His men drew out their brightè swords_The Oxford Book of Ballads

That were so sharp and keen,

And laiden on the Sheriff’s men,

And drave them down bidene[883].

CCCLI

Robin started to the Knight,

And cut in two his band,

And took[884] him in his hand a bow,

And bade him by him stand.

CCCLII

‘Leave thy horsè thee behind,

And learnè for to ren[885];

Thou shalt with me to greenè-wood,

Through mire, moss, and fen.

CCCLIII

‘Thou shalt with me to greenè-wood,

Without any leasing,

Till that I have got us grace

Of Edward, our comely King.’

_The Seventh Fytte_

How the King rode out to punish Robin Hood, and how he was entertained

CCCLIV

The King came to Nottingham,

With knights in great array,

For to take that gentle Knight

And Robin, if he may.

CCCLV

He askèd men of that country

After Robin Hood,

And eke after that gentle Knight

That was so bold and good.

CCCLVI

When they had him told the case

Our King understood their tale,

And he seizèd in his hand

The Knightès landès all.

CCCLVII

All the pass[886] of Lancashire

He went both far and near,

Till he came to Plompton Park,

He fail’d many of his deer.

CCCLVIII

There[887] our King was wont to see

Herdès many one,

He could unneth[888] find one deer

That bare any good horn.

CCCLIX

The King was wonder wroth withall,

And swore by the Trinity,

‘I would I haddè Robin Hood,

With eyes I might him see.

CCCLX

‘And he that would smite off the Knightès head,

And bring it unto me

He shall have the Knightès lands,

Sir Richard at the Lee.

CCCLXI

‘I give it him with my chartèr,

And seal it with my hand,

To have and hold for evermore

In all merry England.’

CCCLXII

Then bespake a fair old Knight

That was true in his fay[889]:

‘Ah! my liegè lord the King,

One word I shall you say.

CCCLXIII

‘There is no man in this country

May have the Knightès lands,

While Robin Hood may ride or go,

And bear a bow in his hands.

CCCLXIV

‘That he ne shall not lose his head,

The best ball in his hood;

Give it no man, my lord the King,

That ye will[890] any good.’

CCCLXV

Half a year dwelt our comely King

In Nottingham, and more;

Could he not hear of Robin Hood,

In what country he wore.

CCCLXVI

But alway wentè good Robin

By halk[891] and eke by hill,

And alway slew the Kingès deer,

And wielded them at will.

CCCLXVII

Then bespake a proud forstèr[892],

That stood by our Kingès knee:

‘If ye will see good Robin Hood,

Ye must do after me.

CCCLXVIII

‘Take five of the bestè knights

That be in yourè lede[893],

And walkè down by yon Abbèy,

And get you monkès weed.

CCCLXIX

‘And I will be your leadès-man[894],

And leadè you the way,

And ere ye come to Nottingham

Mine head then dare I lay

CCCLXX

‘That ye shall meet with good Robin,

Alive if that he be;

Ere ye come to Nottingham

With eyes ye shall him see.’

CCCLXXI

Full hastily our King was dight,

So were his knightès five.

Each of them in monkès weed,

And hasted thither blive.

CCCLXXII

Our King was great above his cowl,

A broad hat on his crown,

Right as he were abbot-like,

They rode into the town.

CCCLXXIII

Stiff boots our King had on,

Forsooth as I you say;

Singing he rode to the greenè-wood,

The convent[895] was clothed in gray.

CCCLXXIV

His mail-horse[896] and his great somèrs

Followed our King behind,

Till they came to greenè-wood

A mile under the lind[897].

CCCLXXV

There they met with good Robin,

Standing on the way,

And so did many a bold archèr,

For sooth as I you say.

CCCLXXVI

Robin took the Kingè’s horse

Hastily in that stide[898],

And said, ‘Sir Abbot, by your leave,

A while ye must abide.

CCCLXXVII

‘We be yeomen of this forèst

Under the green-wood tree;

We livè by our Kingès deer,

None other shift have we.

CCCLXXVIII

‘And ye have churches and rentès both

And gold full great plentỳ,

Give us some of your spending

For saintè charity.’

CCCLXXIX

Then bespake our comely King,

Anon then saidè he,

‘I have brought no more to greenè-wood

But forty pound with me.

CCCLXXX

‘I have lain at Nottingham

This fortnight with our King,

And spent I have full muchè good

On many a great lording[899].

CCCLXXXI

‘And I have but forty pound,

No more I have with me:

But if I had an hundred pound,

I vouch it half on thee.’

CCCLXXXII

Robin took the forty pound,

And departed it in twain;

Halfen-deal[900] he gave his men,

And bade them be full fain.

CCCLXXXIII

Full courteously Robin gan say,

‘Sir, this for your spending!

We shall meet another day.’--

‘Gramerci!’ said our King.

CCCLXXXIV

‘But well thee greeteth Edward our King,

And sent to thee his seal,

And biddeth thee come to Nottingham,

Both to meat and meal.’

CCCLXXXV

He took out the broadè targe[901],

And soon he let him see;

Robin could his courtesy,

And set him on his knee.

CCCLXXXVI

‘I love no man in all the world

So well as I do my King;

Welcome is my lordès seal;

And, Monk, for thy tiding.

CCCLXXXVII

‘Sir Abbot, for thy tidings,

To-day thou shalt dine with me,

For the lovè of my King,

Under my trystell-tree.’

CCCLXXXVIII

Forth he led our comely King

Full fairè by the hand;

Many a deer there was slain,

They were full fast dightànd[902].

CCCLXXXIX

Robin took a full great horn,

And loudè he gan blow;

Seven score of wight young men

Came ready on a row.

CCCXC

All they kneelèd on their knee

Full fair before Robin;

The King said himself until,

And swore by Saint Austìn,

CCCXCI

‘Here is a wonder seemly sight;

Me thinketh, by God’s pine[903],

His men are more at his bidding

Than my men be at mine.’

CCCXCII

Full hastily was their dinner dight,

And thereto gan they gon;

They servèd our King with all their might,

Both Robin and Little John.

CCCXCIII

Anon before our King was set

The fattè venisoun,

The good white bread, the good red wine,

Thereto fine ale and brown.

CCCXCIV

‘Make good cheer,’ said Robin Hood,

‘Abbot, for charity,

And for this ilkè tiding, Sir,

Blessed mote thou be.

CCCXCV

‘Now shalt thou see what life we lead,

Ere thou hennès[904] wend;

Then thou mayst inform our King,

When ye together lend[905].’

CCCXCVI

Up they started all in haste,

Their bows were smartly bent;

Our King was never so aghast,

He weened to have been shent[906].

CCCXCVII

Two yards[907] there were up set,

Thereto gan they gang;

By fifty paces, our King said,

The markès were too lang.

CCCXCVIII

On every side a rose garlànd,

They shot under the line:

‘Who fails of the garland,’ said Robin,

‘His tackle he shall tine[908],

CCCXCIX

‘And yield it unto his mastèr,

Be it never so fine;

For no man will I spare,’ he said,

‘So drink I ale or wine;

CCCC

‘And bear a buffet on his head

I-wis aright all bare:’

And all that fell to Robin’s lot

He smote them wonder sair.

CCCCI

Twice Robin shot about,

And ever he cleft the wand,

And so did eke the good Gilbèrt

With the white hand.

CCCCII

Little John and good Scathèlock,

For nothing would they spare;

When they fail’d of the garlànd

Robin smote them sair.

CCCCIII

At the last shot that Robin shot,

For all his friendès fare,

Yet he fail’d of the garlànd

Three fingers and mair.

CCCCIV

Then bespake him good Gilbèrt,

And thus he gan him say:

‘Master,’ he said, ‘your tackle is lost,

Stand forth and take your pay.’

CCCCV

‘If it be so,’ said Robin Hood,

‘That may no better be,

Sir Abbot, I deliver thee mine arrow,

I pray thee, serve thou me.’

CCCCVI

‘It falls[909] not for mine order,’ said our King,

‘Robin, by thy leave,

For to smite no good yeomàn,

For doubt I should him grieve.’

CCCCVII

‘Smite on boldly,’ said Robin,

‘I give thee largè leave.’

Anon our King with that same word

He folded up his sleeve,

CCCCVIII

And such a buffet he gave Robin,

To ground he yede full near:

‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin,

‘Thou art a stalwart frere[910].

CCCCIX

‘There is pith in thine arm,’ said Robin,

‘I trow thou canst well shoot.’

Thus our King and Robin Hood

Together then they met.

CCCCX

Robin beheld our comely King

Wistly in the face,

So did Sir Richard at the Lee,

And knelt down in that place.

CCCCXI

And so did all the wild outlàws,

When they saw them kneel:

‘My lord the King of Engèland,

Now I know you weel!’

CCCCXII

‘Mercy then, Robin,’ said our King,

‘Under your trystell-tree,

Of thy goodness and thy grace,

For my men and me!’

CCCCXIII

‘Yes, ’fore God,’ said Robin Hood,

‘And also God me save!

I ask mercy, my lord the King,

And for my men I crave.’

CCCCXIV

‘Yes, ’fore God,’ then said our King,

‘And thereto sent I me,

With that thou leave the greenè-wood,

And all thy company;

CCCCXV

‘And come home, sir, unto my court,

And there dwell with me.’--

‘I make mine avow to God,’ said Robin,

‘And right so shall it be.

CCCCXVI

‘I will come unto your court,

Your service for to see,

And bringè with me of my men

Seven score and three.

CCCCXVII

‘But me like[911] well your service,

I will come again full soon,

And shooten at the dunnè deer,

As I am wont to doon.’

_The Eighth Fytte_

How Robin Hood lived a while at the King’s Court, but returned to the

Green-wood

CCCCXVIII

‘Hast thou any green cloth?’ said our King,

‘That thou wilt sell now to me?’--

‘Yea, ’fore God,’ said Robin,

‘Thirty yards and three.’

