Chapter X: Part II: I (1)

ROBIN HOOD’S BIRTH, BREEDING, VALOUR, AND MARRIAGE.

From a black letter copy in the large and valuable collection of old ballads late belonging to Thomas Pearson, Esq., and now in the possession of the Duke of Roxburghe. This is the collection mentioned in the Harleian Catalogue, and would seem to be the greater part of that originally made by old Bagford (see Hearne’s Appendix to Hemingi Chartularium, p. 662), another volume or two having come, with the rest of his typographical collections, to the British Museum. The three vols. which went to Osborne were probably bought of him by Mr. West, at whose sale they {150} were purchased by Major Pearson, by whom the collection was new-arranged, ornamented, and improved.

In reading this song, we are admonished by the editor of the collection of old ballads printed in 1723 (who thinks it “the most beautiful and one of the oldest extant, written on that subject”) to observe one thing, “and that is, between some of the stanzas we must suppose a considerable time to pass. Clorinda,” he says, “might be [thought] a very forward girl, if between Robin Hood’s question and her answer we did not suppose two or three hours to have been spent in courtship; and between Robin Hood’s being entertained at Gamwell-hall and his having ninety-three bowmen in Sherwood, we must allow some years.”

With respect to its antiquity, Dr. Percy, in the new edition of his “Reliques of Ancient English Poetry” (vol. i. p. xcvii.), expresses a very different opinion; since, according to him, it “seems of much later date than most of the others, and can scarce be older than the reign of King Charles I.; FOR,” says he, “King James I. had no issue after his accession to the throne of England:” an observation which, if any way to the purpose, is certainly NOT TRUE. “It may even,” he continues, “have been written since the Restoration, and only express the wishes of the nation for issue on the marriage of their favourite King Charles II. on his marriage (_sic_) with the infanta of Portugal.” However this may be, the writer’s having deviated from “all the old traditions concerning this celebrated outlaw,” is no proof that he was “ignorant” of them; and that Dr. Percy chooses to “think it is not found in the Pepys Collection” only shows conjecture to be easier than investigation. ☞ In the second volume of that collection, any person disposed to the search will find at least TWO COPIES of it, both in black letter.

The full title of the original is: “A new ballad of bold Robin Hood; shewing his birth, breeding, valour, and marriage at Titbury Bull-running. Calculated for the meridian of Staffordshire, but may serve for Derbyshire or Kent.” {151}

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 man brave Little John.

In Locksly town, in merry Nottinghamshire,
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
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 Clugh,
And William of ‘Clowdesle,’[281]
To shoot with our forrester for forty mark,
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. {152}

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,
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 :
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,
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 ‘have beseemed’[282] our queen.

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. {153}

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

And when she was[283] settled, they rode to their neighbours,
And drank and shook hands with them all ;
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,
Thou art welcome, kind sister, to me.

To-morrow, when mass had been said at 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.

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

Now mustard and brawn, roast beef and plumb pies
Were set upon every table ;
And noble George Gamwel said, Eat and be merry,
And drink too as long as you’re able. {154}

When dinner was ended, his chaplain said grace,
And, Be merry, my friends, said the squire ;
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,
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.

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,
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.
Then come hither, Little John, said Robin Hood,
Come hither my page unto me : {155}

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,
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.

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[284] green wood tree.

As that word was spoke, Clorinda came by,
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 gate it was graceful, her body was straight,
And her countenance free from pride ;
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 :
Sets with Robin Hood such a lass ! {156}

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

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’[285] in an hour.

And as we were going towàrds the green bower,
Two hundred good bucks we espy’d ;
She chose[286] out the fattest that was in the herd,
And she shot him through side and side.

By the faith of my body, said bold Robin Hood,
I never saw woman like thee ;
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
As any man needs for to eat.

For there was hot venison, and warden pies cold,
Cream clouted, and honey-combs plenty ;
And the servitors they were, besides Little John,
Good yeomen, at least four and twenty. {157}

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.
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.
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,
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.

