| WILLIE AND EARL RICHARD'S DAUGHTER | 
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| O Willie 's large limb and lith, And come high degree, And he is gane to Earl Richard, To serve for meat and fee. Earl Richard had but ae daughter, Fair as a lily-flower, And they made up their love-contract Like proper paramour. It fell upon a simmer's nicht, Whan the leaves were fair and green, That Willie met his gay ladie Intil the wood alane. "O narrow is my gown, Willie, That wont to be sae wide; And gane is a' my fair colour, That wont to be my pride. "But gin my father should get word What's past between us twa, Before that he should eat or drink, He 'd hang you oer that wa. "But ye '11 come to my bower, Willie, Just as the sun gaes down, And kep me in your arms twa, And latna me fa down." O whan the sun was now gane down, He 's doen him till her bower, And there, by the lee licht the moon, Her window she lookit oer. Intill a robe red scarlet She lap, fearless harm; And Willie was large lith and limb, And keppit her in his arm. And they 've gane to the gude green wood, And, ere the night was deen, She 's born to him a bonny young son, Amang the leaves sae green. Whan night was gane, and day was come, And the sun began to peep, Up and raise the Earl Richard Out his drowsy sleep. He's ca'd upon his merry young men, By ane, by twa, and by three: "O what's come my daughter dear, That she 's come to me? "I dreamt a dreary dream last night, God grant it come to gude! I dreamt I saw my daughter dear Drown in the saut sea flood. "But gin my daughter be dead or sick, Or yet be stown awa, I mak a vow, and I 'll keep it true, I 'll hang ye ane and a'!" They sought her back, they sought her fore, They sought her up and down; They got her in the gude green wood, Nursing her bonny young son. He took the bonny boy in his arms, And kist him tenderlie; Says, Though I would your father hang, Your mother 's dear to me. He last him oer and oer again: "My grandson I thee claim, And Robin Hood in gude green wood, And that shall be your name." And mony ane sings grass, grass, And mony ane sings corn, And mony ane sings Robin Hood Kens little whare he was born. It wasna in the ha, the ha, Nor in the painted bower, But it was in the gude green wood, Amang the lily-flower. | , . , , . , , . - , , , , . , , , . . , ! , , . , . , , , . , . . - ? : . , ! , , , , . "-, , . , , !" . - , . , , , : ! , - . , , , . , , , - . . |
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| ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THREE SQUIRES | 
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| 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. "What news? what news, thou silly old woman? What news hast thou for me?" Said she, There 's three squires in Nottingham town To-day is condemned to die. "O have they parishes burnt?" he said, "Or have they ministers slain? Or have they robbed any virgin, Or with other men's wives have lain?" "They have no parishes burnt, good sir, Nor yet have ministers slain, Nor have they robbed any virgin, Nor with other men's wives have lain." "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." "Dost thou not mind, old woman," he said, "Since thou made me sup and dine? By the truth of my body," quoth bold Robin Hood, "You could not tell it in better time." Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone, With a link a down and a day, 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 condemnd 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 neer an old man to scorn." "Come change thy apparel with me, old churl, Come change thy apparel with mine; Here are twenty pieces of good broad gold, Go feast thy brethren with wine." Then he put on the old man's hat, It stood full high on the crown: "The first bold bargain that I come at, It shall make thee come down." Then he put on the old man's cloak, Was patchd black, blew, 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 patchd from baliup to side; By the truth of my body," bold Robin can say, "This man lovd little pride." Then he put on the old man's hose, Were patchd from knee to wrist; o'By the truth of my body," said bold Robin Hood, "I'd laugh if I had any list." Then he put on the old man's shoes, Were patchd both beneath and aboon; Then Robin Hood swore a solemn oath, It's good habit that makes a man. Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone, With a link a down and a down, And there he met with the proud sheriff, Was walking along the town. "O save, O save, O sheriff," he said, " 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." Then Robin he turns him round about, And jumps from stock to stone; "By the truth of my body," the sheriff he said, "That's well jumpt, thou nimble old man." "I was neer a hangman in all my life, Nor yet intends to trade; But curst be he," said bold Robin, "That first a hangman was made. "I've a bag for meal, and a bag for malt, And a bag for barley and corn; A bag for bread, and a bag for beef, And a bag for my little small horn. "I have a horn in my pocket, I got it from Robin Hood, And still when I set it to my mouth, For thee it blows little good." "O wind thy hom, thou proud fellow, Of thee I have no doubt; I wish that thou give such a blast Till both thy eyes fall out." The first loud blast that he did blow, He blew both loud and shrill; A hundred and fifty of Robin Hood's men Came riding over the hill. The next loud blast that he did give, He blew both loud and amain, And quickly sixty of Robin Hood's men Came shining over the plain. "O who are yon," the sheriff he said, "Come tripping over the lee?" "The're my attendants," brave Robin did say, "They 'll pay a visit to thee." They took the gallows from the slack, They set it in the glen, They hangd the proud sheriff on that, Releasd their own three men. | , . . , , . - , , ? - . - , . - , ? , : , , ? - , , . - ? - , , . - . . , - , - ! , : . - , ? - . - . - - , . - , - ! - , - , - . , , . - , , . , ! , , , . - , , ! . : , , . : - , , , ! , , . , , , . - , - . - . , ! - , , . , ! -. - , - , - ! - , , , . , , ! , . - : , . . . , . - , - , - . , ! , . : . , , : . - ? - . - ! - . - , , . , , . . |
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| ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN |
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| When Robin Hood was about twenty years old, With a hey down down and a down He happend to meet Little John, A jolly brisk blade, right fit for the trade, For he was a lusty young man. Tho he was calld Little, his limbs they were large, And his stature was seven foot high; Where-ever he came, they quak'd at his name, For soon he would make them to fly. How they came acquainted, I '11 tell you in brief, If you will but listen a while; For this very jest, amongst all the rest, I think it may cause you to smile. Bold Robin Hood said to his jolly bowmen, Pray tarry you here in this grove; And see that you all observe well my call, While thorough the forest I rove. We have had no sport for these fourteen long days, Therefore now abroad will I go; Now should I be beat, and cannot retreat, My horn I will presently blow. Then did he shake hands with his merry men all, And bid them at present good b'w'ye; Then, as near a brook his journey he took, A stranger he chancd to espy. They happend to meet on a long narrow bridge, And neither of them would give way; Quoth bold Robim Hood, and sturdily stood, I'll show you right Nottingham play. With that from his quiver an arrow he drew, A broad arrow with a goose-wing: The stranger reply'd, I 'll liquor thy hide, If thou offerst to touch the string. Quoth bold Robin Hood, Thou dost prate like an ass, For were I to bend but my bow, I could send a dart quite thro thy proud heart, Before thou couldst strike me one blow. "Thou talkst like a coward," the stranger reply'd; "Well amid with a long bow you stand, To shoot at my breast, while I, I protest, Have nought but a staff in my hand." "The name of a coward," quoth Robin, "I scorn, Wherefore my long bow I '11 lay by; And now, for thy sake, a staff will I take, The truth of thy manhood to try." Then Robin Hood stept to a thicket of trees, And chose him a staff of ground-oak; Now this being done, away he did run To the stranger, and merrily spoke: Lo! see my staff, it is lusty and tough, Now here on the bridge we will play; Whoever falls in, the other shall win The battel, and so we 'll away. "With all my whole heart," the stranger reply'd; "I scorn in the least to give out;" This said, they fell to 't without more dispute, And their staffs they did flourish about. And first Robin he gave the stranger a bang, So hard that it made his bones ring: The stranger he said, This must be repaid, I 'll give you as good as you bring. So long as I 'm able to handle my staff, To die in your debt, friend, I scorn: Then to it each goes, and followd their blows, As if they had been threshing of corn. The stranger gave Robin a crack on the crown, Which caused the blood to appear; Then Robin, enrag'd, more fiercely engag'd, And followd his blows more severe. So thick and so fast did he lay it on him, With a passionate fury and ire, At every stroke, he made him to smoke, As if he had been all on fire. O then into fury the stranger he grew, And gave him a damnable look, And with it a blow that laid him full low, And tumbid him into the brook. "I prithee, good fellow, O where art thou now?" The stranger, in laughter, he cry'd; Quoth bold Robin Hood, Good faith, in the flood, And floating along with the tide. I needs