CCCCXIX

‘Robin,’ said our King,

‘Now pray I thee,

To sell me some of that cloth,

To me and my meinèe.’

CCCCXX

‘Yes, ’fore God,’ then said Robin,

‘Or else I were a fool;

Another day ye will me clothe,

I trow, against the Yule.’

CCCCXXI

The King cast off his coat then,

A green garment he did on,

And every knight had so, i-wis,

They clothèd them full soon.

CCCCXXII

When they were clothed in Lincoln green,

They cast away their gray.

‘Now we shall to Nottingham,’

All thus our King gan say.

CCCCXXIII

Their bows bent and forth they went,

Shooting all in fere,

Toward the town of Nottingham,

Outlaws as they were.

CCCCXXIV

Our King and Robin rode together

Forsooth as I you say,

And they shot pluck-buffet[912],

As they went by the way;

CCCCXXV

And many a buffet our King won,

Of Robin Hood that day:

And nothing spared good Robin

Our King in his pay.

CCCCXXVI

‘So God me help,’ said our King,

‘Thy game is nought to lere[913],

I should not get a shot of thee,

Though I shot all this year.’

CCCCXXVII

All the people of Nottingham

They stood and beheld,

They saw nothing but mantles of green

That cover’d all the felde;

CCCCXXVIII

Then every man to other gan say,

‘I dread our King be slone;

Come Robin Hood to the town, i-wis,

On life he leaveth not one.’

CCCCXXIX

Full hastily they began to flee,

Both yeoman and knaves,

The old wives that might evil go,

They hippèd[914] on their staves.

CCCCXXX

The King laughed full fast,

And commanded them again;

When they saw our comely King,

I-wis they were full fain.

CCCCXXXI

They ate and drank, and made them glad,

And sang with notès high.

Then bespake our comely King

To Sir Richard at the Lee:

CCCCXXXII

He gave him there his land again,

A good man he bade him be.

Robin thanked our comely King,

And set him on his knee.

CCCCXXXIII

Robin had dwelt in the Kingès court

But twelvè months and three,

That he had spent an hundred pound,

And all his mennès fee.

CCCCXXXIV

In every place where Robin came,

Evermore he laid down[915]

Both for knightès and for squires,

To get him great renown.

CCCCXXXV

By then[916] the year was all agone

He had no man but twain,

Little John and good Scathèlock

With him all for to gane.

CCCCXXXVI

Robin saw the young men shoot

Full far upon a day;

‘Alas!’ then said good Robin Hood,

‘My wealth is went away.

CCCCXXXVII

‘Sometime I was an archer good,

A stiff and eke a strong;

I was counted the best archèr

That was in merry Englond.

CCCCXXXVIII

‘Alas!’ then said good Robin Hood,

‘Alas and well-a-way!

If I dwell longer with the King,

Sorrow will me slay.’

CCCCXXXIX

Forth then wentè Robin Hood

Till he came to our King:

‘My lord the King of Engèland,

Grant me mine asking!

CCCCXL

‘I made a chapel in Barnèsdale

That seemly is to see,

It is of Mary Magdalen,

And thereto would I be.

CCCCXLI

‘I might never in this seven night

No timè sleep nor wink,

Neither all these seven days

Neither eat nor drink.

CCCCXLII

‘Me longeth sore to Barnèsdale,

I may not be therefro[917];

Barefoot and woolward[918] I have hight[919]

Thither for to go.’

CCCCXLIII

‘If it be so,’ then said our King,

‘It may no better be;

Seven night I give thee leave,

No longer, to dwell from me.’

CCCCXLIV

‘Gramerci, lord,’ then said Robin,

And set him on his knee:

He took his leave full courteously,

To green-wood then went he.

CCCCXLV

When he came to greenè-wood

In a merry mornìng,

There he heard the notès small

Of birds merry singìng.

CCCCXLVI

‘It is far gone,’ said Robin Hood,

‘That I was latest here;

Me list[920] a little for to shoot

At the dunnè deer.’

CCCCXLVII

Robin slew a full great hart;

His horn then gan he blow,

That all the outlaws of that forèst

That horn they couldè know,

CCCCXLVIII

And them together gatherèd

In a little throw[921];

Seven score of wight young men

Came ready on a row,

CCCCXLIX

And fairè didden off their hoods,

And set them on their knee:

‘Welcome,’ they said. ‘our dear mastèr,

Under this green-wood tree!’

CCCCL

Robin dwelt in greenè-wood

Twenty year and two;

For all dread of Edward our King,

Again[922] would he not go.

CCCCLI

Yet he was beguiled, i-wis,

Through a wicked woman,

The prioress of Kirksley,

That nigh was of his kin,

CCCCLII

For the love of a knight,

Sir Roger of Doncastèr,

That was her own special;

Full evil might they fare!

CCCCLIII

They took together their counsel

Robin Hood for to sle,

And how they might best do that deed,

His banis[923] for to be.

CCCCLIV

Then bespake good Robin,

In place where as he stood,

‘To-morrow I must to Kirksley,

Craftily[924] to be letten blood.’

CCCCLV

Sir Roger [and the prioress

A springe[925] for him did] lay,

And there they betray’d good Robin Hood,

Through their falsè play.

CCCCLVI

Christ have mercy on his soul,

That died upon the rood!

For he was a good outlàw,

And did poor men much good.

FOOTNOTES:

[707] Meiny = retinue.

[708] Lithe = hearken.

[709] Barnèsdale = a forest region between Pontefract and Doncaster.

[710] groom = man.

[711] lest = lust, desire.

[712] uncouth = unknown, strange.

[713] were = might be.

[714] alder = of all.

[715] doubt = fear.

[716] reave = plunder.

[717] force = matter, account.

[718] husband = husbandman.

[719] shaw = grove.

[720] lere = learn.

[721] far days = late in the day.

[722] the Sayles = a small farm near Pontefract.

[723] Watling Street = the great North road.

[724] Upchance = perchance.

[725] dight = prepared.

[726] dernè = hidden, retired.

[727] street = road.

[728] semblaunt = aspect.

[729] And set him, &c. = and knelt down.

[730] Hendè = gracious.

[731] fere = company.

[732] Blyth = near E. Retford.

[733] careful cheer = sad countenance.

[734] leer = cheek.

[735] numbles = inwards, tripe.

[736] brere = briar.

[737] dear-worth = precious.

[738] let = desist.

[739] have part of thee = side with thee, aid thee.

[740] counsel = secret.

[741] of force = by force.

[742] of yeomanry = from the yeoman class.

[743] a sorry husband = a wretched manager.

[744] okerer = usurer.

[745] lecher = an unchaste man.

[746] disgrate = fallen in fortune.

[747] kenn’d = knew.

[748] lorn = lost.

[749] set to wed = put to pledge, mortgaged.

[750] told = counted.

[751] fall of = become of.

[752] busk = make ready to go.

[753] raw = row.

[754] borrows = sureties.

[755] Do way thy japès = away with thy jests.

[756] to = for.

[757] shope = created.

[758] But if = unless.

[759] lap = wrap.

[760] mete = meted, measured.

[761] met = measured.

[762] palfrey = a saddle-horse.

[763] teen = trouble.

[764] knave = servant.

[765] come = came.

[766] But = unless.

[767] fee = property.

[768] ilkè = same.

[769] shand = shame.

[770] in my beard = contradicting, or thwarting me.

[771] deemèd = judged.

[772] wonder sore = monstrous severely.

[773] Until = unto.

[774] corsèd = bodied.

[775] salued = saluted.

[776] shrewd = cursed.

[777] But = if not.

[778] fend = defend.

[779] fone = foes.

[780] gree = satisfaction.

[781] But I have = unless I have.

[782] canst = knowest.

[783] put myself ... in press = adventured myself.

[784] release = quittance.

[785] ellès = else.

[786] Take = give.

[787] Ne had not been = had it not been for.

[788] With peacock ... y-dight = fitted with peacock feathers.

[789] lancegay = a javelin-lance.

[790] his mail = his bag or trunk.

[791] roden = they rode.

[792] y-pight = placed, fixed.

[793] far and frembd bestad = in the plight of one from far and a

stranger.

[794] shende = shame.

[795] wete = know.

[796] shete = shoot.

[797] fet = fetched.

[798] wight = strong, brave.

[799] woning wane = usual dwelling-place.

[800] I-wis = assuredly.

[801] meed = reward.

[802] lewtè = loyalty.

[803] yede = went.

[804] livery = allowance of food.

[805] Sith = since.

[806] hind = knave, servant.

[807] lent = gave.

[808] mountenance = extent, space.

[809] fette = fetched.

[810] masars = maple-bowls.

[811] cou’d = knew.

[812] bedene = in company, together.

[813] tyndès = tines, antlers.

[814] sloo = slay.

[815] courtepy = a short coat or cloak.

[816] lap = wrap.

[817] smerte = smart.

[818] anchor = hermit.

[819] frere = friar.

[820] to-morne = to-morrow.

[821] brand = sword.

[822] await = plan, plot.

[823] scathe = harm.

[824] hip = the fruit of the wild rose.

[825] trest = trusty.

[826] that mirthès can = that can crack a joke.

[827] tray and teen = grief and trouble.

[828] a Black Monk = a Benedictine.

[829] wed = wager.

[830] seker and sad = sure and steady.

[831] somers = pack-horses.

[832] But = unless.

[833] press = crowd.

[834] hend = hands.

[835] thrift = thriving, luck.

[836] bolt = a blunt arrow.

[837] Rathely = quickly.

[838] set ... to-fore = hit upon.

[839] gan gon = did go.

[840] lief = glad.

[841] Maugre in his teeth = in spite of him.

[842] no force = no matter.

[843] ray = striped cloth.

[844] avowè = founder, patron.

[845] So ... mote I the = so may I prosper.

[846] eftsoons = soon.

