2^3. three yeomen.
2^4. as _wanting_.
3^2. Another.
4^2. thre _wanting_. #d#, #e#. euery chone. #f.# eueryeche one.
4^3. brethren on a.
4^4. English wood.
5^2. And _wanting_: mirth.
5^3. #e.# were _wanting_.
6^3. brethren, _and generally_. #e.# on a.
7^1. There to: Alice.
7^2. #f.# with _wanting_.
8^1. #e#, #f#. we go. #d.# Carlell, _and generally_. #e#, #f#.
Carlile, _and generally_.
8^3. If that: doe you.
8^4. life is.
9^3. Trust you then that. #d#, #f#. tane. #e.# taken.
11^1. Alice he said.
11^2. My wife and children three.
11^3. owne husband. #f.# thy.
12^2. #e#, #f#. very sore.
12^4. #d#, #f#. halfe a. #e.# Full halfe a.
13^1. #e.# I am.
13^2. #d#, #f#. in I. #e.# in we.
14^1. #d.# fet.
14^2. #d.# true and.
14^3. #e.# what she.
15^1. #d.# in the.
15^2. little before.
16^1. rose and forth she goes.
16^2. #e.# might.
16^3. not _wanting_.
16^4. #e.# yeeres. #f.# not 7 yeere.
17^1. into.
17^3. night she said is come to towne.
18^1. #e.# Thereat.
18^2. #e.# was _wanting_. #f.# And _wanting_.
18^3. #e.# dame _wanting_.
18^4. ere.
19^2. #d#, #e#. as _wanting_. #d#, #e#, #f#. saine.
20^1. raised.
20^2. that _wanting_.
20^3. #e.# And thronging fast vnto the house.
20^4. As fast as. #e.# gan.
21^1. the good yeoman.
21^2. Round _wanting_.
21^3. #d.# of the folke. #e.# of folke. #f.# of the folkes.
21^4. thetherward: fast _for_ they.
22^1. back _for_ shot.
22^3. #e.# bothe _wanting_. #e#, #f#. _second_ the _wanting_.
22^4. #e#, #f#. And with them. #e.# a great rout. #f.# a full
great.
23^1. then cryed.
23^3. #e#, #f#. _second_ my _wanting_. #f.# sweet husband.
24^2. #e.# _second_ hys _wanting_.
24^3. the _for_ hys. #f.# He went.
24^4. #f.# the surest.
25^1. Alice like a louer true.
25^2. #f.# Tooke a.
25^3. #d#, #f#. Said he shall die that commeth. #e.# Said he shall
dye.
26^1. right good.
26^2. of a.
26^4. burst.
27^4. had beene neere the.
28^2. #d.# _second_ thy _wanting_. #e.# thine arrowes. #f.# the
bow and arrowes.
29^2. #d#, #e#. Sith no better it will be.
29^3. burne: saith. #f.# burne there.
29^4. and his.
30^1. #f.# The _for_ they: _and often_.
30^2. #d#, #e#. vp _wanting_. #f.# fledd on.
30^3. then, _and generally_. #e#, #f#. said faire.
30^4. #e.# we here shall. #f.# here wee shall.
31^1. a _for_ hys.
31^2. _second_ on _wanting_. #d.# was on.
31^3. And there: he did let downe.
31^4. His wife and children.
32^1. #f.# Haue you here.
32^2. #d#, #f#. _second_ my _wanting_.
32^{1,2}. #e.# _wanting_.
32^3. #f.# Gods loue.
33^2. #d#, #f#. agoe. #e.# go.
33^3. the _wanting_. about _for_ vpon.
33^4. #f.# burnt.
34^1. fell vppon.
34^{3,4}. and sayde _begins the fourth line_.
35^1. #e#, #f#. had I.
35^2. runne.
35^3. #e.# amongst. #d#, #f#. my.
35^4. So: burne.
36^1. buckler then.
36^2. #f.# amongst.
36^3. people thickest were.
37^1. man abide. #e#, #f#. strokes.
37^2. #e.# run.
37^3. #f.# Then the: att him. #e.# doore.
37^4. that yeoman. #f.# And then the.
38^1. both _wanting_.
38^2. in a.
38^3. #d#, #e#. then said. #d#, #f#. hye _wanting_.
39^2. #e.# gallowes thou shalt haue.
39^3. #d.# al _wanting_.