must acknowledge thou art a brave soul; With thee I '11 no longer contend; For needs must I say, thou hast got the day, Our battel shall be at an end. Then unto the bank he did presently wade, And pulld himself out by a thorn; Which done, at the last, he blowd a loud blast Straitway on his fine bugle-hom. The eccho of which through the vallies did fly, At which his stout bowmen appeard, All cloathed in green, most gay to be seen; So up to their master they steerd. "O what's the matter?" quoth William Stutely; "Good master, you are wet to the skin:" "No matter," quoth he, "the lad which you see, In fighting, hath tumbid me in." "He shall not go scot-free," the others reply'd, So strait they were seizing him there, To duck him likewise; but Robin Hood cries, He is a stout fellow, forbear. There 's no one shall wrong thee, friend, be not afraid; These bowmen upon me do wait; There 's threescore and nine; if thou wilt be mine, Thou shalt have my livery strait. And other accoutrements fit for a man; Speak up, jolly blade, never fear; I 'll teach you also the use of the bow, To shoot at the fat fallow-deer. "O here is my hand," the stranger reply'd, "I 'll serve you with all my whole heart; My name is John Little, a man of good mettle; Nere doubt me, for I 'll play my part." "His name shall be alterd," quoth William Stutely, "And I will his godfather be; Prepare then a feast, and none of the least, For we will be merry," quoth he. They presently fetchd in a brace of fat does, With humming strong liquor likewise; They lovd what was good; so, in the greenwood, This pretty sweet babe they baptize. He was, I must tell you, but seven foot high, And, may be, an ell in the waste; A pretty sweet lad; much feasting they had; Bold Robin the christning grac'd. With all his bowmen, which stood in a ring, And were of the Nottingham breed; Brave Stutely comes then, with seven yeomen, And did in this manner proceed. "This infant was called John Little," quoth he, "Which name shall be changed anon; The words we 'll transpose, so where-ever he goes, His name shall be calld Little John." They all with a shout made the elements ring, So soon as the office was ore; To feasting they went, with true merriment, And tippid strong liquor gillore. Then Robin he took the pretty sweet babe, And cloathd him from top to the toe In garments of green, most gay to be seen, And gave him a curious long bow. "Thou shalt be an archer as well as the best, And range in the greenwood with us; Where we 'll not want gold nor silver, behold, While bishops have ought in their purse. "We live here like squires, or lords of renown, Without ere a foot of free land; We feast on good cheer, with wine, ale, and beer, And evry thing at our command." Then musick and dancing did finish the day; At length, when the sun waxed low, Then all the whole train the grove did refrain, And unto their caves they did go. And so ever after, as long as he livd, Altho he was proper and tall, Yet nevertheless, the truth to express, Still Little John they did him call. | , , , - , - ? , - ! , , - ! , , , . : ! - - . : - ! , -, - . , . - , - . , . : , - , - . - , ! - ! - , . - , , , - - ! : - ? - , - , - ! - , , - , - , ! , ! - , , - , - . , , , ! - - , . , , , , ! , , : - -, ? , , , , . - , - , - . - ! - , - - ! , , . : , ! , : - , - ! , - , ! : - ? , ! - ! - ! , - ! - ! - ! , , . , , ! . : - , ? ? - , - , - - ! - : , , , , . - , - , - . , , , , - , , ! - , -, ! , , - -, - . - ? - . - ? - , . - ! - , . - - ! - . - ! , ! - . , . : , , , . ? - , ! - . - ? , , , . - - ?! ! - . - - , , - . -, - ! . , - ! - ! , , , - , . , , . , : - , - , . . - ! - . -, : - , ! -, - ! - -: - , , , , , , . - , - , . ? - ! , , - ... ... . , . , : - ! . |
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| ROBIN HOOD'S PROGRESS TO NOTTINGHAM |
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| Robin Hood hee was and a tall young man, Deny deny down And fifteen winters old, And Robin Hood he was a proper young man, Of courage stout and bold. Hey down deny derry down Robin Hood he would and to fair Nottingham, With the general for to dine; There was he were of fifteen forresters, And a drinking bear, ale, and wine. "What news? What news?" said bold Robin Hood; "What news, fain wouldest thou know? Our king hath provided a shooting-match:" "And I 'm ready with my bow." "We hold it in scorn," then said the forresters, "That ever a boy so young Should bear a bow before our king, That's not able to draw one string." "I 'le hold you twenty marks," said bold Robin Hood "By the leave of Our Lady, That I 'le hit a mark a hundred rod, And I 'le cause a hart to dye." "We'l hold you twenty mark," then said the forresten "By the leave of Our Lady, Thou hitst not the marke a hundred rod, Nor causest a hart to