If it be one of ours , he may all to prayer ; Ellis will give him a short shrift and a long rope . '' `` Up with the cub , '' said Lawless . `` Clap him on my back . '' And then , when Dick had been hoisted to his shoulders , and he had taken the lad 's arms about his neck , and got a firm hold of him , the ex-Grey Friar added : `` Keep ye the post , brother Greensheve . I will on with him by myself . '' So Greensheve returned to his ambush on the wayside , and Lawless trudged down the hill , whistling as he went , with Dick , still in a dead faint , comfortably settled on his shoulders . The sun rose as he came out of the skirts of the wood and saw Tunstall hamlet straggling up the opposite hill . All seemed quiet , but a strong post of some half a score of archers lay close by the bridge on either side of the road , and , as soon as they perceived Lawless with his burthen , began to bestir themselves and set arrow to string like vigilant sentries . `` Who goes ? '' cried the man in command . `` Will Lawless , by the rood -- ye know me as well as your own hand , '' returned the outlaw , contemptuously . `` Give the word , Lawless , '' returned the other . `` Now , Heaven lighten thee , thou great fool , '' replied Lawless . `` Did I not tell it thee myself ? But ye are all mad for this playing at soldiers . When I am in the greenwood , give me greenwood ways ; and my word for this tide is : ' A fig for all mock soldiery ! ' '' `` Lawless , ye but show an ill example ; give us the word , fool jester , '' said the commander of the post . `` And if I had forgotten it ? '' asked the other . `` An ye had forgotten it -- as I know y ' ` ave not -- by the mass , I would clap an arrow into your big body , '' returned the first .
`` Nay , an y ' are so ill a jester , '' said XXXXX , `` ye shall have your word for me .
Ellis Friar Greensheve Lawless Tunstall burthen cub jester rood shrift