40^1. There. #f.# helpe yett.
40^3. #f#. a 100^d men.
41^1. arose.
41^2. #f.# can he.
41^3. #d.# them to: full _wanting_. #e#, #f#. to shut close.
42^3. #d#, #e#. he set vp. #f.# There he new a paire of gallowes
he sett vpp.
42^4. #f.# Hard by the.
43^2. meant.
44^1. the _wanting_. #f.# The litle.
44^3. #f.# seene William.
44^4. #e.# gaue.
45^1. at a creuice of.
45^2. wood he ran (ron, runn). #f.# And _wanting_.
45^3. #e.# he met. #e#, #f#. wighty yeomen.
46^1. #e#, #f#. said the.
46^2. #e#, #f#. You.
46^3. #e#, #f#. tane. #e.# doomd.
46^4. #d.# Already. #e#, #f#. And ready to be hangd.
47^2. saw.
47^3. #d#, #e#. might haue tarried heere with vs. #f.# He had
better haue tarryed with vs.
47^4. #e.# as _wanting_.
48^1. haue dwelled.
48^2. these _for_ the. #f.# shaddoowes greene.
48^3. haue _wanting_: at rest.
48^4. #d#, #f#. of all.
49^2. he had.
50^1. #e.# we go. #d.# wighty yeomen. #e#, #f#. iolly yeomen.
50^2. longer.
51^1. #f.# bold yeomen.
51^2. #f.# All in a mor[n]inge of May.
51^4. #f.# And _wanting_.
52^1. #f.# to _wanting_.
52^2. #f.# All in a morning.
52^3. vnto.
53^3. wonderous. #d#, #f#. be shut. #e.# are shut. #f.# ffast
_for_ well.
53^4. therein.
54^4. come. #e.# the king.
55^1. wryten _wanting_.
55^2. #e.# Now _wanting_. #f.# wiselye marke.
56^1. #d#, #f#. at the. #f.# gates.
56^2. #f.# hard and.
56^3. #d#, #e#. a _wanting_. #f.# marueiled who was theratt.
56^4. faste _wanting_. #e#, #f.# gates.
57^1. nowe _wanting_. #f.# Who be.
57^2. #f.# makes.
57^3. #e.# said they then. #f.# quoth Clim.
57^4. come right.
58^4. the _for_ our.
59^1. none in.
59^2. #e.# of a.
59^3. Till that. #f.# a _wanting_.
60^1. #d.# the _for_ that. #e.# that good yeman _wanting_. #f.#
spake good Clim.
60^4. #d#, #f#. thou shalt.
61^1. got _wanting_.
61^3. #d#, #e#. porter wend (weend). #f.# had went _wanting_.
62^1. is my: he said.
62^2. #d.# ye shall. #e#, #f#. you shall.
62^3. #e#, #f#. gates. #d#, #e#. full shortly. #f.# ryght
_wanting_.
63^1. are we.
63^2. Whereof: are right.
63^3. #d.# knowes. #e#, #f#. Christ he knowes assuredly.
63^4. #e.# come _wanting_. #f.# gett out.
64^{2,3,4}. then, When, _and nearly always_.
65^1. a _wanting_.
65^3. cast.
65^4. #d#, #f#. his keyes.
66^2. #e.# we haue.
66^3. in _for_ to.
66^4. #d.# hundred. #e#, #f#. That came this hundred.
67^1. we will.
67^3. brother.
67^4. That _for_ Where he.
68^1. #d.# Then: their good. #e#, #f#. Then: their good yew.
68^3. in _for_ of.
69^3. #d#, #f#. of squiers. #e.# squirers.
69^4. #e#, #f#. That iudged William hanged.
70^1. #e#, #f#. hymselfe _wanting_. #f.# ready there in.
70^4. #d#, #e#. Already. #f.# to hange.
71^2. he should. #e.# Cloudesle.
71^3. good _wanting_.
71^4. #e.# thereby make him a. #f.# And _wanting_.
72^1. a _wanting_.
72^3. a graue.
73^2. I will thee hang.
73^3. heard this.
74^1. eye. #e.# William.
74^2. two (tow) brethren: stande _wanting_.
74^3. #e.# the corner: place wel prepard.
74^4. #d.# good _wanting_: bent _wanting_. #e#, #f#. _wanting._
74^5. #d#, #e#. the justice to chase. #f.# the iustice to slaine.
