Chapter VI: Part 6

"But tell me, O tell me, where is Little John?
Of him fain would I hear; 110
For we are alide by the mothers side,
And he is my kinsman dear."

Then Robin Hood blew on the beaugle horn,
He blew full lowd and shrill,
And quickly anon appear'd Little John, 115
Come tripping down a green hill.

"O what is the matter?" then said Little John,
"Master, I pray you tell;
"Why do you stand with your staff in your hand?
I fear all is not well." 120

"O man I do stand, and he makes me stand,
The tanner that stands thee beside;
He is a bonny blade, and master of his trade,
For soundly he hath tan'd my hide."

"He is to be commended," then said Little John,
"If such a feat he can do; 125
If he be so stout, we will have a bout,
And he shall tan my hide too."

"Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin Hood,
"For as I do understand, 130
He's a yeoman good of thine own blood,
For his name is Arthur-a-Bland."

Then Little John threw his staff away,
As far as he could it fling,
And ran out of hand to Arthur-a-Bland, 135
And about his neck did cling.

With loving respect, there was no neglect,
They were neither nice nor coy,
Each other did face with a lovely grace,
And both did weep for joy. 140

Then Robin Hood took them both by the hands,
And danc'd round about the oke tree;
"For three merry men, and three merry men,
And three merry men we be.

"And ever hereafter as long as we live, 145
We three will be as one;
The wood it shall ring, and the old wife sing,
Of Robin Hood, Arthur, and John.

13, did him.

35. I get. RITSON.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE TINKER.

Ritson's _Robin Hood_, ii. 41.

From an old black-letter copy in the library of Anthony à Wood. The full title is,

A new song to drive away cold winter, Between Robin Hood and the
jovial tinker:

How Robin by a wile
The Tinker he did cheat;
But at the length, as you shall hear,
The Tinker did him beat,
Whereby the same they did then so agree,
They after liv'd in love and unity.

To the tune of, _In Summer time_.

In summer time, when leaves grow green,
_ Down, a down, a down_,
And birds singing on every tree,
_Hey down, a down, a down_,
Robin Hood went to Nottingham,
_Down, a down, a down_,
As fast as hee could dree.
_Hey down, a down, a down._

And as hee came to Nottingham, 5
A tinker he did meet,
And seeing him a lusty blade,
He did him kindly greet.

"Where dost thou live?" quoth Robin Hood,
"I pray thee now mee tell: 10
Sad news I hear there is abroad,
I fear all is not well."

"What is that news?" the tinker said;
"Tell mee without delay;
I am a tinker by my trade, 15
And do live in Banburà."

"As for the news," quoth Robin Hood,
"It is but as I hear,
Two tinkers were set i'th' stocks,
For drinking ale and beer." 20

"If that be all," the tinker said,
"As I may say to you,
Your news is not worth a f--t,
Since that they all bee true.

"For drinking of good ale and beer, 25
You will not lose your part:"
"No, by my faith," quoth Robin Hood,
"I love it with all my heart.

"What news abroad?" quoth Robin Hood,
"Tell me what thou dost hear: 30
Seeing thou goest from town to town,
Some news thou need not fear."

"All the news I have," the tinker said,
"I hear it is for good,
It is to seek a bold outlàw, 35
Which they call Robin Hood.

"I have a warrant from the king,
To take him where I can;
If you can tell me where hee is,
I will make you a man. 40

"The king would give a hundred pound
That he could but him see;
And if wee can but now him get,
It will serve thee and mee."

"Let me see that warrant," said Robin Hood, 45
"Ile see if it bee right;
And I will do the best I can
For to take him this night.

"That will I not," the tinker said,
"None with it I will trust; 50
And where hee is if you'll not tell,
Take him by force I must."

But Robin Hood perceiving well
How then the game would go,
"If you would go to Nottingham, 55
We shall find him I know."

The tinker had a crab-tree staff,
Which was both good and strong;
Robin hee had a good strong blade,
So they went both along. 60

And when they came to Nottingham,
There they both tooke their inn;
And there they called for ale and wine,
To drink it was no sin.

But ale and wine they drank so fast, 65
That the tinker hee forgot
What thing he was about to do;
It fell so to his lot,

That while the tinker fell asleep,
Robin made then haste away, 70
And left the tinker in the lurch,
For the great shot to pay.

But when the tinker wakenèd,
And saw that he was gone,
He call'd then even for his host, 75
And thus he made his moan:

"I had a warrant from the king.
Which might have done me good,
That is to take a bold outlaw,
Some call him Robin Hood. 80

"But now my warrant and mony's gone,
Nothing I have to pay;
But he that promis'd to be my friend,
He is gone and fled away."

"That friend you tell on," said the host, 85
"They call him Robin Hood;
And when that first hee met with you,
He ment you little good."

"Had I but known it had been hee,
"When that I had him here, 90
Th' one of us should have tri'd our might
Which should have paid full dear.

"In the mean time I will away,
No longer here Ile bide,
But I will go and seek him out, 95
Whatever do me betide.

"But one thing I would gladly know,
What here I have to pay;"
"Ten shillings just," then said the host;
"Ile pay without delay; 100

"Or elce take here my working-bag,
And my good hammer too;
And if that I light but on the knave.
I will then soon pay you."

"The onely way," then said the host, 105
"And not to stand in fear,
Is to seek him among the parks,
Killing of the kings deer."

The tinker hee then went with speed,
And made then no delay, 110
Till he had found bold Robin Hood,
That they might have a fray.

At last hee spy'd him in a park,
Hunting then of the deer;
"What knave is that," quoth Robin Hood, 115
"That doth come mee so near?"

