Chapter VIII: Part 8

These wordes had Robin Hood scarce spoke, 45
When they two men did see,
Come riding till their horses smoke:
"My brothers both," cried shee.

Each had a good sword by his side,
And furiouslie they rode 50
To where they Robin Hood espied,
That with the maiden stood.

"Flee hence, flee hence, away with speede!"
Cried she to Robin Hood,
"For if thou stay, thoult surely bleede; 55
I could not see thy blood."

"With us, false maiden, come away,
And leave that outlawe bolde;
Why fledst thou from thy home this day,
And left thy father olde?" 60

Robin stept backe but paces five,
Unto a sturdie tree;
"Ile fight whiles I am left alive;
Stay, thou sweete maide, with mee."

He stood before, she stoode behinde, 65
The brothers two drewe nie;
"Our sister now to us resign,
Or thou full sure shalt die."

Then cried the maide, "My brethren deare,
With ye Ile freely wend, 70
But harm not this young forrester,
Noe ill doth he pretend."

"Stande up, sweete maide, I plight my troth;
Fall thou not on thy knee;
Ile force thy cruell brothers both 75
To bend the knee to thee.

"Stand thou behinde this sturdie oke,
I soone will quell their pride;
Thoult see my sword with furie smoke,
And in their hearts blood died." 80

He set his backe against a tree,
His foote against a stone;
The first blow that he gave so free
Cleft one man to the bone.

The tanners bold they fought right well, 85
And it was one to two;
But Robin did them both refell,
All in the damsells viewe.

The red blood ran from Robins brow,
All downe unto his knee; 90
"O holde your handes, my brethren now,
I will goe backe with yee."

"Stand backe, stand backe, my pretty maide,
Stand backe and let me fight;
By sweete St. James be no afraide 95
But I will it requite."

Then Robin did his sword uplift,
And let it fall againe;
The oldest brothers head it cleft,
Right through unto his braine. 100

"O hold thy hand, bolde forrester,
Or ill may thee betide;
Slay not my youngest brother here,
He is my fathers pride."

"Away, for I would scorne to owe, 105
My life to the[e], false maide!"
The youngest cried, and aim'd a blow
That lit on Robins head.

Then Robin leand against the tree,
His life nie gone did seeme; 110
His eyes did swim, he could not see
The maiden start betweene.

It was not long ere Robin Hood
Could welde his sword so bright;
Upon his feete he firmly stood, 115
And did renew the fight;

Untill the tanner scarce could heave
His weapon in the aire;
But Robin would not him bereave
Of life, and left him there. 120

Then to the greenewood did he fly,
And with him went the maide;
For him she vowd that she would dye,
He'd live for her, he said.

Finis. T. Fleming.

APPENDIX.

ROBIN HOODS BIRTH, BREEDING, VALOUR, AND MARRIAGE.

Ritson's _Robin Hood_, ii. 1.

Ritson printed this piece from a black-letter copy in a large and valuable collection of old ballads which successively belonged to Major Pearson, the Duke of Roxburghe, and Mr. Bright, but which is now in the British Museum.

The full title of the original is: _A new ballad of bold Robin Hood; shewing his birth, breeding, valour, and marriage at Tilbury Bull-running. Calculated for the meridian of Staffordshire, but may serve for Derbyshire or Kent_.

The copy in _A Collection of Old Ballads_, i. 67, is the same.

Kind gentlemen, will you be patient awhile?
Ay, and then you shall hear anon
A very good ballad of bold Robin Hood,
And of his brave man Little John.

In Locksly town, in merry Nottinghamshire, 5
In merry sweet Locksly town,
There bold Robin Hood he was born and was bred,
Bold Robin of famous renown.

The father of Robin a forrester was,
And he shot in a lusty strong bow, 10
Two north country miles and an inch at a shot,
As the Pinder of Wakefield does know.

For he brought Adam Bell, and Clim of the Clough,
And William of Clowdesle,[L14]
To shoot with our forrester for forty mark, 15
And the forrester beat them all three.

His mother was neece to the Coventry knight,
Which Warwickshire men call sir Guy;
For he slew the blue bore that hangs up at the gate,
Or mine host of the Bull tells a lie. 20

Her brother was Gamwel, of Great Gamwel-Hall,
A noble house-keeper was he,
Ay, as ever broke bread in sweet Nottinghamshire,
And a 'squire of famous degree.

The mother of Robin said to her husbànd, 25
"My honey, my love, and my dear,
Let Robin and I ride this morning to Gamwel,
To taste of my brother's good cheer."

And he said, "I grant thee thy boon, gentle Joan,
Take one of my horses, I pray: 30
The sun is arising, and therefore make haste,
For to-morrow is Christmas-day."

Then Robin Hood's father's grey gelding was brought,
And sadled and bridled was he;
God wot a blue bonnet, his new suit of cloaths, 35
And a cloak that did reach to his knee.

She got on her holyday kirtle and gown,
They were of a light Lincoln green;
The cloath was homespun, but for colour and make
It might a beseem'd our queen. 40

And then Robin got on his basket-hilt sword,
And his dagger on his tother side;
And said, "My dear mother, let's haste to be gone,
We have forty long miles to ride."

When Robin had mounted his gelding so grey, 45
His father, without any trouble,
Set her up behind him, and bad her not fear,
For his gelding had oft carried double.[L48]

And when she was settled, they rode to their neighbours,
And drank and shook hands with them all; 50
And then Robin gallopt, and never gave o're,
'Till they lighted at Gamwel-Hall.

And now you may think the right worshipful 'squire
Was joyful his sister to see;
For he kist her, and kist her, and swore a great oath, 55
"Thou art welcome, kind sister, to me."

