earyng[72] arrow
Clave the wand in two.

Thou art the best archer, then said the king,
For sooth that ever I see.
And yet for your love, said William,
I will do more mastery.

I have a son is seven year old,
He is to me full dear;
I will him tie to a stake;
All shall see, that be here;

And lay an apple upon his head,
And go six score pace him fro',
And I myself with a broad arrow
Shall cleave the apple in two.

Now haste thee, then said the king,
By Him that died on a tree,
But if thou do not as thou hast said,
Hanged shalt thou be.

An thou touch his head or gown,
In sight that men may see,
By all the saints that be in heaven,
I shall hang you all three.

That I have promised, said William,
That I will never 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 thereat;
And turned the child's face him from,
Because he should not start.

An apple upon his head he set,
And then his bow he bent:
Six score paces they were meaten,[73]
And thither Cloudesly went.

There he drew out a fair broad arrow,
His bow was great and long,
He set that arrow in his bow,
That was both stiff and strong.

He prayed the people that were there,
That they all still would stand,
For he that shooteth for such a wager,
Behoveth a stedfast hand.

Much people prayed for Cloudesly,
That his life saved might be,
And when he made him ready to shoot,
There was many a weeping ee.

But Cloudesly cleft the apple in two,
His son he did not nee.[74]
Over Gods forebode,[75] said the king,
That thou should shoot at me.

I give thee eighteen pence a day,
And my bow shalt thou bear,
And over all the north country
I make thee chief ranger.

And I thirteen pence a day, said the queen,
By God, and by my fa';
Come fetch thy payment when thou wilt,
No man shall say thee nay.

William, I make thee a gentleman
Of clothing, and of fee:
And thy two brethren, yeomen of my chamber,
For they are so seemly to see.

Your son, for he is tender of age,
Of my wine-cellar he shall be;
And when he cometh to man's estate,
Better advanced sh