Our friend the Sheriff of Nottingham hath proclaimed a shooting match, and hath sent messengers to tell of it through all the countryside, and the prize is to be a bright golden arrow.

Now I fain would have one of us win it, both because of the fairness of the prize and because our sweet friend the Sheriff hath offered it.

So we will take our bows and shafts and go there to shoot, 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.