Chapter XII: Part II: I (3)

“We be content, thou bold outlàw,
Our valour here to try,
And will make you know, before we do go,
We will fight before we will fly. {271}

Then, come draw your swords, you bold outlàws,
No longer stand to prate,
But let us try it out with blows,
For cowards we do hate.

Here is one of us for Will Scarlòck,
And another for Little John,
And I myself for Robin Hood,
Because he is stout and strong.”

So they fell to it hard and sore,
It was on a Midsummers day ;
From eight of the clock till two and past,
They all shewed gallant play.

There Robin, and Will, and Little John,
They fought most manfully,
Till all their winde was spent and gone,
Then Robin aloud did cry :

O hold, O hold, cries bold Robìn,
I see you be stout men ;
Let me blow one blast on my bugle-horn,
Then Ile fight with you again.

“That bargain’s to make, bold Robin Hood,
Therefore we it deny ;
Thy blast upon the bugle-horn
Cannot make us fight or fly. {272}

Therefore fall on, or else be gone,
And yield to us the day :
It never shall be said that we are afraid
Of thee, nor thy yeomen gay.”

If that be so, cries bold Robìn,
Let me but know your names,
And in the forrest of merry Sheerwood,
I shall extol your fames.

And with our names, one of them said,
What hast thou here to do ?
Except that you wilt fight it out,
Our names thou shalt not know.

We will fight no more, sayes bold Robìn,
You be men of valour stout ;
Come and go with me to Nottingham,
And there we will fight it out.

With a but of sack we will bang it ‘about,’
To see who wins the day ;
And for the cost make you no doubt,
I have gold ‘enough’ to pay.

And ever hereafter so long as we live,
We all will brethren be ;
For I love these men with heart and hand,
That will fight and never flee. {273}

So, away they went to Nottinghàm,
With sack to make amends ;
For three days they the wine did chase,
And drank themselves good friends.

{274}

XVIII.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR.

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

From an old black letter copy in the collection of Anthony a Wood.

Come and listen, you gentlemen all,
_Hey down, down, an a down_,
That mirth do love for to hear,
And a story true Ile tell unto you,
If that you will but draw near. {275}

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

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

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

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

An old pacht coat the beggar had on,
Which he daily did use to wear ;
And many a bag about him did wag,
Which made Robin[318] to him repair.

God speed, God speed, said Robin Hood,
What countryman ? tell to me.
“I am Yorkshire, sir ; but, ere you go far,
Some charity give unto me.” {276}

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

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

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

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

So the beggar he had a mickle long staffe,
And Robin[319] a nut-brown sword ;
So the beggar drew nigh, and at Robin let fly,
But gave him never a word.

Fight on, fight on, said Robin Hood then,
This game well pleaseth me.
For every blow that Robin gave,
The beggar gave buffets three. {277}

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

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

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

When Robin[320] had got the beggars clothes,
He looked round about ;
Methinks, said he, I seem to be
A beggar brave and stout.

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

And now I will a begging goe,
Some charitie for to find.
And if any more of Robin you’ll know,
In ‘the’ second part ’tis behind. {278}

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

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

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

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

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

That cannot be, thou bold beggàr,
Their fact it is so clear ;
I tell to thee, they hanged must be,
For stealing of our king’s deer. {279}

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

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

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

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

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

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

{280}

XIX.

LITTLE JOHN AND THE FOUR BEGGARS.

From an old black letter copy in the collection of Anthony a Wood: the full title being, “A new merry song of Robin Hood and Little John, shewing how Little John went a begging, and how he fought with the four beggers, and what a prize he got of the four beggers. The tune is, Robin Hood and the Begger.”

All you that delight to spend some time,
_With a hey down, down, a down, down_,
A merry song for to sing,
Unto me draw neer, and you shall hear
How Little John went a beggìng. {281}

As Robin Hood walked the forest along,
And all his yeomandree.
Sayes Robin, Some of you must a begging go,
And, Little John, it must be thee.

Sayes John, If I must a begging go,
I will have a palmer’s weed,
With a staff and a coat, and bags of all sort,
The better then I may speed.

Come, give me now a bag for my bread,
And another for my cheese,
And one for a peny, when as I get any,
That nothing I may leese.

