17_The English and Scottish popular ballads, volume 3 (of 5)

The stranger then answered bold Robin Hood,

I’le tell thee where I did dwell;

In Maxfield was I bred and born,

My name is Young Gamwell.

For killing of my own fathers steward,

I am forc’d to this English wood,

And for to seek an vncle of mine;

Some call him Robin Hood.

‘But thou art a cousin of Robin Hoods then?

The sooner we should have done:’

‘As I hope to be sav’d,’ the stranger then said,

‘I am his own sisters son.’

But, Lord! what kissing and courting was there,

When these two cousins did greet!

And they went all that summers day,

And Little John did meet.

But when they met with Little John,

He there unto [him] did say,

O master, where have you been,

You have tarried so long away?

‘I met with a stranger,’ quoth Robin Hood then,

‘Full sore he hath beaten me:’

‘Then I’le have a bout with him,’ quoth Little John,

‘And try if he can beat me.’

‘Oh [no], oh no,’ quoth Robin Hood then,

‘Little John, it may [not] be so;

For he’s my own dear sisters son,

And cousins I have no mo.

‘But he shall be a bold yeoman of mine,

My chief man next to thee;

And I Robin Hood, and thou Little John,

And Scarlet he shall be:

‘And wee’l be three of the bravest outlaws

That is in the North Country.’

If you will have any more of bold Robin Hood,

In his second part it will be.

* * * * *

#a#, #b#, #e#.

Robin Hood newly reviv’d. To a delightful new tune.

#c#, #d#.

Robin Hood newly revived: Or his meeting and fighting with his

cousin Scarlet. To a delightful new tune.

#a.#

Printed for Richard Burton. (1641–74.)

2^1, 7^1, 9^1, 12^1, 16^1, 22^1, 22^3, qd.

6^3. in th.

11^2. To that shoot and.

21^2. him _supplied from_ #c#, #d#.

#b.#

London, Printed for Richard Burton, at the Sign of the Horshooe in

West Smithfield.

3^2. midst.

4^1. it _wanting_.

6^4. full _wanting_.

11^2. To shot and that.

12^4. must be.

21^2. him _wanting_.

23^1. Oh no.

23^2. may not.

#c.#

3^3. ware _for_ met.

7^1, 9^1, 12^1, 16^1, 22^1, 22^3, 23^1, qd.

9^3. can I.

10^1. blow _for_ wind.

11^2. To shoot and that.

13^3. he said.

16^1, 18^4. bold Robin.

19^1. art thou.

21^2. unto him.

23^1. Oh no.

23^2. may not.

25^4. In this.

#d.#

2^1, 7^1, 9^1, 12^1, 16^1, 22^1, qd.

3^3. ware _for_ met.

6^4. good _wanting_.

7^2. was in.

9^2. am _for_ seem.

11^1. he bent.

11^2. To shoot and that.

12^4. must be.

13^3. he said.

16^2. that _wanting_.

18^1. own _wanting_.

19^1. art thou.

21^2. unto him.

23^1. Oh no.

23^2. may not.

25^3. If thou wilt.

25^4. In this.

#e.#

Printed for J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger. (1670–82?)

1^2. in _wanting_.

2^1, 7^1, 9^1, 12^1, 16^1, 22^1, 22^3. quod.

3^2. midst.

3^3. with _for_ of.

4^1. it _wanting_.

6^2. and _wanting_.

6^4. full _wanting_.

7^3. except.

9^3. can _wanting_.

11^2. To that shot and he.

11^3. bent up a noble.

12^1. O _wanting_.

12^4. must be.

19^1. art thou.

21^2. him _wanting_.

22^1, 23^1. then _wanting_.

23^1. Oh no.

23^2. may not.

25^3. If you’l have more.

25^4. In this.

_Followed in all the copies by seven stanzas which belong to a different

ballad._ _See_ No 130.

129

ROBIN HOOD AND THE PRINCE OF ARAGON

‘Robin Hood, Will. Scadlock and Little John.’[111]

#a.# Roxburghe, I, 358, in the Ballad Society’s reprint, II, 431. #b.#

Pepys, II, 120, No 106.