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. {158}

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

The three that remain’d call’d to Robin for quarter,
And pitiful John begg’d their lives :
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 ;
I’m the king of the fidlers, and I swear ’tis truth,
And I call him that doubts it a gull :[287]

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.”

Before we came in we heard a great 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_.[288] {159}

And there we see Thomas, our justices clerk,
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 ;
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,
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.

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,
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. {160}

And what they did there must be counsel to me,
Because they lay long the next day ;
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 :
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.

{161}

II.

ROBIN HOOD’S PROGRESS TO NOTTINGHAM.

From an old black letter copy in the collection of Anthony a Wood. It is there said to go “To the tune of Bold Robin Hood;” and the chorus is repeated in every stanza. To the above title are added the following doggerel lines:

Where hee met with fifteen forresters all on a row, And hee desired of them some news for to know, But with crosse grain’d words they did him thwart, For which at last hee made them smart.

* * * * *

Robin Hood he was and a tall young man,
_Derry derry down_,
And fifteen winters old ;
And Robin Hood he was a proper young man,
Of courage stout and bold.
_Hey down, derry derry down._ {162}

Robin hee[1] would and to fair Nottingham,
With the general for to dine ;
There was hee aware of fifteen forrestèrs,
And a drinking bear, ale, and wine.

What news ? What news ? said bold Robin Hood.
“What news fain wouldest thou know ?”
Our king hath provided a shooting match,
And I’m ready with my bow.

We hold it in scorn, said the forrestèrs,
That ever a boy so young
Should bear a bow before our king,
That’s not able to draw one string.

I’le hold you twenty marks, said bold Robin Hood,
By the leave of our lady,
That I’le hit a mark a hundred rod,
And I’le cause a hart to dye.

We’l hold you twenty mark, then said the forrestèrs,
By the leave of our lady,
Thou hit’st not the marke a hundred rod,
Nor causest a hart to dye.

Robin he[289] bent up a noble bow,
And a broad arrow he let flye,
He hit the mark a hundred rod,
And he caused a hart to dye. {163}

Some say hee brake ribs one or two,
And some say hee brake three ;
The arrow within the hart would not abide,
But it glanced in two or three.

The hart did skip, and the hart did leap,
And the hart lay on the ground ;
The wager is mine, said bold Robin Hood,
If’t were for a thousand pound.

The wager’s none of thine, then said the forrestèrs,
Although thou beest in haste ;
Take up thy bow, and get thee hence,
Lest wee thy sides do baste.

Robin Hood hee took up his noble bow,
And his broad arrows all amain ;
And Robin he[1] laught, and begun [for] to smile,
As hee went over the plain.

Then Robin he[1] bent his noble bow,
And his broad arrows he let flye,
Till fourteen of these fifteen forrestèrs
Upon the ground did lye.

He that did this quarrel first begin
Went tripping over the plain ;
But Robin he[290] bent his noble bow,
And hee fetcht him back again. {164}

You said I was no archer, said Robin Hood,
But say so now again :
With that he sent another arròw,
That split his head in twain.

You have found mee an archer, saith Robin Hood,
Which will make your wives for to wring,
And wish that you had never spoke the word,
That I could not draw one string.

The people that lived in fair Nottinghàm
Came running out amain,
Supposing to have taken bold Robin Hood,
With the forresters that were slain.

Some lost legs, and some lost arms,
And some did lose their blood ;
But Robin hee took up his noble bow,
And is gone to the merry green wood.

They carried these forresters into fair Nottinghàm,
As many there did know ;
They dig’d them graves in their church-yard,
And they buried them all a-row.

⁂ The paragraph of which the following is an extract appeared in the evening paper intitled “The Star,” April 23, 1796: “A few days ago as some labourers were digging in a garden at Fox-lane, near Nottingham, they discovered six human skeletons entire, deposited in regular order side by side, supposed {165} to be part of the fifteen foresters that were killed by Robin Hood. Near the above place anciently stood a church, built in the early ages of Christianity, dedicated to St. Michael, which was totally demolished at the Reformation. . . . No doubt but the bones in question were properly buried in St. Michael’s churchyard. The proprietors of the garden humanely ordered the pit where the bones were found to be filled up, being unwilling to disturb the relics of humanity and the ashes of the dead.”