75^1. good _wanting_.
75^3. #e.# hands let free.
75^4. #d#, #e#. might I.
76^1. Then spake.
76^3. Brother: you.
76^4. you.
77^1. And _wanting_.
78^2. #d#, #e#. they had.
78^3. #f.# the shirrfe, the other the iustice.
78^4. #d#, #f#. can.
79^1. #e.# stood them.
79^3. fell _wanting_.
79^4. #d#, #e#. deaths.
80^1. #f.# flye.
80^2. #d#, #f#. longer.
80^3. #e.# Then.
81^1. #d#, #f#. start. #e.# stept.
81^2. out of.
81^4. had _wanting_: all too. #f.# Hee thought.
82^1. #e.# brethren.
82^2. togyder _wanting_.
83^1. shot. #e#, #f#. in _wanting_.
83^2. full _wanting_.
83^4. #e.# The. #d#, #f#. long did.
84^1. like _for_ as.
85^2. #d#, #f#. pressed to.
85^3. #e.# swords out anon.
86^3. #d#, #f#. was mid. #f.# were mid.
86^4. had _wanting_.
87^1. #e.# There was _wanting_. #e#, #f#. Carlile was.
87^2. they _wanting_. #d.# backwards.
88^1, 89^1, 90^1. mayor, maior.
88^3. thre _wanting_.
88^4. For of. #d#, #f#. they stood in great. #e.# they were in
great.
89^4. #e.# Within that stoure.
90^2. brast. #d#, #f#. he _wanting_.
90^3. euill.
90^4. #f.# ffull woe.
90^5. #f.# Keepe well.
90^6. That.
91^2. #d#, #e#. downe they. #f.# were downe.
91^4. gotten out. #e.# of a.
92^2. heere I. #e.# My.
92^3. #d#, #f#. you.
92^4. doe you.
93^1. #d#, #f#. their keyes at. #d.# head.
93^3. any.
94^1. #e#, #f#. be the.
#d.# word.
94^2. lightly.
94^3. #f.# wood.
95^1. #d#, #e#. English wood. #f.# merry greenwood.
95^2. the trustie.
95^4. #d.# full great.
96^1. God me helpe.
96^3. nowe _wanting_.
96^4. #d.# manie. #e.# many. #f.# meanye.
97^1. #d#, #f#. sate. #e.# Then sat they.
97^2. #d#, #e#. drunke.
97^3. fit of: yeomen _for_ yonge men. #f.# A 2^d ffitt of the
wightye.
97^4. And _wanting_: I will.
98^1. English wood. #d#, #f#. sate.
98^2. #d#, #e#. trustie. #f.# the greenwoode.
98^3. woman wepe. #e#, #f#. They.
98^4. #e#, #f#. could act.
99^1. Sore then: there _wanting_. #d#, #f#. and sayd _begins the
next line_.
99^{1,2}. #e#. And sayd Alas _wanting_.
99^2. saw.
99^3. #f.# nowe _wanting_.
100^1. #e.# spoke.
100^2. Or with.
100^3. #d#, #e#. To shew to them what him befell. #f.# To show
them, _etc._
101^1. aside.
101^2. #f.# He looked.
101^3. _second_ his _wanting_. #e.# He saw his.
102^2. Under. #d.# this trustie. #e.# a trusty. #f.# the trustye.
102^4. #d#, #f#. shouldest had. #e.# shouldst had.
103^4. #d#, #e#. brethren.
104^4. #e.# It resteth.
105^1. the lawnd.
105^2. noble men all.
105^4. #f.# that they cold see.
106^2. #f.# saith.
106^3. Because: by me.
107^1. they went: theyr _wanting_.
107^3. for their.
108^2, 115^2. without any leace (lease).
109^1. at our.
109^2. #f.# Att a.
110^1. My.
110^2. I haue.
111^1. good yeomen.
111^2. #d#, #f#. might hye. #e#. can hye.
111^3. pallace.
111^4. #e#, #f#. Where. #d.# neede. #e#, #f#. needs.
112^1. kings. #f.# But when.
112^2. #f.# & to.
113^1. proceeded presently.
113^2. they had.
113^4. #e#, #f#. gan.
114^1. #e#, #f#. you.
114^2. #e#, #f#. to me.
114^3. You: thus _wanting_.
114^4. from _for_ of.
115^2. #f.# Certes.
