Robin was valiant and stout,So was Scarelock and John in the field,But these keepers stout did give them rout,And make them all for to yield.But after the battel ended was,Bold Robin did make them amends,For claret and sack they did not lack,So drank themselves good friends.
Robin was valiant and stout,So was Scarelock and John in the field,But these keepers stout did give them rout,And make them all for to yield.But after the battel ended was,Bold Robin did make them amends,For claret and sack they did not lack,So drank themselves good friends.
To the tune of Robin Hood and Queen Katherine; or, Robin Hood and the Shepheard.
"From an old black-letter copy in the collection of Anthony à Wood."Ritson'sRobin Hood, ii. 120.
There's some will talk of lords and knights,Doun, a doun, a doun,And some of yeomen good,But I will tell you of Will Scarlock,Little John, and Robin Hood.Doun, a doun, a doun, a doun.They were outlaws, 'tis well known,5And men of a noble blood;And many a time was their valour shownIn the forrest of merry Sheerwood.Upon a time it chanced so,As Robin Hood would have it be,10They all three would a walking go,The pastime for to see.And as they walked the forest along,Upon a Midsummer day,There was they aware of three keepèrs,15Clad all in green aray.With brave long faucheons by their sides,And forrest-bills in hand,They call'd aloud to those bold outlàws,And charged them to stand.20"Why, who are you," cry'd bold Robìn,"That speak so boldly here?""We three belong to King Henry,And are keepers of his deer.""The devil you are!" sayes Robin Hood,25"I am sure that it is not so;We be the keepers of this forrèst,And that you soon shall know."Come, your coats of green lay on the ground,And so will we all three,30And take your swords and bucklers round,And try the victory.""We be content," the keepers said,"We be three, and you no less,Then why should we be of you afraid,35As we never did transgress?""Why, if you be three keepers in this forrèst,Then we be three rangers good,And will make you know before you do go,You meet with bold Robin Hood."40"We be content, thou bold outlàw,Our valour here to try,And will make you know, before we do go,We will fight before we will fly."Then, come draw your swords, you bold outlàws,45No longer stand to prate,But let us try it out with blows,For cowards we do hate."Here is one of us for Will Scarlock,And another for Little John,50And I myself for Robin Hood,Because he is stout and strong."So they fell to it hard and sore,It was on a Midsummers day;From eight of the clock till two and past,55They all shewed gallant play.There Robin, and Will, and Little John,They fought most manfully,Till all their winde was spent and gone,Then Robin aloud did cry:60"O hold, O hold," cries bold Robin,"I see you be stout men;Let me blow one blast on my bugle horn,Then Ile fight with you again.""That bargain's to make, bold Robin Hood,65Therefore we it deny;Thy blast upon the bugle hornCannot make us fight or fly."Therefore fall on, or else be gone,And yield to us the day:70It never shall be said that we are afraidOf thee, nor thy yeomen gay.""If that be so," cries bold Robin,"Let me but know your names,And in the forrest of merry Sheerwood,75I shall extol your fames.""And with our names," one of them said,"What hast thou here to do?Except that thou wilt fight it out,Our names thou shalt not know."80"We will fight no more," sayes bold Robin,"You be men of valour stout;Come and go with me to Nottingham,And there we will fight it out."With a but of sack we will bang it about,85To see who wins the day;And for the cost, make you no doubtI have gold enough to pay."And ever hereafter, so long as we live,We all will brethren be;90For I love these men with heart and hand,That will fight and never flee."So away they went to Nottingham,With sack to make amends;For three days they the wine did chase,95And drank themselves good friends.
There's some will talk of lords and knights,Doun, a doun, a doun,And some of yeomen good,But I will tell you of Will Scarlock,Little John, and Robin Hood.Doun, a doun, a doun, a doun.
They were outlaws, 'tis well known,5And men of a noble blood;And many a time was their valour shownIn the forrest of merry Sheerwood.
Upon a time it chanced so,As Robin Hood would have it be,10They all three would a walking go,The pastime for to see.
And as they walked the forest along,Upon a Midsummer day,There was they aware of three keepèrs,15Clad all in green aray.
With brave long faucheons by their sides,And forrest-bills in hand,They call'd aloud to those bold outlàws,And charged them to stand.20
"Why, who are you," cry'd bold Robìn,"That speak so boldly here?""We three belong to King Henry,And are keepers of his deer."
"The devil you are!" sayes Robin Hood,25"I am sure that it is not so;We be the keepers of this forrèst,And that you soon shall know.
"Come, your coats of green lay on the ground,And so will we all three,30And take your swords and bucklers round,And try the victory."
"We be content," the keepers said,"We be three, and you no less,Then why should we be of you afraid,35As we never did transgress?"
"Why, if you be three keepers in this forrèst,Then we be three rangers good,And will make you know before you do go,You meet with bold Robin Hood."40
"We be content, thou bold outlàw,Our valour here to try,And will make you know, before we do go,We will fight before we will fly.
"Then, come draw your swords, you bold outlàws,45No longer stand to prate,But let us try it out with blows,For cowards we do hate.
"Here is one of us for Will Scarlock,And another for Little John,50And I myself for Robin Hood,Because he is stout and strong."
So they fell to it hard and sore,It was on a Midsummers day;From eight of the clock till two and past,55They all shewed gallant play.
There Robin, and Will, and Little John,They fought most manfully,Till all their winde was spent and gone,Then Robin aloud did cry:60
"O hold, O hold," cries bold Robin,"I see you be stout men;Let me blow one blast on my bugle horn,Then Ile fight with you again."