{166}

III.

THE JOLLY PINDER OF WAKEFIELD, WITH ROBIN HOOD, SCARLET, AND JOHN.

From an old black letter copy in Anthony a Wood’s collection, compared with two others in the British Museum, one in black letter. It should be sung “To an excellent tune,” which has not been recovered.

Several lines of this ballad are quoted in the two old plays of the “Downfall” and “Death of Robert, Earle of Huntington,” 1601, 4to, b. l., but acted many years before. It is also alluded to in Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor, act i. scene 1, and again in his Second Part of King Henry IV., act v. scene 3.

In 1557 certain “ballets” are entered on the books of the Stationers’ Company “to John Wallye and Mrs. Toye,” one of which is entitled “Of wakefylde and a grene:” meaning apparently the ballad here reprinted. {167}

In Wakefield there lives a jolly pindèr,
In Wakefield all on a green,
In Wakefield all on a green :

There is neither knight nor squire, said the pindèr,
Nor baron that is so bold,
Nor baron that is so bold,
Dare make a trespàss to the town of Wakefield,
But his pledge goes to the pinfold, &c.

All this beheard three witty young men,
’Twas Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John ;
With that they espy’d the jolly pindèr,
As he sat under a thorn.

Now turn again, turn again, said the pindèr,
For a wrong way you have gone ;
For you have forsaken the kings highway,
And made a path over the corn.

O that were a shame, said jolly Robin,
We being three, and thou but one.
The pinder leapt back then thirty good foot,
’Twas thirty good foot and one.

He leaned his back fast unto a thorn,
And his foot against a stone, {168}

And there he fought a long summers day,
A summers day so long,
Till that their swords on their broad bucklèrs
Were broke fast into their hands.[291]

Hold thy hand, hold thy hand, said bold Robin Hood,
And my merry men every one ;
For this is one of the best pindèrs,
That ever I tryed with sword.

And wilt thou forsake thy pinders craft,
And live in the green-wood with me ?
“At Michaelmas next my cov’nant comes out,
When every man gathers his fee ;

Then I’le take my blew blade all in my hand,
And plod to the green-wood with thee.”
Hast thou either meat or drink, said Robin Hood,
For my merry men and me ?

I have both bread and beef, said the pindèr,
And good ale of the best.
And that is meat good enough, said Robin Hood,
For such unbidden ‘guests.’

{169}

“O wilt thou forsake the pinder his craft,
And go to the green-wood with me ?
Thou shalt have a livery twice in the year,
The one green, the other brown.”

“If Michaelmas day was come and gone,
And my master had paid me my fee,
Then would I set as little by him,
As my master doth by me.”

{170}

IV.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP,

“Shewing how Robin Hood went to an old woman’s house and changed cloaths with her to scape from the bishop; and how he robbed the bishop of all his gold, and made him sing a mass. To the tune of Robin Hood and the Stranger.” From an old black letter copy in the collection of Anthony a Wood.

Come, gentlemen all, and listen awhile,
_Hey down, down, an a down_,
And a story ile to you unfold ;
Ile tell you how Robin Hood served the bishop,
When he robbed him of his gold. {171}

As it fell out on a sun-shining day,
When Phœbus was in ‘his’ prime,
Then Robin Hood, that archer good,
In mirth would spend some time.

And as he walk’d the forrest along,
Some pastime for to spy,
There was he aware of a proud bishòp,
And all his company.

O what shall I do, said Robin Hood then,
If the bishop he doth take me ?
No mercy he’l show unto me, I know,
But hanged I shall be.

Then Robin was stout, and turned him about,
And a little house there he did spy ;
And to an old wife, for to save his life,
He loud began for to cry.