115^3. the _for_ our.
116^1. the _for_ our. #d#, #f#. when. #e.# whan.
117^1. #d#, #e#. beseech thee. #f.# beseeche yee sure.
118^1. What be. #e#, #f#. the _for_ our.
118^3. #e.# They sayd _wanting_.
119^1. #d#, #e#. than _wanting_. #f.# then. #e.# the _for_ our.
119^2. of _wanting_.
119^3. #f.# Here I make a vow to God.
119^4. You.
120^3. #f.# officer[s] euery one.
121^1. #e.# Therefore.
122^3. doo _for_ be: come.
122^4. from.
123^2. #d.# your _wanting_.
123^3. #d#, #e#. hundreth: #f.# 100^d.
123^4. #d#, #e#. of you. #f.# Of you wee will aske noe.
125^4. You.
126^1. ye.
126^4. #f.# itt shalbe.
127^1. #f.# good my.
127^2. These: ye.
127^4. them all.
128^1. #f.# You: townes.
130^2. #e.# garmarcie. #f.# god a mercye.
130^4. they shall.
131^2. #d.# they may comfort see. #e.# they might comfort see.
#f.# some comfort they might see.
131^3. #e#, #f#. the _for_ our.
132^1. #e.# sittin. #f.# sitten.
132^3. came two.
133^3. #e.# our _for_ your.
134^1. fareth.
135^1. #e.# slaine them. #f.# then said.
135^2. Anone that you.
135^3. and _wanting_.
136^1. #f.# ffor wrath.
136^3. then. #f.# rather then.
136^4. of _wanting_.
137^1. #f.# y- _wanting_.
137^2. #d.# forethinketh.
138^1. #d#, #f#. king he.
138^3. And there: thre _wanting_.
139^2. mayor.
139^3. catchpoles.
139^4. #f.# but one.
140^1. bayliffes.
140^3. forresters.
140^4. haue. #f.# haue the slawe.
141^2. #e#, #f#. Of all. #f.# coice the.
141^3. #d.# Such.
142^2. hys _wanting_.
142^3. #d.# table he said. #e.# table then said he. #f.# tables
then sayd hee.
142^4. #e#, #f#. I can.
143^1. then called.
143^3. #e#, #f#. said he. #f.# To see.
143^4. #e.# hath.
144^1. #d#, #e#. buskt: blithe. #f.# archers busket: blythe.
144^2. #f.# Soe did the queenes alsoe.
144^3. #d#, #e#. thre _wanting_. #f.# weightye.
144^4. #f.# They thought with them.
145^2. thre _wanting_.
145^4. them _wanting_.
146^2. #e#, #f#. By him.
146^3. #d#, #e#. a good. #f.# him not a good.
147^1. #e.# the _for_ our. #f.# then _wanting_.
147^2. to me.
148^1. into the.
148^2. brethren.
148^4. #f.# 400 paces.
149^4. For no man can so doo.
150^1. #f.# syr _wanting_.
150^2. further.
151. #d#, #f#. our king. #e#, #f#. then _wanting_.
152^3. tie him.
152^4. #e#, #f#. see him.
154^1. hast thee. #f.# then _wanting_.
154^3. #f.# dost: has.
155^4. you hang.
156^2. #d#, #e#. I neuer will forsake. #f.# That I will neuer.
157^3. him fro.
158^3. out _wanting_. #f.# meaten.
159^2. #e.# were.
160^1. were there.
160^4. had neede of a. #e#, #f#. steddy.
162^1. claue.
162^2. myght see. #d#, #f#. As.
162^3. Now God forbid then said.
162^4. #d#, #e#. shouldst.
163^1. #f.# gaue: 8 pence.
163^4. #e.# chiefe ranger.
164^1. xiii. #e#, #f#. Ile.
165^1. thee a.
165^3. #f.# bretheren.
165^4. are louely to.
166^2. #e#, #f#. he shall be.
166^3. mans estate. #e#, #f#. coms, comes.
166^4. #d.# aduanced I will him see. #e#, #f#. Better preferred.
167^2. #d.# sore for to. #e.# I long full sore to see. #f.# I long
her sore.
167^4. To.
168^2. #d.# To some bishop will we wend. #e#, #f#. To some bishop
we will wend.
168^4. at his.
169^1. #e.# the good.
169^2. they can. #d.# So fast.