Now Little John he is a begging gone,
Seeking for some relief ;
But of all the beggers he met on the way,
Little John he was the chief.

But as he was walking himself alone,
Four beggers he chanced to spy,
Some deaf, and some blind, and some came behind ;
Sayes John, Heres a brave company.

Good-morrow, said John, my brethren dear,
Good fortune I had you to see ;
Which way do you go ? pray let me know,
For I want some company. {282}

O ! what is here to do ? then said Little John :
Why ring all these bells ? said he ;
What dog is a hanging ? Come, let us be ganging,
That we the truth may see.

Here is no dog a hanging, then one of them said,
Good fellow, we tell unto thee ;
But here is one dead, that will give us cheese and bread,
And it may be one single penny,

We have brethren in London, another he said,
So have we in Coventry,
In Barwick and Dover, and all the world over,
But ne’er a crookt carril like thee.

Therefore stand thee back, thou crooked carèl,
And take that knock on the crown.
Nay, said Little John, Ile not yet be gone,
For a bout will I have of you round.

Now have at you all, then said Little John,
If you be so full of your blows ;
Fight on all four, and nere give ore,
Whether you be friends or foes.

John nipped the dumb, and made him to rore,
And the blind ‘he made to’[321] see ;
And he that a cripple had been seven years,
He made run then faster than he. {283}

And flinging them all against the wall,
With many a sturdie bang,
It made John sing, to hear the gold ring,
Which again the walls cryed twang.

Then he got out of the beggers cloak,
Three hundred pound in gold,
Good fortune had I, then said Little John,
Such a good sight to behold.

But what found he in the beggar’s bag
But three hundred pound and three ?
“If I drink water while this doth last,
Then an ill death may I dye :

And my begging trade I will now give ore,
My fortune hath bin so good ;
Therefore Ile not stay, but I will away,
To the forrest of merry Sherwood.”

And when to the forrest of Sherwood he came,
He quickly there did see
His master good, bold Robin Hood,
And all his company.

What news ? What news ? then said Robin Hood,
Come, Little John, tell unto me ;
How hast thou sped with thy beggers trade ?
For that I fain would see. {284}

No news but good, said Little John,
With begging ful wel I have sped ;
Six hundred and three I have here for thee,
In silver and gold so red.

‘Then’ Robin Hood took Little John by the hand,
And danced about the oak tree :
“If we drink water while this doth last,
Then an il death may we die.”

So to conclude my merry new song,
All you that delight it to sing ;
’Tis of Robin Hood, that archer good,
And how Little John went a beggìng.

{285}

XX.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER:

OR,

TRUE FRIENDSHIP AFTER A FIERCE FIGHT.

No ancient copy of this ballad having been met with, it is given from an edition of “Robin Hood’s Garland,” printed some years since at York. The tune is Arthur a Bland.

When Phœbus had melted the ‘sickles’ of ice,
_With a hey down, &c._
And likewise the mountains of snow,
Bold Robin Hood he would ramble away,
To frolick abroad with his bow. {286}

He left all his merry men waiting behind,
Whilst through the green vallies he pass’d,
Where he did behold a forester bold,
Who cry’d out, Friend, whither so fast ?

I am going, quoth Robin, to kill a fat buck,
For me and my merry men all ;
Besides, ere I go, I’ll have a fat doe,
Or else it shall cost me a fall.

You’d best have a care, said the forester then,
For these are his majesty’s deer ;
Before you shall shoot, the thing I’ll dispute,
For I am head forester here.

These thirteen long summers, quoth Robin, I’m sure,
My arrows I here have let fly,
Where freely I range ; methinks it is strange
You should have more power than I.

This forest, quoth Robin, I think is my own,
And so are the nimble deer too ;
Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear,
I’ll not be affronted by you.

The forester he had a long quarter-staff,
Likewise a broad sword by his side ;
Without more ado, he presently drew
Declaring the truth should be try’d. {287}

Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,
Thus, ere he would take any wrong,
His courage was flush, he’d venture a brush,
And thus they fell to it ding dong.

The very first blow that the forester gave,
He made his broad weapon cry twang ;
’Twas over the head, he fell down for dead,
O that was a damnable bang !

But Robin he soon recovered himself,
And bravely fell to it again ;
The very next stroke their weapons they broke,
Yet never a man there was slain.

