So go not, good master, for I know right well he
doth seek to beguile thee, but stay within the greenwood lest we all
meet dole and woe."
"Now," quoth Robin, "thou art a wise lad and keepest thine ears open and
thy mouth shut, as becometh a wise and crafty woodsman. But shall we let
it be said that the Sheriff of Nottingham did cow bold Robin Hood and
sevenscore as fair archers as are in all merry England? Nay, good
David, what thou tellest me maketh me to desire the prize even more than
I else should do. But what sayeth our good gossip Swanthold? Is it not
'A hasty man burneth his mouth, and the fool that keepeth his eyes shut
falleth into the pit'? Thus he says, truly, therefore we must meet guile
with guile. Now some of you clothe yourselves as curtal friars, and
some as rustic peasants, and some as tinkers, or as beggars, but see
that each man taketh a good bow or broadsword, in case need should
arise. As for myself, I will shoot for this same golden arrow, and
should I win it, we will hang it to the branches of our good greenwood
tree for the joy of all the band.
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