The Tale of the Hood, by Will Scarlet of Evermore by Lynn Veihl
"The Woodwere sings, and will not cease
For song is vanity,
but lo, I'll tell ye of the Hood, and how he came
to be.
A poor but noble Knight was Robin,
the last of Sherwood's sons,
his love was Maiden Marian
an heiress raised by nuns.
Rob offered for her hand without guise
but Marian was told
by sire to the Prince of Lies
for treachery and gold.
The maiden fayr did fly to Robin
afraid of her betrothed
for Guy of Guiseborn wore his sin
like other men wore their clothes.
Maid Marian entreated Rob
to help her flee the louse,
and take to the house of God
where she might take her vows.
They donned the hood and rode away,
the hero and his maid,
but Guy did track them night and day
and many traps he laid.
When last the maiden safety found
good Robin took his blade
and went to fight on holy ground
not knowing what he saved.
The king gave Guy in lieu of Bride
the Lands of Robin Hood
but Guy was never satisfied
and so brought down Sherwood.
Robin fought the heathen
and marked the sands in blood,
came back to claim Maid Marian
but she lay in her shroud.
An outlaw scammed by stupid men,
the Hood became a brother,
for love of Lady Marian,
he never loved another.
Take heed, my patient, kindly friend,
walk not where Rob had gone.
Love's lost path never ends
and so, my song is done."