"No knave, no knave," the tinker said,
"And that you soon shall know;
"Whether of us hath done any wrong,
My crab-tree staff shall show." 120

Then Robin drew his gallant blade,
Made then of trusty steel;
But the tinker he laid on so fast,
That he made Robin reel.

Then Robins anger did arise; 125
He fought right manfully,
Until he had made the tinkèr
Almost then fit to fly.

With that they had a bout again,
They ply'd their weapons fast; 130
The tinker threshed his bones so sore,
He made him yeeld at last.

"A boon, a boon," Robin hee cryes,
"If thou will grant it mee;"
"Before I do it," the tinker said, 135
"Ile hang thee on this tree."

But the tinker looking him about,
Robin his horn did blow;
Then came unto him Little John,
And William Scadlock too. 140

"What is the matter," quoth Little John,
"You sit on th' highway side?"
"Here is a tinker that stands by,
That hath paid well my hide."

"That tinker then," said Little John, 145
"Fain that blade I would see,
And I would try what I could do,
If hee'l do as much for me."

But Robin hee then wish'd them both
They should the quarrel cease, 150
"That henceforth wee may bee as one,
And ever live in peace.

"And for the jovial tinkers part,
A hundred pounds Ile give
In th' year to maintain him on, 155
As long as he doth live.

"In manhood he is a mettled man,
And a mettle-man by trade;
Never thought I that any man
Should have made mee so afraid. 160

"And if hee will bee one of us,
"We will take all one fare;
And whatsoever wee do get,
He shall have his full share."

So the tinker was content 165
With them to go along,
And with them a part to take:
And so I end my song.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE SHEPHERD.

Shewing how Robin Hood, Little John, and the Shepherd fought a sore combate.

The shepherd fought for twenty pound, and Robin for bottle and bag,
But the shepherd stout gave them the rout, so sore they could not wag.

Tune is, Robin Hood and Queen Katherine.

"From two old black-letter copies, one of them in the collection of Anthony à Wood, the other in that of Thomas Pearson, Esq.," [now in the British Museum.] Ritson's _Robin Hood_, ii. 55.

The same story, with verbal coincidences, serves for the first part of _King Alfred and the Shepherd_.

All gentlemen and yeomen good,
_Down, a down, a down, a down_,
I wish you to draw near;
For a story of gallant bold Robin Hood
Unto you I will declare.
_Down, &c._

As Robin Hood walkt the forrest along, 5
Some pastime for to spie,
There he was aware of a jolly shephèrd,
That on the ground did lie.

"Arise, arise," cried jolly Robin,
"And now come let me see 10
What's in thy bag and bottle, I say,
Come tell it unto me."

"What's that to thee, thou proud fellòw?
Tell me as I do stand;
What hast thou to do with my bag and bottle? 15
Let me see thy command."

"My sword, which hangeth by my side,
Is my command I know;
Come, and let me taste of thy bottle,
Or it may breed thy woe." 20

"The devil a drop, thou proud fellòw,
Of my bottle thou shalt see,
Until thy valour here be tried,
Whether thou wilt fight or flee."

"What shall we fight for?" cries Robin Hood, 25
"Come tell it unto me;
Here is twenty pound in good red gold,
Win it, and take it thee."

The shepherd stood all in a maze,
And knew not what to say; 30
"I have no money, thou proud fellow,
But bag and bottle I'le lay."

"I am content, thou shepherd swain,
Fling them down on the ground;
But it will breed thee mickle pain, 35
To win my twenty pound."

"Come draw thy sword, thou proud fellow,
Thou standest too long to prate;
This hook of mine shall let thee know,
A coward I do hate." 40

So they fell to it, full hard and sore;
It was on a summers day;
From ten till four in the afternoon
The shepherd held him play.

Robin's buckler proved his chiefest defence, 45
And saved him many a bang,
For every blow the shepherd gave
Made Robins sword cry twang.

Many a sturdie blow the shepherd gave,
And that bold Robin found, 50
Till the blood ran trickling from his head,
Then he fell to the ground.

"Arise, arise, thou proud fellow,
And thou shalt have fair play,
If thou wilt yield, before thou go, 55
That I have won the day."

"A boon, a boon," cry'd bold Robin,
"If that a man thou be,
Then let me take my beugle horn,
And blow out blasts three." 60

Then said the shepherd to bold Robin,
"To that will I agree;
For if thou shouldst blow till to-morrow morn,
I scorn one foot to flee."

Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth, 65
And he blew with mickle main,
Until he espied Little John
Come tripping over the plain.

"O who is yonder, thou proud fellow,
That comes down yonder hill?" 70
"Yonder is John, bold Robin Hoods man,
Shall fight with thee thy fill."

"What is the matter?" saies Little John,
"Master, come tell unto me:"
"My case is bad," cries Robin Hood, 75
"For the shepherd hath conquered me."

"I am glad of that," cries Little John,
"Shepherd turn thou to me;
For a bout with thee I mean to have,
Either come fight or flee." 80

"With all my heart, thou proud fellòw,
For it never shall be said
That a shepherds hook at thy sturdy look
Will one jot be dismaied."

So they fell to it, full hardy and sore, 85
Striving for victorie;
"I will know," says John, "ere we give o'er,
Whether thou wilt fight or flee."

The shepherd gave John a sturdie blow,
With his hook under the chin; 90
"Beshrew thy heart," said Little John,
"Thou basely dost begin."

"Nay, that is nothing," said the shepherd;
"Either yield to me the daie,
Or I will bang thy back and sides, 95
Before thou goest thy way.

"What, dost thou think, thou proud fellow,
That thou canst conquer me?
Nay, thou shalt know, before thou go,
I'll fight before I'le flee." 100

Again the shepherd laid on him,
'Just as he first begun;'
"Hold thy hand," cry'd bold Robin,
"I will yield the wager won."