dye." Robin Hood he bent up a noble bow, And a broad arrow he let flye, He hit the mark a hundred rod, And he caused a hart to dye. Some said hee brake ribs one or two, And some said hee brake three; The arrow within the hart would not abide, But it glanced in two or three. The hart did skip, and the hart did leap, And the hart lay on the ground; "The wager is mine," said bold Robin Hood, "If't were for a thousand pound." "The wager 's none of thine," then said the forresters, "Although thou beest in haste; Take up thy bow, and get thee hence, Lest wee thy sides do baste." Robin Hood hee took up his noble bow, And his broad arrows all amain, And Robin Hood he laught, and begun to smile, As hee went over the plain. Then Robin Hood hee bent his noble bow, And his broad arrows he let flye, Till fourteen of these fifteen forresters Vpon the ground did lye. He that did this quarrel first begin Went tripping over the plain; But Robin Hood he bent his noble bow, And hee fetcht him back again. "You said I was no archer," said Robin Hood, "But say so now again;" With that he sent another arrow That split his head in twain. "You have found mee an archer," saith Robin Hood, "Which will make your wives for to wring, And wish that you had never spoke the word, That I could not draw one string." The people that lived in fair Nottingham Came runing out amain, Supposing to have taken bold Robin Hood, With the forresters that were slain. Some lost legs, and some lost arms, And some did lose their blood, But Robin Hood hee took up his noble bow, And is gone to the merry green wood. They carryed these forresters into fair Nottingham, As many there did know; They digd them graves in their church-yard, And they buried them all a row. | . , . , . , , , . , , , . " ?" - . " ? ". " ". ", - , - , !" " , - , - , ". ",- , - , ". . , , , , . , , . " , - , - ". ", , - , - , , ". , , , . , - . , . , , , : " , !" . " , - , - , ". , , , . , , , , . , , , . . |
| ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP |
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| Come, gentlemen all, and listen a while, Hey down down an a down And a story I 'le to you unfold; I 'le tell you how Robin Hood served the Bishop, When he robbed him of his gold. As it fell out on a sun-shining day, When Phebus was in his prime, Then Robin Hood, that archer good, In mirth would spend some time. And as he walkd the forrest along, Some pastime for to spy, There was he aware of a proud bishop, And all his company. "O what shall I do?" said Robin Hood then, "If the Bishop he doth take me, No marcy he 'l show unto me, I know, But hanged I shall be." Then Robin was stout, and turnd him about, And a little house there he did spy; And to an old wife, for to save his life, He loud began for to cry. "Why, who art thou?" said the old woman, "Come tell it to me for good:" "I am an out-law, as many do know, My name it is Robin Hood. "And yonder 's the Bishop and all his men, And if that I taken be, Then day and night he 'l work me spight, And hanged I shall be." "If thou be Robin Hood," said the old wife, "As thou dost seem to be, I 'le for thee provide, and thee I will hide From the Bishop and his company. "For I well remember, one Saturday night Thou bought me both shoos and hose; Therefore I 'Ie provide thy person to hide, And keep thee from thy foes." "Then give me soon thy coat of gray, And take thou my mantle of green; Thy spindle and twine unto me resign, And take thou my arrows so keen." And when that Robin Hood was so araid, He went straight to his company; With his spindle and twine, he oft lookt behind For the Bishop and his company. "O who is yonder," quoth Little John, "That now comes over the lee? An arrow I will at her let flie, So like an old witch looks she." "O hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin then, "And shoot not thy arrows so keen; I am Robin Hood, thy master good, And quickly it shall be seen." The Bishop he came to the old womans house, And he called with furious mood, "Come let me soon see, and bring unto me, That traitor Robin Hood." The old woman he set on a milk-white steed, Himseife on a dapple-gray, And for joy he had got Robin Hood, He went laughing all the way. But as they were riding the forrest along, The Bishop he chanc'd for to see A hundred brave bow-men bold Stand under the green-wood tree. "O who is yonder," the Bishop then said, "That's ranging within yonder wood?" "Marry," says the old woman, "I think it to be A man calld Robin Hood." "Why, who art thou," the Bishop he said, "Which I have here with me?" "Why, I am an old woman, thou cuckoldly bishop; Lift up my leg and see." "Then woe is me," the Bishop he said, "That ever I saw this day!" He turnd him about, but Robin so stout Calld him, and bid him stay. Then