[847] borrowhood = surety.

[848] Dame = Mother.

[849] mark = 13_s._ 4_d._

[850] myster = need.

[851] cast = throw, as in dice.

[852] hend = gracious.

[853] moot = meeting, assembly.

[854] seek = search.

[855] mail = wallet, bag.

[856] forcèr = coffer, strong-box.

[857] sith = then.

[858] For better cheap = more cheaply.

[859] brook = enjoy, use.

[860] overtold = counted over.

[861] alder-best = best of all.

[862] law = low.

[863] fynly = goodly.

[864] wete = know.

[865] tackles = arrows.

[866] worth thee = be to thee.

[867] behotè = didst promise.

[868] wed = pledge, security.

[869] blive = quickly.

[870] bushment = ambush.

[871] meeds = wages.

[872] dead = certain, sure.

[873] rawe = row.

[874] win = go, attain.

[875] behote = promise.

[876] wonest = dwellest.

[877] up to rout = to assemble in a band, to call to arms.

[878] dight = done, performed.

[879] leasing = lying.

[880] yede = went.

[881] whole = healed.

[882] wood = furious, mad.

[883] bidene = together.

[884] took = gave.

[885] ren = run.

[886] pass = limits, extent.

[887] There = where.

[888] unneth = scarcely.

[889] fay = faith.

[890] That ye will = to whom you wish.

[891] halk = nook, hiding-place.

[892] forstèr = forester.

[893] lede = following, retinue.

[894] leadès-man = guide.

[895] convent = company of monks.

[896] mail-horse = baggage-horse.

[897] lind = linden, lime tree.

[898] stide = stead, place.

[899] lording = gentleman.

[900] Halfen-deal = half.

[901] targe = disk (seal).

[902] dightànd = making preparations.

[903] pine = pain, passion.

[904] hennès = hence.

[905] lend = dwell.

[906] shent = put to shame, hurt.

[907] yards = rods.

[908] tine = forfeit.

[909] falls = is proper.

[910] frere = friar.

[911] But me like = unless I like.

[912] pluck-buffet = ‘app. a competition between archers, in which he

who missed or failed “caught” a buffet from his competitor’ (_N.E.D._).

[913] lere = learn.

[914] hippèd = hopped, limped.

[915] laid down = spent money.

[916] By then = by the time that.

[917] therefro = turned from it.

[918] woolward = in a rough woollen shirt (as penance).

[919] hight = promised.

[920] Me list = it pleases me.

[921] throw = interval of time.

[922] Again = back.

[923] banis = bane, destruction.

[924] craftily = skilfully.

[925] springe = trap.

_116. Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne_

When shaws[926] beene sheene[927], and shradds[928] full fayre,

And leves both large and longe,

Itt is merrye walking in the fayre forrèst

To heare the small birds’ songe.

The woodweele[929] sang, and wold not cease,

[Sitting upon the spraye,

Soe lowde, he wakened Robin Hood,

In the grenewood where he lay.

III

‘Now by my faye,’ sayd jollye Robìn,

‘A sweaven[930] I had this night;

I dreamt me of two wight[931] yemen,

That fast with me can fight.]

‘Methought they did mee beate and binde,

And tooke my bow mee fro;

If I be Robin alive in this lande,

I’ll be wroken[932] on them towe.’

‘Sweavens are swift, Master,’ quoth John,

‘As the wind that blowes ore a hill;

For if itt be never so loude this night,

To-morrow itt may be still.’

‘Buske[933] yee, bowne[934] yee, my merry men all,

And John shall goe with mee,

For I’le goe seeke yond wight yemen,

In grenewood where they bee.’

VII

They cast on them their gownes of grene,

[And tooke theyr bowes each one;

And all away to the grene forrèst]

A shooting forth are gone;

VIII

Until they came to the merry grenewood,

Where they had gladdest bee,

There were they ware of a wight yemàn,

His body lean’d to a tree.

A sword and a dagger he wore by his side,

Of manye a man the bane;

And he was clad in his capull-hyde[935]

Topp and tayll and mayne.

‘Stand you still, Master,’ quoth Little John,

‘Under this trusty tree,

And I will go to yond wight yeoman

To know his meaning trulye.’

‘A! John, by me thou settest noe store,

And that’s a farley[936] finde.

How offt send I my men beffore,

And tarry my selfe behinde?

XII

‘It is noe cunning a knave to ken,

An a man but heare him speake;

An itt were not for bursting of my bowe,

John, I wold thy head breake.’

XIII

As often wordes they breeden bale,

So they parted Robin and John:

And John is gone to Barnèsdale;

The gates[937] he knoweth eche one.

XIV

But when he came to Barnèsdale,

Great heavinesse there hee hadd,

For he found two of his owne fellòwes

Were slaine both in a slade[938].

And Scarlette à-foote he flyinge was

Fast over stocke and stone,

For the Sheriffe with seven score men

Fast after him is gone.

XVI

‘Yet one shoote I’le shoote,’ quoth Little John,

‘With Christ his might and mayne;

I’le make yond fellow that flyes soe fast,

To stopp he shall be fayne.’

XVII

Then John bent up his good yewe-bowe

And fettl’d[939] him to shoote:

The bow was made of a tender boughe,

And fell downe to his foote.

XVIII

‘Woe worth thee, wicked wood,’ sayd John,

‘That ere thou grew on a tree!

For now this day thou art my bale,

My boote[940] when thou shold bee.’

XIX

His shoote it was but loosely shott,

Yet it flewe not in vaine,

For itt met one of the Sheriff’s men,

Good William à Trent was slaine.

It had bene better of William à Trent

To have hangèd upon a gallòw,

Than to be that day in the grene-wood

To meet Little John’s arrowe.

XXI

But as it is said, when men be mett

Fyve can doe more than three,

The Sheriffe hath taken Little John,

And bound him fast to a tree.

XXII

‘Thou shalt be drawen by dale and downe,

And hangèd hye on a hill.’--

‘But thou mayst fayle,’ quoth Little John,

‘If itt be Christ his will.’

XXIII

Let us leave talking of Little John,

And thinke of Robin Hood,

How he is gone to the wight yemàn,

Where under the leaves he stood.

XXIV

‘Good morrowe, good fellowe,’ sayd Robin so fayre,

‘Good morrowe, good fellow,’ quoth he:

‘Methinkes by this bowe thou beares in thy hande

A good archere thou sholdst bee.’

XXV

‘I am wilfull[941] of my waye,’ quo’ the yeman,

‘And of my morning tyde[942].’

‘I’le lead thee through the wood,’ sayd Robin;

‘Good fellow, I’le be thy guide.’

XXVI

‘I seeke an outlàwe,’ the straunger sayd,

‘Men call him Robin Hood;

Rather I’ld meet with that proud outlàwe,

Than fortye pound of go’d.’--

XXVII

‘If you two met, it wold be seene

Whether were better man:

But let us under the levès grene

Some other pastime plan.

XXVIII

‘Let us some other masteryes[943] make

Among the woods so even,

Wee may chance meet with Robin Hood

Here att some unsett steven[944].’

XXIX

They cutt them downe two summer shroggs[945],

That grew both under a breere,

And sett them threescore rood in twinne[946]

To shoot the prickes[947] y-fere.

XXX

‘Leade on, good fellowe,’ quoth Robin Hood,

‘Leade on, I doe bidd thee.’--

‘Nay by my faith, good fellowe,’ hee sayd,

‘My leader thou shalt bee.’

XXXI

The first good shoot that Robin led,

He mist but an inch it fro’:

The yeoman he was an archer good,

But he cold ne’er shoote soe.

XXXII

The second shoote had the wight yemàn,

He shote within the garlànde:

But Robin he shott far better than hee,

For he clave the good pricke wande.

XXXIII

‘God’s blessing upon thy heart!’ he sayd;

‘Good fellowe, thy shooting is goode;

For an thy hart be as good as thy hand,

Thou wert better than Robin Hood.’

XXXIV

‘Now tell me thy name, good fellowe,’ sayd he,

‘Under the leaves of lyne[948].’--

‘Nay by my faith,’ quoth good Robìn,

‘Till thou have told me thine.’

XXXV

‘I dwell by dale and downe,’ quoth hee,

‘And Robin to take I’me sworne;

And when I am callèd by my right name

I am Guy of good Gisborne.’--

XXXVI

‘My dwelling is in this wood,’ sayes Robin,

‘By thee I set right nought:

I am Robin Hood of Barnèsdale,

Whom thou so long hast sought.’

XXXVII

He that had neither beene kithe nor kin,

Might have seene a full fayre sight,

To see how together these yemen went

With blades both browne and bright:

XXXVIII

To see how these yemen together they fought

Two howres of a summer’s day:

Yett neither Sir Guy nor Robin Hood

Them fettled to flye away.

XXXIX

Robin was reachles on[949] a roote,

And stumbled at that tyde;

And Guy was quick and nimble with-all,

And hitt him o’er the left side.

‘Ah deere Lady!’ sayd Robin Hood,

‘That art both mother and may[950],

I think it was never man’s destinye

To dye before his day.’

XLI

Robin thought on Our Ladye deere,

And soone leapt up againe,

And strait he came with an aukward[951] stroke,

And he Sir Guy hath slayne.

XLII

He took Sir Guy’s head by the hayre,

And stickèd itt on his bowes end:

‘Thou hast been traytor all thy liffe,

Which thing must have an ende.’

XLIII

Robin pulled forth an Irish kniffe,

And nicked Sir Guy in the face,

That he was never on woman born,

Cold tell whose head it was.

XLIV

Saies, ‘Lye there, lye there, good Sir Guy,

And with me be not wrothe;

If thou have had the worse strokes at my hand,

Thou shalt have the better clothe.’

XLV

Robin did off his gowne of greene,

And on Sir Guy did it throwe,

And hee put on that capull-hyde[952],

That clad him topp to toe.