Why, who art thou ? said the old womàn,
Come tell to me for good.
“I am an out-law, as many do know,
My name it is Robin Hood ;

And yonder’s the bishop and all his men,
And if that I taken be,
Then day and night he’l work my spight,
And hanged I shall be.” {172}

If thou be Robin Hood, said the old wife,
As thou ‘dost’ seem to be,
I’le for thee provide, and thee I will hide,
From the bishop and his company.

For I remember, ‘one’ Saturday night,
Thou brought me both shoos and hose ;
Therefore I’le provide thy person to hide,
And keep thee from thy foes.

“Then give me soon thy coat of gray,
And take thou my mantle of green ;
Thy spindle and twine unto me resign,
And take thou my arrows so keen.”

And when Robin Hood was so araid,
He went straight to his company,
With his spindle and twine, he oft lookt behind,
For the bishop and his company.

O who is yonder, quoth little John,
That now comes over the lee ?
An arrow I will at her let flie,
So like an old witch looks she.

O hold thy hand, hold thy hand, said Robin Hood then,
And shoot not thy arrows so keen ;
I am Robin Hood, thy master good,
And quickly it shall be seen. {173}

The bishop he came to the old womans house,
And called, with furious mood,
Come let me soon see, and bring unto me
That traitor Robin Hood.

The old woman he set on a milk-white steed,
Himselfe on a dapple gray ;
And for joy he had got Robin Hood,
He went laughing all the way.

But as they were riding the forrest along,
The bishop he ‘chanc’d’ for to see
A hundred brave bowmen bold,
Stand under the green-wood tree.

O who is yonder, the bishop then said,
That’s ranging within yonder wood ?
Marry, says the old woman, I think it to be
A man call’d Robin Hood.

Why, who art thou, the bishop he said,
Which I have here with me ?
“Why, I am an old woman, thou cuckoldly bishop,
Lift up my leg and see.”

Then woe is me, the bishop he said,
That ever I saw this day !
He turn’d him about, but Robin stout
Call’d him, and bid him stay. {174}

Then Robin took hold of the bishop’s horse,
And ty’d him fast to a tree ;
Then Little John smil’d his master upon,
For joy of that company.

Robin Hood took his mantle from’s back,
And spread it upon the ground,
And out of the bishops portmantle he
Soon told five hundred pound.

Now let him go, said Robin Hood.
Said little John, That may not be ;
For I vow and protest he shall sing us a mass,
Before that he goe from me.

Then Robin Hood took the bishop by the hand,
And bound him fast to a tree,
And made him sing a mass, god wot,
To him and his yeomandree.

And then they brought him through the wood,
And set him on his dapple gray,
And gave him the tail within his hand,
And bade him for Robin Hood pray.

{175}

V.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER.

From an old black letter copy in the collection of Anthony Wood. The tune is “Robin Hood and the Begger.”

Come, all you brave gallants, listen awhile,
_With hey down, down, an a down_,
That are ‘this bower’[292] within ;
For of Robin Hood, that archer good,
A song I intend for to sing.

Upon a time it chanced so,
Bold Robin in [the] forrest did ’spy
A jolly butchèr, with a bonny fine mare,
With his flesh to the market did hye. {176}

Good morrow, good fellow, said jolly Robìn,
What food hast [thou], tell unto me ?
Thy trade to me tell, and where thou dost dwell,
For I like well thy company.

The butcher he answer’d jolly Robìn,
No matter where I dwell ;
For a butcher I am, and to Nottingham
I am going, my flesh to sell.

What is [the] price of thy flesh ? said jolly Robìn,
Come tell it soon unto me ;
And the price of thy mare, be she never so dear,
For a butcher fain would I be.

The price of my flesh, the butcher repli’d,
I soon will tell unto thee ;
With my bonny mare, and they are not too dear,
Four mark thou must give unto me.

Four mark I will give me, saith jolly Robìn,
Four mark it shall be thy fee ;
The mony come count, and let me mount,
For a butcher I fain would be.

Now Robin he is to Nottingham gone,
His butchers trade to begin ;
With good intent to the sheriff he went,
And there he took up his inn. {177}

When other butchers they opened their meat,
Bold Robin he then begun ;
But how for to sell he knew not well,
For a butcher he was but young.