169^3. and liued.
169^4. good yeomen.
170^1. #f.# liffe.
170^3. #f.# with a.
170^4. #d#, #e#. they _wanting_.
_Insignificant variations of spelling are not noticed._
APPENDIX
THE SECOND PART OF ADAM BELL
August 16, 1586, there was entered to Edward White, in the Stationers’
Registers, ‘A ballad of William Clowdisley neuer printed before:’ Arber,
II, 455. This was in all probability the present piece, afterwards
printed with ‘Adam Bell’ as a Second Part. The Second Part of Adam Bell
was entered to John Wright, September 24, 1608: Arber, III, 390. The
ballad is a pure manufacture, with no root in tradition, and it is an
absurd extravaganza besides. The copy in the Percy Folio, here collated
with the earliest preserved printed copy, has often the better readings,
but may have been corrected. #a# has such monstrosities as y-then, y-so.
#a.# ‘The Second Part of Adam Bell,’ London, James Roberts, 1605.
#b.# ‘Younge Cloudeslee,’ Percy MS. p. 398; Hales and Furnivall,
III, 102.
1
List northerne laddes to blither things
Then yet were brought to light,
Performed by our countriemen
In many a fray and fight:
2
Of Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough,
And William of Cloudisly,
Who were in fauour with the king,
For all their misery.
3
Yong William of the wine-seller,
When yeoman he was made,
Gan follow then his father’s steps:
He loued a bonny maide.
4
‘God’s crosse,’ quoth William, ‘if I misse,
And may not of her speed,
I’le make a thousand northern hearts
For very wo to bleed.’
5
Gone he is a wooing now,
Our Ladie well him guide!
To merry Mansfield, where I trow
A time he will abide.
6
‘Soone dop the dore, faire Cicelie bright,
I come with all the hast:
I come a wooing thee for loue,
Here am I come at last.’
7
‘I know you not,’ quoth Cicelie tho,
‘From whence that yee bee come;
My loue you may not haue, I trow,
I vow by this faire sonne.
8
‘For why, my loue is fixt so sure
Vpon another wight;
I swere by sweet Saint Anne, I’le neuer
Abuse him, out of sight.
9
‘This night I hope to see my loue,
In all his pride and glee;
If there were thousands, none but him
My heart would ioy to see.’
10
‘God’s curse vpon him,’ yong William said,
‘Before me that hath sped!
A foule ill on the carrion nurse
That first did binde his head!’
11
Gan William tho for to prepare
A medicine for that chaffe:
‘His life,’ quoth he, ‘full hard may fare;
Hee’s best to keepe alaffe.’
12
He drew then out his bright brown sword,
Which was so bright and keene;
A stouter man and hardier
Nere handled sword, I weene.
13
‘Browne tempered, strong, and worthy blade,
Vnto thy maister show,
If now to triall thou bee put,
How thou canst bide a blow.’
14
Yong William till an oake gan hie,
Which was in compasse round
Well six and fifty inches nie,
And feld it to the ground.
15
‘So mot he fare,’ quoth William tho,
‘That for her loue hath laid
Which I haue loued, and nere did know
Him suter till that maide.
16
‘And now, deare father, stout and strong,
William of Cloudesley,
How happie were thy troubled sonne
If here I mot thee see.
17
‘And thy too brethren, Adam Bell
And Clim of the Clough;
Against a thousand men, and more,
We foure would be enough.
18
‘Growne it is full foure a clocke,
And night will come beliue;
Come on, thou lurden, Cislei’s loue,
This night must I thee shriue.
19
‘Prepare thee strong, thou fow[l] black caufe!
What ere thou be, I weene
I’le giue thy coxcomb saick a gird
In Mansfield as neuer was seene.’
20
William a yong faune had slaine,
In Sherwood, merry forrest;
A fairer faune for man’s meat
In Sherwood was neuer drest.
21
Hee hied then till a northerne lasse,
Not halfe a mile him fro;
He said, Dop dore, thou good old nurse,
That in to thee I goe.
22
‘I faint with being in the wood;
Lo heere I haue a kid,
Which I haue slo for thee and I;
Come dresse it then, I bid.
23
‘Fetch bread and other iolly fare,
Whereof thou hast some store;
A blither gest this hundred yeare
Came neuer here before.’
24
The good old nant gan hie a pace
To let yong William in;
‘A happie nurse,’ quoth William then,
‘As can be lightly seene.