XLVI

‘The bowe, the arrowes, and litle horne,

Now with me I will beare;

For I will away to Barnèsdale,

To see how my men doe fare.’

XLVII

Robin sett Guy’s horne to his mouth,

A loud blast in it he did blow,

That beheard the Sheriffe of Nottingham,

As he leaned under a lowe[953].

XLVIII

‘Hearken! hearken!’ sayd the Sheriffe,

‘I heare now tydings good,

For yonder I heare Sir Guy’s horne blowe,

And he hath slaine Robin Hood.

XLIX

‘Yonder I heare Sir Guy’s horne blowe,

Itt blowes soe well in tyde,

And yonder comes that wight yemàn,

Cladd in his capull-hyde.

‘Come hyther, come hyther, thou good Sir Guy,

Aske what thou wilt of mee.’--

‘O I will none of thy gold,’ sayd Robin,

‘Nor I will none of thy fee:

‘But now I have slaine the master,’ he sayes,

‘Let me go strike the knave;

This is all the rewarde I aske;

Nor noe other will I have.’

LII

‘Thou art a madman,’ said the Sheriffe,

‘Thou sholdest have had a knight’s fee:

But seeing thy asking hath beene so bad,

Well granted it shall be.’

LIII

When Little John heard his master speake,

Well knewe he it was his steven[954]:

‘Now shall I be looset,’ quoth Little John,

‘With Christ his might in heaven.’

LIV

Robin hee hyed him to Little John,

He thought to loose him belive[955];

The Sheriffe and all his companye

Fast after him did drive.

‘Stand abacke! stand abacke!’ sayd Robin Hood;

‘Why draw you mee soe neere?

Itt was never the use in our countrye,

One’s shrift another shold heere.’

LVI

But Robin pull’d forth an Irysh kniffe,

And losed John hand and foote,

And gave him Sir Guy’s bow into his hand,

And bade it be his boote.

LVII

Then John he took Guy’s bow in his hand,

His boltes and arrowes eche one:

When the Sheriffe saw Little John bend his bow,

He fettled him to be gone.

LVIII

Towards his house in Nottingham towne

He fled full fast away;

And soe did all his companye:

Not one behind wold stay.

LIX

But he cold neither goe soe fast,

Nor away soe fast cold runne,

But Little John with an arrowe soe broad,

Did cleave his herte in twinne.

FOOTNOTES:

[926] shaws = woods.

[927] sheene = bright.

[928] shradds = coppices(?).

[929] woodweele = woodlark, thrush(?).

[930] sweaven = dream.

[931] wight = sturdy.

[932] wroken = revenged.

[933] Buske = dress.

[934] bowne = get ready.

[935] capull-hyde = horse-hide.

[936] farley = wondrous strange.

[937] gates = ways, paths.

[938] slade = hollow.

[939] fettl’d = prepared.

[940] boote = help.

[941] wilfull = astray.

[942] tyde = time of day.

[943] masteryes = trials of skill.

[944] unsett steven = time not appointed.

[945] shroggs = shrubs.

[946] threescore rood in twinne = sixty rods apart.

[947] prickes = marks.

[948] lyne = linden.

[949] reachles on = reckless, careless of.

[950] may = maid.

[951] aukward = back-handed.

[952] capull-hyde = horse-hide.

[953] lowe = hillock.

[954] steven = voice.

[955] belive = straightway.

_117. Robin Hood and the Monk_

In somer, when the shawes[956] be sheyne[957],

And leves be large and long,

Hit is full mery in feyre foreste

To here the foulys song:

To se the dere draw to the dale,

And leve the hillès hee,

And shadow hem in the levë’s grene,

Under the grene-wode tre.

III

Hit befel on Whitsontide,

Erly in a May mornyng,

The Son up feyre can shyne,

And the briddis mery can syng.

‘This is a mery mornyng,’ seid Litull John,

‘Be Hym that dyed on tre;

A more mery man then I am one

Lyves not in Cristiantë.

‘Pluk up thi hert, my dere mayster,’

Litull John can sey,

‘And thynk hit is a full fayre tyme

In a mornyng of May.’

‘Ye, on thyng greves me,’ seid Robyn,

‘And does my hert mych woo;

That I may not no solem day

To mas nor matyns goo.

VII

‘Hit is a fourtnet and more,’ seid he,

‘Syn I my Savyour see;

To day wil I to Notyngham,’ seid Robyn,

‘With the myght of mylde Marye.’

VIII

Than spake Moche, the mylner son,--

Ever more wel hym betyde!

‘Take twelve of thi wyght yemèn[958],

Well weppynd, be thi side.

Such on wolde thi selfe slon[959],

That twelve dar not abyde.’

‘Of all my mery men,’ seid Robyn,

‘Be my feith I wil non have,

But Litull John shall beyre my bow,

Til that me list to drawe.’

‘Thou shall beyre thin own,’ seid Litull John,

‘Maister, and I wyl beyre myne,

And we well shete a peny[960],’ seid Litull John,

‘Under the grene-wode lyne[961].’

‘I wil not shete a peny,’ seyd Robyn Hode,

‘In feith, Litull John, with the,

But ever for on as thou shetis,’ seide Robyn,

‘In feith I holde[962] the thre.’

XII

Thus shet thei forth, these yemen two,

Bothe at buske[963] and brome,

Til Litull John wan of his maister

Five shillings to hose and shone.

XIII

A ferly[964] strife fel them betwene,

As they went bi the wey;

Litull John seid he had won five shillings,

And Robyn Hode seid schortly nay.

XIV

With that Robyn Hode lyed[965] Litull John,

And smote hym with his hande;

Litull John waxèd wroth therwith,

And pull’d out his bright bronde.

‘Were thou not my maister,’ seid Litull John,

‘Thou shuldis be hit ful sore;

Get the a man wher thou wilt,

For thou getis me no more.’

XVI

Then Robyn goes to Notyngham,

Hym selfe mornyng allone,

And Litull John to mery Scherwode,

The pathes he knew ilkone[966].

XVII

Whan Robyn came to Notyngham,

Sertenly withouten layn[967],

He prayed to God and myld Mary

To bryng hym out save agayn.

XVIII

He gos in to Seynt Mary chirch,

And kneled down before the rode;

Alle that e’er were the church within

Beheld wel Robyn Hode.

XIX

Beside hym stod a gret-hedid munke,

I pray to God woo he be!

Fful sone he knew gode Robyn,

As sone as he hym se.

Out at the durre he ran,

Fful sone and anon;

Alle the yatis[968] of Notyngham

He made to be sparred[969] euerychon.

XXI

‘Rise up,’ he seid, ‘thou prowde Schereff,

Buske[970] the and make the bowne[971];

I have spyèd the Kynggis felon,

Fforsothe he is in this town.

XXII

‘I have spyèd the false felon,

As he stondis at his masse;

Hit is long of[972] the,’ seide the munke

‘And ever he fro us passe.

XXIII

‘This traytur name is Robyn Hode,

Under the grene-wode lynde;

He robbyt me onys of a hundred pound,

Hit shalle never out of my mynde.’

XXIV

Up then rose this prowde Shereff,

And radly[973] made hym yare[974];

Many was the moder son

To the kyrk with hym can fare.

XXV

In at the durres thei throly thrast[975],

With stavès ful gode wone[976];

‘Alas, alas!’ seid Robyn Hode,

‘Now mysse I Litull John.’

XXVI

But Robyn toke out a two-hond sworde,

That hangit down be his kne;

Ther as the Schereff and his men stode thyckust,

Thethurwarde wolde he.

XXVII

Thryes thorowout them he ran then,

Forsothe as I yow sey,

And woundyt mony a moder son,

And twelve he slew that day.

XXVIII

His sworde upon the Schereff hed

Sertanly he brake in two;

‘The smyth that the made,’ seid Robyn,

‘I pray to God wyrke hym woo!

XXIX

‘Ffor now am I weppynlesse,’ seid Robyn,

‘Alasse! agayn my wylle;

But if[977] I may fle these traytors fro,

I wot thei wil me kyll.’

XXX

Robyn into the churchë ran,

Throout hem everilkon ...

[Then word is gone to his yemen

In grene-wode wher they wone[978].]

XXXI

Sum fel in swonyng as thei were dede,

And lay stil as any stone;

Non of theym were in her mynde

But only Litull John.

XXXII

‘Let be your rule[979],’ seid Litull John,

‘Ffor his luf that dyed on tre;

Ye that shulde be dughty[980] men,

Het is gret shame to se.

XXXIII

‘Oure maister has bene hard bystode

And yet scapyd away;

Pluk up your hertis, and leve this mone[981],

And harkyn what I shal say.

XXXIV

‘He has seruyd Oure Lady many a day,

And yet wil, securly;

Therfor I trust in hir specialy

No wyckud deth shal he dye.

XXXV

‘Therfor be glad,’ seid Litull John,

‘And let this mournyng be;

And I shal be the munkis gyde[982],

With the myght of mylde Mary.’

XXXVI

[Than spake Moche, the mylner son,]

‘We will go but we two.’--

‘An I mete hym,’ seid Litull John,

[‘I trust to wyrke hym woo.]

XXXVII

‘Loke that ye kepe wel owre tristil-tre[983],

Under the levys smale[984],

And spare non of this venyson,

That gose in thys vale.’

XXXVIII

Fforthe then went these yemen two,

Litull John and Moche on fere[985],

And lokid on Moch’ emys hows[986],--

The hye-way lay full nere.

XXXIX

Litull John stode at a wyndow in the mornyng,

And lokid forth at a stage[987];

He was war wher the munke came ridyng,

And with hym a litul page.

‘Be my feith,’ seid Litull John to Moch,

‘I can the tel tithyngus[988] gode;

I se wher the monke cumys rydyng,

I know hym be his wyde hode.’

XLI

They went in to the way, these yemen bothe,

As curtes men and hende[989];

Thei spyrred[990] tithyngus at the munke,

As they hade bene his frende.

