23
An if thou touch his head or gown,
In sight that men may see,
By all the saints that be in heaven,
I shall you hang all three.
What I have promised, said William,
That I will ne’er forsake,
And there even before the King,
In the earth he drove a stake:
And bound thereto his eldest son,
And bade him stand still therat;
And turned the childe’s face him fro,
Because he should not start.
An apple upon his head he set.
And then his bow he bent:
Six score paces they were meten,
And thither Cloudeslie went.
There he drew a fair broad arrow,
His bow was great and long,
He set, that arrow in his bow,
That was both stiffe and strong.
He prayed the people, that were there,
That they all still wolde stand,
For he that shooteth for such a wager,
Behoveth a steadfast hand.
Much people prayed for Cloudeslie,
That his life saved might be;
And when he made him ready to shoot.
There was many a weeping ee.
But Cloudeslie cleft the apple in two,
His son he did not die,
Now God forbid then said the King,
That thou should shoot at me.
