‘We will be sharers all alike Of the money that we have; And there is never a one of us That his fellows shall deceive.’ XVI The priests their hands in their pockets put, But money would find none: ‘We’ll search ourselves,’ said Robin Hood, ‘Each other, one by one.’ XVII Then Robin took pains to search them both, And he found good store of gold; Five hundred pieces presently Upon the grass was told. XVIII ‘Here’s a brave show,’ said Robin Hood, ‘Such store of gold to see! And you shall each one have a part, ’Cause you pray’d so heartily.’ XIX He gave them fifty pound a-piece, And the rest for himself did keep; The priests they durst not speak one word, But they sighèd wondrous deep. XX With that the priests rose up from their knees, And thought to have parted so; ‘Nay, stay,’ said Robin Hood, ‘one thing more I have to say ere you go. XXI ‘You shall be sworn,’ said Robin Hood, ‘Upon this holy grass, That you will never tell lies again, Which way soever you pass. XXII ‘The second oath that you here must take, All the days of your lives You never shall tempt maids to sin, Nor covet other men’s wives. XXIII ‘The last oath you shall take, it is this, Be charitable to the poor; Say you have met with a holy friar, And I desire no more.’ XXIV He set them upon their horses again, And away then they did ride; And he return’d to the merry green-wood, With great joy, mirth and pride. _124. The Noble Fisherman_ _or Robin Hood’s Preferment_ I In summer time, when leaves grow green, When they doe grow both green and long, Of a bold outlaw call’d Robin Hood It is of him I sing this song. II When the lilly leafe and the elephant[1017] Doth bud and spring with a merry good cheere, This outlaw was weary of the wood-side, And chasing of the fallow deere. III ‘The fisherman brave more mony have Then any merchant, two or three; Therefore I will to Scarboro’ goe, That I a fisherman brave may be.’ IV This outlaw call’d his merry men all, As they sate under the green-wood tree: If any of you have gold to spend, I pray you heartily spend it with me. V ‘Now,’ quoth Robin, ‘I’le to Scarboro’ goe, It seemes to be a very faire day’-- He tooke up his inne at a widdow-woman’s house, Hard by upon the water gray: VI Who asked of him, ‘Where wert thou born? Or tell to me, where dost thou fare?’-- ‘I am a poore fisherman,’ saith he then, ‘This day intrappèd all in care.’ VII ‘What is thy name, thou fine fellòw? I pray thee heartily tell to me’; ‘In mine own country where I was born, Men called me Simon over the Lee.’ VIII