Robin took hold of the Bishops horse, And ty'd him fast to a tree; Then Little John smil'd his master upon, For joy of that company. Robin Hood took his mantle from 's back, And spread it upon the ground, And out of the Bishops portmantle he Soon told five hundred pound. "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 goe from me. Then Robin Hood took the Bishop by the hand, And bound him fast to a tree, And made him sing a mass. God wot, To him and his yeomandree. And then they brought him through the wood, And set him on his dapple-gray, And gave the tail within his hand, And bade him for Robin Hood pray. | , , , , . : . . , . "! - . - , , !" , , : " ". " ? - . - ?" " , . - . , , , , ". : " , . , ". " , ". , , , . " , - , - ? ". : ", ! , - , !" ,: " , ,!" , : " , ". , , , . . : " ?" : " , ". : " ? , , !" ", -, !" : " !" , , . " !" - . . . ", - , - - !" : ", !" , " " . , , . . |
| ROBIN HOOD RESCUING WILL STUTLY |
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| When Robin Hood in the green-wood livd, Deny deny down Vnder the green-wood tree, Tidings there came to him with speed, Tidings for certainty, Hey down deny deny down That Will Stutly surprized was, And eke in prison lay; Three varlets that the sheriff had hired Did likely him betray. I, and to-morrow hanged must be, To-morrow as soon as it is day; But before they could this victory get, Two of them did Stutly slay. When Robin Hood he heard this news, Lord! he was grieved sore, I, and unto his merry men [said], Who altogether swore, That Will Stutly should rescued be, And be brought safe again; Or else should many a gallant wight For his sake there be slain. He cloathed himself in scarlet then, His men were all in green; A finer show, throughout the world, In no place could be seen. Good lord! it was a gallant sight To see them all on a row; With every man a good broad sword, And eke a good yew bow. Forth of the green wood are they gone, Yea, all couragiously, Resolving to bring Stutly home, Or every man to die. And when they came the castle neer Whereas Will Stutly lay, "I hold it good," saith Robin Hood, "Wee here in ambush stay, "And send one forth some news to hear, To yonder palmer fair, That stands under the castle-wall; Some news he may declare." With that steps forth a brave young man, Which was of courage bold; Thus hee did say to the old man: I pray thee, palmer old, Tell me, if that thou rightly ken, When must Will Stutly die, Who is one of bold Robins men, And here doth prisoner lie? "Alack, alass," the palmer said, "And for ever wo is me! Will Stutly hanged must be this day, On yonder gallows-tree. "O had his noble master known, would some succour send; A few of his bold yeomandree Full soon would fetch him hence." "I, that is true," the young man said; "I, that is true," said hee; "Or, if they were neer to this place, They soon would set him free. "But fare thou well, thou good old man, Farewell, and thanks to thee; If Stutly hanged be this day, Revengd his death will be." He was no sooner from the palmer gone, But the gates was opened wide, And out of the castle Will Stutly came, Guarded on every side. When hee was forth from the castle come, And saw no help was nigh, Thus he did say unto the sheriff, Thus he said gallantly: Now seeing that I needs must die, Grant me one boon, says he; For my noble master nere had man That yet was hangd on the tree. Give me a sword all in my hand, And let mee be unbound, And with thee and thy men I 'le fight, Vntill I lie dead on the ground. But his desire he would not grant, His wishes were in vain; For the sheriff had sworn he hanged should be, And not by the sword be slain. "Do but unbind my hands," he saies, "I will no weapons crave, And if I hanged be this day, Damnation let me have." "O no, O no," the sheriff he said, "Thou shalt on the gallows die, I, and so shall thy master too, If ever in me it lie." "O dastard coward!" Stutly cries, "Thou faint-heart pesant slave! If ever my master do thee meet, Thou shalt thy paiment have. "My noble master thee doth scorn, And all thy cowardly crew; Such silly imps unable are Bold Robin to subdue." But when he was to the gallows come, And ready to bid adiew, Out of a bush leaps Little John, And steps Will Stutly to. "I pray thee, Will, before thou die, Of thy dear friends take leave; I needs must borrow him a while, How say you, master sheriff?" "Now, as I live," the sheriff he said, "That varlet will I know; Some sturdy rebell is that same, Therefore let him not go." With that Little John so hastily Away cut Stutly's bands, And from one of the sheriff his men, A sword twicht from his hands. "Here, Will, here, take thou this same, Thou canst it better sway; And here defend thy self a while, For aid will come straight way." And there they turnd