the air,
“here is a
fair day,
little
john, and
one that
we can ill
waste in
idleness.
Choose
such men
as thou
dost need,
and go
thou east
while I
will wend
to the
west, and
see that
each of us
bringeth
back some
goodly
guest to
dine this
day
beneath
the
greenwood
tree.”
“Marry,”
cried
Little
John,
clapping
his palms
together
for joy,
“thy
bidding
fitteth my
liking
like heft
to blade.
I’ll bring
thee back
a guest
this day,
or come