"With all my heart," said Little John, 105
"To that I will agree;
For he is the flower of shepherd swains,
The like I did never see."

Thus have you heard of Robin Hood,
Also of Little John, 110
How a shepherd swain did conquer them;
The like was never known.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE PEDDLERS.

Communicated to Gutch by Mr. Payne Collier, and first published in Gutch's _Robin Hood_, ii. 351.

Will you heare a tale of Robin Hood,
Will Scarlett, and Little John?
Now listen awhile, it will make you smile,
As before it hath many a one.

They were archers three, of hie degree, 5
As good as ever drewe bowe;
Their arrowes were long and their armes were strong,
As most had cause to knowe.

But one sommers day, as they toke their way
Through the forrest of greene Sherwood, 10
To kill the kings deare, you shall presently heare
What befell these archers good.

They were ware on the roade of three peddlers with loade,
For each one had his packe,
Full of all wares for countrie faires, 15
Trust up upon his backe.

A good oke staffe, a yard and a halfe,
Each one had in his hande;
And they were all boune to Nottingham toune,
As you shall understand. 20

"Yonder I see bolde peddlers three,"
Said Robin to Scarlett and John;
"Wele search their packes upon their backes
Before that they be gone.

"Holla, good fellowes!" quod Robin Hood, 25
"Whether is it ye doe goe?
Now stay and rest, for that is the best,
'Tis well you should doe so."

"Noe rest we neede, on our roade we speede,
Till to Nottingham we get:" 30
"Thou tellst a lowde lye," said Robin, "for I
Can see that ye swinke and swet."

The peddlers three crosst over the lee,
They did not list to fight:
"I charge ye tarrie," quod Robin, "for marry, 35
This is my owne land by right.

"This is my mannor and this is my parke,
I would have ye for to knowe;
Ye are bolde outlawes, I see by cause
Ye are so prest to goe. 40

The peddlers three turned round to see,
Who it might be they herd;
Then again went on as they list to be gone,
And never answered word.

Then tooke Robin Hood an arrow so good, 45
Which he did never lacke,
And drewe his bowe, and the swift arrowe
Went through the last peddlers packe.

For him it was well on the packe it fell,
Or his life had found an end; 50
And it pierct the skin of his backe within,
Though the packe did stand his friend.

Then downe they flung their packes each one,
And stayde till Robin came.
Quod Robin, "I saide ye had better stayde; 55
Good sooth, ye were to blame."

"And who art thou? by S. Crispin, I vowe,
Ile quickly cracke thy head!"
Cried Robin, "Come on, all three, or one;
It is not so soone done as said. 60

"My name, by the roode, is Robin Hood,
And this is Scarlett and John;
It is three to three, ye may plainelie see,
Soe now, brave fellowes, laye on."

The first peddlers blowe brake Robins bowe, 65
That he had in his hand;
And Scarlett and John, they eche had one
That they unneath could stand.

"Now holde your handes," cried Robin Hood,
"For ye have oken staves; 70
But tarie till wee can get but three,
And a fig for all your braves."

Of the peddlers the first, his name Kit o Thirske,
Said, "We are well content;"
So eche tooke a stake for his weapon, to make 75
The peddlers to repent.

Soe to it they fell, and their blowes did ring well
Uppon the others backes;
And gave the peddlers cause to wish
They had not cast their packes. 80

Yet the peddlers three of their blowes were so free,
That Robin began for to rue;
And Scarlett, and John, had such loade laide on,
It made the sunne looke blue.

At last Kits oke caught Robin a stroke, 85
That made his head to sound;
He staggerd, and reelde, till he fell on the fielde,
And the trees with him went round.

"Now holde your handes," cried Little John,
And soe said Scarlett eke; 90
"Our maister is slaine, I tell you plaine,
He never more will speake."

"Now, heaven forefend he come to that end,"
Said Kit, "I love him well;
But let him learne to be wise in turne, 95
And not with poore peddlers mell.

"In my packe, God wot, I a balsame have got,
That soone his hurts will heale;"
And into Robin Hoods gaping mouth
He presentlie powrde some deale. 100

"Now fare ye well, tis best not to tell,
How ye three peddlers met;
Or if that ye doe, prithee tell alsoe,
How they made ye swinke and swett."

Poor Robin in sound they left on the ground, 105
And hied them to Nottingham,
Whilst Scarlett and John, Robin tended on,
Till at length his senses came.

No sooner, in haste, did Robin Hood taste
The balsame he had tane, 110
Then he gan to spewe, and up he threwe
The balsame all againe.

And Scarlett, and John, who were looking on
Their master as he did lie,
Had their faces besmeared, both eies and beard, 115
Therewith most piteouslie.

Thus ended that fray; soe beware alwaye
How ye doe challenge foes;
Looke well aboute they are not to stoute,
Or you may have worst of the blowes. 120

THE BOLD PEDLAR AND ROBIN HOOD.

From Dixon's "_Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England_," Percy Society, vol. xvii. p. 71.--"An aged female in Bermondsey, Surrey, from whose oral recitation the editor took down the present version, informed him, that she had often heard her grandmother sing it, and that it was never in print; but he has of late met with several common stall copies."

There chanced to be a pedlar bold,
A pedlar bold he chanced to be,
He rolled his pack all on his back,
And he came tripping o'er the lee.
_Down, a down, a down, a down,
Down, a down, a down._

By chance he met two troublesome blades, 5
Two troublesome blades they chanced to be;
The one of them was bold Robin Hood,
And the other was Little John so free.

"Oh! pedlar, pedlar, what is in thy pack,
Come speedilie and tell to me?" 10
"I've several suits of the gay green silks,
And silken bow-strings two or three."

"If you have several suits of the gay green silk,
And silken bow-strings two or three,
Then it's by my body," cries Little John, 15
"One half your pack shall belong to me."