Also Roxburghe, III, 582, without a printer’s name.

Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 71, from #a#, with changes; Evans, Old

Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 186.

This is only a pseudo-chivalrous romance, tagged to Robin Hood Newly

Revived as a Second Part, with eight introductory stanzas. Both parts

are as vapid as possible, and no piquancy is communicated by the matter

of the two being as alien as oil and water. The Prince of Aragon, a Turk

and an infidel, has beleaguered London, and will have the princess to

his spouse, unless three champions can vanquish him and his two giants.

Robin Hood, Scadlock, and John undertake the case, and disguise

themselves as pilgrims, so as not to be stopped on their way. Robin

kills the prince, and John and Scadlock each a giant. The king demands

to know who his deliverers are, and Robin Hood avails himself of the

opportunity to get the king’s pardon for himself and his men. The

princess was to be the victor’s prize, but cannot marry all three, as

might perhaps have been foreseen. She is allowed to pick, and chooses

Will Scadlock. The Earl of Maxfield is present, and weeps bitterly at

the sight of Scadlock, because, he says, he had a son like Will, of the

name of Young Gamwell. Scadlock, whom we know from the First Part to be

Gamwell, falls at his father’s feet, and the wedding follows.

Now Robin Hood, Will Scadlock and Little John

Are walking over the plain,

With a good fat buck which Will Scadlock

With his strong bow had slain.

‘Jog on, jog on,’ cries Robin Hood,

‘The day it runs full fast;

For though my nephew me a breakfast gave,

I have not yet broke my fast.

‘Then to yonder lodge let us take our way,

I think it wondrous good,

Where my nephew by my bold yeomen

Shall be welcomd unto the green wood.’

With that he took the bugle-horn,

Full well he could it blow;

Streight from the woods came marching down

One hundred tall fellows and mo.

‘Stand, stand to your arms!’ crys Will Scadlock,

‘Lo! the enemies are within ken:’

With that Robin Hood he laughd aloud,

Crys, They are my bold yeomen.

Who, when they arriv’d and Robin espy’d,

Cry’d, Master, what is your will?

We thought you had in danger been,

Your horn did sound so shrill.

‘Now nay, now nay,’ quoth Robin Hood,

‘The danger is past and gone;

I would have you to welcome my nephew here,

That hath paid me two for one.’

In feasting and sporting they passed the day,

Till Phœbus sunk into the deep;

Then each one to his quarters hy’d,

His guard there for to keep.

Long had they not walked within the green wood,

But Robin he was espy’d

Of a beautiful damsel all alone,

That on a black palfrey did ride.

Her riding-suit was of sable hew black,

Sypress over her face,

Through which her rose-like cheeks did blush,

All with a comely grace.

‘Come, tell me the cause, thou pritty one,’

Quoth Robin, ‘and tell me aright,

From whence thou comest, and whither thou goest,

All in this mournful plight?’

‘From London I came,’ the damsel reply’d,

‘From London upon the Thames,

Which circled is, O grief to tell!

Besieg’d with forraign arms.

‘By the proud Prince of Aragon,

Who swears by his martial hand

To have the princess for his spouse,

Or else to waste this land:

‘Except that champions can be found

That dare fight three to three,

Against the prince and giants twain,

Most horrid for to see:

‘Whose grisly looks, and eyes like brands,

Strike terrour where they come,

With serpents hissing on their helms,

Instead of feathered plume.

‘The princess shall be the victors prize,

The king hath vowd and said.

And he that shall the conquest win

Shall have her to his bride.

‘Now we are four damsels sent abroad,

To the east, west, north, and south,

To try whose fortune is so good

To find these champions forth.

‘But all in vaine we have sought about;

Yet none so bold there are

That dare adventure life and blood,

To free a lady fair.’

‘When is the day?’ quoth Robin Hood,

‘Tell me this and no more:’

‘On Midsummer next,’ the damsel said,

‘Which is June the twenty-four.’

With that the teares trickled down her cheeks,

And silent was her tongue;

With sighs and sobs she took her leave,

Away her palfrey sprung.

This news struck Robin to the heart,

He fell down on the grass;

His actions and his troubled mind

Shewd he perplexed was.

