`` O , sir , we walk not here at all an evil thing to do . But if we meet with the good king 's deer to shoot a shaft into . '' Still as he sang , he took from time to time , another spoonful of the broth , blew upon it , and tasted it , with all the airs of an experienced cook . At length , apparently , he judged the mess was ready ; for taking the horn from his girdle , he blew three modulated calls . The other fellow awoke , rolled over , brushed away the butterfly , and looked about him . `` How now , brother ? '' he said . `` Dinner ? '' `` Ay , sot , '' replied the cook , `` dinner it is , and a dry dinner , too , with neither ale nor bread . But there is little pleasure in the greenwood now ; time was when a good fellow could live here like a mitred abbot , set aside the rain and the white frosts ; he had his heart 's desire both of ale and wine . But now are men 's spirits dead ; and this John Amend-All , save us and guard us ! but a stuffed booby to scare crows withal . '' `` Nay , '' returned the other , `` y ' are too set on meat and drinking , Lawless . Bide ye a bit ; the good time cometh . '' `` Look ye , '' returned the cook , `` I have even waited for this good time sith that I was so high . I have been a grey friar ; I have been a king 's archer ; I have been a shipman , and sailed the salt seas ; and I have been in greenwood before this , forsooth ! and shot the king 's deer . What cometh of it ? Naught ! I were better to have bided in the cloister .
John Abbot availeth more than John XXXXX .
Amend-All Ay Naught archer cloister cometh forsooth shipman sith sot