Over his shoulders was slung a stout bow of yew, and across his back hung a quiver of good round arrows.

Many turned to look after such a stout, tall fellow, for his shoulders were broader by a palm's-breadth than any that were there, and he stood a head taller than all the other men.

The lasses, also, looked at him askance, thinking they had never seen a lustier youth.
First of all he went to the booth where stout ale was sold and, standing aloft on a bench, he called to all that were near to come and drink with him.

"Hey, sweet lads!" cried he "who will drink ale with a stout yeoman?
Come, all! Come, all! Let us be merry, for the day is sweet and the ale is tingling.

Come hither, good yeoman, and thou, and thou; for not a farthing shall one of you pay.