Then Robin Hood brought him through the wood And causèd the music to play, And he made the Bishop to dance in his boots, And they set him on ’s dapple-grey, And they gave the tail within his hand-- And glad he could so get away!
Come listen to me, you gallants so free, All you that love mirth for to hear, And I will you tell of a bold outlàw, That lived in Nottinghamshire.
As Robin Hood in the forest stood, All under the green-wood tree, There was he ware of a brave young man, As fine as fine might be.
The youngster was clothed in scarlet red, In scarlet fine and gay, And he did frisk it over the plain, And chanted a roundelay.
As Robin Hood next morning stood, Amongst the leaves so gay, There did he espy the same young man Come drooping along the way.
The scarlet he wore the day before, It was clean cast away; And every step he fetcht a sigh, ‘Alack and a well a day!’
Then steppèd forth brave Little John, And Much the miller’s son, Which made the young man bend his bow, When as he saw them come.
‘Stand off, stand off!’ the young man said, ‘What is your will with me?’-- ‘You must come before our master straight, Under yon green-wood tree.’
And when he came bold Robin before, Robin askt him courteously, ‘O hast thou any money to spare, For my merry men and me?’
‘I have no money,’ the young man said, ‘But five shillings and a ring; And that I have kept this seven long years, To have it at my weddìng.
‘Yesterday I should have married a maid, But she is now from me tane, And chosen to be an old knight’s delight, Whereby my poor heart is slain.’
‘What is thy name?’ then said Robin Hood, ‘Come tell me, without any fail.’-- ‘By the faith of my body,’ then said the young man, ‘My name it is Alan a Dale.’
‘What wilt thou give me,’ said Robin Hood, ‘In ready gold or fee, To help thee to thy true-love again, And deliver her unto thee?’
‘I have no money,’ then quoth the young man, ‘No ready gold nor fee, But I will swear upon a book Thy true servant for to be.’--
‘But how many miles to thy true-love? Come tell me without any guile.’-- ‘By the faith of my body,’ then said the young man, ‘It is but five little mile.’
Then Robin he hasted over the plain, He did neither stint nor lin[1013], Until he came unto the church Where Alan should keep his weddìng.