‘Where lies your grief?’ quoth Will Scadlock,

‘O master, tell to me;

If the damsels eyes have piercd your heart,

I’ll fetch her back to thee.’

‘Now nay, now nay,’ quoth Robin Hood,

‘She doth not cause my smart;

But it is the poor distressed princess

That wounds me to the heart.

‘I will go fight the giants all

To set the lady free:’

‘The devil take my soul,’ quoth Little John,

‘If I part with thy company.’

‘Must I stay behind?’ quoth Will Scadlock;

‘No, no, that must not be;

I’le make the third man in the fight,

So we shall be three to three.’

These words cheerd Robin at the heart,

Joy shone within his face;

Within his arms he huggd them both,

And kindly did imbrace.

Quoth he, We’ll put on mothly gray,

With long staves in our hands,

A scrip and bottle by our sides,

As come from the Holy Land.

So may we pass along the high-way;

None will ask from whence we came,

But take us pilgrims for to be,

Or else some holy men.

Now they are on their journey gone,

As fast as they may speed,

Yet for all haste, ere they arriv’d,

The princess forth was led:

To be deliverd to the prince,

Who in the list did stand,

Prepar’d to fight, or else receive

His lady by the hand.

With that he walkt about the lists,

With giants by his side:

‘Bring forth,’ said he, ‘your champions,

Or bring me forth my bride.

‘This is the four and twentieth day,

The day prefixt upon;

Bring forth my bride, or London burns,

I swear by Acaron.’

Then cries the king, and queen likewise,

Both weeping as they speak,

Lo! we have brought our daughter dear,

Whom we are forcd to forsake.

With that stept out bold Robin Hood,

Crys, My liege, it must not be so;

Such beauty as the fair princess

Is not for a tyrants mow.

The prince he then began to storm;

Crys, Fool, fanatick, baboon!

How dares thou stop my valours prize?

I’ll kill thee with a frown.

‘Thou tyrant Turk, thou infidel,’

Thus Robin began to reply,

‘Thy frowns I scorn; lo! here’s my gage,

And thus I thee defie.

‘And for these two Goliahs there,

That stand on either side,

Here are two little Davids by,

That soon can tame their pride.’

Then did the king for armour send,

For lances, swords, and shields:

And thus all three in armour bright

Came marching to the field.

The trumpets began to sound a charge,

Each singled out his man;

Their arms in pieces soon were hewd,

Blood sprang from every vain.

The prince he reacht Robin a blow—

He struck with might and main—

Which forcd him to reel about the field,

As though he had been slain.

‘God-a-mercy,’ quoth Robin, ‘for that blow!

The quarrel shall soon be try’d;

This stroke shall shew a full divorce

Betwixt thee and thy bride.’

So from his shoulders he’s cut his head,

Which on the ground did fall,

And grumbling sore at Robin Hood,

To be so dealt withal.

The giants then began to rage,

To see their prince lie dead:

‘Thou’s be the next,’ quoth Little John,

‘Unless thou well guard thy head.’

With that his faulchion he whirld about—

It was both keen and sharp—

He clove the giant to the belt,

And cut in twain his heart.

Will Scadlock well had playd his part,

The giant he had brought to his knee;

Quoth he, The devil cannot break his fast,

Unless he have you all three.

So with his faulchion he run him through,

A deep and gashly wound;

Who damd and foamd, cursd and blasphemd,

And then fell to the ground.

Now all the lists with cheers were filld,

The skies they did resound,

Which brought the princess to herself,

Who was faln in a swound.

The king and queen and princess fair

Came walking to the place,

And gave the champions many thanks,

And did them further grace.

‘Tell me,’ quoth the king, ‘whence you are,

That thus disguised came,

Whose valour speaks that noble blood

Doth run through every vain.’

‘A boon, a boon,’ quoth Robin Hood,

‘On my knees I beg and crave:’

‘By my crown,’ quoth the king, ‘I grant;

Ask what, and thou shalt have.’

‘Then pardon I beg for my merry men,

Which are within the green wood,

For Little John, and Will Scadlock,

And for me, bold Robin Hood.’

