Little John, ‘Good master come tell it to me;’ ‘I have brought hither the Sheriff of Notingham, This day to dine with thee.’ XXVIII ‘He is welcome to me,’ then said Little John, ‘I hope he will honestly pay; I know he has gold, if it be but well told, Will serve us to drink a whole day.’ XXIX Robin Hood took his mantle from his back, And laid it upon the ground, And out of the Sheriff’s portmantle He told three hundred pound. XXX Then Robin he brought him thorow the wood, Set him on his dapple gray: ‘O have me commended, good sir, to your wife!’-- So Robin went laughing away. _120. Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford_ I Come, gentlemen all, and listen a while; A story I’ll to you unfold-- How Robin Hood servèd the Bishop, When he robb’d him of his gold. II As it befel in merry Barnsdale, And under the green-wood tree, The Bishop of Hereford was to come by, With all his companye. III ‘Come, kill a ven’son,’ said bold Robin Hood, ‘Come, kill me a good fat deer; The Bishop’s to dine with me to day, And he shall pay well for his cheer. IV ‘We’ll kill a fat ven’son,’ said bold Robin Hood, ‘And dress’t by the highway-side, And narrowly watch for the Bishop, Lest some other way he should ride.’ V He dress’d himself up in shepherd’s attire, With six of his men also; And the Bishop of Hereford came thereby, As about the fire they did go. VI ‘What matter is this?’ said the Bishop; ‘Or for whom do you make this a-do? Or why do you kill the King’s ven’son, When your company is so few?’ VII ‘We are shepherds,’ said bold Robin Hood, ‘And we keep sheep all the year; And we are disposed to be merry this day, And to kill of the King’s fat deer.’ VIII ‘You are brave fellowes,’ said the Bishop, ‘And the King of your doings shall know; Therefore make haste, come along with me, For before the King you shall go.’ IX ‘O pardon, O pardon,’ says bold Robin Hood, ‘O pardon, I thee pray! For it never becomes your lordship’s coat To take so many lives away.’ X