To-morrow, when mass had been said in the chappel,
Six tables were covered in the hall,
And in comes the 'squire, and makes a short speech,
It was, "Neighbours, you're welcome all. 60

"But not a man here shall taste my March beer,
'Till a Christmas carrol he does sing:"
Then all clapt their hands, and they shouted and sung,
'Till the hall and the parlour did ring.

Now mustard and brawn, roast beef and plumb pies, 65
Were set upon every table:
And noble George Gamwel said, "Eat and be merry
And drink too as long as you're able."

When dinner was ended, his chaplain said grace,
And, "Be merry, my friends," said the 'squire; 70
"It rains, and it blows, but call for more ale,
And lay some more wood on the fire.

"And now call ye Little John hither to me,
For Little John is a fine lad
At gambols and juggling, and twenty such tricks, 75
As shall make you both merry and glad.

When Little John came, to gambols they went,
Both gentlemen, yeomen, and clown;
And what do you think? Why, as true as I live,
Bold Robin Hood put them all down. 80

And now you may think the right worshipful 'squire
Was joyful this sight for to see;
For he said, "Cousin Robin, thou'st go no more home,
But tarry and dwell here with me.

"Thou shalt have my land when I die, and till then, 85
Thou shalt be the staff of my age:"
"Then grant me my boon, dear uncle," said Robin,
"That Little John may be my page."

And he said, "Kind cousin, I grant thee thy boon;
With all my heart, so let it be;" 90
"Then come hither, Little John," said Robin Hood,
"Come hither, my page, unto me.

"Go fetch me my bow, my longest long bow,
And broad arrows, one, two, or three;
For when 'tis fair weather we'll into Sherwood, 95
Some merry pastime to see."

When Robin Hood came into merry Sherwood,
He winded his bugle so clear;
And twice five and twenty good yeomen and bold
Before Robin Hood did appear. 100

"Where are your companions all?" said Robin Hood,
"For still I want forty and three:"
Then said a bold yeoman, "Lo, yonder they stand,
All under the green wood tree."[L104]

As that word was spoke, Clorinda came by, 105
The queen of the shepherds was she;
And her gown was of velvet as green as the grass,
And her buskin did reach to her knee.

Her gait it was graceful, her body was straight,
And her countenance free from pride; 110
A bow in her hand, and a quiver of arrows
Hung dangling by her sweet side.

Her eye-brows were black, ay, and so was her hair,
And her skin was as smooth as glass;
Her visage spoke wisdom, and modesty too; 215
Sets with Robin Hood such a lass!

Said Robin Hood, "Lady fair, whither away?
O whither, fair lady, away?"
And she made him an answer, "To kill a fat buck;
For to-morrow is Titbury day." 120

Said Robin Hood, "Lady fair, wander with me
A little to yonder green bower;
There set down to rest you, and you shall be sure
Of a brace or a leash in an hour."[L124]

And as we were going towàrds the green bower, 125
Two hundred good bucks we espy'd;
She chose out the fattest that was in the herd,[L127]
And she shot him through side and side.

"By the faith of my body," said bold Robin Hood,
"I never saw woman like thee; 130
And com'st thou from east, or com'st thou from west,
Thou needst not beg venison of me.

"However, along to my bower you shall go,
And taste of a forrester's meat:"
And when we came thither we found as good cheer 135
As any man needs for to eat.

For there was hot venison, and warden pies cold,
Cream clouted, with honey-combs plenty;
And the servitors they were, besides Little John,
Good yeomen at least four and twenty. 140

Clorinda said, "Tell me your name, gentle sir;"
And he said, "'Tis bold Robin Hood:
'Squire Gamwel's my uncle, but all my delight
Is to dwell in the merry Sherwood;

"For 'tis a fine life, and 'tis void of all strife." 145
"So 'tis, sir," Clorinda reply'd.
"But oh," said bold Robin, "how sweet would it be,
If Clorinda would be my bride!"

She blusht at the motion; yet, after a pause
Said, "Yes, sir, and with all my heart:" 150
"Then let us send for a priest," said Robin Hood,
"And be married before we do part."

But she said, "It may not be so, gentle sir,'
For I must be at Titbury feast;
And if Robin Hood will go thither with me, 155
I'll make him the most welcome guest."

Said Robin Hood, "Reach me that buck, Little John,
For I'll go along with my dear;
And bid my yeomen kill six brace of bucks,
And meet me to-morrow just here." 160

Before he had ridden five Staffordshire miles,
Eight yeomen, that were too bold,
Bid Robin Hood stand, and deliver his buck;
A truer tale never was told.

"I will not, faith," said bold Robin; "come, John, 165
Stand by me, and we'll beat 'em all:"
Then both drew their swords, and so cut 'em, and slasht 'em,
That five of them did fall.

The three that remain'd call'd to Robin for quarter,
And pitiful John begg'd their lives; 170
When John's boon was granted, he gave them good counsel,
And sent them all home to their wives.

This battle was fought near to Titbury town,
When the bagpipes baited the bull;[L174]
I'm the king of the fidlers, and I swear 'tis truth, 175
And I call him that doubts it a gull:

For I saw them fighting, and fiddled the while,
And Clorinda sung "Hey derry down!
The bumkins are beaten, put up thy sword, Bob,
And now let's dance into the town." 180

Before we came in, we heard a strange shouting,
And all that were in it look'd madly;
For some were on bull-back, some dancing a morris,
And some singing _Arthur-a-Bradley_.

And there we see Thomas, our justices clerk, 185
And Mary, to whom he was kind;
For Tom rode before her, and call'd Mary madam,
And kiss'd her full sweetly behind:

And so may your worships. But we went to dinner,
With Thomas and Mary, and Nan; 190
They all drank a health to Clorinda and told her
Bold Robin Hood was a fine man.