XLII

‘Ffro whens come ye?’ seid Litull John,

‘Tel us tithyngus, I yow pray,

Off a false owtlay, callid Robyn Hode,

Was takyn yisterday.

XLIII

‘He robbyt me and my felowes bothe

Of twenti marke in serten;

If that false owtlay be takyn,

Ffor sothe we wolde be fayn.’

XLIV

‘So did he me,’ seid the munke,

‘Of a hundred pound and more;

I layde furst hande hym apon,

Ye may thonke me therfore.’

XLV

‘I pray God thanke you,’ seid Litull John,

‘And we wil when we may;

We wil go with you, with your leve,

And bryng yow on your way.

XLVI

‘Ffor Robyn Hode hase many a wilde felow,

I tell you in certen;

If thei wist ye rode this way,

In feith ye shulde be slayn.’

XLVII

As thei went talking be the way,

The munke and Litull John,

John toke the munkis horse be the hede,

Fful sone and anon.

XLVIII

John toke the munkis horse be the hed,

Fforsothe as I yow say;

So did Much the litull page,

Ffor he shulde not scape away.

XLIX

Be the golett[991] of the hode

John pulled the munkè down;

John was nothyng of hym agast[992],

He lete hym falle on his crown.

Litull John was sore agrevyd,

And drew owt his swerde in hye[993];

This munkè saw he shulde be ded,

Lowd mercy can he crye.

‘He was my maister,’ seid Litull John,

‘That thou hase browght in bale[994];

Shalle thou never cum at our Kyng,

Ffor to telle hym tale.’

LII

John smote of the munkis hed,

No longer wolde he dwell;

So did Moch the litull page,

Ffor ferd[995] lest he wolde tell.

LIII

Ther thei beryèd hem bothe,

In nouther mosse nor lyng,

And Litull John and Much in fere

Bare the letturs to oure Kyng.

LIV

[Whan John came unto oure Kyng]

He knelid down on his kne:

God yow save, my legè lorde,

Jhesus yow save and se!

‘God yow save, my legè Kyng!’

To speke John was full bolde;

He gaf hym the letturs in his hond,

The Kyng did hit unfold.

LVI

The Kyng red the letturs anon,

And seid, ‘So mot I the[996],

Ther was never yoman in mery Inglond

I longut so sore to se.

LVII

‘Wher is the munke that these shuld have brought?’

Ourè Kyng can say:

‘Be my trouth,’ seid Litull John,

‘He dyed after[997] the way.’

LVIII

The Kyng gaf Moch and Litull John

Twenti pound in sertan,

And made theim yemen of the crown,

And bade theim go agayn.

LIX

He gaf John the seel in hand,

The Sheref for to bere,

To bryng Robyn hym to,

And no man do hym dere[998].

John toke his leve at oure Kyng,

The sothe as I yow say;

The next[999] way to Notyngham

To take, he yede[1000] the way.

LXI

Whan John came to Notyngham

The yatis were sparred ychon[1001];

John callid up the porter,

He answerid sone anon.

LXII

‘What is the cause,’ seid Litull John,

‘Thou sparris the yates so fast?’--

‘Because of Robyn Hode,’ seid the porter,

‘In depe prison is cast.

LXIII

‘John and Moch and Wyll Scathlok,

Ffor sothe as I yow say,

Thei slew oure men upon our wallis,

And sawten[1002] us every day.’

LXIV

Litull John spyrred after the Schereff,

And sone he hym fonde;

He oppyned the Kyngus prive seell,

And gaf hym in his honde.

LXV

Whan the Scheref saw the Kyngus seell,

He did of his hode[1003] anon:

‘Wher is the munke that bare the letturs?’

He seid to Litull John.

LXVI

‘He is so fayn of hym,’ seid Litull John,

‘Fforsothe as I yow say,

He has made hym abot of Westmynster,

A lorde of that abbay.’

LXVII

The Scheref made John godè chere,

And gaf hym wyne of the best;

At nyght thei went to her[1004] beddè,

And every man to his rest.

LXVIII

When the Scheref was on slepe,

Dronken of wyne and ale,

Litull John and Moch forsothe

Toke the way unto the jale.

LXIX

Litull John callid up the jayler,

And bade hym rise anon;

He seyd Robyn Hode had brokyn prison,

And out of hit was gon.

LXX

The porter rose anon sertan,

As sone as he herd John calle;

Litull John was redy with a swerd,

And bare hym to the walle.

LXXI

‘Now wil I be porter,’ seid Litull John,

‘And take the keyes in honde:’

He toke the way to Robyn Hode,

And sone he hym unbonde.

LXXII

He gaf hym a gode swerd in his hond,

His hed therwith for to kepe,

And ther as the walle was lowyst

Anon down can thei lepe.

LXXIII

Be that the cok began to crow,

The day began to spryng,

The Scheref fond the jaylier ded;

The comyn bell[1005] made he ryng.

LXXIV

He made a crye thoroout al the town,

Wheder he be yoman or knave,

That cowthè bryng hym Robyn Hode,

His warison[1006] he shuld have.

LXXV

‘Ffor I dar never,’ said the Scheref,

‘Cum before oure Kyng;

Ffor if I do, I wot serten

Ffor sothe he wil me heng.’

LXXVI

The Scheref made to seke Notyngham,

Bothe be strete and stye[1007],

And Robyn was in mery Scherwode,

As light as lef on lynde.

LXXVII

Then bespake gode Litull John,

To Robyn Hode can he say,

‘I have done the a gode turne for an evyll,

Quyte the whan thou may.

LXXVIII

‘I have done the a gode turne,’ seid Litull John,

‘Fforsothe as I yow say;

I have brought the under grene-wode lyne;

Ffare wel, and have gode day.’

LXXIX

‘Nay, be my trouth,’ seid Robyn Hode,

‘So shall hit never be;

I make the maister,’ seid Robyn Hode,

‘Off alle my men and me.’

LXXX

‘Nay, be my trouth,’ seid Litull John,

‘So shalle hit never be;

But lat me be a felow,’ seid Litull John,

‘No noder kepe I be[1008].’

LXXXI

Thus John gate Robyn Hode out of prison,

Sertan withoutyn layn;

Whan his men saw hym hol and sounde,

Fforsothe they were full fayne.

LXXXII

They fillèd in wyne, and made hem glad,

Under the levys smale,

And yete[1009] pastès of venyson,

That gode was with ale.

LXXXIII

Than wordè came to oure Kyng

How Robyn Hode was gon,

And how the Scheref of Notyngham

Durst never loke hym upon.

LXXXIV

Then bespake oure cumly Kyng,

In an angur hye:

‘Litull John hase begyled the Schereff,

In faith so hase he me.

LXXXV

‘Litull John has begyled us bothe

And that full wel I se;

Or ellis the Schereff of Notyngham

Hye hongut shulde he be.

LXXXVI

‘I made hem yemen of the crowne,

And gaf hem fee with my hond;

I gaf hem grith[1010],’ seid oure Kyng,

‘Thorowout all mery Inglond.

LXXXVII

‘I gaf theym grith,’ then seid oure Kyng;

‘I say, so mot I the,

Fforsothe soch a yeman as he is on

In all Inglond ar not thre.

LXXXVIII

‘He is trew to his maister,’ seid our Kyng;

‘I sey, be swete Seynt John,

He lovys better Robyn Hode

Then he dose us ychon.

LXXXIX

‘Robyn Hode is ever bond to hym,

Bothe in strete and stalle;

Speke no more of this mater,’ seid oure Kyng,

‘But John has begyled us alle.’

Thus endys the talkyng of the munke

And Robyn Hode i-wysse;

God, that is ever a crowned kyng,

Bryng us all to his blisse!

FOOTNOTES:

[956] shawes = woods.

[957] sheyne = bright, beautiful.

[958] wyght yemèn = sturdy yeomen.

[959] slon = slay.

[960] shete a peny = shoot for a penny.

[961] lyne = linden.

[962] holde = wager.

[963] buske = bush.

[964] ferly = wondrous, strange.

[965] lyed = gave the lie to.

[966] ilkone = each one.

[967] layn = concealment.

[968] yatis = gates.

[969] sparred = barred.

[970] Buske = get ready.

[971] bowne = bound, ready.

[972] long of = along of, i. e. thy fault.

[973] radly = quickly.

[974] yare = ready.

[975] throly thrast = pressed stubbornly.

[976] gode wone = good number, plenty.

[977] But if = unless.

[978] wone = dwelt.

[979] rule = ‘taking on,’ lamenting.

[980] dughty = doughty.

[981] mone = moan.

[982] gyde = be the guide, take charge of.

[983] tristil-tre = trysting-tree, rendezvous.

[984] smale = small.

[985] on fere = in company.

[986] emys hows = uncle’s house.

[987] at a stage = on an upper floor.

[988] tithyngus = tidings.

[989] hende = civil.

[990] spyrred = spiered, inquired.

[991] golett = gullet, throat.

[992] of him agast = alarmed about him.

[993] hye = haste.

[994] bale = harm.

[995] ferd = fear.

[996] mot I the = I thrive.

[997] after = behind on.

[998] dere = injury.

[999] next = nighest.

[1000] yede = went.

[1001] ychon = each one.

[1002] sawten = assault.

[1003] did of his hode = took off his hat.

[1004] her = their.

[1005] comyn bell = town bell.

[1006] warison = reward.

[1007] stye = path, alley.

[1008] kepe I be = care I to be.

[1009] yete = ate.

[1010] grith = charter of peace.

_118. Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar_

_But how many months be in the year?

There are thirteen, I say;

The midsummer moon is the merryest of all

Next to the merry month of May._

In summer time, when leaves grow green,

And flowers are fresh and gay,

Robin Hood and his merry men

Were [all] disposed to play.