When other butchers no meat could sell,
Robin got both gold and fee ;
For he sold more meat for one peny
Then others could do for three.

But when he sold his meat so fast,
No butcher by him could thrive ;
For he sold more meat for one peny
Than others could do for five.

Which made the butchers of Nottingham
To study as they did stand,
Saying, Surely he ‘is’ some prodigal,
That hath sold his fathers land.

The butchers stepped to jolly Robìn,
Acquainted with him for to be ;
Come, brother, one said, we be all of one trade,
Come, will you go dine with me ?

Accurst of his heart, said jolly Robìn,
That a butcher doth deny ;
I will go with you, my brethren true,
As fast as I can hie. {178}

But when to the sheriffs house they came.
To dinner they hied apace,
And Robin Hood he the man must be
Before them all to say grace.

Pray god bless us all, said jolly Robìn,
And our meat within this place ;
A cup of sack so good will nourish our blood
And so I do end my grace.

Come fill us more wine, said jolly Robìn,
Let us be merry while we do stay ;
For wine and good cheer, be it never so dear,
I vow I the reckning will pay.

Come, ‘brothers,’ be merry, said jolly Robìn,
Let us drink, and never give ore ;
For the shot I will pay, ere I go my way,
If it cost me five pounds and more.

This is a mad blade, the butchers then said.
Saies the sheriff, He is some prodigal,
That some land has sold for silver and gold,
And now he doth mean to spend all.

Hast thou any horn beasts, the sheriff repli’d,
Good fellow, to sell unto me ?
“Yes, that I have, good master sheriff,
I have hundreds two or three, {179}

And a hundred aker of good free land,
If you please it to see :
And Ile make you as good assurance of it,
As ever my father made me.”

The sheriff he saddled his good palfrèy,
And, with three hundred pound in gold,
Away he went with bold Robin Hood,
His horned beasts to behold.

Away then the sheriff and Robin did ride,
To the forrest of merry Sherwood,
Then the sheriff did say, God bless us this day,
From a man they call Robin Hood !

But when a little farther they came,
Bold Robin he chanced to spy
A hundred head of good red deer,
Come tripping the sheriff full nigh.

“How like you my horn’d beasts, good master sheriff ?
They be fat and fair for to see.”
“I tell thee, good fellow, I would I were gone,
For I like not thy company.”

Then Robin set his horn to his mouth,
And blew but blasts three ;
Then quickly anon there came Little John,
And all his company. {180}

What is your will, master ? then said Little John,
Good master, come tell unto me.
“I have brought hither the sheriff of Nottingham
This day to dine with thee.”

He is welcome to me, then said Little John,
I hope he will honestly pay ;
I know he has gold, if it be but well told,
Will serve us to drink a whole day.

Then Robin took his mantle from his back,
And laid it upon the ground ;
And out of the sheriffs portmantle
He told three hundred pound.

Then Robin he brought him thorow the wood,
And set him on his dapple gray ;
“O have me commended to your wife at home :”
So Robin went laughing away.

{181}

VI.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE TANNER;

OR,

ROBIN HOOD MET WITH HIS MATCH:

“A merry and pleasant song relating the gallant and fierce combat fought between Arthur Bland, a tanner of Nottingham, and Robin Hood, the greatest and most noblest archer of England. Tune is, Robin Hood and the Stranger.” From an old black letter copy in the collection of Anthony a Wood.

In Nottingham there lives a jolly tannèr,
_With a hey down, down, a down, down_,
His name is Arthur-a-Bland ;
There is nere a squire in Nottinghamshire
Dare bid bold Arthur stand. {182}

With a long pike-staff upon his shouldèr,
So well he can clear his way ;
By two and by three he makes them to flee,
For he hath no list to stay.

And as he went forth, in a summers morning,
Into the ‘forrest of merry’ Sherwood,
To view the red deer, that range here and there,
There met he with bold Robin Hood.