When dinner was ended, sir Roger, the parson
Of Dubbridge, was sent for in haste:
He brought his mass-book, and he bad them take hands, 195
And joyn'd them in marriage full fast.

And then, as bold Robin Hood and his sweet bride
Went hand in hand to the green bower,
The birds sung with pleasure in merry Sherwood,
And 'twas a most joyful hour. 200

And when Robin came in sight of the bower,
"Where are my yeomen?" said he:
And Little John answer'd, "Lo, yonder they stand,
All under the green wood tree."

Then a garland they brought her by two and by two, 205
And plac'd them all on the bride's head:
The music struck up, and we all fell to dance,
'Till the bride and bridegroom were a-bed.

And what they did there must be counsel to me,
Because they lay long the next day; 210
And I had haste home, but I got a good piece
Of bride-cake, and so came away.

Now out, alas! I had forgotten to tell ye,
That marry'd they were with a ring;
And so will Nan Knight, or be buried a maiden, 215
And now let us pray for the king:

That he may get children, and they may get more,
To govern and do us some good:
And then I'll make ballads in Robin Hood's bower,
And sing 'em in merry Sherwood. 220

14, Clowdel le.

48, has.

104, a.

124, lease.

127, choose.

174. Tutbury, or Stutesbury, Staffordshire. This celebrated place
lies about four miles from Burton-upon-Trent, on the west bank of
the river Don. Its castle, it is supposed, was built a considerable
time before the Norman conquest. Being the principal seat of the
Dukes of Lancaster, it was long distinguished as the scene of
festivity and splendour. The number of minstrels which crowded it
was so great, that it was found necessary to have recourse to some
expedient for preserving order among them, and determining their
claims of precedence. Accordingly, one of their number, with the
title of king of the minstrels, was appointed, and under him several
inferior officers, to assist in the execution of the laws. To this
chief a charter was granted by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster,
22nd August, 4th Richard II., 1381. This king of the minstrels and
his officers having inflicted fines and punishments which exceeded
the due bounds of justice, a court for hearing and determining
complaints and controversies was instituted, which was yearly held
with many forms and ceremonies. The business of the court being
concluded, the officers withdraw to partake of a sumptuous repast,
prepared for them by the steward of the lordship. In the afternoon
the minstrels assembled at the gate of the priory, where, by way of
amusement for the multitude, a bull, having his horns, ears, and
tail cut off, his body besmeared with soap, and his nose blown full
of pepper, was then let loose. If the minstrels could take and hold
him, even so long as to deprive him of the smallest portion of his
hair, he was declared their property, provided this was done within
the confines of Staffordshire, and before sunset. The bull was next
collared and roped, and being brought to the market cross, was
baited with dogs. After this he was delivered to the minstrels, who
might dispose of him as they deemed proper. _Vide_ Blount's _Ancient
Tenures_, Hawkins's _History of Music_, Strutt's _Sports and
Pastimes_, for fuller particulars of this ancient custom. GUTCH.

A TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD.

Gutch's _Robin Hood_, ii. 88.

This doggerel is by Martin Parker, a well-known author of ballads in the reign of Charles I. and during the Protectorate. The titles of several of his works are given by Ritson, (_Robin Hood_, i. 127,) and those of others may be seen in Collier's _Roxburghe Ballads_, 237, 243, and Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 257, 263; among these last is the celebrated song, _When the king enjoys his own again_.

Ritson printed this piece from a black-letter edition dated 1686. Gutch obtained a somewhat better copy from Mr. Collier, which we have here followed. "The date of Mr. Collier's copy is cut off, but enough remains to shew that it was printed at London, 'for T. Cotes, and are to be sold by F. Grove, dwelling upon Snow-hill near the Saracens * * *.' The first edition was entered at Stationers' Hall, 20th February, 1631."

The title in full is: "_A True Tale of Robbin Hood, Or, a brief touch
of the life and death of that renowned outlaw, Robert, Earle of
Huntington, vulgarly called Robbin Hood, who lived and died in 1198,
being the 9th yeare of king Richard the first, commonly called
Richard Cuer de Lyon; carefully collected out of the truest writers
of our English_ _Chronicles and published for the satisfaction of
those who desire to see truth purged from falsehood_. BY MARTIN
PARKER."

At the end of the tale is the following epitaph, "which the prioresse of the monastery of Kirkes Lay in Yorkshire set over Robbin Hood, which was to bee reade within these hundreth yeares (though in old broken English), much to the same sence and meaning."

_Decembris quarto die 1198. anno regni Richardii primi 9._

Robert earle of Huntington
Lies under this little stone.
No archer was like him so good;
His wildnesse named him Robbin Hood.
Full thirteene yeares and something more,
These northern parts he vexed sore;
Such outlawes as hee and his men,
May England never know agen.

"Some other superstitious words were in it, which I thought fit to leave out." M. P.

Both gentlemen, or yeomen bould,
Or whatsoever you are,
To have a stately story tould
Attention now prepare.

It is a tale of Robin Hood, 5
Which I to you will tell,
Which being rightly understood,
I know will please you well.

This Robbin (so much talked on)
Was once a man of fame, 10
Instiled earle of Huntington,
Lord Robert Hood by name.

In courtship and magnificence
His carriage won him prayse,
And greater favour with his prince 15
Than any in his dayes.

In bounteous liberality
He too much did excell,
And loved men of quality
More than exceeding well. 20

His great revennues all he sould
For wine and costly cheere;
He kept three hundred bowmen bold,
He shooting loved so deare.

No archer living in his time 25
With him might well compare:
He practis'd all his youthfull prime
That exercise most rare.

At last, by his profuse expence,
He had consum'd his wealth; 30
And being outlawed by his prince,
In woods he liv'd by stealth.

The abbot of Saint Maries rich,
To whom he mony ought,
His hatred to the earle was such 35
That he his downefall wrought.