25
‘Wend till that house hard by,’ quoth he,
‘That’s made of lime and stone,
Where is a lasse, faire Cisse,’ hee said;
‘I loue her as my owne.
26
‘If thou can fetch her vnto me,
That we may merry be,
I make a vow, in the forrest,
Of deare thou shalt haue fee.’
27
‘Rest then, faire sir,’ the woman said;
‘I sweare by good Saint Iohn,
I will bring to you that same maide
Full quickly and anon.’
28
‘Meane time,’ quoth William, ‘I’le be cooke
And see the faune i-drest;
A stouter cooke did neuer come
Within the faire forrest.’
29
Thick blith old lasse had wit enow
For to declare his minde;
So fast she hi’d, and nere did stay,
But left William behind.
30
Where William, like a nimble cooke,
Is dressing of the fare,
And for this damsell doth he looke;
‘I would that she were here!’
31
‘Good speed, blithe Cisse,’ quoth that old lasse;
‘God dild yee,’ quoth Cisley againe;
‘How done you, nant Ione?’ she said,
‘Tell me it, I am faine.’
32
The good old Ione said weele she was,
‘And commen in an arrand till you;
For you must to my cottage gone,
Full quick, I tell you true;
33
‘Where we full merry meane to be,
All with my elder lad:’
When Cissley heard of it, truely,
She was exceeding glad.
34
‘God’s curse light on me,’ quoth Cissley tho,
‘If with you I doe not hie;
I neuer ioyed more forsooth
Then in your company.’
35
Happy the good-wife thought her selfe
That of her purpose she had sped,
And home with Cisley she doth come,
So lightly did they tread.
36
And comming in, here William soone
Had made ready his fare;
The good old wife did wonder much
So soone as she came there.
37
Cisley to William now is come,
God send her mickle glee!
Yet was she in a maze, God wot,
When she saw it was hee.
38
‘Had I beene ware, good sir,’ she said,
‘Of that it had beene you,
I would haue staid at home in sooth,
I tell you very true.’
39
‘Faire Cisley,’ then said William kind,
‘Misdeeme thou not of mee;
I sent not for thee to the end
To do thee iniury.
40
‘Sit downe, that we may talke a while,
And eate all of the best
And fattest kidde that euer was slaine
In merry Sirwood forrest.’
41
His louing words wan Cisley then
To keepe with him a while;
But in the meane time Cislei’s loue
Of her was tho beguile.
42
A stout and sturdie man he was
Of quality and kind,
And knowne through all the north country
To beare a noble minde.
43
‘But what,’ quoth William, ‘do I care?
If that he meane to weare,
First let him winne; els neuer shall
He haue the maide, I sweare.’
44
Full softly is her louer come,
And knocked at the dore;
But tho he mist of Cislei’s roome,
Whereat he stampt and swore.
45
‘A mischief on his heart,’ quoth he,
‘That hath enlured the maide
To be with him in company!’
He car’d not what he sayd.
46
He was so with anger mooued
He sware a well great oth,
‘Deere should he pay, if I him knew,
Forsooth and by my troth!’
47
Gone he is to finde her out,
Not knowing where she is;
Still wandring in the weary wood,
His true-loue he doth misse.
48
William purchast hath the game,
Which he doth meane to hold:
‘Come rescew her, and if you can,
And dare to be so bold!’
49
At length when he had wandred long
About the forrest wide,
A candle-light a furlong off
Full quickly he espied.
50
Then to the house he hied him fast,
Where quickly he gan here
The voice of his owne deere true-loue,
A making bonny cheere.
51
Then gan he say to Cisley tho,
O Cisley, come a way!
I haue beene wandring thee to finde
Since shutting in of day.
52
‘Who calls faire Cisse?’ quoth William then;
‘What carle dares bee so bold
Once to aduenture to her to speake
Whom I haue now in hold?’
53
‘List thee, faire sir,’ quoth Cislei’s loue,
‘Let quickly her from you part;
For all your lordly words, I sweare
I’le haue her, or make you smart.’
54
Yong William to his bright browne sword
Gan quickly then to take:
‘Because thou so dost challenge me,
I’le make thy kingdome quake.
55
‘Betake thee to thy weapon strong;
Faire time I giue to thee;
And for my loue as well as thine
A combat fight will I.’