‘Art thou Robin Hood?’ then quoth the king;

‘For the valour you have shewn,

Your pardons I doe freely grant,

And welcome every one.

‘The princess I promised the victors prize;

She cannot have you all three:’

‘She shall chuse,’ quoth Robin: saith Little John,

Then little share falls to me.

Then did the princess view all three,

With a comely lovely grace,

Who took Will Scadlock by the hand,

Quoth, Here I make my choice.

With that a noble lord stept forth,

Of Maxfield earl was he,

Who lookt Will Scadlock in the face,

Then wept most bitterly.

Quoth he, I had a son like thee,

Whom I lovd wondrous well;

But he is gone, or rather dead;

His name is Young Gamwell.

Then did Will Scadlock fall on his knees,

Cries, Father! father! here,

Here kneels your son, your Young Gamwell

You said you lovd so dear.

But, lord! what imbracing and kissing was there,

When all these friends were met!

They are gone to the wedding, and so to bedding,

And so I bid you good night.

* * * * *

#a.#

Robin Hood, Will. Scadlock, and Little John, or, A narrative of

their victory obtained against the Prince of Aragon and the two

Giants: and how Will. Scadlock married the Princess.

Tune of Robin Hood, or, Hey down, down a down.

London, Printed by and for W. O[nley], and are to be sold by the

booksellers. (1650–1702.)

1^1. Will., _and always, except_ 55^3.

27^1. moth-ly.

32^2. perfixt.

47^1. sheers.

#b.#

A new ballad of Robin Hood, _etc._, _as in_ #a#. To the tune of,

_etc._ London: Printed for A. M[ilbourne], W. O[nley], and T.

Thackeray in Duck Lane. (1670–89?)

1^3. William.

7^3. I should.

7^4. has.

10^2. Cypress.

11^3. whether.

13^3. to his.

27^1. mothly.

32^1. twenty day.

32^2. prefixt.

32^3. or _wanting_.

37^1. those.

38^1. the king did.

40^3. him rell.

42^3. grumbled.

46^3. ramb’d _for_ dam’d.

47^1. with sheets.

56^4. it is.

58^3. and so the bedding.

130

ROBIN HOOD AND THE SCOTCHMAN

#A. a.# Wood, 401, leaf 27 b. #b.# Roxburghe, III, 18, in the Ballad

Society’s reprint, II, 426. #c.# Garland of 1663, No 3. #d.# Garland

of 1670, No 2. #e.# Pepys, II, 101, No 88.

#B.# Gutch’s Robin Hood, II, 392, from an Irish garland, printed at

Monaghan, 1796.

#A# is simply the conclusion given to Robin Hood Newly Revived in the

broadsides, and has neither connection with that ballad nor coherence in

itself, being on the face of it the beginning and the end of an

independent ballad, with the break after the third stanza. 3 may

possibly refer to the Scots giving up Charles I to the parliamentary

commissioners, in 1647. In #B#, four stanzas appear to have been added

to the first three of #A# in order to make out a story,—the too familiar

one of Robin being beaten in a fight with a fellow whom he chances to

meet, and consequently enlisting the man as a recruit.

#a.# Wood, 401, leaf 27 b. #b.# Roxburghe, III, 18, in the Ballad

Society’s reprint, II, 426. #c.# Garland of 1663, No 3. #d.# Garland

of 1670, No 2. #e.# Pepys, II, 101, No 88.

Then bold Robin Hood to the north he would go,

With a hey down down a down down

With valour and mickle might,

With sword by his side, which oft had been tri’d,

To fight and recover his right.

The first that he met was a bony bold Scot,

His servant he said he would be;

‘No,’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘it cannot be good,

For thou wilt prove false unto me.

‘Thou hast not bin true to sire nor cuz:’

‘Nay, marry,’ the Scot he said,

‘As true as your heart, I’le never part,

Gude master, be not afraid.’

* * * * *

Then Robin Hood turnd his face to the east;

‘Fight on my merry men stout,

Our cause is good,’ quoth brave Robin Hood,

‘And we shall not be beaten out.’

The battel grows hot on every side,

The Scotchman made great moan;

Quoth Jockey, Gude faith, they fight on each side;

Would I were with my wife Ione!

