And he suited the action to the word , and fell all his length upon the road . Two men came forth out of the thicket , each in green forest jerkin , each with long-bow and quiver and short sword . `` Why , Lawless , '' said the younger of the two , `` it is young Shelton . '' `` Ay , this will be as good as bread to John Amend-All , '' returned the other . `` Though , faith , he hath been to the wars . Here is a tear in his scalp that must ` a ' cost him many a good ounce of blood . '' `` And here , '' added Greensheve , `` is a hole in his shoulder that must have pricked him well . Who hath done this , think ye ? 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 XXXXX .
Amend-All Ay Friar Lawless burthen cub long-bow quiver sentries shrift