"O nay, o nay," says the pedlar bold,
"O nay, o nay, that never can be;
For there's never a man from fair Nottingham
Can take one half my pack from me." 20

Then the pedlar he pulled off his pack,
And put it a little below his knee,
Saying, "If you do move me one perch from this,
My pack and all shall gang with thee."

Then Little John he drew his sword; 25
The pedlar by his pack did stand;
They fought until they both did sweat,
Till he cried, "Pedlar, pray hold your hand."

Then Robin Hood he was standing by,
And he did laugh most heartilie; 30
Saying, "I could find a man of a smaller scale,
Could thrash the pedlar and also thee."

"Go you try, master," says Little John,
"Go you try, master, most speedilie,
Or by my body," says Little John, 35
"I am sure this night you will not know me."

Then Robin Hood he drew his sword,
And the pedlar by his pack did stand,
They fought till the blood in streams did flow,
Till he cried, "Pedlar, pray hold your hand! 40

"Pedlar, pedlar, what is thy name?
Come speedilie and tell to me:"
"My name! my name I ne'er will tell,
Till both your names you have told to me."

"The one of us is bold Robin Hood, 45
And the other Little John so free:"
"Now," says the pedlar, "it lays to my good will,
Whether my name I chuse to tell to thee.

"I am Gamble Gold of the gay green woods,
And travelled far beyond the sea; 50
For killing a man in my father's land,
rom my country I was forced to flee."

"If you are Gamble Gold of the gay green woods,
And travelled far beyond the sea,
You are my mother's own sister's son; 55
What nearer cousins then can we be?"

They sheathed their swords with friendly words,
So merrilie they did agree,
They went to a tavern and there they dined,
And bottles cracked most merrilie. 60

ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR:

Shewing how Robin Hood and the Beggar fought, and how he changed cloaths with the Beggar, and how he went a begging to Nottingham: and how he saved three brethren from being hang'd for stealing of deer. To the tune of =Robin Hood and the Stranger=.

"From an old black-letter copy in the collection of Anthony à Wood." Ritson's =Robin Hood=, ii. 126.

The three pieces which follow are all different versions of what is called the Second Part of this ballad.

Come and listen, you gentlemen all,
_Hey down, down, an a down_,
That mirth do love for to hear,
And a story true Ile tell unto you,
If that you will but draw near.

In elder times, when merriment was, 5
And archery was holden good,
There was an outlaw, as many do know
Which men called Robin Hood.

Upon a time it chanced so
Bold Robin was merry disposed, 10
His time to spend he did intend,
Either with friend or foes.

Then he got upon a gallant brave steed,
The which was worth angels ten,
With a mantle of green, most brave to be seen, 15
He left all his merry men.

And riding towards Nottingham,
Some pastime for to 'spy,
There was he aware of a jolly beggàr,
As ere he beheld with his eye. 20

An old patcht coat the beggar had on,
Which he daily did use to wear;
And many a bag about him did wag,
Which made Robin to him repair.[L24]

"God speed, God speed," said Robin Hood, 25
"What countryman? tell to me:"
"I am Yorkshire, sir; but, ere you go far,
Some charity give unto me."

"Why, what wouldst thou have?" said Robin Hood,
"I pray thee tell unto me:" 30
"No lands nor livings," the beggar he said,
"But a penny for charitie."

"I have no money," said Robin Hood then,
"But [am] a ranger within the wood;
I am an outlaw, as many do know, 35
My name it is Robin Hood.

"But yet I must tell thee, bonny beggàr,
That a bout with [thee] I must try;
Thy coat of gray, lay down I say,
And my mantle of green shall lye by." 40

"Content, content," the beggar he cry'd,
"Thy part it will be the worse;
For I hope this bout to give thee the rout,
And then have at thy purse."

So the beggar he had a mickle long staffe, 45
And Robin had a nut-brown sword;[L46]
So the beggar drew nigh, and at Robin let fly,
But gave him never a word.

"Fight on, fight on," said Robin Hood then,
"This game well pleaseth me;" 50
For every blow that Robin gave,
The beggar gave buffets three.

And fighting there full hard and sore,
Not far from Nottingham town,
They never fled, till from Robin Hoods head 55
The blood came trickling down.

"O hold thy hand," said Robin Hood then,
"And thou and I will agree;"
"If that be true," the beggar he said,
"Thy mantle come give unto me." 60

"Now a change, a change," cri'd Robin Hood,
"Thy bags and coat give me;
And this mantle of mine Ile to thee resign,
My horse and my braverie."

When Robin Hood had got the beggars clothes, 65
He lookèd round about;
"Methinks," said he, "I seem to be
A beggar brave and stout.

"For now I have a bag for my bread,
So have I another for corn; 70
I have one for salt, and another for malt,
And one for my little horn.

"And now I will a begging goe,
Some charitie for to find:"
And if any more of Robin you'll know, 75
In the second part 'tis behind.

24. Robin Hood.

46, he had.

[THE SECOND PART.]

Now Robin he is to Nottingham bound,
With his bag hanging down to his knee,
His staff, and his coat, scarce worth a groat,
Yet merrilie passed he. 80

As Robin he passed the streets along,
He heard a pittiful cry;
Three brethren dear, as he did hear,
Condemned were to dye.

Then Robin he highed to the sheriffs, 85
Some reliefe for to seek;
He skipt, and leapt, and capered full high,
As he went along the street.

But when to the sheriffs doore he came,
There a gentleman fine and brave, 90
"Thou beggar," said he, "come tell unto me
What it is thou wouldest have."

"No meat, nor drink," said Robin Hood then,
"That I come here to crave;
But to get the lives of yeomen three, 95
And that I fain would have."