At quarter-staff then they resolved to play,
Because they would have the other bout ;
And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood,
Unwilling he was to give out.

Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows,
The other return’d them as fast ;
At every stroke their jackets did smoke ;
Three hours the combat did last

At length in a rage the forester grew,
And cudgel’d bold Robin so sore,
That he could not stand, so shaking his hand,
He cry’d, Let us freely give o’er. {288}

Thou art a brave fellow, I needs must confess
I never knew any so good ;
Thou art fitting to be a yeoman for me,
And range in the merry green wood.

I’ll give thee this ring as a token of love,
For bravely thou hast acted thy part ;
That man that can fight, in him I delight,
And love him with all my whole heart.

Robin Hood set his bugle-horn to his mouth,
A blast then he merrily blows ;
His yeomen did hear, and strait did appear
A hundred with trusty long bows.

Now Little John came at the head of them all,
Cloath’d in a rich mantle of green ;
And likewise the rest were gloriously drest,
A delicate sight to be seen !

Lo ! these are my yeomen, said bold Robin Hood,
And thou shalt be one of the train :
A mantle and bow, and quiver also,
I give them whom I entertain.

The forester willingly enter’d the list,
They were such a beautiful sight ;
Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe,
And made a rich supper that night. {289}

What singing and dancing was in the green wood,
For joy of another new mate !
With might and delight they spent all the night,
And liv’d at a plentiful rate.

The forester ne’er was so merry before,
As then he was with these brave souls,
Who never would fail, in wine, beer, or ale,
To take off their cherishing bowls.

Then Robin Hood gave him a mantle of green,
Broad arrows, and curious long bow :
This done, the next day, so gallant and gay,
He marched them all on a row.

Quoth he, My brave yeomen, be true to your trust,
And then we may range the woods wide.
They all did declare, and solemnly swear,
They would conquer, or die by his side.

{290}

XXI.

ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN:

“Being an account of their first meeting, their fierce encounter, and conquest. To which is added, their friendly agreement; and how he came to be called Little John. Tune of Arthur a Bland.”

This ballad is named in a schedule of such things under an agreement between W. Thackeray and others in 1689 (Col. Pepys. vol. 5), but is here given as corrected from a copy in the “Collection of Old Ballads,” 1723.

The notion that Little John obtained this appellation, ironically, from his superior stature, though doubtless ill-founded, is of considerable antiquity. See “Notes and Illustrations to the Life,” p. cxvi.

When Robin Hood was about twenty years old,
_With a hey down, down, and a down_ ;
He happen’d to meet Little John,
A jolly brisk blade, right fit for the trade,
For he was a lusty young man. {291}

Tho’ he was call’d Little, his limbs they were large,
And his stature was seven foot high ;
Whereever he came, they quak’d at his name,
For soon he would make them to fly.

How they came acquainted, I’ll tell you in brief,
If you would but listen awhile ;
For this very jest, among all the rest,
I think it may cause you to smile.

For Robin Hood said to his jolly bowmèn,
Pray tarry you here in this grove ;
And see that you all observe well my call,
While thorough the forest I rove.

We have had no sport for these fourteen long days,
Therefore now abroad will I go ;
Now should I be beat, and cannot retreat,
My horn I will presently blow.

Then did he shake hands with his merry men all,
And bid them at present good b’ w’ye :
Then, as near the brook his journey he took,
A stranger he chanc’d to espy.

They happen’d to meet on a long narrow bridge,
And neither of them would give way ;
Quoth bold Robin Hood, and sturdily stood,
I’ll shew you right Nottingham-play. {292}

With that from his quiver an arrow he drew,
A broad arrow with a goose-wing.
The stranger reply’d, I’ll liquor thy hide,
If thou offer to touch the string.

Quoth bold Robin Hood, Thou dost prate like an ass,
For were I to bend but my bow,
I could send a dart, quite thro’ thy proud heart,
Before thou could’st strike me one blow.

Thou talk’st like a coward, the stranger reply’d ;
Well arm’d with a long bow you stand,
To shoot at my breast, while I, I protest,
Have nought but a staff in my hand.

The name of a coward, quoth Robin, I scorn,
Therefore my long bow I’ll lay by ;
And now, for thy sake, a staff will I take,
The truth of thy manhood to try.