Then some would leap, and some would run,

And some use artillery:

‘Which of you can a good bow draw,

A good archer to be?

III

‘Which of you can kill a buck?

Or who can kill a doe?

Or who can kill a hart of grease,

Five hundred foot him fro?’

Will Scadlock he kill’d a buck,

And Midge he kill’d a doe,

And Little John kill’d a hart of grease,

Five hundred foot him fro.

‘God’s blessing on thy heart,’ said Robin Hood,

‘That hath [shot] such a shot for me;

I would ride my horse an hundred miles,

To finde one could match with thee’

That caus’d Will Scadlock to laugh,

He laugh’d full heartily:

‘There lives a curtal friar in Fountains Abbey

Will beat both him and thee.

VII

‘That curtal friar in Fountains Abbey

Well can a strong bow draw;

He will beat you and your yeomen,

Set them all on a row.’

VIII

Robin Hood took a solemn oath,

It was by Mary free,

That he would neither eat nor drink

Till the friar he did see.

Robin Hood put on his harness good,

And on his head a cap of steel,

Broad sword and buckler by his side,

And they became him weel.

He took his bow into his hand,

It was made of a trusty tree,

With a sheaf of arrows at his belt,

To the Fountains Dale went he.

And coming unto Fountain[s] Dale,

No further would he ride;

There was he aware of a curtal friar,

Walking by the water-side.

XII

The friar had on a harness good,

And on his head a cap of steel,

Broad sword and buckler by his side,

And they became him weel.

XIII

Robin Hood lighted off his horse,

And tied him to a thorn:

‘Carry me over the water, thou curtal friar,

Or else thy life’s forlorn.’

XIV

The friar took Robin Hood on his back,

Deep water he did bestride,

And spake neither good word nor bad,

Till he came at the other side.

Lightly leapt Robin Hood off the friar’s back;

The friar said to him again,

‘Carry me over this water, fine fellow,

Or it shall breed thy pain.’

XVI

Robin Hood took the friar on ’s back,

Deep water he did bestride,

And spake neither good word nor bad,

Till he came at the other side.

XVII

Lightly leapt the friar off Robin Hood’s back;

Robin Hood said to him again,

‘Carry me over this water, thou curtal friar,

Or it shall breed thy pain.’

XVIII

The friar took Robin Hood on’s back again,

And stept up to the knee;

Till he came at the middle stream,

Neither good nor bad spake he.

XIX

And coming to the middle stream,

There he threw Robin in:

‘And chuse thee, chuse thee, fine fellow,

Whether thou wilt sink or swim!’

Robin Hood swam to a bush of broom,

The friar to a wicker wand;

Bold Robin Hood is gone to shore,

And took his bow in hand.

XXI

One of his best arrows under his belt

To the friar he let flye;

The curtal friar, with his steel buckler,

He put that arrow by.

XXII

‘Shoot on, shoot on, thou fine fellòw,

Shoot on as thou hast begun;

If thou shoot here a summer’s day,

Thy mark I will not shun.’

XXIII

Robin Hood shot passing well,

Till his arrows all were gone;

They took their swords and steel bucklers,

And fought with might and maine;

XXIV

From ten o’ th’ clock that day,

Till four i’ th’ afternoon;

Then Robin Hood came to his knees,

Of the friar to beg a boon.

XXV

‘A boon, a boon, thou curtal friar!

I beg it on my knee;

Give me leave to set my horn to my mouth,

And to blow blasts three.’

XXVI

‘That will I do,’ said the curtal friar!

‘Of thy blasts I have no doubt;

I hope thou’lt blow so passing well

Till both thy eyes fall out.’

XXVII

Robin Hood set his horn to his mouth

He blew but blasts three;

Half a hundred yeomen, with bows bent,

Came raking[1011] over the lee.

XXVIII

‘Whose men are these,’ said the friar,

‘That come so hastily?’

‘These men are mine,’ said Robin Hood

‘Friar, what is that to thee?’

XXIX

‘A boon, a boon,’ said the curtal friar,

‘The like I gave to thee!

Give me leave to set my fist to my mouth,

And to whute[1012] whutès three.’

XXX

‘That will I do,’ said Robin Hood,

‘Or else I were to blame;

Three whutès in a friar’s fist

Would make me glad and fain.’

XXXI

The friar he set his fist to his mouth,

And whuted whutès three;

Half a hundred good ban-dogs

Came running the friar unto.

XXXII

‘Here’s for every man of thine a dog,

And I my self for thee!’--

‘Nay, by my faith,’ quoth Robin Hood,

‘Friar, that may not be.’

XXXIII

Two dogs at once to Robin Hood did go,

T’ one behind, the other before;

Robin Hood’s mantle of Lincoln green

Off from his back they tore.

XXXIV

And whether his men shot east or west,

Or they shot north or south,

The curtal dogs, so taught they were,

They kept their arrows in their mouth.

XXXV

‘Take up thy dogs,’ said Little John,

‘Friar, at my bidding be.’--

‘Whose man art thou,’ said the curtal friar,

‘Comes here to prate with me?’--

XXXVI

‘I am Little John, Robin Hood’s man,

Friar, I will not lie;

If thou take not up thy dogs soon,

I’le take up them and thee.’

XXXVII

Little John had a bow in his hand,

He shot with might and main;

Soon half a score of the friar’s dogs

Lay dead upon the plain.

XXXVIII

‘Hold thy hand, good fellow,’ said the curtal friar,

‘Thy master and I will agree;

And we will have new orders taken,

With all the haste that may be.’

XXXIX

‘If thou wilt forsake fair Fountains Dale,

And Fountains Abbey free,

Every Sunday throughout the year,

A noble shall be thy fee.

‘And every holy day throughout the year,

Changed shall thy garment be,

If thou wilt go to fair Nottingham,

And there remain with me.’

XLI

This curtal friar had kept Fountains Dale

Seven long years or more;

There was neither knight, lord, nor earl

Could make him yield before.

FOOTNOTES:

[1011] raking = advancing.

[1012] whute = whistle.

_119. Robin Hood and the Butcher_

Come, all you brave gallants, and listen a while,

That are in the bowers within;

For of Robin Hood, that archer good,

A song I intend for to sing.

Upon a time it chancèd so

Bold Robin in forrest did spy

A jolly butchèr, with a bonny fine mare,

With his flesh to the market did hye.

III

‘Good morrow, good fellow!’ said jolly Robìn,

‘What food hast? tell unto me;

And thy trade to me tell, and where thou dost dwell,

For I like well thy company.’

The butcher he answered jolly Robin:

‘No matter where I dwell;

For a butcher I am, and to Notingham

I am going, my flesh to sell.’

‘What price 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 dear,

Four mark thou must give unto me.’

VII

‘Four mark I will give thee,’ saith jolly Robìn,

‘Four mark it shall be thy fee;

Thy mony come count, and let me mount,

For a butcher I fain would be.’

VIII

Now Robin he is to Notingham gone,

His butcher’s trade for to begin;

With good intent, to the Sheriff he went,

And there he took up his inn.

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

Than 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.

XII

Which made the butchers of Notingham

To study as they did stand,

Saying, surely he was some prodigal,

That had sold his father’s land.

XIII

The butchers they stepped to jolly Robin,

Acquainted with him for to be;

‘Come, brother,’ one said, ‘we be all of one trade,

Come, will you go dine with me?’

XIV

‘Accurst of his heart,’ said jolly Robìn,

‘That a butcher doth deny!

I will go with you, my brethren true,

And as fast as I can hie.’

But when to the Sheriff’s house they came,

To dinner they hied apace,

And Robin Hood he the man must be

Before them all to say grace.

XVI

‘Pray God bless us all,’ said jolly Robìn,

‘And our meat within this place;

A cup of sack good, to nourish our blood,

And so I do end my grace.

XVII

‘Come fill us more wine,’ said jolly Robìn,

‘Let us merry be while we do stay;

For wine and good cheer, be it never so dear,

I vow I the reck’ning will pay.

XVIII

‘Come, brothers, be merry,’ said jolly Robìn,

‘Let us drink, and never give o’er;

For the shot I will pay, ere I go my way,

If it cost me five pounds and more.’

XIX

‘This is a mad blade,’ the butchers then said;

Says the Sheriff, ‘He’s some prodigal,

That his land has sold, for silver and gold,

And meaneth to spend it all.’

‘Hast thou any horn-beasts,’ the Sheriff inquired,

‘Good fellow, to sell unto me?’--

‘Yea, a plenty I have, good Master Sheriff,

I have hundreds two or three.

XXI

‘And a hundred acre of good free land,

An it please you go for to see;

And I’le make you as good assurance of it

As ever my father made me.’

XXII

The Sheriff he saddled a good palfrèy,

With three hundred pound in gold,

And away he went with bold Robin Hood,

His hornèd beasts to behold.

XXIII

Away then the Sheriff and Robin did ride,

To the forest of merry Sherwood;

Then the Sheriff did say, ‘God bless us this day

From a man they call Robin Hood!’

XXIV

But when that a little further they came,

Bold Robin he chancèd to spy

A hundred head of the good red deer,

Come tripping the Sheriff full nigh.

XXV

‘How like you my horn’d beasts, 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.’

XXVI

Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth,

And blew but blastès three;

Then quickly anon there came Little John,

And all his company.

XXVII

‘What is your will?’ then said Little John,

‘Good master come tell it to me;’

‘I have brought hither the Sheriff of Notingham,

This day to dine with thee.’

XXVIII

‘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.’

XXIX

Robin Hood took his mantle from his back,

And laid it upon the ground,

And out of the Sheriff’s portmantle

He told three hundred pound.

XXX

Then Robin he brought him thorow the wood,

Set him on his dapple gray:

‘O have me commended, good sir, to your wife!’--

So Robin went laughing away.

_120. Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford_

Come, gentlemen all, and listen a while;

A story I’ll to you unfold--

How Robin Hood servèd the Bishop,

When he robb’d him of his gold.