"That cannot be, thou bold beggàr,
Their fact it is so cleer;
I tell to thee, they hanged must be,
For stealing of our kings deer." 100

But when to the gallows they did come,
There was many a weeping eye:
"O hold your peace," said Robin Hood then,
"For certainly they shall not dye."

Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth, 105
And he blew out blastès three,
Till a hundred bold archers brave
Came kneeling down to his knee.

"What is your will, mastèr?" they said,
"We are here at your command:" 110
"Shoot east, shoot west," said Robin Hood then,
"And see you spare no man."

Then they shot east, then they shot west,
Their arrows were so keen,
The sheriffe he, and his companie, 115
No longer could be seen.

Then he stept to those brethren three,
And away he has them tane;
The sheriffe was crost, and many a man lost,
That dead lay on the plain. 120

And away they went into the merry green wood,
And sung with a merry glee;
Then Robin Hood took those brethren good
To be of his yeomandrie.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE OLD MAN.

A FRAGMENT.

From Jamieson's _Popular Ballads_, ii. 49, where it was printed "_verbatim et literatim_" from the Percy Manuscript.

This is the same story with the two ballads which follow and the Second Part of the preceding.

* * * * * * *
In faith, thou shalt have mine,
And 20s. in thy purse,
To spend at ale and wine."

"Though your clothes are of light Lincolne green,
And mine gray russet, and torne, 5
Yet it doth not you beseme
To doe an old man scorne."

"I scorne thee not, old man," says Robin,[L8]
"By the faith of my body;
Doe of thy clothes, thou shalt have mine, 10
For it may noe better be."

But Robin did on the old mans hose,
The were torn in the wrist;
"When I looke on my leggs," said Robin,
"Then for to laugh I list." 15

But Robin did on the old mans shoes,
And the were chitt full cleane;
"Now by my faith," says Little John,
"These are good for thornes keene."

But Robin did on the old mans cloake, 20
And it was torne in the necke;
"Now by my faith," said William Scarlett,
"Heere shold be set a specke."

But Robin did on the old mans hood,
Itt goggled on his crowne; 25
"When I come into Nottingham," said Robin,
"My hood it will lightly downe.[L27]

"But yonder is an outwood," said Robin,
"An outwood all and a shade,
And thither I reede you, my merrymen all, 30
The ready way to take.

"And when you heare my little horne blow,
Come raking all on a rowte,[L33]

* * * * * * *
* * * * * * *

* * horne to his mouth,
A loud blast cold he blow, 35
Full three hundred bold yeomen
Came raking all on a row.

But Robin cast downe his baggs of bread,
Soe did he his staffe with a face,
And in a doublet of red velvett 40
This yeoman stood in his place.

But Robin he lope, and Robin he threw,
He lope over stocke and stone,
But those that saw Robin Hood run
Said he was a liver old man. 45

"But bend your bowes, and stroke your strings,
Set the gallow tree aboute,
And Christes curse on his head," said Robin,
"That spares the sheriff and the sergeant.[L49]

When the sheriffe see gentle Robin wold shoote, 50
He held up both his hands,
Says, "Aske, good Robin, and thou shalt have,
Whether it be house or land."

"I will neither have house nor land," said Robin,
"Nor gold, nor none of thy fee, 55
But I will have those 3 squires,
To greene forest with mee."

"Now marry, gods forbott," said the sheriffe,
"That ever that shold be,
Ffor why, they be the kings felons; 60
They are all condemned to dye."

"But grant me my askynge," said Robin,
"Or by the faith of my body,[L63]
Thou shalt be the first man
Shall flower this gallow tree." 65

But I will * * 3 squires
* * * * * *

_cetera desunt_.

8. By proposing, that is, to make an exchange of clothes, the
bargain being so much to the advantage of the old man. JAMIESON.

27, _i.e._ I shall easily bare my head, in reverence to the sheriff,
&c.

33. Nine or ten stanzas wanting. J.

49. For "the sergeant" read "his rowte." J.

63, by me.

ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THE WIDOWS THREE SONS FROM THE SHERIFF, WHEN GOING TO BE EXECUTED.

Ritson's _Robin Hood_, ii. 155.

"This ballad," says Ritson, "from the York edition of _Robin Hood's Garland_,[29] is probably one of the oldest extant of which he is the subject. The circumstance of Robin's changing clothes with the palmer, is, possibly, taken from an old romance, entitled _The noble hystory of the moost excellent and myghty prynce and hygh renowmed knyght kynge Ponthus of Galyce and of lytell Brytayne_. Emprynted at London in Fletestrete, at the sygne of the sonne, by Wynken de Worde. In the yere of our lorde god 1511, 4to. bl. sig, L 6. 'And as he (Ponthus) rode, he met with a poore palmer, beggynge his brede, the whiche had his gowne all to-clouted and an olde pylled hatte: so he alyght, and sayd to the palmer, frende, we shall make a chaunge of all our garmentes, for ye shall have my gowne and I shall have yours and your hatte. A, syr, sayd the palmer, ye bourde you with me. In good fayth, sayd Ponthus, I do not; so he dyspoyled hym and cladde hym with all his rayment, and he put upon hym the poore mannes gowne, his gyrdell, his hosyn, his shone, his hatte and his bourden.'"

"There is an allusion to this ballad," adds Gutch, "in Anthony Munday's play of _The Downfall of Robert Earl of Huntington_. Collier's _Old Plays_, p. 41."

Another version of this piece is immediately subjoined.

[29] The earliest known edition of _Robin Hood's Garland_ was formerly in the possession of Mr. Douce, and is now among the books bequeathed by him to the Bodleian Library. It is dated 1670, and contains sixteen ballads. In the later Garlands this number is increased to twenty four, and to twenty seven.