So being outlaw'd (as 'tis told)
He with a crew went forth
Of lusty cutters stout and bold,
And robbed in the North. 40

Among the rest one Little John,
A yeoman bold and free,
Who could (if it stood him upon)
With ease encounter three.

One hundred men in all he got, 45
With whom (the story sayes)
Three hundred commen men durst not
Hold combat any wayes.

They Yorkshire woods frequented much,
And Lancashire also, 50
Wherein their practises were such
That they wrought mickle woe.

None rich durst travell to and fro,
Though nere so strongly arm'd,
But by these theeves (so strong in show) 55
They still were rob'd and harm'd.

His chiefest spight to th' clergie was,
That liv'd in monstrous pride:
No one of them he would let passe
Along the highway side, 60

But first they must to dinner go,
And afterwards to shrift:
Full many a one he served so,
Thus while he liv'd by theft.

No monks nor fryers would he let goe, 65
Without paying their fees:
If they thought much to be us'd so,
Their stones he made them leese.

For such as they the country fill'd
With bastards in those dayes; 70
Which to prevent, these sparkes did geld
All that came by their ways.

But Robbin Hood so gentle was,
And bore so brave a minde,
If any in distresse did passe, 75
To them he was so kinde,

That he would give and lend to them,
To helpe them in their neede;
This made all poore men pray for him,
And wish he well might speede. 80

The widdow and the fatherlesse
He would send meanes unto;
And those whom famine did oppresse
Found him a friendly foe.

Nor would he doe a woman wrong, 85
But see her safe conveid:
He would protect with power strong
All those who crav'd his ayde.

The abbot of Saint Maries then,
Who him undid before, 90
Was riding with two hundred men,
And gold and silver store.

But Robbin Hood upon him set,
With his couragious sparkes,
And all the coyne perforce did get, 95
Which was twelve thousand markes.

He bound the abbot to a tree,
And would not let him passe,
Before that to his men and he
His lordship had said masse. 100

Which being done, upon his horse
He set him fast astride,
And with his face towards his----
He forced him to ride.

His men were faine to be his guide, 105
For he rode backward home:
The abbot, being thus villified,
Did sorely chafe and fume.

Thus Robbin Hood did vindicate
His former wrongs receiv'd; 110
For 'twas this covetous prelàte
That him of land bereav'd.

The abbot he rode to the king,
With all the haste he could,
And to his grace he every thing 115
Exactly did unfold:

And sayd if that no course were ta'en,
By force or stratagem,
To take this rebel and his traine,
No man should passe for them. 120

The king protested by and by
Unto the abbot then,
That Robbin Hood with speed should dye,
With all his merry men.

But e're the king did any send, 125
He did another feate,
Which did his grace much more offend,
The fact indeed was great.

For in a short time after that
The kings receivers went 130
Towards London with the coyne they got,
For 's highness northerne rent.

Bold Robbin Hood and Little John,
With the rest of their traine,
Not dreading law, set them upon, 135
And did their gold obtaine.

The king much moved at the same,
And the abbots talke also,
In this his anger did proclaime,
And sent word to and fro, 140

That whosoe'er alive or dead
Could bring bold Robbin Hood,
Should have one thousand markes well paid
In gold and silver good.

This promise of the king did make 145
Full many yeomen bold
Attempt stout Robbin Hood to take,
With all the force they could.

But still when any came to him
Within the gay greene wood, 150
He entertainement gave to them
With venison fat and good;

And shew'd to them such martiale sport
With his long bow and arrow,
That they of him did give report, 155
How that it was great sorow,

That such a worthy man as he
Should thus be put to shift,
Being late a lord of high degree,
Of living quite bereft. 160

The king to take him, more and more
Sent men of mickle might;
But he and his still beate them sore,
And conquered them in fight:

Or else with love and courtesie, 165
To him he won their hearts.
Thus still he lived by robbery
Throughout the northerne parts;

And all the country stood in dread
Of Robbin Hood and 's men: 170
For stouter lads ne're liv'd by bread
In those days, nor since then.

The abbot which before I nam'd
Sought all the meanes he could
To have by force this rebele ta'ne, 175
And his adherents bold.

Therefore he arm'd five hundred men,
With furniture compleate;
But the outlawes slewe halfe of them,
And made the rest retreate. 180

The long bow and the arrow keene
They were so us'd unto,
That still he kept the forrest greene
In spite o' th' proudest foe.

Twelve of the abbots men he tooke, 185
Who came him to have ta'ne,
When all the rest the field forsooke;
These he did entertaine

With banquetting and merriment,
And, having us'd them well, 190
He to their lord them safely sent,
And will'd them him to tell,

That if he would be pleas'd at last
To beg of our good king
That he might pardon what was past, 195
And him to favour bring,

He would surrender backe again
The money which before
Was taken by him and his men
From him and many more. 200

Poore men might safely passe by him,
And some that way would chuse,
For well they knew that to helpe them
He evermore did use.

But where he knew a miser rich 205
That did the poore oppresse,
To feel his coyne his hands did itch;
He'd have it, more or lesse.

And sometimes, when the high-way fayl'd,
Then he his courage rouses, 210
He and his men have oft assayld
Such rich men in their houses.

So that, through dread of Robbin then,
And his adventurous crew,
The mizers kept great store of men, 215
Which else maintayn'd but few.

King Richard of that name the first,
Sirnamed Cuer de Lyon,
Went to defeate the Pagans curst,
Who kept the coasts of Syon. 220

The bishop of Ely, chancelor,
Was left a vice-roy here,
Who like a potent emperor
Did proudly domminere.

Our chronicles of him report, 225
That commonly he rode
With a thousand horse from court to court,
Where he would make abode.

