Tuck

PART THREE

"But where is Will Scadlocke?" quod Rhiban to John,

When he had rallied them all to the forest,

"One of these ten score is missing who should

Be stood at the fore with the best."

"Of Scadlocke," spoke young Much, "sad tidings I give,

For I ween now in prison he lay;

The sherif 's men fowle have set him a trap,

And now taken the rascal away.

"Ay, and to-morrow he hanged must be,

As soon as ere it comes day.

But before the sheriff this victory could get,

Four men did Will Scadlocke slay!"

When Rhiban heard this loathly report,

O, he was grieved full sore!

He marshalled up his fine merrye men

Who one and together all swore:

That William Scadlocke rescued should be,

And brought in safe once again;

Or else should many a fayre gallant wight

For his sake there would be slain.

"Our mantles and cloaks, of deep Lincoln green,

Shall we behind us here leave;

We'll dress us six up as mendicant monks-

And I whist they'll not Rhiban perceive."

So donned they each one of them habits of black,

Like masse-priests as such are from Spayne.

And thus it fell out unknowingly, that,

Rhiban the reeve entertain'd.

To the sherif bold Rhiban proposed a sport,

For full confidence he had achiev'd.

If Will could outshoot monk Rhiban, disguised,

The prisoner should earn a reprieve.

This sheriff was loath but at length did agree

For a trick on the prisoner he planned.

Before William Scadlocke had taken his turn,

The sheriff had twisted Will's hand.