There are twelve months in all the year,
As I hear many say,
But the merriest month in all the year
Is the merry month of May.

Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone, 5
_With a link a down and a day_,
And there he met a silly old woman,
Was weeping on the way.

"What news? what news, thou silly old woman?
What news hast thou for me?" 10
Said she, "There's three squires in Nottingham town,
To-day is condemned to die."

"O have they parishes burnt?" he said,
"Or have they ministers slain?
Or have they robbèd any virgin, 15
Or with other men's wives have lain?"

"They have no parishes burnt, good sir,
Nor yet have ministers slain,
Nor have they robbèd any virgin,
Nor with other men's wives have lain." 20

"O what have they done?" said Robin Hood,
"I pray thee tell to me:"
"It's for slaying of the king's fallow deer,
Bearing their long bows with thee."

"Dost thou not mind, old woman," he said, 25
"Since thou made me sup and dine?
By the truth of my body," quoth bold Robin Hood,
"You could not tell it in better time."

Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
_With a link a down and a day_,[L30] 30
And there he met with a silly old palmer,
Was walking along the highway.

"What news? what news, thou silly old man?
What news, I do thee pray?"
Said he, "Three squires in Nottingham town 35
Are condemn'd to die this day."

"Come change thy apparel with me, old man,
Come change thy apparel for mine;
Here is forty shillings in good silvèr,
Go drink it in beer or wine." 40

"O thine apparel is good," he said,
"And mine is ragged and torn;
"Wherever you go, wherever you ride,
Laugh ne'er an old man to scorn."

"Come change thy apparel with me, old churl, 45
Come change thy apparel with mine;
Here are twenty pieces of good broad gold,
Go feast thy brethren with wine."

Then he put on the old man's hat,
It stood full high on the crown: 50
"The first bold bargain that I come at,
It shall make thee come down."

Then he put on the old man's cloak,
Was patch'd black, blew, and red;
He thought it no shame all the day long 55
To wear the bags of bread.

Then he put on the old man's breeks,
Was patch'd from ballup to side:
"By the truth of my body," bold Robin can say,
"This man lov'd little pride," 60

Then he put on the old man's hose,
Were patch'd from knee to wrist:
"By the truth of my body," said bold Robin Hood,
"I'd laugh if I had any list."

Then he put on the old man's shoes, 65
Were patch'd both beneath and aboon;
Then Robin Hood swore a solemn oath,
It's good habit that makes a man.

Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
_With a link a down and a down_, 70
And there he met with the proud sheriff,
Was walking along the town.

"O Christ you save, O sheriff," he said,[L73]
"O Christ you save and see;[L74]
And what will you give to a silly old man 75
To-day will your hangman be?"

"Some suits, some suits," the sheriff he said,
"Some suits I'll give to thee:
Some suits, some suits, and pence thirteen,
To-day's a hangman's fee." 80

Then Robin he turns him round about,
And jumps from stock to stone:
"By the truth of my body," the sheriff he said,
"That's well jumpt, thou nimble old man."

"I was ne'er a hangman in all my life, 85
Nor yet intends to trade;
But curst be he," said bold Robìn,
"That first a hangman was made.

"I've a bag for meal, and a bag for malt,
And a bag for barley and corn; 90
A bag for bread, and a bag for beef,
And a bag for my little small horn.

"I have a horn in my pockèt,
I got it from Robin Hood,
And still when I set it to my mouth, 95
For thee it blows little good."[L96]

"O wind thy horn, thou proud fellòw,
Of thee I have no doubt:
I wish that thou give such a blast
Till both thy eyes fall out." 100

The first loud blast that he did blow,
He blew both loud and shrill;
A hundred and fifty of Robin Hood's men
Came riding over the hill.

The next loud blast that he did give, 105
He blew both loud and amain,
And quickly sixty of Robin Hood's men
Came shining over the plain.

"O who are those," the sheriff he said,
"Come tripping over the lee?" 110
"They're my attendants," brave Robin did say,
"They'll pay a visit to thee."

They took the gallows from the slack,
They set it in the glen,
They hang'd the proud sheriff on that, 115
Releas'd their own three men.

30, and a down a.

73, 74. Oh save, oh save, oh sheriff, he said, Oh save and you may
see.

96, me.

ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THE THREE SQUIRES PROM NOTTINGHAM GALLOWS.

"This song, and its tune, as the editor is informed by his ingenious friend, Edward Williams, the Welsh bard, are well known in South Wales, by the name of _Marchog Glas_, _i.e._ Green Knight. Though apparently ancient, it is not known to exist in black letter, nor has any better authority been met with than the common collection of Aldermary-churchyard." RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 216.

Bold Robin Hood ranging the forrest all round,
The forrest all round ranged he,
O there did he meet with a gay lady,
She came weeping along the highway.

"Why weep you, why weep you?" bold Robin he said, 5
"What, weep you for gold or fee?
Or do you weep for your maidenhead,
That is taken from your body?"

"I weep not for gold," the lady reply'd,
"Neither do I weep for fee; 10
Nor do I weep for my maidenhead,
That is taken from my body."

"What weep you for then?" said jolly Robìn,
"I prithee come tell unto me;"
"Oh! I do weep for my three sons, 15
For they are all condemned to die."

"What church have they robbed?" said jolly Robìn,
"Or parish-priest have they slain?
What maids have they forced against their will?
Or with other mens wives have lain?" 20

"No church have they robbed," this lady reply'd,
"Nor parish-priest have they slain;
No maids have they forced against their will,
Nor with other mens wives have lain."

"What have they done then?" said jolly Robìn, 25
"Come tell me most speedily:"
"Oh! it is for killing the kings fallow deer,
That they are all condemned to die."[L28]

"Get you home, get you home," said jolly Robìn,
"Get you home most speedily, 30
And I will unto fair Nottingham go,
For the sake of the squires all three."

