for I know right well that merriment will be a-going. What say ye,
lads?"

Then young David of Doncaster spoke up and said, "Now listen, I pray
thee, good master, unto what I say. I have come straight from our
friend Eadom o' the Blue Boar, and there I heard the full news of this
same match. But, master, I know from him, and he got it from the
Sheriff's man Ralph o' the Scar, that this same knavish Sheriff hath but
laid a trap for thee in this shooting match and wishes nothing so much
as to see thee there. 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. How like you the plan, my merry men
all?"

Then "Good, good!" cried all the band right heartily.