Francis James Child

“ Shall suffer with all his crew.
'Take here a hundred bowmen brave,
All chosen men of might,
Of excellent art for to take thy part,
In glittering armour bright.'
Then said the knight, My sovereign liege,
By me they shall be led;
I'll venture my blood against bold Robin Hood,
And bring him alive or dead.
One hundred men were chosen straight,
As proper as eer men saw;
On Midsummer-day the marched away,
To conquer that brave outlaw.
With long yew bows and shining spears,
They marchd in mickle pride,
And never delayd, or halted, or stayd,
Till they came to the greenwood-side. ”

“ That one should be sent to try the event,
And fetch him away with speed.
Therefore a trusty and worthy knight
The king was pleasd to call,
Sir William by name; when to him he came,
He told him his pleasure all. ”