96
Maid Marian.
care of the squire, rode on till they came in sight of Arlingford Castle, when they parted in several directions. The friar rode off alone, and after the foresters had lost sight of him they heard his voice through the twilight, singing,
A staff, a staff, of a young oak graff,
That is both stoure and stiff,
Is all a good friar can needs desire
To shrive a proud sherîffe.
And thou, fine fellôwe, who hast tasted so
Of the forester's greenwood game,
Wilt be in no haste thy time to waste
In seeking more taste of the same:
Or this can I read thee, and riddle thee well,
Thou hadst better by far be the devil in hell
Than the sheriff of Nottinghâme.
That is both stoure and stiff,
Is all a good friar can needs desire
To shrive a proud sherîffe.
And thou, fine fellôwe, who hast tasted so
Of the forester's greenwood game,
Wilt be in no haste thy time to waste
In seeking more taste of the same:
Or this can I read thee, and riddle thee well,
Thou hadst better by far be the devil in hell
Than the sheriff of Nottinghâme.