Then bold Robin Hood for Nottingham goes,
For Nottingham town goes he,
O there did he meet with a poor beggar-man, 35
He came creeping along the highway.

"What news, what news, thou old beggar-man?
What news, come tell unto me:"
"O there's weeping and wailing in Nottingham,
For the death of the squires all three." 40

This beggar-man had a coat on his back,
'Twas neither green, yellow, nor red;
Bold Robin Hood thought 'twas no disgrace
To be in the beggar-mans stead.

"Come, pull off thy coat, thou old beggar-man, 45
And thou shalt put on mine;
And forty good shillings I'll give thee to boot,
Besides brandy, good beer, ale and wine."

Bold Robin Hood then unto Nottingham came,
Unto Nottingham town came he; 50
O there did he meet with great master sheriff,
And likewise the squires all three.

"One boon, one boon," says jolly Robín,
"One boon I beg on my knee;
That, as for the death of these three squires, 55
Their hangman I may be."

"Soon granted, soon granted," says master sheriff,
"Soon granted unto thee;
And you shalt have all their gay cloathìng,
Aye, and all their white monèy." 60

"O I will have none of their gay cloathìng,
Nor none of their white monèy,
But I'll have three blasts on my bugle-horn,
That their souls to heaven may flee."

Then Robin Hood mounted the gallows so high,[L65] 65
Where he blew loud and shrill,
Till an hundred and ten of Robin Hoods men
Came marching down the green hill.

"Whose men are these?" says master sherìff,
"Whose men are they? come tell unto me:" 70
"O they are mine, but none of thine,
And are come for the squires all three."

"O take them, O take them," says great master sheriff,
"O take them along with thee;
For there's never a man in fair Nottinghàm 75
Can do the like of thee.

28, And.

65. When.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE CURTALL FRYER.

Ritson's _Robin Hood_, ii. 61.

"From an old black-letter copy in the collection of Anthony à Wood: corrected by a much earlier one in the Pepysian library, printed by H. Gosson, about the year 1610; compared with a later one in the same collection. The full title is: _The famous battell betweene Robin Hood and the Curtall Fryer_. _To a new Northern tune._"

In summer time, when leaves grow green,
And flowers are fresh and gay,
Robin Hood and his merry men
Were disposed to play.

Then some would leape, and some would runne, 5
And some would use artillery;
"Which of you can a good bow draw,
A good archer for to be?

"Which of you can kill a bucke,
Or who can kill a doe? 10
Or who can kill a hart of greece
Five hundreth foot him fro?"

Will Scadlocke he kild a bucke,
And Midge he kild a doe,
And Little John kild a hart of greece, 15
Five hundreth foot him fro.

"Gods blessing on thy heart," said Robin Hood,
"That hath such a shot for me;
I would ride my horse a hundred miles,
To find one could match thee." 20

This caused Will Scadlocke to laugh,
He laught full heartily:
"There lives a curtall fryer in Fountaines Abbey
Will beate both him and thee.

"The curtall fryer in Fountaines Abbey 25
Well can a strong bow draw;
He will beat you and your yeomèn,
Set them all on a row."

Robin Hood he tooke a solemne oath,
It was by Mary free, 30
That he would neither eate nor drinke
Till the fryer he did see.

Robin Hood put on his harnesse good,
On his head a cap of steel,
Broad sword and buckler by his side, 35
And they became him weele.

He tooke his bow into his hand,
It was made of a trusty tree,
With a sheafe of arrowes at his belt,
And to Fountaine Dale went he. 40

And comming unto Fountaine Dale,
No farther would he ride;
There he was aware of the curtall fryer,
Walking by the water side.

The fryer had on a harnesse good, 45
On his head a cap of steel,
Broad sword and buckler by his side,
And they became him weele.

Robin Hood lighted off his horse,
And tyed him to a thorne: 50
"Carry me over the water, thou curtall fryer,
Or else thy life's forlorne."

The fryer tooke Robin Hood on his backe,
Deepe water he did bestride,
And spake neither good word nor bad, 55
Till he came at the other side.

Lightly leapt Robin offe the fryers backe;
The fryer said to him againe,
"Carry me over this water, [thou] fine fellow,
Or it shall breed thy paine." 60

Robin Hood took the fryer on his backe,
Deepe water he did bestride,
And spake neither good word nor bad,
Till he came at the other side.

Lightly leapt the fryer off Robin Hoods backe; 65
Robin Hood said to him againe,
"Carry me over this water, thou curtall fryer,
Or it shall breede thy pain."

The fryer tooke Robin on's backe againe,
And stept in to the knee; 70
Till he came at the middle streame
Neither good nor bad spake he.

And comming to the middle streame,
There he threw Robin in;
"And chuse thee, chuse thee, fine fellow, 75
Whether thou wilt sink or swim."

Robin Hood swam to a bush of broome,
The fryer to a wigger wand;
Bold Robin Hood is gone to shore,
And took his bow in his hand. 80

One of his best arrowes under his belt
To the fryer he let fly;
The curtall fryer with his steel buckler
Did put that arrow by.

"Shoot on, shoot on, thou fine fellow, 85
Shoot as thou hast begun,
If thou shoot here a summers day,
Thy marke I will not shun."

Robin Hood shot passing well,
Till his arrows all were gane; 90
They tooke their swords and steele bucklers,
They fought with might and maine;

From ten o'th' clock that [very] day,
Till four i'th' afternoon;
Then Robin Hood came to his knees, 95
Of the fryer to beg a boone.

"A boone, a boone, thou curtall fryer,
I beg it on my knee:
Give me leave to set my horne to my mouth,
And to blow blasts three." 100

"That I will do," said the curtall fryer,
"Of thy blasts I have no doubt;
I hope thou'lt blow so passing well,
Till both thy eyes fall out."