He, riding down towards the north,
With his aforesayd train, 230
Robbin and his men did issue forth,
Them all to entertaine;

And with the gallant gray-goose wing
They shewd to them such playe,
That made their horses kicke and fling, 235
And downe their riders lay.

Full glad and faine the bishop was,
For all his thousand men,
To seek what meanes he could to passe
From out of Robbins ken. 240

Two hundred of his men were kil'd,
And fourescore horses good;
Thirty, who did as captives yeeld,
Were carryed to the greene wood;

Which afterwards were ransomed, 245
For twenty markes a man;
The rest set spurres to horse, and fled
To th' town of Warrington.

The bishop sore enraged then,
Did, in king Richards name, 250
Muster a power of northerne men,
These outlawes bold to tame.

But Robbin with his courtesie
So wonne the meaner sort,
That they were loath on him to try 255
What rigor did import.

So that bold Robbin and his traine
Did live unhurt of them,
Untill king Richard came againe
From faire Jerusalem. 260

And then the talke of Robbin Hood
His royal eares did fill;
His grace admir'd that i' th' greene wood
He thus continued still.

So that the country farre and neare 265
Did give him great applause;
For none of them neede stand in feare,
But such as broke the lawes.

He wished well unto the king,
And prayed still for his health, 270
And never practis'd any thing
Against the common-wealth.

Onely, because he was undone
By th' crewele clergie then,
All meanes that he could thinke upon 275
To vexe such kinde of men,

He enterpriz'd with hateful spleene;
For which he was to blame,
For fault of some to wreake his teene
On all that by him came. 280

With wealth which he by robbery got
Eight almes-houses he built,
Thinking thereby to purge the blot
Of blood which he had spilt.

Such was their blinde devotion then, 285
Depending on their workes;
Which, if 'twere true, we Christian men
Inferiour were to Turkes.

But, to speak true of Robbin Hood,
And wrong him not a jot, 290
He never would shed any mans blood
That him invaded not.

Nor would he injure husbandmen,
That toyld at cart and plough;
For well he knew, were't not for them 295
To live no man knew how.

The king in person, with some lords,
To Nottingham did ride,
To try what strength and skill affords
To crush these outlaws pride. 300

And, as he once before had done,
He did againe proclaime,
That whosoe'er would take upon
To bring to Nottingham,

Or any place within the land, 305
Rebellious Robbin Hood,
Should be prefer'd in place to stand
With those of noble blood.

When Robbin Hood heard of the same,
Within a little space, 310
Into the towne of Nottingham
A letter to his grace

He shot upon an arrow head,
One evening cunningly;
Which was brought to the king, and read 315
Before his majestie.

The tennure of this letter was
That Robbin would submit,
And be true liegeman to his grace
In any thing that's fit, 320

So that his highnesse would forgive
Him and his merry men all;
If not, he must i' th' green wood live,
And take what chance did fall.

The king would faine have pardoned him, 325
But that some lords did say
"This president will much condemn
Your grace another day."

While that the king and lords did stay
Debating on this thing, 330
Some of these outlawes fled away
Unto the Scottish king.

For they suppos'd, if he were tane,
Or to the king did yeeld,
By th' commons all the rest of 's train 335
Full quickely would be quell'd.

Of more than full an hundred men,
But forty tarryed still,
Who were resolv'd to sticke to him
Let fortune worke her will. 340

If none had fled, all for his sake
Had got their pardon free;
The king to favour meant to take
His merry men and he.

But e're the pardon to him came 345
This famous archer dy'd:
His death and manner of the same
I'le presently describe.

For, being vext to think upon
His followers revolt, 350
In melancholly passiòn
He did recount his fault.

"Perfideous traytors!" sayd he then,
"In all your dangers past
Have I you guarded as my men, 355
To leave me thus at last!"

This sad perplexity did cause
A feaver, as some say,
Which him unto confusion drawes,
Though by a stranger way. 360

This deadly danger to prevent,
He hie'd him with all speede
Unto a nunnery, with intent
For his healths-sake to bleede.

A faithlesse fryer did pretend 365
In love to let him blood,
But he by falshood wrought the end
Of famous Robbin Hood.

The fryer, as some say, did this
To vindicate the wrong 370
Which to the clergy he and his
Had done by power strong.

Thus dyed he by trechery,
That could not dye by force:
Had he liv'd longer, certainely 375
King Richard, in remorse,

Had unto favour him receiv'd,
His brave men elevated:
'Tis pitty he was of life bereav'd
By one which he so hated. 380

A treacherous leach this fryer was,
To let him bleed to death;
And Robbin was, methinks, an asse
To trust him with his breath.

His corpse the prioress of the place, 385
The next day that he dy'd,
Caused to be buried, in mean case,
Close by the high-way side.

And over him she caused a stone
To be fixed on the ground; 390
An epitaph was set thereon,
Wherein his name was found.

The date o' th' yeare, and day also,
Shee made to be set there,
That all who by the way did goe 395
Might see it plain appeare,

That such a man as Robbin Hood
Was buried in that place;
And how he lived in the greene wood
And robb'd there for a space. 400

It seemes that though the clergie he
Had put to mickle woe,
He should not quite forgotten be,
Although he was their foe.

This woman, though she did him hate, 405
Yet loved his memory;
And thought it wondrous pitty that
His fame should with him dye.

This epitaph, as records tell,
Within this hundred yeares, 410
By many was discerned well,
But time all things out-weares.[L412]

His followers, when he was dead,
Were some receiv'd to grace;
The rest to forraign countries fled, 415
And left their native place.

Although his funerall was but mean,
This woman had in minde,
Least his fame should be buried clean
From those that came behind. 420

For certainly, before nor since,
No man e're understood,
Under the reign of any prince,
Of one like Robbin Hood.