As it befel in merry Barnsdale,

And under the green-wood tree,

The Bishop of Hereford was to come by,

With all his companye.

III

‘Come, kill a ven’son,’ said bold Robin Hood,

‘Come, kill me a good fat deer;

The Bishop’s 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’t by the highway-side,

And narrowly watch for the Bishop,

Lest some other way he should ride.’

He dress’d himself up in shepherd’s attire,

With six of his men also;

And the Bishop of Hereford came thereby,

As about the fire they did go.

‘What matter is this?’ said the Bishop;

‘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?’

VII

‘We are shepherds,’ 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.’

VIII

‘You are brave fellowes,’ said the Bishop,

‘And the King of your doings shall know;

Therefore make haste, come along with me,

For before the King you shall go.’

‘O pardon, O pardon,’ says bold Robin Hood,

‘O pardon, I thee pray!

For it never becomes your lordship’s coat

To take so many lives away.’

‘No pardon, no pardon!’ the Bishop says;

‘No pardon I thee owe;

Therefore make haste, come along with me,

For before the King you shall go.’

Robin set his back against a tree,

And his foot against a thorn,

And from underneath his shepherd’s coat

He pull’d out a bugle horn.

XII

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;

XIII

All making obeisance to bold Robin Hood;

--’Twas a comely sight for to see:

‘What matter, my master,’ said Little John,

‘That you blow so hastilye?’--

XIV

‘O here is the Bishop of Hereford,

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 Bishop,

‘O pardon, I thee pray!

For if I had known it had been you,

I’d have gone some other way.’--

XVI

‘No pardon, no pardon!’ said Robin Hood;

‘No pardon I thee owe;

Therefore make haste, come along with me,

For to merry Barnsdale you shall go.’

XVII

Then Robin has taken the Bishop’s 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.

XVIII

‘Call in the reckoning,’ said the Bishòp,

‘For methinks it grows wondrous high.’--

‘Lend me your purse, Bishop,’ said Little John,

‘And I’ll tell you by-and-by.’

XIX

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.

‘So 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 go from me.’

XXI

Robin Hood took the Bishop by the hand,

And bound him fast to a tree,

And made him to sing a mass, God wot,

To him and his yeomandrye.

XXII

Then Robin Hood brought him through the wood

And causèd the music to play,

And he made the Bishop to dance in his boots,

And they set him on ’s dapple-grey,

And they gave the tail within his hand--

And glad he could so get away!

_121. Robin Hood and Alan a Dale_

Come listen to me, you gallants so free,

All you that love mirth for to hear,

And I will you tell of a bold outlàw,

That lived in Nottinghamshire.

As Robin Hood in the forest stood,

All under the green-wood tree,

There was he ware of a brave young man,

As fine as fine might be.

III

The youngster was clothed in scarlet red,

In scarlet fine and gay,

And he did frisk it over the plain,

And chanted a roundelay.

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 every step he fetcht a sigh,

‘Alack and a well a day!’

Then steppèd forth brave Little John,

And Much the miller’s son,

Which made the young man bend his bow,

When as he saw them come.

VII

‘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.’

VIII

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 weddìng.

‘Yesterday I should have married a maid,

But she is now from me tane,

And chosen to be an old knight’s 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 Alan a Dale.’

XII

‘What wilt thou give me,’ said Robin Hood,

‘In ready gold or fee,

To help thee to thy true-love again,

And deliver her unto thee?’

XIII

‘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.’--

XIV

‘But how many miles to thy true-love?

Come tell me without any 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[1013],

Until he came unto the church

Where Alan should keep his weddìng.

XVI

‘What dost thou do here?’ the Bishop he said,

‘I prithee now tell to me:’

‘I am a bold harper,’ quoth Robin Hood,

‘And the best in the north countrey.’

XVII

‘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.’

XVIII

With that came in a wealthy knight,

Which was both grave and old,

And after him a finikin lass,

Did shine like glistering gold.

XIX

‘This is no fit match,’ quoth bold Robin Hood,

‘That you do seem to make here;

For since we are come unto the church,

The bride she shall chuse her own dear.’

Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth,

And blew blasts two or three;

When four and twenty bowmen bold

Come leaping over the lee.

XXI

And when they came into the churchyard,

Marching all on a row,

The first man was Alan a Dale,

To give bold Robin his bow.

XXII

‘This is thy true-love,’ Robin he said,

‘Young Alan, as I hear say;

And you shall be married at this same time,

Before we depart away.’

XXIII

‘That shall not be,’ the Bishop he said,

‘For thy word it shall not stand;

They shall be three times askt in the church,

As the law is of our land.’

XXIV

Robin Hood pull’d off the Bishop’s coat,

And put it upon Little John;

‘By the faith of my body,’ then Robin said,

‘This cloath doth make thee a man.’

XXV

When Little John went into the quire,

The people began for to laugh;

He askt them seven times in the church,

Least three should not be enough.

XXVI

‘Who gives me this maid?’ then said Little John;

Quoth Robin, ‘That do I!

And he that doth take her from Alan a Dale

Full dearly he shall her buy.’

XXVII

And thus having ended this merry weddìng

The bride lookt as fresh as a queen,

And so they return’d to the merry green-wood,

Amongst the leaves so green.

FOOTNOTES:

[1013] lin = stop.

_122. Robin Hood and the Widow’s Three Sons_

There are twelve months in all the year,

As I hear many men 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.

III

‘What news? what news, thou silly old woman?

What news hast them for me?’

Said she, ‘There’s three squires in Nottingham town

To-day is condemn’d to die.’

‘O have they parishes burnt?’ he said,

‘Or have they ministers slain?

Or have they robb’d any virgin,

Or other men’s wives have ta’en?’--

‘They have no parishes burnt, good sir,

Nor yet have ministers slain,

Nor have they robbed any virgin,

Nor other men’s wives have ta’en.’

‘O what have they done?’ said bold Robin Hood,

‘I pray thee tell to me.’--

‘It’s for slaying of the King’s fallow deer,

Bearing their long bows with thee.’--

VII

‘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 tell it in no better time.’

VIII

Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,

_With a link a down and a day_,

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 condemned to die this day.’--

‘Come change thy apparel with me, old man,

Come change thy apparel for mine;

Here is forty shillings in good silver,

Go drink it in beer or wine.’--

‘O thine apparel is good,’ he said,

‘And mine is ragged and torn;

Wherever you go, wherever you ride,

Laugh ne’er an old man to scorn.’--

XII

‘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.’

XIII

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.’

XIV

Then he put on the old man’s cloak,

Was patch’d black, blue, and red;

He thought 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[1014] to side;

‘By the truth of my body,’ bold Robin can say,

‘This man lov’d little pride!’

XVI

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[1015].’

XVII

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!’

XVIII

Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,

_With a link a down and a down_,

And there he met with the proud Sheríff,

Was walking along the town.

XIX

‘O save, O save, O Sheriff,’ he said,

‘O save, and you may 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.’

XXI

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.’--

XXII

‘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!

XXIII

‘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.

XXIV

‘I have a horn in my pockèt,

I got it from Robin Hood,

And still when I set it to my mouth,

For thee it blows little good.’--

XXV

‘O wind thy horn, thou proud fellòw,

Of thee I have no doubt;

I wish that thou give such a blast

Till both thy eyes fall out.’

XXVI

The first loud blast that he did blow,

He blew both loud and shrill;

A hundred and fifty of Robin Hood’s men

Came riding over the hill.

XXVII

The next loud blast that he did give,

He blew both loud and amain;

And quickly sixty of Robin Hood’s men

Came shining over the plain.

XXVIII

‘O who are yon,’ the Sheriff he said,

‘Come tripping over the lee?’

‘They’re my attendants,’ brave Robin did say,

‘They’ll pay a visit to thee.’

XXIX

They took the gallows from the slack[1016],

They set it in the glen,

They hang’d the proud Sheriff on that,

And releas’d their own three men.

FOOTNOTES:

[1014] ballup = front, or flap.

[1015] list = inclination, desire for it.

[1016] slack = hollow, dell.

_123. Robin Hood’s Golden Prize_

I have heard talk of bold Robin Hood,

And of brave Little John,

Of Friar Tuck, and Will Scarlet,

Locksley, and Maid Marion.

But such a tale as this before

I think there was never none;

For Robin Hood disguised himself,

And to the wood is gone.

III

Like to a friar bold Robin Hood

Was accouter’d in his array;

With hood, gown, beads and crucifix,

He pass’d upon the way.

He had not gone miles two or three,

But it was his chance to spy

Two lusty priests, clad all in black,

Come riding gallantly.

‘Benedicite,’ then said Robin Hood,

‘Some pity on me take;

Cross you my hand with a silver groat,

For Our dear Ladye’s sake!

‘For I have been wand’ring all this day,

And nothing could I get;

Not so much as one poor cup of drink,

Nor bit of bread to eat.’

VII

‘By my holydame,’ the priests repli’d,

‘We never a penny have;

For we this morning have been robb’d,

And could no money save.’

VIII

‘I am much afraid’ said bold Robin Hood,

‘That you both do tell a lye;

And now before that you go hence,

I am resolv’d to try.’

When as the priests heard him say so,

They rode away amain;

But Robin betook him to his heels,

And soon overtook them again.

Then Robin Hood laid hold of them both,

And pull’d them down from their horse:

‘O spare, us, friar!’ the priests cry’d out,

‘On us have some remorse!’

‘You said you had no money,’ quoth he;

‘Wherefore without delay

We three will fall down on our knees,

And for money we will pray.’

XII

The priests they could not him gainsay,

But down they kneel’d with speed;

‘Send us, O send us,’ then quoth they,

‘Some money to serve our need!’

XIII

The priests did pray with mournful chear,

Sometimes their hands did wring,

Sometimes they wept and cried aloud,

Whilst Robin did merrily sing.