As soon as bold Robin ‘he did’[293] espy,
He thought some sport he would make,
Therefore out of hand he bid him to stand,
And thus to him ‘he’ spake :

Why, what art thou, thou bold fellòw,
That ranges so boldly here ?
In sooth, to be brief, thou lookst like a thief,
That comes to steal our kings deer.

For I am a keeper in this forrest,
The king puts me in trust
To look to his deer, that range here and there ;
Therefore stay thee I must.

“If thou beest a keeper in this forrèst,
And hast such a great command,
‘Yet’ thou must have more partakers in store,
Before thou make me to stand.” {183}

“Nay, I have no more partakers in store,
Or any that I do not need ;
But I have a staff of another oke graff,
I know it will do the deed.

For thy sword and thy bow I care not a straw,
Nor all thine arrows to boot ;
If I get a knop upon the bare scop,
Thou can’st as well sh—e as shoote.”

Speak cleanly, good fellow, said jolly Robìn,
And give better terms to me ;
Else Ile thee correct for thy neglect,
And make thee more mannerly.

Marry gep with a wenion ! quod Arthur-a-Bland,
Art thou such a goodly man ?
I care not a fig for thy looking so big,
Mend thou thyself where thou can.

Then Robin Hood he unbuckled his belt,
And laid down his bow so long ;
He took up a staff of another oke graff,
That was both stiff and strong.

Ile yield to thy weapon, said jolly Robìn,
Since thou wilt not yield to mine ;
For I have a staff of another oke graff,
Not half a foot longer then thine. {184}

But let me measure, said jolly Robìn,
Before we begin our fray ;
For I’le not have mine to be longer then thine,
For that will be counted foul play.

I pass not for length, bold Arthur reply’d,
My staff is of oke so free ;
Eight foot and a half, it will knock down a calf,
And I hope it will knock down thee.

Then Robin could no longer forbear,
He gave him such a knock,
Quickly and soon the blood came down,
Before it was ten a clock.

Then Arthur he soon recovered himself,
And gave him such a knock on the crown,
That from every side of bold Robin Hoods head,
The blood came trickling down.

Then Robin raged like a wild boar,
As soon as he saw his own blood :
Then Bland was in hast he laid on so fast,
As though he had been cleaving of wood.

And about, and about, and about they went,
Like two wild bores in a chase,
Striving to aim each other to maim,
Leg, arm, or any other place. {185}

And knock for knock they lustily dealt,
Which held for two hours and more ;
That all the wood rang at every bang,
They ply’d their work so sore.

Hold thy hand, hold thy hand, said Robin Hood,
And let thy quarrel fall ;
For here we may thrash our bones all to mesh,
And get no coyn at all :

And in the forrest of merry Sherwood
Heareafter thou shalt be free.
“God a mercy for ‘nought,’ my freedom I bought,
I may thank my staff, and not thee.”

What tradesman art thou ? said jolly Robìn,
Good fellow, I prithee me show ;
And also me tell, in what place thou dost dwel :
For both of these fain would I know.

I am a tanner, bold Arthur reply’d,
In Nottingham long have I wrought ;
And if thou’lt come there, I vow and swear,
I will tan thy hide for ‘nought.’

God-a-mercy, good fellow, said jolly Robìn,
Since thou art so kind and free ;
And if thou wilt tan my hide for ‘nought,’
I will do as much for thee. {186}

And if thou’lt forsake thy tanners trade,
And live in the green wood with me,
My name’s Robin Hood, I swear by the ‘rood,’
I will give thee both gold and fee.

If thou be Robin Hood, bold Arthur reply’d,
As I think well thou art,
Then here’s my hand, my name’s Arthur-a-Bland,
We two will never depart.

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

Then Robin Hood blew on the beugle horn,
He blew full lowd and shrill ;
But quickly anon appear’d Little John,
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.

“O man I do stand, and he makes me to 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.” {187}

He is to be commended, then said Little John,
If such a feat he can do ;
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,
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,
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.

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,
We three will be ‘as’ one ;
The wood it shall ring, and the old wife sing,
Of Robin Hood, Arthur, and John.” {188}

[Music]

{189}

VII.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE TINKER.