Robin Hood set his home to his mouth, 105
He blew out blasts three;
Halfe a hundreth yeomen, with bowes bent,
Came raking over the lee.

"Whose men are these," said the fryer,
"That come so hastily?" 110
"These men are mine," said Robin Hood;
"Fryer, what is that to thee?"

"A boone, a boone," said the curtall fryer,
"The like I gave to thee;
Give me leave to set my fist to my mouth, 115
And to whute whues three."

"That will I doe," said Robin Hood,
"Or else I were to blame;
Three whues in a fryers fist
Would make me glad and faine." 120

The fryer set his fist to his mouth,
And whuted whues three;
Half a hundred good band-dogs
Came running over the lee.

"Here's for every man a dog, 125
And I myselfe for thee:"
"Nay, by my faith," said Robin Hood,
"Fryer, that may not be."

Two dogs at once to Robin Hood did goe,
The one behind, the other before; 130
Robin Hoods mantle of Lincolne greene
Off from his backe they tore.

And whether his men shot east or west,
Or they shot north or south,
The curtall dogs, so taught they were, 135
They kept the arrows in their mouth.

"Take up thy dogs," said Little John,
"Fryer, at my bidding be;"
"Whose man art thou," said the curtall fryer,
"Comes here to prate with me?" 140

"I am Little John, Robin Hoods man,
Fryer, I will not lie;
If thou take not up thy dogs soone,
I'le take up them and thee."

Little John had a bow in his hand, 145
He shot with might and main;
Soon halfe a score of the fryers dogs
Lay dead upon the plain.

"Hold thy hand, good fellow," said the curtal fryer,
"Thy master and I will agree; 150
And we will have new orders taken,
With all the hast may be."

"If thou wilt forsake fair Fountaines Dale,
And Fountaines Abbey free,
Every Sunday throwout the yeere, 155
A noble shall be thy fee:

"And every holliday through the yeere,
Changed shall thy garment be,
If thou wilt goe to faire Nottingham,
And there remaine with me." 160

This curtal fryer had kept Fountaines Dale
Seven long yeeres and more;
There was neither knight, lord, nor earle,
Could make him yeeld before.

ROBIN HOOD AND ALLIN A DALE.

Or, a pleasant relation how a young gentleman, being in love with a young damsel, she was taken from him to be an old knights bride: and how Robin Hood, pittying the young mans case, took her from the old knight, when they were going to be marryed, and restored her to her own love again. To a pleasant northern tune, _Robin Hood in the green-wood stood_.

Bold Robin Hood he did the young man right,
And took the damsel from the doting knight.

From an old black-letter copy in Major Pearson's collection. RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 49.

The same in _A Collection of Old Ballads_, ii. 44.

Come listen to me, you gallants so free,
All you that love mirth for to hear,
And I will tell you of a bold outlàw
That lived in Nottinghamshire.

As Robin Hood in the forest stood, 5
All under the green-wood tree,
There he was aware of a brave young man,
As fine as fine might be.

The youngster was cloathed in scarlet red,
In scarlet fine and gay; 10
And he did frisk it over the plain,
And chanted a round-de-lay.

As Robin Hood next morning stood
Amongst the leaves so gay,
There did [he] espy the same young man, 15
Come drooping along the way.

The scarlet he wore the day before,
It was clean cast away;
And at every step he fetcht a sigh,
"Alack and a well a day!" 20

Then stepped forth brave Little John,
And Midge the millers son,[L22]
Which made the young man bend his bow,
When as he see them come.

"Stand off, stand off," the young man said, 25
"What is your will with me?"
"You must come before our master straight,
Under yon green-wood tree."

And when he came bold Robin before,
Robin askt him courteously, 30
"O hast thou any money to spare
For my merry men and me?"

"I have no money," the young man said,
"But five shillings and a ring;
And that I have kept this seven long years, 35
To have it at my wedding.

"Yesterday, I should have married a maid,
But she soon from me was tane,
And chosen to be an old knights delight,
Whereby my poor heart is slain." 40

"What is thy name?" then said Robin Hood,
"Come tell me, without any fail:"
"By the faith of my body," then said the young man,
"My name it is Allin a Dale."

"What wilt thou give me," said Robin Hood, 45
"In ready gold or fee,
To help thee to thy true love again,
And deliver her unto thee?"

"I have no money," then quoth the young man,
"No ready gold nor fee, 50
But I will swear upon a book
Thy true servant for to be."

"How many miles is it to thy true love?
Come tell me without guile:"
"By the faith of my body," then said the young man, 55
"It is but five little mile."

Then Robin he hasted over the plain,
He did neither stint nor lin,
Until he came unto the church,
Where Allin should keep his wedding. 60

"What hast thou here?" the bishop then said,
"I prithee now tell unto me:"
"I am a bold harper," quoth Robin Hood,
"And the best in the north country."

"O welcome, O welcome," the bishop he said, 65
"That musick best pleaseth me:"
"You shall have no musick," quoth Robin Hood,
"Till the bride and the bridegroom I see."

With that came in a wealthy knight,
Which was both grave and old, 70
And after him a finikin lass,
Did shine like the glistering gold.

"This is not a fit match," quod bold Robin Hood,
"That you do seem to make here,
For since we are come into the church, 75
The bride shall chuse her own dear."

Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth,
And blew blasts two or three;
When four and twenty bowmen bold
Came leaping over the lee. 80

And when they came into the church-yard,
Marching all on a row,
The first man was Allin a Dale,
To give bold Robin his bow.

"This is thy true love," Robin he said, 85
"Young Allin, as I hear say;
And you shall be married at this same time,
Before we depart away."