XIV

When they had pray’d an hour’s space,

The priests did still lament;

Then quoth bold Robin, ‘Now let’s see

What money heaven hath us sent.

‘We will be sharers all alike

Of the money that we have;

And there is never a one of us

That his fellows shall deceive.’

XVI

The priests their hands in their pockets put,

But money would find none:

‘We’ll search ourselves,’ said Robin Hood,

‘Each other, one by one.’

XVII

Then Robin took pains to search them both,

And he found good store of gold;

Five hundred pieces presently

Upon the grass was told.

XVIII

‘Here’s a brave show,’ said Robin Hood,

‘Such store of gold to see!

And you shall each one have a part,

’Cause you pray’d so heartily.’

XIX

He gave them fifty pound a-piece,

And the rest for himself did keep;

The priests they durst not speak one word,

But they sighèd wondrous deep.

With that the priests rose up from their knees,

And thought to have parted so;

‘Nay, stay,’ said Robin Hood, ‘one thing more

I have to say ere you go.

XXI

‘You shall be sworn,’ said Robin Hood,

‘Upon this holy grass,

That you will never tell lies again,

Which way soever you pass.

XXII

‘The second oath that you here must take,

All the days of your lives

You never shall tempt maids to sin,

Nor covet other men’s wives.

XXIII

‘The last oath you shall take, it is this,

Be charitable to the poor;

Say you have met with a holy friar,

And I desire no more.’

XXIV

He set them upon their horses again,

And away then they did ride;

And he return’d to the merry green-wood,

With great joy, mirth and pride.

_124. The Noble Fisherman_

_or Robin Hood’s Preferment_

In summer time, when leaves grow green,

When they doe grow both green and long,

Of a bold outlaw call’d Robin Hood

It is of him I sing this song.

When the lilly leafe and the elephant[1017]

Doth bud and spring with a merry good cheere,

This outlaw was weary of the wood-side,

And chasing of the fallow deere.

III

‘The fisherman brave more mony have

Then any merchant, two or three;

Therefore I will to Scarboro’ goe,

That I a fisherman brave may be.’

This outlaw call’d his merry men all,

As they sate under the green-wood tree:

If any of you have gold to spend,

I pray you heartily spend it with me.

‘Now,’ quoth Robin, ‘I’le to Scarboro’ goe,

It seemes to be a very faire day’--

He tooke up his inne at a widdow-woman’s house,

Hard by upon the water gray:

Who asked of him, ‘Where wert thou born?

Or tell to me, where dost thou fare?’--

‘I am a poore fisherman,’ saith he then,

‘This day intrappèd all in care.’

VII

‘What is thy name, thou fine fellòw?

I pray thee heartily tell to me’;

‘In mine own country where I was born,

Men called me Simon over the Lee.’

VIII

‘Simon, Simon,’ said the good wife,

‘I wish thou maist well brook[1018] thy name’;

The outlaw was ware of her courtesie,

And rejoyc’d he had got such a dame.

‘Simon, wilt thou be my man?

And good round wages I’le give thee;

I have as good a ship of mine owne

As any sayle upon the sea.

‘Anchors and planks thou shalt want none,

Masts and ropes that are so long’--

‘And if that you thus furnish me,’

Said Simon, ‘nothing shall goe wrong.’

They pluckt up anchor, and away did sayle,

More of a day then two or three;

When others cast in their baited hooks,

The bare lines into the sea cast he.

XII

‘It will be long,’ said the master then,

‘Ere this great lubber do thrive on the sea;

I’le assure you he shall have no part of our fish,

For in truth he is of no part worthỳ.’

XIII

‘O woe is me,’ said Simon then,

‘This day that ever I came here!

I wish I were in Plomton Parke,

In chasing of the fallow deere.

XIV

‘For every clowne laughs me to scorne,

And they by me set nought at all;

If I had them in Plomton Park,

I would set as little by them all.’

They pluckt up anchor, and away did sayle,

More of a day then two or three;

But Simon spied a ship of warre,

That sayld towards them most valourouslie.

XVI

‘O woe is me,’ said the master then,

‘This day that ever I was borne!

For all our fish we have got to-day

Is every bit lost and forlorne[1019].

XVII

‘For your French robbers on the sea,

They will not spare of us one man,

But carry us to the coast of France,

And ligge us in the prison strong.’

XVIII

But Simon said, ‘Doe not feare them,

Neither, master, take you no care;

Give me my bent bow in my hand,

And never a Frenchman will I spare.’--

XIX

‘Hold thy peace, thou long lubber,

For thou art nought but braggs and boast;

If I should cast thee over-board,

There were nothing but a lubber lost.’

Simon grew angry at these words,

And so angry then was he

That he tooke his bent bow in his hand,

And to the ship-hatch goeth he.

XXI

‘Master, tye me to the mast,’ saith he,

‘That at my mark I may stand fair,

And give me my bended bow in my hand,

And never a Frenchman will I spare.’

XXII

He drew his arrow to the very head,

And drew it with all might and maine,

And straightway, in the twinkling of an eye,

To the Frenchman’s heart the arrow did gain.

XXIII

The Frenchman fell downe on the ship-hatch,

And under the hatches down below;

Another Frenchman that him espy’d

The dead corps into the sea doth throw.

XXIV

‘O master, loose me from the mast,

And for them all take you no care;

And give me my bent bow in my hand,

And never a Frenchman will I spare!’

XXV

Then straight they did board the Frenchman’s ship,

They lying all dead in their sight;

They found within the ship of warre

Twelve thousand pound of money bright.

XXVI

‘One halfe of the ship,’ said Simon then,

‘I’le give to my dame and children small;

The other halfe of the ship I’le bestow

On you that are my fellowes all.’

XXVII

But now bespake the master then,

‘For so, Simon, it shall not be;

For you have won her with your own hand,

And the owner of it you shall bee.’--

XXVIII

‘It shall be so, as you have said;

And, with this gold, for the opprest

An habitation I will build,

Where they shall live in peace and rest.’

FOOTNOTES:

[1017] elephant = a weed of the scabious order.

[1018] brook = enjoy, or earn the name of Simon, as a fisherman.

[1019] forlorne = lost.

_125. The Death of Robin Hood_

When Robin Hood and Little John

_Down a-down, a-down, a-down_

Went o’er yon bank of broom,

Said Robin Hood bold to Little John,

‘We have shot for many a pound

_Hey, down a-down, a-down!_

‘But I am not able to shoot one shot more,

My broad arrows will not flee;

But I have a cousin lives down below,

Please God, she will bleed me.

III

‘I will never eat nor drink,’ he said,

‘Nor meat will do me good,

Till I have been to merry Kirkleys

My veins for to let blood.

‘The dame prior is my aunt’s daughter,

And nigh unto my kin;

I know she wo’ld me no harm this day,

For all the world to win.’

‘That I rede[1020] not,’ said Little John,

‘Master, by th’assent of me,

Without half a hundred of your best bowmen

You take to go with yee.’--

‘An thou be afear’d, thou Little John,

At home I rede thee be.’--

‘An you be wroth, my deare mastèr

You shall never hear more of me.’

VII

Now Robin is gone to merry Kirkleys

And knockèd upon the pin:

Up then rose Dame Priorèss

And let good Robin in.

VIII

Then Robin gave to Dame Priorèss

Twenty pound in gold,

And bade her spend while that did last,

She sho’ld have more when she wo’ld.

‘Will you please to sit down, cousin Robin,

And drink some beer with me?’--

‘No, I will neither eat nor drink

Till I am blooded by thee.’

Down then came Dame Priorèss

Down she came in that ilk[1021],

With a pair of blood-irons in her hands,

Were wrappèd all in silk.

‘Set a chafing-dish to the fire,’ she said,

‘And strip thou up thy sleeve.’

--I hold him but an unwise man

That will no warning ’leeve[1022]!

XII

She laid the blood-irons to Robin’s vein,

Alack, the more pitye!

And pierc’d the vein, and let out the blood

That full red was to see.

XIII

And first it bled the thick, thick blood,

And afterwards the thin,

And well then wist good Robin Hood

Treason there was within.

XIV

And there she blooded bold Robin Hood

While one drop of blood wou’d run;

There did he bleed the live-long day,

Until the next at noon.

He bethought him then of a casement there,

Being lockèd up in the room,

But was so weak he could not leap,

He could not get him down.

XVI

He bethought him then of his bugle-horn,

That hung low down to his knee;

He set his horn unto his mouth,

And blew out weak blasts three.

XVII

Then Little John he heard the horn

Where he sat under a tree:

‘I fear my master is now near dead,

He blows so wearilye.’

XVIII

Little John is gone to merry Kirkleys,

As fast as he can dree;

And when he came to merry Kirkleys,

He broke locks two or three:

XIX

Until he came bold Robin to see,

Then he fell on his knee;

‘A boon, a boon!’ cries Little John,

‘Master, I beg of thee!’

‘What is that boon,’ said Robin Hood,

‘Little John, thou begs of me?’--

‘It is to burn fair Kirkleys-hall,

And all their nunnerye.’

XXI

‘Now nay, now nay,’ quoth Robin Hood,

‘That boon I’ll not grant thee;

I never hurt woman in all my life,

Nor men in their company.

XXII

‘I never hurt maid in all my time,

Nor at mine end shall it be;

But give me my bent bow in my hand,

And a broad arrow I’ll let flee;

And where this arrow is taken up

There shall my grave digg’d be.

XXIII

‘But lay me a green sod under my head,

And another at my feet;

And lay my bent bow at my side,

Which was my music sweet;

And make my grave of gravel and green,

Which is most right and meet.

XXIV

‘Let me have length and breadth enough,

And under my head a sod;

That they may say when I am dead,

--_Here lies bold Robin Hood!_’

FOOTNOTES:

[1020] rede = advise.

[1021] in that ilk = in that same (moment), then and there.

[1022] ’leeve = believe.