66 They went lightly on their way, There was many an out-horn in Carlisle blown, Many a woman said alas! The mayor of Carlisle forth was come, With him a full great route; These yeomen dread him full sore, Of their lives they stood in great doubt. The mayor came armed a full great pace, The mayor smote at Cloudesly with his bill, Full many a yeoman with great evil, 1 [Burst.] But all for nought was that they wrought, For so fast they down were laid, Till they all three, that so manfully fought Were gotten without at abraide.1 He threw their keys at their heads, And bad them evil to thrive ; 1 1 [Abroad.] And all that letteth any good yeoman Thus be these good yeomen gone to the wood, They laugh and be merry in their mood, And when they came to English-wood, There they found bows full good, "So God me help," said Adam Bell And Clym of the Clough so free, "I would we were in merry Carlisle, Before that fair meinie."2 They set them down and made good cheer, A second part of the wighty yeoman : 1[The linden tree.] 2 [Company.] PART THE THIRD. As they sat in English-wood, Sore then sighed the fair Alice: "Might I have spoken with his dear brethren, To show to them what him befell, Cloudesly walked a little beside, 2 He looked under the green-wood linde, He was ware of his wife and his children three, Full woe in heart and mind. 66 Welcome, wife," then said William, "Under this trusty tree; I had ween'd yesterday, by sweet Saint John, Thou should'st me never have see.' "Now well is me that ye be here, My heart is out of woe.' "Dame," he said, " be merry and glad, And thank my brethren two." "Hereof to speak," said Adam Bell, The meat, that we must sup withal, Then went they down into a land, Each of them slew a hart of greece,1 "Have here the best, Alice, my wife," Said William of Cloudesly; "Because ye so boldly stood by me, When I was slain full nigh." 1 1 [Fat.] |