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There they beset the yeoman,
About on every side;
William heard great noise of the folk,
That thitherward fast hy’d.
Alice opened a back window,
And looking all about,
Saw both the Justice and the Sheriff,
And with them a great rout.
Alas! treason, then cry'd Alice,
Ever woe may thou be;
Go into my chamber, she said,
Sweet William of Cloudeslie.
He took his sword and his buckler,
His bow and children three,
And went into the strongest chamber,
Where he thought sure to be.
Fair Alice, like a lover true,
With poll-ax in her hand,
Said, he shall die, that cometh in,
This door while I may stand.
Cloudeslie bent a right good bow,
That was of trusty tree.
He smote the justice on the breast,
His arrow burst in three
Ill fate on his heart, said William,
This day thy coat put on;
If it had been no better than mine,
It had been near the bone,
Yield thee, Cloudeslie, said the Justice,