Full thirteene years, and something more, 425
These outlawes lived thus,
Feared of the rich, loved of the poor,
A thing most marvelous.

A thing unpossible to us
This story seems to be; 430
None dares be now so venturous,
But times are chang'd we see.

We that live in these later dayes
Of civile government,
If need be, have an hundred wayes 435
Such outlawes to prevent.

In those days men more barbarous were,
And lived less in awe;
Now (God be thanked) people feare
More to offend the law. 440

No roaring guns were then in use,
They dreampt of no such thing;
Our Englishmen in fight did chuse
The gallant gray-goose wing:

In which activity these men, 445
Through practice, were so good,
That in those days none equal'd them,
Specially Robbin Hood.

So that, it seemes, keeping in caves,
In woods and forests thicke, 450
They'd beate a multitude with staves,
Their arrowes did so pricke.

And none durst neare unto them come,
Unlesse in courtesie;
All such he bravely would send home, 455
With mirth and jollity.

Which courtesie won him such love,
As I before have told,
'Twas the cheef cause that he did prove
More prosperous than he could. 460

Let us be thankefull for these times
Of plenty, truth, and peace;
And leave out great and horrid crimes,
Least they cause this to cease.

I know there's many fained tales 465
Of Robbin Hood and 's crew;
But chronicles, which seldom fayles,
Reports this to be true.

Let none then thinke this is a lye,
For, if 'twere put to th' worst, 470
They may the truth of all discry
I' th' raigne of Richard the first.

If any reader please to try,
As I direction show,
The truth of this brave history, 475
Hee'll find it true I know.

And I shall think my labour well
Bestowed to purpose good,
When't shall be said that I did tell
True tales of Robbin Hood. 480

412, times.

ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN.

"This ballad is given from an old black-letter copy in the collection of Anthony à Wood. Its full title is, _A famous battle between Robin Hood and Maid Marian; declaring their love, life, and liberty. Tune_, Robin Hood Reviv'd." RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 161.

A bonny fine-maid of a noble degree,
_With a hey down, down, a down, down_,
Maid Marian call'd by name,
Did live in the North, of excellent worth,
For shee was a gallant dame.

For favour and face, and beauty most rare, 5
Queen Hellen shee did excell:
For Marian then was prais'd of all men
That did in the country dwell.

'Twas neither Rosamond nor Jane Shore,
Whose beauty was clear and bright, 10
That could surpass this country lass,
Beloved of lord and knight.

The earl of Huntington, nobly born,
That came of noble blood,
To Marian went, with a good intent, 15
By the name of Robin Hood.

With kisses sweet their red lips did meet,
For she and the earl did agree;
In every place, they kindly embrace,
With love and sweet unity. 20

But fortune bearing these lovers a spight,
That soon they were forc'd to part,
To the merry green-wood then went Robin Hood,
With a sad and sorrowfull heart.

And Marian, poor soul, was troubled in mind, 25
For the absence of her friend;
With finger in eye, shee often did cry,
And his person did much comend.

Perplexed and vexed, and troubled in mind,
She drest herself like a page, 30
And ranged the wood, to find Robin Hood,
The bravest of men in that age.

With quiver and bow, sword, buckler, and all,
Thus armed was Marian most bold,
Still wandering about, to find Robin out, 35
Whose person was better then gold.

But Robin Hood, hee himself had disguis'd,
And Marian was strangly attir'd,
That they prov'd foes, and so fell to blowes,
Whose vallour bold Robin admir'd. 40

They drew out their swords, and to cutting they went,
At least an hour or more,
That the blood ran apace from bold Robins face,
And Marian was wounded sore.

"O hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin Hood, 45
"And thou shalt be one of my string,
To range in the wood with bold Robin Hood,
To hear the sweet nightingall sing."

When Marian did hear the voice of her love,
Her self shee did quickly discover, 50
And with kisses sweet she did him greet,
Like to a most loyall lover.

When bold Robin Hood his Marian did see,
Good lord, what clipping was there!
With kind embraces, and jobbing of faces, 55
Providing of gallant cheer.

For Little John took his bow in his hand,
And wandred in the wood,[L58]
To kill the deer, and make good chear
For Marian and Robin Hood. 60

A stately banquet they had full soon,
All in a shaded bower,
Where venison sweet they had to eat,
And were merry that present hour.

Great flaggons of wine were set on the board, 65
And merrily they drunk round
Their boules of sack, to strengthen the back,
Whilst their knees did touch the ground.

First Robin Hood began a health
To Marian his onely dear; 70
And his yeomen all, both comly and tall,
Did quickly bring up the rear.

For in a brave vein they tost off the bouls,[L73]
Whilst thus they did remain;
And every cup, as they drunk up, 75
They filled with speed again.

At last they ended their merryment,
And went to walk in the wood,
Where Little John and maid Marian
Attended on bold Robin Hood. 80

In sollid content together they liv'd,
With all their yeomen gay;
They liv'd by their hands, without any lands,
And so they did many a day.

But now to conclude, an end I will make, 85
In time as I think it good;
For the people that dwell in the north can tell
Of Marian and bold Robin Hood.

58, wandring.

73, venie.

THE KINGS DISGUISE AND FRIENDSHIP WITH ROBIN HOOD.

This wretched production is evidently founded on the _Lytell Geste_. It was printed by Ritson from "the common collection of Aldermary Churchyard." One or two improvements were made by Gutch from a York edition. RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 166; GUTCH'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 281.

King Richard hearing of the pranks
Of Robin Hood and his men,
He much admir'd, and more desir'd,
To see both him and them.

Then with a dozen of his lords 5
To Nottingham he rode;
When he came there, he made good cheer,
And took up his abode.

He having staid there some time,
But had no hopes to speed, 10
He and his lords, with one accord,
All put on monks' weeds.

