For nine seasons long they lived in the woode
he sheriff, they vexed, and his men.
The regent’s reeve bent but did not yet break,
and Rhiban was angered with him.
“I must regayne my land and my rights,
My people needs all must be free.
Let’s go with our bows to the true king’s keep,
And there with our points make our plea.”
“I rede that not,” said Mérian fayre,
“Belovéd, repent of your haste.
Let’s all of us, yeomen and women alike,
Go with you to argue your case.”
So soon they are gone up to greate Lundein Town,
Wives, maids, and warriors same.
But when city folk ’round there them saw,
They thought that besiegers there came.
The ploughman he leaves his plough in the fields,
The smithy has fled from his shop;
And beggars who only a’creeping could go,
Over their crutches did hop.
The king is informed of the forth-marching host
And assembles his armies at speed.
He swings-to the gates and he marshals his men,
Their progress he means to impede.
With Fryer Tuck, Rhiban approaches the king
Under the true sign of peace.
The king gives him entrance, for he is full wise
And wishes hostility cease.
“God save the king,” quod Rhiban to he,
“And them that wish him full well;
And he that does his true sovereign deny,
I wish him with Satan to dwell.”