Then Robin Hood stept to a thicket of trees,
And chose him a staff of ground oak ;
Now this being done, away he did run
To the stranger, and merrily spoke :

Lo ! see my staff is lusty and tough,
Now here on the bridge we will play ;
Whoever falls in, the other shall win
The battle, and so we’ll away. {293}

With all my whole heart, the stranger reply’d,
I scorn in the least to give out ;
This said, they fell to’t without more dispute,
And their staffs they did flourish about.

At first Robin he gave the stranger a bang,
So hard that he made his bones ring :
The stranger he said, This must be repaid,
I’ll give you as good as you bring.

So long as I am able to handle a staff,
To die in your debt, friend, I scorn.
Then to it each goes, and follow’d their blows,
As if they’d been threshing of corn.

The stranger gave Robin a crack on the crown,
Which caused the blood to appear ;
Then Robin enrag’d, more fiercely engag’d,
And follow’d his blows more severe.

So thick and so fast did he lay it on him,
With a passionate fury and ire ;
At every stroke he made him to smoke,
As if he had been all on fire.

O then into fury the stranger he grew,
And gave him a damnable look,
And with it a blow that laid him full low,
And tumbl’d him into the brook. {294}

I prithee, good fellow, O where art thou now ?
The stranger, in laughter, he cry’d.
Quoth bold Robin Hood, Good faith, in the flood,
And floating along with the tide.

I needs must acknowledge thou art a brave soul,
With thee I’ll no longer contend ;
For needs must I say, thou hast got the day,
Our battel shall be at an end.

Then unto the bank he did presently wade,
And pull’d himself out by a thorn ;
Which done, at the last he blow’d a loud blast
Straitway on his fine bugle-horn :

The eccho of which through the vallies did fly,
At which his stout bowmen appear’d,
All cloathed in green, most gay to be seen,
So up to their master they steer’d.

O, what’s the matter ? quoth William Stutely,
Good master, you are wet to the skin.
No matter, quoth he, the lad which you see
In fighting hath tumbl’d me in.

He shall not go scot-free, the others reply’d ;
So strait they were seizing him there,
To duck him likewise : but Robin Hood cries,
He is a stout fellow ; forbear. {295}

There’s no one shall wrong thee, friend, be not afraid ;
These bowmen upon me do wait ;
There’s threescore and nine ; if thou wilt be mine,
Thou shalt have my livery strait,

And other accoutrements fit for a man ;
Speak up, jolly blade, never fear :
I’ll teach you also the use of the bow,
To shoot at the fat fallow deer.

O, here is my hand, the stranger reply’d,
I’ll serve you with all my whole heart ;
My name is John Little, a man of good mettle ;
Ne’re doubt me, for I’ll play my part.

His name shall be alter’d, quoth William Stutely,
And I will his godfather be ;
Prepare then a feast, and none of the least,
For we will be merry, quoth he.

They presently fetch’d him a brace of fat does,
With humming strong liquor likewise ;
They lov’d what was good ; so, in the green wood,
This pretty sweet babe they baptize.

He was, I must tell you, but seven foot high,
And, may be, an ell in the waste ;
A sweet pretty lad : much feasting they had ;
Bold Robin the christ’ning grac’d, {296}

With all his bowmen, which stood in a ring,
And were of the Nottingham breed ;
Brave Stutely came then, with seven yeomèn,
And did in this manner proceed :

This infant was called John Little, quoth he ;
Which name shall be changed anon :
The words we’ll transpose ; so whereever he goes,
His name shall be call’d Little John.

They all with a shout made the elements ring ;
So soon as the office was ore,
To feasting they went, with true merriment,
And tippl’d strong liquor gillore.

Then Robin he took the pretty sweet babe,
And cloath’d him from top to the toe,
In garments of green, most gay to be seen,
And gave him a curious long bow.

“Thou shalt be an archer, as well as the best,
And range in the green wood with us ;
Where we’ll not want gold nor silver, behold,
While bishops have ought in their purse.

We live here like ‘squires, or lords of renown,
Without ere a foot of free land ;
We feast on good cheer, with wine, ale, and beer,
And ev’ry thing at our command.” {297}

Then musick and dancing did finish the day ;
At length, when the sun waxed low,
Then all the whole train the grove did refrain,
And unto their caves they did go.