From Fountain abbey they did ride,
Down to Barnsdale;
Where Robin Hood preparèd stood 15
All company to assail.

The king was higher than the rest,
And Robin thought he had
An abbot been whom he had seen;
To rob him he was glad. 20

He took the kings horse by the head,
"Abbot," says he, "abide;
I am bound to rue such knaves as you,
That live in pomp and pride."

"But we are messengers from the king," 25
The king himself did say;
"Near to this place his royal grace
To speak with thee does stay."

"God save the king," said Robin Hood,
"And all that wish him well; 30
He that does deny his sovereignty,
I wish he was in hell."

"Thyself thou cursedst," says the king,
"For thou a traitor art:"
"Nay, but that you are his messenger, 35
I swear you lie in heart.

"For I never yet hurt any man
That honest is and true;
But those who give their minds to live
Upon other mens due. 40

"I never hurt the husbandmen,
That use to till the ground:
Nor spill their blood who range the wood
To follow hawk or hound.

"My chiefest spite to clergy is, 45
Who in these days bear great sway;
With fryars and monks, and their fine sprunks,
I make my chiefest prey.

"But I am glad," says Robin Hood,
"That I have met you here; 50
Before we end, you shall, my friend,
Taste of our green-wood cheer."

The king he then did marvel much,
And so did all his men;
They thought with fear, what kind of cheer 55
Robin would provide for them.

Robin took the kings horse by the head,
And led him to his tent:
"Thou wouldst not be so us'd," quoth he,
"But that my king thee sent. 60

"Nay, more than that," quoth Robin Hood,
"For good king Richards sake,
If you had as much gold as ever I told,
I would not one penny take."

Then Robin set his horn to his mouth, 65
And a loud blast he did blow,
Till a hundred and ten of Robin Hoods men,
Came marching all of a row.

And when they came bold Robin before,
Each man did bend his knee: 70
"O," thought the king, "'tis a gallant thing
And a seemly sight to see."

Within himself the king did say,
"These men of Robin Hoods
More humble be than mine to me; 75
So the court may learn of the woods."

So then they all to dinner went,
Upon a carpet green;
Black, yellow, red, finely minglèd,
Most curious to be seen. 80

Venison and fowls were plenty there,
With fish out of the river:
King Richard swore, on sea or shore,
He never was feasted better.

Then Robin takes a cann of ale: 85
"Come, let us now begin;
And every man shall have his cann;
Here's a health unto the king."

The king himself drank to the king,
So round about it went; 90
Two barrels of ale, both stout and stale,
To pledge that health was spent.

And after that, a bowl of wine
In his hand took Robin Hood;
"Until I die, I'll drink wine," said he, 95
"While I live in the green-wood.

"Bend all your bows," said Robin Hood,
"And with the grey goose-wing
Such sport now show, as you would do
In the presence of the king." 100

They shewed such brave archery
By cleaving sticks and wands,
That the king did say, such men as they
Live not in many lands.

"Well, Robin Hood," then says the king, 105
"If I could thy pardon get,
To serve the king in every thing
Wouldst thou thy mind firm set?"

"Yes, with all my heart," bold Robin said,
So they flung off their hoods; 110
To serve the king in every thing,
They swore they would spend their bloods.

"For a clergyman was first my bane,
Which makes me hate them all;
But if you will be so kind to me, 115
Love them again I shall."

The king no longer could forbear,
For he was mov'd with ruth,
"Robin," said he, "I'll now tell thee[L119]
The very naked truth.[L120] 120

"I am the king, thy sovereign king,
That appears before you all:"
When Robin saw that it was he,
Strait then he down did fall.

"Stand up again," then said the king, 125
"I'll thee thy pardon give;
Stand up, my friend; who can contend,
When I give leave to live?"

So they are all gone to Nottingham,
All shouting as they came: 130
But when the people them did see,
They thought the king was slain;

And for that cause th' outlaws were come,
To rule all as they list;
And for to shun, which way to run, 135
The people did not wist.

The plowman left the plow in the field,
The smith ran from his shop;
Old folks also, that scarce could go,
Over their sticks did hop. 140

The king did soon let them understand
He had been in the green-wood,
And from that day, for evermore,
He'd forgiven Robin Hood.

Then [when] the people they did hear, 145
And [that] the truth was known,
They all did sing, "God save the king!
Hang care, the town's our own!"

"What's that Robin Hood?" then said the sheriff,
"That varlet I do hate; 150
Both me and mine he caus'd to dine,
And serv'd us all with one plate."

"Ho, ho," said Robin Hood, "I know what you mean;
Come, take your gold again;
Be friends with me, and I with thee, 155
And so with every man.

"Now, master sheriff, you are paid,
And since you are beginner,
As well as you give me my due,
For you ne'er paid for that dinner. 160

"But if that it should please the king
So much your house to grace,
To sup with you, for, to speak true,
[I] know you ne'er was base."

The sheriff could not that gainsay, 165
For a trick was put upon him;
A supper was drest, the king was a guest,
But he thought 'twould have outdone him.

They are all gone to London court,
Robin Hood, with all his train; 170
He once was there a noble peer,
And now he's there again.

Many such pranks brave Robin play'd,
While he liv'd in the green-wood:
Now, my friend, attend, and hear an end[L175] 175
Of honest Robin Hood.[L176]

119, 120. Wanting in Ritson; supplied by Gutch.

175, 176. The two concluding lines refer to _Robin Hood and the
Valiant Knight_, (see p. 888,) which ballad in some collections
follows the present.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE GOLDEN ARROW.

RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 175. From an Aldermary-Churchyard Garland. Perhaps by the same feeble and vulgar hand as the preceding, and, like that, founded on the _Lytell Geste_.