them back to back, In the middle of them that day, Till Robin Hood approached neer, With many an archer gay. With that an arrow by them flew, I wist from Robin Hood; "Make haste, make haste," the sheriff he said "Make haste, for it is good." The sheriff is gone; his doughty men Thought it no boot to stay, But, as their master had them taught, They run full fast away. "O stay, O stay," Will Stutly said, "Take leave ere you depart; You nere will catch bold Robin Hood Vnless you dare him meet." "O ill betide you," quoth Robin Hood, "That you so soon are gone; My sword may in the scabbord rest, For here our work is done." "I little thought when I came here, When I came to this place, For to have met with Little John, Or seen my masters face." Thus Stutly was at liberty set, And safe brought from his foe; "O thanks, O thanks to my master, Since here it was not so." "And once again, my fellows, We shall in the green woods meet, Where we will make our bow-strings twang, Musick for us most sweet." | , , . , . . , . . , . . , . . - , - , ! . . - , . , . " , - . - - , ". , : ", , , , ?" ", - , , - . , , , ". " , - : - , . , , , , ". , . , , . , . : " , , ( ) - , , . , ". , : , . " , - , - , , ". " , - , - . , ". ", ," , - , ! . . ?" , , . " , , , , . , ?" : " , , ". . . " , , . ". , , , . , , : ", ". , , - . : "! . ". : " , ? ". " , - , - , . , , , . , , . - ". . |
| ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER |
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| 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 chanced so Bold Robin in forrest did spy A jolly butcher, with a bonny fine mare, With his flesh to the market did hye. "Good morrow, good fellow," said jolly Robin, "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 is [the] price of thy flesh?" said jolly Robin, "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." "Four mark I will give thee," saith jolly Robin, "Four mark it shall be thy fee; Thy mony come count, and let me mount, For a butcher I fain would be." 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. 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. 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?" "Accurst of his heart," said jolly Robin, "That a butcher doth deny; I will go with you, my brethren true, And as fast as I can hie." But when to the sheriffs house they came, To dinner they hied apace, And Robin he the man must be Before them all to say grace. "Pray God bless us all," said jolly Robin, "And our meat within this place; A cup of sack so good will nourish our blood, And so I do end my grace. "Come fill us more wine," said jolly Robin, "Let us merry be while we do stay; For wine and good cheer, be it never so dear, I vow I the reckning will pay. "Come, brother[s], be merry," said jolly Robin, "Let us drink, and never give ore; For the shot I will pay, ere I go my way, If it cost me five pounds and more." "This is a mad blade," the butchers then said; Saies the sheriff, He is some prodigal, That some land has sold, for silver and gold, And now he doth mean to spend all. "Hast thou any horn-beasts," the sheriff repli'd, "Good fellow, to sell unto me?" "Yes, that I have, good Master Sheriff, I have hundreds two or three. "And a hundred aker of good free land, If you please it to see; And I 'le make you as good assurance of it As ever my father made me." The sheriff he saddled a good palfrey, With three hundred pound in gold, And away he went with bold Robin Hood, His homed beasts to behold. Away then the sheriff and Robin did ride, To the forrest of merry Sherwood; Then the sheriff did say. God bless us this day From a man they call Robin Hood! But when that a little further they came, Bold Robin he chanced to spy A hundred head of good red deer, Come tripping the sheriff full nigh. "How like you my hornd beasts, good Master Sheriff? They be fat and fair for to see;" "I tell thee, good fellow, I would I were gone, For I like not thy company." Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth, And blew but blasts three; Then quickly anon there came Little John, And all his company. "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." "He is welcome to me," then said Little John, "I hope he will honestly pay; I know he has gold, if it be but well told, Will serve us to drink a whole day." Then Robin took his mantle from his back, And laid it upon the ground, And out of the sheriffe['s] portmantle He told three hundred pound. Then Robin he brought him thorow the wood, And set him on his dapple gray: "O have me commended to your wife at home;" So Robin went laughing away. | , , . , , . . . . - , , - , - ? . - , , , , . - -, , - , - : , , ? - , - , - . . - , - , - , ! , , - . , , , , , . -. . - ! , . - , , . , . - , - , - . , , , , ! . - , , . . - , - , - . , ! , . - , - , - . - , , - , - , ! . -, , - , - . , . , - , - . , ! . - ! - , - . - , - , - ? ? - - , - , . , , . , , ! , . - . - , , - , - ! . : . - ! . , - - ! , , . - ? - . - , ? - . ! - , , , . . ! , . . , : - ! . |