And so, ever after, as long as he liv’d,
Altho’ he was proper and tall,
Yet, nevertheless, the truth to express,
Still Little John they did him call.

{298}

XXII.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD.

This excellent ballad, given from the common edition of Aldermary-church-yard (compared with the York copy), is supposed to be modern; the story, however, seems alluded to in the ballad of “Renowned Robin Hood.” The full title is “The Bishop of Hereford’s entertainment by Robin Hood and Little John, &c. in merry Barnsdale.” The tune is added from an engraved sheet.

Some they will talk of bold Robin Hood,
And some of barons bold ;
But I’ll tell you how he serv’d the bishop of Herefòrd,
When he robb’d him of his gold. {299}

As it befel, in merry Barnsdale,
‘All’ under the green-wood-tree,
The bishop of Hereford was to come by,
With all his company.

Come, kill [me] a ven’son, said bold Robin Hood,
Come, kill me a good fat deer,
The bishop of Hereford is to dine with me to-day,
And he shall pay well for his cheer.

We’ll kill a fat ven’son, said bold Robin Hood,
And dress it by the highway side ;
And we will watch the bishop narrowly,
Lest some other way he should ride.

Robin Hood dress’d himself in shepherd’s attire,
With six of his men also ;
And, when the bishop of Hereford came by,
They about the fire did go.

O what is the matter ? then said the bishòp,
Or for whom do you make this a-do ?
Or why do you kill the king’s ven’son,
When your company is so few ?

We are shephèrds, said bold Robin Hood,
And we keep sheep all the year,
And we are disposed to be merry this day,
And to kill of the king’s fat deer. {300}

You are brave fellows ! said the bishòp,
And the king of your doings shall know :
Therefore make haste, and come along with me,
For before the king you shall go.

O pardon, O pardon, said bold Robin Hood,
O pardon, I thee pray ;
For it becomes not your lordships coat
To take so many lives away.

No pardon, no pardon, said the bishòp,
No pardon I thee owe ;
Therefore make haste, and come along with me,
For before the king you shall go.

Then Robin set his back against a tree,
And his foot against a thorn,
And from underneath his shepherds coat
He pull’d out a bugle-horn.

He put the little end to his mouth,
And a loud blast did he blow,
Till threescore and ten of bold Robin’s men
Came running all on a row ;

All making obeysance to bold Robin Hood ;
’Twas a comely sight for to see.
What is the matter, master, said Little John,
That you blow so hastily ? {301}

“O here is the bishop of Herefòrd,
And no pardon we shall have.”
Cut off his head, master, said Little John,
And throw him into his grave.

O pardon, O pardon, said the bishòp,
O pardon I thee pray ;
For if I had known it had been you,
I’d have gone some other way.

No pardon, no pardon, said bold Robin Hood,
No pardon I thee owe ;
Therefore make haste, and come along with me,
For to merry Barnsdale you shall go.

Then Robin he took the bishop by the hand,
And led him to merry Barnsdale ;
He made him to stay and sup with him that night,
And to drink wine, beer, and ale.

Call in a reckoning, said the bishòp,
For methinks it grows wond’rous high.
Lend me your purse, master, said Little John,
And I’ll tell you bye and bye.

Then Little John took the bishop’s cloak,
And spread it upon the ground,
And out of the bishop’s portmantua
He told three hundred pound. {302}

Here’s money enough, master, said Little John,
And a comely sight ’tis to see ;
It makes me in charity with the bishòp,
Tho’ he heartily loveth not me.

Robin Hood took the bishop by the hand,
And he caused the music to play ;
And he made the [old] bishop to dance in his boots,
And glad he could so get away.

[Music]

{303}

XXIII.

ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THE WIDOW’S THREE SONS FROM THE SHERIFF WHEN GOING TO BE EXECUTED.

This ballad, from the York edition of “Robin Hood’s Garland,” is probably one of the oldest extant of which he is the subject. In the more common editions is a modernised copy, in which the “silly old woman” is converted into “a gay lady;” but even this is more ancient than many of the pieces here inserted, and is entitled, by its merit, to a place in the Appendix.

