ROBIN HOOD. 857

said she, “I amonly an old woman.”” By this time Robin Hood
and his company came up to the bishop ; and Robin Hood taking
him by his hand, said, “ My lord, you must dine with me to-
day, under my bower in merry Barnsdale ; I cannot feast you
like a bishop, but I can give you venison, ale, and wine, and I
hope you will be content.” "After dinner, Robin Hood made

  

the music strike up, and would insist upon the bishop's dancing
a hornpipe in his hoots, and the bishop was forced to submit.
‘The day was now far spent, and the bishop begged leave to 20
away. “You have treated me very nobly,” said he to Robin
Hood, “and I suppose I must pay for it: tell me how much.”—
“Lend me your purse, master,” said Little John, “and I will
settle it for you.” He then spread the bishop's cloak upon the
ground, and opening his bag he counted five hundred pounds
out of it.“ Now,” said Robin Hood, “ we thank you for your
company ; and, tu show you that we know how to he polite, we
will sce you part of the way home.” ‘They then led the bishop
and his servants quite through the wood, till they brought him.
to the high road : then Robin Hood’s gang gave three cheers, and