The enemy compast brave Robin about,

’Tis long ere the battel ends;

Ther’s neither will yeeld nor give up the field,

For both are supplied with friends.

* * * * *

This song it was made in Robin Hoods dayes;

Let’s pray unto Iove above

To give us true peace, that mischief may cease,

And war may give place unto love.

Gutch’s Robin Hood, II, 392, from an Irish garland, printed at

Monaghan, 1796.

Now bold Robin Hood to the north would go,

With valour and mickle might,

With sword by his side, which oft had been try’d,

To fight and recover his right.

The first that he met was a jolly stout Scot,

His servant he said he would be;

‘No,’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘it cannot be good,

For thou wilt prove false unto me.

‘Thou hast not been true to sire or cuz;’

‘Nay, marry,’ the Scot he said,

‘As true as your heart, I never will part;

Good master, be not afraid.’

‘But eer I employ you,’ said bold Robin Hood,

‘With you I must have a bout;’

The Scotchman reply’d, Let the battle be try’d,

For I know I will beat you out.

Thus saying, the contest did quickly begin,

Which lasted two hours and more;

The blows Sawney gave bold Robin so brave

The battle soon made him give oer.

‘Have mercy, thou Scotchman,’ bold Robin Hood cry’d,

‘Full dearly this boon have I bought;

We will both agree, and my man you shall be,

For a stouter I never have fought.’

Then Sawny consented with Robin to go,

To be of his bowmen so gay;

Thus ended the fight, and with mickle delight

To Sherwood they hasted away.

* * * * *

#A.#

_For the printer, etc., see_ No 128, Robin Hood newly Revived.

#a.#

1^3. trid.

1^4. rigth.

4^3, 5^3. qd.

#b.#

1^3. tri’d.

3^1. or _for_ nor.

4^3. case.

#c.#

4^3, 5^3. qd.

#d.#

4^3. case.

#e.#

2^1. met with was a bold.

2^3. qd.

4^3. case: quod.

131

ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER

‘Robin Hood and the Ranger.’ #a.# Robin Hood’s Garland, London, C.

Dicey, in Bow Church-Yard, n. d., but before 1741, p. 78. #b.# R.

H.’s Garland, London, W. & C. Dicey, n. d. #c.# R. H.’s Garland,

London, L. How, in Peticoat Lane, n. d. #d.# The English Archer,

etc., York, N. Nickson, in Feasegate, n. d. #e.# The English Archer,

etc., Paisley, John Neilson, 1786. #f.# R. H.’s Garland, York, T.

Wilson & R. Spence, n. d. (All in the Bodleian Library.)

In Ritson’s Robin Hood, 1795, II, 133, from a York edition of Robin

Hood’s Garland. Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 200, apparently from

an Aldermary garland.

Mr Halliwell, in Notices of Fugitive Tracts, etc., Percy Society, vol.

xxix. p. 19, refers to an edition of Robin Hood’s Garland printed for

James Hodges, at the Looking-glass, London-bridge, n. d., as containing

“the earliest copy yet known” of Robin Hood and the Ranger, but does not

indicate how the alleged fact was ascertained. Inside of the cover of

#a# is written, William Stukely, 1741. #b# appears in advertisements as

early as 1753.

Robin Hood, while about to kill deer, is forbidden by a forester, and

claiming the forest as his own, the cause has to be tried with weapons.

They break their swords on one another, and take to quarter-staves.

Robin Hood is so sorely cudgelled that he gives up the fight, declaring

that he has never met with so good a man. He summons his yeomen with his

horn; the forester is induced to join them.

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 to see,

To frolick abroad with his bow.

He left all his merry men waiting behind,

Whilst through the green vallies he passd;

There did he behold a forester bold,

Who cry’d out, Friend, whither so fast?

‘I’m going,’ quoth Robin, ‘to kill a fat buck,

For me and my merry men all;

Besides, eer 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 wont 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.

Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,

Thus, eer 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 did recover himself,

And bravely fell to it again;

The very next stroke their weapons were broke,

Yet never a man there was slain.

At quarter-staff then they resolved to play,

Because they would have t’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 returnd them as fast;

At every stroke their jackets did smoke,

Three hours the combat did last.