The circumstance of Robin’s changing clothes with the palmer is, possibly, taken from an old romance intitled “The noble hystory of the moost excellent and myghty prynce and hygh renowmed knyght kynge Ponthus of Galyce and of lytell Brytayne, Enprynted at London in Flete strete at the sygne of the sonne by Wynkyn de Worde, In the yere of our lorde god, M.CCCCC.XI.,” 4to, b. l., sig. I. 6: “And as he [Ponthus] rode he met with a poore palmer beggynge his brede the whiche had his gowne all to clouted and an olde pylled hatte, so he alyght and sayd to the palmer, frende we shall make a chaunge of all our garmentes, for {304} ye shall have my gowne and I shall have yours and your hatte. A syr sayd the palmer ye bourde you with me. In good fayth sayd Ponthus I do not, so he dyspoyled hym and cladde hym with all his rayment, and he put vpon hym the poore mannes gowne, his gyrdell, his hosyn, his shone, his hatte, and his bourden.”

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

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

“What news ? what news ? thou silly old woman,
What news hast thou for me ?”
Said she, There’s three squires in Nottingham town,
To-day ‘are’[322] condemned to die.

Oh, have they parishes burnt ? he said,
Or have they ministers slain ?
Or have they robbed any virgìn ?
Or with other men’s wives have lain ?

“They have no parishes burnt, good sir,
Nor yet have ministers slain,
Nor have they robbed any virgìn,
Nor with other men’s wives have lain.” {305}

Oh, what have they done ? said Robin Hood,
I pray thee tell to me.
“It’s for slaying of the kings fallow deer,
Bearing their long bows with thee.”

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

Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
With a link, a down, and a ‘day,’[323]
And there he met with a silly old palmer,
Was walking along the highway.

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

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

Oh, thine apparel is good, he said,
And mine is ragged and torn ;
Wherever you go, wherever you ride,
Laugh ne’er an old man to scorn. {306}

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

Then he put on the old man’s hat,
It stood full high on the crown ;
“The first bold bargain that I come at,
It shall make thee come down.”

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

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

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

Then he put on the old man’s shoes,
Were patch’d both beneath and aboon ;
Then Robin Hood swore a solemn oath,
It’s good habit that makes a man. {307}

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

Oh ‘Christ you’ save, oh, sheriff, he said,[324]
Oh ‘Christ you save and’ see ;
And what will you give to a silly old man
To-day will your hangman be ?

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

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

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

I’ve a bag for meal, and a bag for malt,
And a bag for barley and corn ;
A bag for bread, and a bag for beef,
And a bag for my little small horn. {308}

I have a horn in my pockèt.
I got it from Robin Hood,
And still when I set it to my mouth,
For ‘thee’[325] it blows little good.

“Oh, wind thy horn, thou proud fellòw,
Of thee I have no doubt ;
I wish that thou give such a blast,
Till both thy eyes fall out.”

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

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

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

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

{309}

XXIV.

ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN.

This ballad, which has never been inserted in any of the publications intitled “Robin Hood’s Garland” (and, perhaps, was not worth inserting here), is given from an old black letter copy in the collection of Anthony a 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” (see before, p. 217).

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. {310}

For favour and face, and beauty most rare,
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,
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,
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.

But fortune bearing these lovers a spight,
That soon they were forced 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,
For the absence of her friend ;
With finger in eye, shee often did cry,
And his person did much comend. {311}

Perplexed and vexed, and troubled in mind,
Shee drest herself like a page,
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,
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.

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,
And thou shalt be one of my string,
To range in the wood with bold Robin Hood,
And hear the sweet nightingall sing.

When Marian did hear the voice of her love,
Herself shee did quickly discover,
And with kisses sweet she did him greet,
Like to a most loyall lover. {312}

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

For Little John took his bow in his hand,
And ‘wandred’[326] in the wood,
To kill the deer, and make good chear,
For Marian and Robin Hood.

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,
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 ;
And his yeomen all, both comly and tall,
Did quickly bring up the rear :

For in a brave venie they tost off the bouls,
Whilst thus they did remain ;
And every cup, as they drunk up,
They filled with speed again. {313}

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

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,
In time as I think it good ;
For the people that dwell in the North can tell
Of Marian and bold Robin Hood.

{314}

XXV.