| ROBIN HOOD AND THE GOLDEN ARROW |
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| When as the sheriff of Nottingham Was come, with mickle grief, He talkd no good of Robin Hood, That strong and sturdy thief. Fal lal dal de So unto London-road he past, His losses to unfold To King Richard, who did regard The tale that he had told. "Why," quoth the king, "what shall I do? Art thou not sheriff for me? The law is in force, go take thy course Of them that injure thee. "Go get thee gone, and by thyself Devise some tricking game For to enthral yon rebels all; Go take thy course with them." So away the sheriff he returnd, And by the way he thought Of the words of the king, and how the thing To pass might well be brought. For within his mind he imagined That when such matches were, Those outlaws stout, without [all] doubt, Would be the bowmen there. So an arrow with a golden head And shaft of silver white, Who won the day should bear away For his own proper right. Tidings came to brave Robin Hood, Under the green-wood tree: "Come prepare you then, my merry men, We 'll go yon sport to see." With that stept forth a brave young man, David of Doncaster: "Master," said he, "be ruld by me, From the green-wood we '11 not stir. "To tell the truth, I 'm well informed Yon match is a wile; The sheriff, I wiss, devises this Us archers to beguile." "O thou smells of a coward," said Robin Hood, "Thy words does not please me; Come on 't what will, I 'll try my skill At yon brave archery." O then bespoke brave Little John: Come, let us thither gang; Come listen to me, how it shall be That we need not be kend. Our mantles, all of Lincoln green, Behind us we will leave; We '11 dress us all so several They shall not us perceive. One shall wear white, another red, One yellow, another blue; Thus in disguise, to the exercise We'll gang, whateer ensue. Forth from the green-wood they are gone, With hearts all firm and stout, Resolving then with the sheriffs men To have a hearty bout. So themselves they mixed with the rest, To prevent all suspicion; For if they should together hold They thought [it] no discretion. So the sheriff looking round about, Amongst eight hundred men, But could not see the sight that he Had long expected then. Some said, If Robin Hood was here, And all his men to boot, Sure none of them could pass these men, So bravely they do shoot. "Ay," quoth the sheriff, and scratchd his head, "I thought he would have been here; I thought he would, but, tho he 's bold, He durst not now appear." O that word grieved Robin Hood to the heart; He vexed in his blood; Eer long, thought he, thou shalt well see That here was Robin Hood. Some cried. Bluejacket! another cried, Brown! And the third cried, Brave Yellow! But the fourth man said, Yon man in red In this place has no fellow. For that was Robin Hood himself, For he was cloathd in red; At every shot the prize he got, For he was both sure and dead. So the arrow with the golden head And shaft of silver white Brave Robin Hood won, and bore with him For his own proper right. These outlaws there, that very day, To shun all kind of doubt, By three or four, no less no more, As they went in came out. Until they all assembled were Under the green-wood shade, Where they report, in pleasant sport, What brave pastime they made. Says Robin Hood, All my care is, How that yon sheriff may Know certainly that it was I That bore his arrow away. Says Little John, My counsel good Did take effect before, So therefore now, if you 'll allow, I will advise once more. "Speak on, speak on," said Robin Hood, "Thy wit's both quick and sound; I know no man amongst us can For wit like thee be found." "This I advise," said Little John; "That a letter shall be pend, And when it is done, to Nottingham You to the sheriff shall send." "That is well advised," said Robin Hood, "But how must it be sent?" "Pugh! when you please, it's done with ease, Master, by you content. "I 'll stick it on my arrow's head, And shoot it into the town; The mark shall show where it must go, When ever it lights down." The project it was full performd; The sheriff that letter had; Which when he read, he scratchd his head, And rav'd like one that's mad. So we '11 leave him chafing in his grease, Which will do him no good; Now, my friends, attend, and hear the end Of honest Robin Hood. | , . . , , , . " , - , - . He , . , , , ". , . . . , , . , . : " . , , , ". " , , - , - , ". : " , ! , . , . - . , , . , !" , , . , . - : . , , , . , : " , , , ". , : " , ,
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