At length in a rage the bold forester grew,

And cudgeld bold Robin so sore

That he could not stand, so shaking his hand,

He said, Let us freely give oer.

Thou art a brave fellow, I needs must confess

I never knew any so good;

Thou’rt 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’st acted thy part;

That man that can fight, in him I delight,

And love him with all my whole heart.

Then Robin Hood setting his horn to his mouth,

A blast 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,

Cloathd 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 Robin Hood,

‘And thou shalt be one of the train;

A mantle and bow, a quiver also,

I give them whom I entertain.’

The forester willingly enterd 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.

What singing and dancing was in the green wood,

For joy of another new mate!

With mirth and delight they spent the long night,

And liv’d at a plentiful rate.

The forester neer 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 a 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’d conquer, or die by his side.

* * * * *

#a.#

Robin Hood and the Ranger, or True Friendship after a fierce

Fight. Tune of Arthur a Bland.

2^4. whether.

8^3. he’ll.

12^1. a very hard blow.

#b.#

2^4. whither.

6^2. are all.

11^2. the other.

12^1. very hard blows.

14^2. any one.

15^2. thou hast.

18^2. And _wanting_.

23^4. They would.

#c.#

_Burden_: With a hey down down down and a down.

2^4. whither.

5^3. methink’.

6^2. deers.

8^3. he’d.

10^1. soon recoverd.

10^2. to _wanting_.

10^3. they broke.

12^1. very hard blows.

12^4. this combat.

13^4. He cry’d.

14^4. And live.

16^2. blast then.

19^2. a _wanting_.

21^2. with the.

#d.#

Tune of, _etc. wanting. Burden wanting_.

1^1. the circles.

1^3. he _wanting_: ramble away.

2^4. whither.

5^2. arrows here I’ve.

5^4. then I.

6^2. so is.

7^1. he _wanting_.

8^1. he had.

8^3. he’d.

9^1. that _wanting_.

9^3. his head.

10^1. soon recoverd.

10^3. they broke.

12^1. he _wanting_: many hard blows.

13^4. He cry’d.

16^1. Then _wanting_: Hood set his bugle horn.

16^2. blast then.

16^3. and soon.

16^4. An.

17^3. rest was.

18^1. said bold.

18^4. I’ll.

20^3. the whole.

21^2. with the.

21^3. beer and.

21^4. take of the.

22^2. a _wanting_.

23^4. They would.

#e.#

_Burden_: With a hey down down derry down: _or_ Hey down derry

derry down.

1^1. circle.

1^3. he _wanting_: ramble away.

2^3. he did.

2^4. whither.

3^1. quoth Robin _wanting_.

3^3. ere.

5^2. here _wanting_.

6^2. so is.

7^1. he _wanting_.

8^2. neer.

8^3. he’d.

8^4. thus _wanting_.

9^3. his head.

10^1. soon recovered.

10^3. they broke.

11^1. then _wanting_.

12^1. many hard blows.

13^4. He cry’d.

15^4. whole _wanting_.

16^1. set his brave.

16^2. blast then.

16^3. and soon.

16^4. An.

18^1. said bold.

18^3. and a bow.

18^4. I’ll.

20^1. were in.

20^3. the whole.

21^2. with the.

22^2. a _wanting_.

#f.#

1^1. ickles of ice.

1^3. would frolicksome be.

1^4. And ramble about with his bow.

2^4. whither.

8^1. Hood _wanting_.

8^3. he’d.

10^1. recovered.

10^3. they broke.

10^4. Yet neither of them were slain.

11^2. the other.

12^1. very hard blows.

12^4. this combat.

13^4. He cry’d.

14^1. And live.

18^1. said bold.

19^4. a good.

21^2. As when.

21^3. beer and.

132

THE BOLD PEDLAR AND ROBIN HOOD

J. H. Dixon, Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of

England, p. 71, Percy Society, vol. xvii, 1846.

“An aged female in Bermondsey, Surrey, from whose oral recitation the

editor took down the present version, informed him, that she had often

heard her grandmother sing it, and that it was never in print; but he

has of late met with several common stall copies.”