THE KING’S DISGUISE, AND FRIENDSHIP WITH ROBIN HOOD,

from the common collection of Aldermary-church-yard, seems to be taken from the old legend in Part I., and to have been written by some miserable retainer to the press, merely to eke out the book; being, in fact, a most contemptible performance.

The two concluding lines (the same with those of the next ballad) refer to song xxvii., which they have once immediately preceded.

King Richard hearing of the pranks
Of Robin Hood and his men,
He much admir’d, and more desired
To see both him and them. {315}

Then, with a dozen of his lords,
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,
He and his lords, with one accord,
All put on monks weeds.

From Fountain-abbey they did ride,
Down to Barnsdale ;
Where Robin Hood prepared stood
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.

He took the king’s 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,
The king himself did say ;
Near to this place his royal grace
To speak with thee does stay. {316}

God save the king, said Robin Hood,
And all that wish him well ;
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,
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.

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,
Who in these days bear great sway ;
With fryars and monks, with their fine sprunks,
I make my chiefest prey.”

But I am very glad, says Robin Hood,
That I have met you here ;
Come, before we end, you shall, my friend,
Taste of our green-wood cheer. {317}

The king he then did marvel much,
And so did all his men ;
They thought with fear, what kind of cheer,
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.

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,
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 :
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 ;
So the court may learn of the woods. {318}

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

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 :
“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 ;
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,
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. {319}

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,
If I could thy pardon get,
To serve the king in every thing
Would’st thou thy mind firm set ?

Yes, ‘with all’ my heart, bold Robin said,
So they flung off their hoods ;
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,
Love them again I shall.

The king no longer could forbear,
For he was mov’d with ‘ruth.’
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .

“I am the king, ‘your’ sovereign king,
That appears before you all.”
When Robin saw that it was he,
Strait then he down did fall. {320}

Stand up again, then said the king,
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 :
But when the people them did see,
They thought the king was slain ;

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

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

The king soon did 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,
And [that] the truth was known,
They all did sing, God save the king !
Hang care, the town’s our own ! {321}

What’s that Robin Hood ? then said the sheriff,
That varlet I do hate ;
Both me and mine he caused 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,
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.

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 [this] could not gainsay,
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 ;
He once was there a noble peer,
And now he’s there again. {322}

Many such pranks brave Robin play’d,
While he liv’d in the green wood :
Now, my friend, attend, and hear an end
Of honest Robin Hood.

{323}

XXVI.

ROBIN HOOD AND THE GOLDEN ARROW.

A composition of a similar nature with the preceding, and from the same authority.

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,
His losses to unfold
To king Richàrd, who did regard
The tale that he had told. {324}

Why, quoth the king, what shall I do ?
Art thou not sheriff for me ?
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,
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.

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

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

Tidings came to bold Robin Hood,
Under the green-wood tree :
“Come prepare you then, my merry men,
We’ll go yon sport to see.” {325}

With that stept forth a brave young man,
David of Doncastèr,
Master, said he, be rul’d by me,
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.

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,
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 ;
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
We’ll gang, whate’er insue. {326}

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

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

So the sheriff ‘looked’ round about,
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,
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,
He durst not now appear.

O that word griev’d Robin Hood to the heart,
He vexed in his blood ;
Ere long, thought he, thou shalt well see
That here was Robin Hood. {327}

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,
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,
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,
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.

Says Robin Hood, all my care is,
How that yon sheriff may
Know certainly that it was I
That bore his arrow away. {328}

Says Little John, My counsel good
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,
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .

This I advise, said Little John,
That a letter shall be penn’d,
And when it is done, to Nottingham
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.

I’ll stick it on my arrow’s head,
And shoot it into the town ;
The mark must show where it must go,
Whenever it lights down.”

The project it was well perform’d,
The sheriff that letter had,
Which when he read, he scratch’d his head,
And rav’d like one that’s mad. {329}

So we’ll leave him chafing in ‘his’ grease,
Which will do him no good :
Now, my friends, attend, and hear the end
Of honest Robin Hood.

{330}

XXVII.

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-church-yard; corrected by the York copy.

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._ {331}

Therefore they called a council of state,
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 summer’s day,
At length it was agreed,
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 pleased to call,
Sir William by name ; when to him he came,
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.