From an old black letter copy in the library of Anthony a 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 sing on every tree,
_Hey down, a down, a down_. {190}

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,
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 :
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,
And do live at Banburà.

As for the news, quoth Robin Hood,
It is but as I hear,
Two tinkers were set ith’ stocks,
For drinking ale and ‘beer.’

If that be all, the tinker he said,
As I may say to you,
Your news is not worth a f—t,
Since that they all bee true. {191}

For drinking good ale and ‘beer,’
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 :
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,
Which they call Robin Hood.

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

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,
Ile see if it bee right ;
And I will do the best I can
For to take him this night. {192}

That will I not, the tinker said,
None with it I will trust ;
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,
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.

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

But ale and wine they drank so fast,
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 haste[294] away,
And left the tinker in the lurch,
For the great shot to pay. {193}

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

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

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

That friend you tell on, said the host,
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,
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,
Whatever do me betide. {194}

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

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,
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,
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,
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. {195}

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,
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 ;
The tinker threshed his bones so sore,
He made him yeeld at last.

A boon, a boon, Robin hee cryes,
If thou wilt grant it mee.
Before I do it, the tinker said,
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.

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.” {196}

That tinker then, said Little John,
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,
“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 [for] to maintain him on,
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.

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

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

{197}

VIII.

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 knight’s bride: and how Robin Hood, pittying the young man’s case, took her from the old knight, when they were going to be marryed, and restored her to her own love again. To a pleasent 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.

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. {198}

As Robin Hood in the forest stood,
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 ;
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
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 ;”

Then stepped forth brave Little John,
And ‘Midge’[295] the millers son,
Which made the young man bend his bow,
When as he see them come.

Stand off, stand off, the young man said,
What is your will with me ?
“You must come before our master straight,
Under yon green wood tree.” {199}

And when he came bold Robin before,
Robin askt him courteously,
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,
To have it at my wedding.

Yesterday I should have married a maid,
But she from[296] me was tane,
And chosen to be an old knights delight,
Whereby my poor heart is slain.

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 will thou give me, said Robin Hood,
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,
But I will swear upon a book
Thy true servant for to be. {200}

“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,
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.

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,
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,
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,
The bride shall chuse her own dear. {201}

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.

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,
Young Allin, as I hear say,
And you shall be married at ‘this’ same time,
Before we depart away.

That shall not be, the bishop he said,
For thy word shall not stand ;
They shall be three times askt in the church,
As the law is of our land.

Robin Hood pull’d off the bishops coat,
And put it upon Little John ;
By the faith of my body, then Robin said,
This ‘cloth’ does make thee a man.

When Little John went into the quire,
The people began to laugh ;
He askt them seven times in the church,
Lest three times should not be enough. {202}

Who gives me this maid ? said Little John.
Quoth Robin Hood, That do I ;
And he that takes her from Allin a Dale,
Full dearly he shall her buy.

And thus having ended this merry weddìng,
The bride lookt like a queen ;
And so they return’d to the merry green-wood,
Amongst the leaves so green.

{203}

IX.

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 a Wood, the other in that of Thomas Pearson, Esq. At the head of the former is a fine cut of Robin Hood.

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 a, &c._ {204}

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

Arise, arise, cried jolly Robìn,
And now come let me see
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 by bag and bottle ?
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.”

“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,
Come tell it soon to me ;
Here is twenty pound in good red gold,
Win it and take it thee. {205}

The shepherd stood all in a maze,
And knew not what to say :
“I have no money, thou proud fellòw,
But bag and bottle ile lay.”

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

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

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

Robins buckler prov’d his ‘chief’[297] defence,
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,
Till the blood ran trickling from his head,
Then he fell to the ground. {206}

“Arise, arise, thou proud fellòw,
And thou shalt have fair play,
If thou wilt yield before thou go,
That I have won the day.”

A boon, a boon, cry’d bold Robìn,
If that a man thou be,
Then let me have my beugle horn,
And blow but blasts three.