56
‘Neuer let sonne,’ quoth Cislei’s loue,
‘Shine more vpon my head,
If I doe flie, by heauen aboue,
Wert thou a giant bred.’
57
To bilbo-blade gat William tho,
And buckler stiffe and strong;
A stout battaile then they fought,
Well nie two houres long.
58
Where many a grieuous wound was giue
To each on either part;
Till both the champions then were droue
Almost quite out of heart.
59
Pitteous mone faire Cisley made,
That all the forrest rong;
The grieuous shrikes made such a noise,
She had so shrill a tongue.
60
At last came in the keepers three,
With bowes and arrowes keene,
Where they let flie among these two,
An hundred as I weene.
61
William, stout and strong in heart,
When he had them espied,
Set on corrage for his part;
Among the thickst he hied.
62
The chiefe ranger of the woods
At first did William smite;
Where, at on blow, he smot his head
Fro off his shoulders quite.
63
And being in so furious teene,
About him then he laid;
He slew immediatly the wight
Was sutor to the maide.
64
Great moane was then made;
The like was neuer heard;
Which made the people all around
To crie, they were so feard.
65
‘Arme! arme!’ the country cried,
‘For God’s loue quickly hie!’
Neuer was such a slaughter seene
In all the north country.
66
Will[iam] still, though wounded sore,
Continued in his fight
Till he had slaine them all foure,
That very winter-night.
67
All the country then was raisd,
The traytor for to take
That for the loue of Cisley faire
Had all this slaughter make.
68
To the woods hied William tho—
’Twas best of all his play—
Where in a caue with Cisley faire
He liued many a day.
69
Proclamation then was sent
The country all around,
The lord of Mansfield should he be
That first the traytor found.
70
Till the court these tydings came,
Where all men did bewaile
The yong and lusty William,
Which so had made them quaile.
71
Hied vp then William Cloudesley,
And lustie Adam Bell,
And famous Clim of the Clough,
Which three then did excell.
72
To the king they hied them fast,
Full quickly and anon;
‘Mercy I pray,’ quoth old William,
‘For William my sonne.’
73
‘No mercy, traitors,’ quoth the king,
‘Hangd shall yee be all foure;
Vnder my nose this plot haue you laid
To bringe to passe before.’
74
‘In sooth,’ bespake then Adam Bell,
‘Ill signe Your Grace hath seene
Of any such comotion
Since with you we haue beene.
75
‘If then we can no mercy haue,
But leese both life and goods,
Of your good grace we take our leaue
And hie vs to the woods.’
76
‘Arme, arme,’ then quoth the king,
‘My merry men euerychone,
Full fast againe these rebbells now
Vnto the woods are gone.
77
‘A, wo is vs! what shall we doo,
Or which way shall we worke,
To hunt them forth out of the woods,
So traytrouslie there that lurke?’
78
‘List you,’ quoth a counsellor graue,
A wise man he seemd;
The[n] craued the king his pardon free
Vnto them to haue deemd.
79
‘God’s forbod!’ quoth the king,
‘I neuer it will do!
For they shall hang, each mother’s sonne;
Faire sir, I tell you true.’
80
Fifty thousand men were charged
After them for to take;
Some of them, set in sundry townes,
In companies did waite.
81
To the woods gan some to goe,
In hope to find them out;
And them perforce they thought to take,
If they might find them out.
82
To the woods still as they came
Dispatched still they were;
Which made full many a trembling heart,
And many a man in feare.
83
Still the outlawes, Adam Bell
And Clim of the Clough,
Made iolly cheere with venison,
Strong drinke and wine enough.
84
‘Christ me blesse!’ then said our king,
‘Such men were neuer knowne;
They are the stoutest-hearted men
That manhoode euer showne.
85
‘Come, my secretary good,
And cause to be declared
A generall pardone to them all,
Which neuer shall be discared.
86
‘Liuing plenty shall they haue,
Of gold and eke of fee,
If they will, as they did before,
Come liue in court with me.’
87
Sodenly went forth the newes,
Declared by trumpets sound,
Whereof these three were well aduis’d,
In caue as they were in ground.
88
‘But list you, sirs,’ quoth William yong,
‘I dare not trust the king;
It is some fetch is in his head,
Whereby to bring vs in.
89
‘Nay, stay we here: or first let me
A messenger be sent
Vnto the court, where I may know
His Maiestie’s intent.’