When as the sheriff of Nottingham
Was come with mickle grief,
He talk'd no good of Robin Hood,
That strong and sturdy thief.
_Fal la dal de_.

So unto London road he past, 5
His losses to unfold
To king Richàrd, who did regard
The tale that he had told.

"Why," quoth the king, "what shall I do?
Art thou not sheriff for me" 10
The law is in force, to take thy course
Of them that injure thee.

"Go get thee gone, and by thyself
Devise some tricking game
For to enthral yon rebels all; 15
Go take thy course with them."

So away the sheriff he return'd,
And by the way he thought
Of th' words of the king, and how the thing
To pass might well be brought. 20

For within his mind he imagined,
That when such matches were,
Those outlaws stout, without all doubt,
Would be the bowmen there.

So an arrow with a golden head 25
And shaft of silver-white,
Who won the day should bear away[L27]
For his own proper right.

Tidings came to bold Robin Hood,
Under the green-wood tree: 30
"Come prepare you then, my merry men,
We'll go yon sport to see."

With that stept forth a brave young man,
David of Doncastèr:
"Master," said he, "be rul'd by me, 35
From the green-wood we'll not stir.

"To tell the truth, I'm well inform'd
Yon match it is a wile;
The sheriff, i-wiss, devises this
Us archers to beguile." 40

"Thou smells of a coward," said Robin Hood,
"Thy words do not please me;
Come on't what will, I'll try my skill,
At yon brave archery."

O then bespoke brave Little John, 45
"Come let us thither gang;
Come, listen to me, how it shall be
That we need not be ken'd.

"Our mantles, all of Lincoln-green,
Behind us we will leave; 50
We'll dress us all so several,
They shall not us perceive.

"One shall wear white, another red,
One yellow, another blue;
Thus in disguise, to the exercise 55
We'll gang, whate'er ensue."

Forth from the green-wood they are gone,
With hearts all firm and stout,
Resolving [then] with the sheriffs men
To have a hearty bout. 60

So themselves they mixèd with the rest,
To prevent all suspicion;
For if they should together hold
They thought it no discretion.

So the sheriff looked round about, 65
Amongst eight hundred men,
But could not see the sight that he
Had long suspected then.

Some said, "If Robin Hood was here,
And all his men to boot, 70
Sure none of them could pass these men,
So bravely they do shoot."

"Ay," quoth the sheriff, and scratch'd his head,
"I thought he would have been here;
I thought he would, but tho' he's bold, 75
He durst not now appear."

O that word griev'd Robin Hood to the heart;
He vexèd in his blood;
Ere long, thought he, thou shalt well see
That here was Robin Hood. 80

Some cried "Blue jacket!" another cried "Brown!"
And a third cried "Brave Yellow!"
But the fourth man said, "Yon man in red
In this place has no fellow."

For that was Robin Hood himself, 85
For he was cloath'd in red;
At every shot the prize he got,
For he was both sure and dead.

So the arrow with the golden head
And shaft of silver-white, 90
Brave Robin Hood won, and bore with him
For his own proper right.

These outlaws there, that very day,
To shun all kinds of doubt,
By three or four, no less nor more, 95
As they went in came out;

Until they all assembled were
Under the green-wood shade,
Where they report, in pleasant sport,
What brave pastime they made. 100

Says Robin Hood, "All my care is,
How that yon sheriff may
Know certainly that it was I
That bore his arrow away."

Says Little John, "My counsel good 105
Did take effect before,
So therefore now, if you'll allow,
I will advise once more."

"Speak on, speak on," said Robin Hood,
"Thy wit's both quick and sound, 110
I know no man among us can[L111]
For wit like thee be found."[L112]

"This I advise," said Little John;
"That a letter shall be penn'd,
And when it is done, to Nottingham 115
You to the sheriff shall send."

"That is well advised," said Robin Hood,
"But how must it be sent?"
"Pugh! when you please, 'tis done with ease;
Master, be you content. 120

"I'll stick it on my arrows head,
And shoot it into the town;
The mark will show where it must go,
Whenever it lights down."

The project it was well perform'd; 125
The sheriff that letter had,
Which when he read, he scratch'd his head,
And rav'd like one that's mad.

So we'll leave him chafing in his grease,
Which will do him no good; 130
Now, my friends, attend, and hear the end[L131]
Of honest Robin Hood.[L132]

27, on the day. Ritson.

111, 112. Wanting in Ritson; supplied by Gutch, from a York edition.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE VALIANT KNIGHT:

Together with an account of his death and burial, &c. Tune of _Robin
Hood and the fifteen foresters_.

"From the common garland of Aldermary-churchyard; corrected by the York copy." RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 182.

When Robin Hood and his merry men all,
_Derry down, down_,
Had reigned many years,
The king was then told that they had been bold
To his bishops and noble peers.
_Hey down, derry, derry down_.

Therefore they called a council of state, 5
To know what was best to be done
For to quell their pride, or else they reply'd
The land would be over-run.

Having consulted a whole summers day,
At length it was agreed 10
That one should be sent to try the event,
And fetch him away with speed.

Therefore a trusty and most worthy knight
The king was pleas'd to call,
Sir William by name; when to him he came, 15
He told him his pleasure all.

"Go you from hence to bold Robin Hood,
And bid him, without more ado,
Surrender himself, or else the proud elf
Shall suffer with all his crew. 20

"Take here a hundred bowmen brave,
All chosen men of great might,
Of excellent art to take thy part,
In glittering armour most bright."

Then said the knight, "My sovereign liege, 25
By me they shall be led;
I'll venture my blood against bold Robin Hood,
And bring him alive or dead."

One hundred men were chosen straight,
As proper as e'er men saw: 30
On Midsummer-day they march'd away,
To conquer that brave outlaw.