"That bargain's to make, bold Robin Hood,65Therefore we it deny;Thy blast upon the bugle hornCannot make us fight or fly.
"Therefore fall on, or else be gone,And yield to us the day:70It never shall be said that we are afraidOf thee, nor thy yeomen gay."
"If that be so," cries bold Robin,"Let me but know your names,And in the forrest of merry Sheerwood,75I shall extol your fames."
"And with our names," one of them said,"What hast thou here to do?Except that thou wilt fight it out,Our names thou shalt not know."80
"We will fight no more," sayes bold Robin,"You be men of valour stout;Come and go with me to Nottingham,And there we will fight it out.
"With a but of sack we will bang it about,85To see who wins the day;And for the cost, make you no doubtI have gold enough to pay.
"And ever hereafter, so long as we live,We all will brethren be;90For I love these men with heart and hand,That will fight and never flee."
So away they went to Nottingham,With sack to make amends;For three days they the wine did chase,95And drank themselves good friends.
Being an account of their first meeting, their fierce encounter, and conquest. To which is added, their friendly agreement; and how he came to be called Little John. To the tune ofArthur a Bland.
Being an account of their first meeting, their fierce encounter, and conquest. To which is added, their friendly agreement; and how he came to be called Little John. To the tune ofArthur a Bland.
FromA Collection of Old Ballads, i. 75. The same inRitson'sRobin Hood, ii. 142.
"This ballad is named in a schedule of such things under an agreement between W. Thackeray and others, in 1689 (Coll. Pepys, vol. v.)."Ritson.
When Robin Hood was about twenty years old,With a hey down, down, and a down,He happen'd to meet Little John,A jolly brisk blade, right fit for the trade,For he was a lusty young man.Tho' he was call'd Little, his limbs they were large,5And 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'll tell you in brief,If you will but listen awhile;10For this very jest, amongst all the rest,I think it may cause you to smile.Bold Robin Hood said to his jolly bowmèn,"Pray tarry you here in this grove;And see that you all observe well my call,15While 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."20Then 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 chanc'd to espy.They happen'd to meet on a long narrow bridge,25And neither of them would give way;Quoth bold Robin 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.30The stranger reply'd, "I'll liquor thy hide,If thou offer'st 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,35Before thou couldst strike me one blow.""Thou talk'st like a coward," the stranger reply'd;"Well arm'd with a long bow you stand,To shoot at my breast, while I, I protest,Have nought but a staff in my hand."40"The name of a coward," quoth Robin, "I scorn,Wherefore my long bow I'll lay by;And now, for thy sake, a staff will I take,The truth of thy manhood to try."Then Robin Hood stept to a thicket of trees,45And chose him a staff of ground oak;Now this being done, away he did runTo the stranger, and merrily spoke:"Lo! see my staff, it is lusty and tough,Now here on the bridge we will play;50Whoever falls in, the other shall winThe 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,55And 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.60"So long as I'm able to handle my staffTo die in your debt, friend, I scorn:"Then to it each goes, and follow'd their blows,As if they had been threshing of corn.The stranger gave Robin a crack on the crown,65Which caused the blood to appear;Then Robin enrag'd, more fiercely engag'd,And follow'd his blows more severe.So thick and so fast did he lay it on him,With a passionate fury and ire,70At 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,75And tumbl'd 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.80"I needs must acknowledge thou art a brave soul;With thee I'll no longer contend;For needs must I say, thou hast got the day,Our battel shall be at an end."Then unto the bank he did presently wade,85And pull'd himself out by a thorn;Which done, at the last, he blow'd a loud blastStraitway on his fine bugle-horn:The eccho of which through the vallies did fly,At which his stout bowmen appear'd,90All cloathed in green, most gay to be seen,So up to their master they steer'd."O what's the matter?" quoth William Stutely;"Good master, you are wet to the skin.""No matter," quoth he; "the lad which you see95In fighting hath tumbl'd me in.""He shall not go scot-free," the others reply'd;So strait they were seizing him there,To duck him likewise; but Robin Hood cries,"He is a stout fellow, forbear.100"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;105Speak 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;110My name is John Little, a man of good mettle;Ne'er doubt me, for I'll play my part.""His name shall be alter'd," quoth William Stutely,"And I will his godfather be;Prepare then a feast, and none of the least,115For we will be merry," quoth he.They presently fetch'd in a brace of fat does,With humming strong liquor likewise;They lov'd what was good; so, in the green-wood,This pretty sweet babe they baptize.120He 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 christ'ning grac'd,With all his bowmèn, which stood in a ring,125And were of the Nottingham breed;Brave Stutely comes then, with seven yeomèn,And did in this manner proceed."This infant was called John Little," quoth he;"Which name shall be changed anon;130The words we'll transpose, so whereever he goes,His name shall be call'd Little John."They all with a shout made the elements ring,So soon as the office was o'er;To feasting they went, with true merriment,135And tippl'd strong liquor gillore.Then Robin he took the pretty sweet babe,And cloath'd him from top to the toeIn garments of green, most gay to be seen,And gave him a curious long bow.140"Thou shalt be an archer as well as the best,And range in the green-wood with us;"Where we'll not want gold nor silver, behold,While bishops have ought in their purse."We live here like 'squires, or lords of renown,145Without e'er a foot of free land;We feast on good cheer, with wine, ale, and beer,And ev'ry thing at our command."Then music and dancing did finish the day;At length, when the sun waxed low,150Then all the whole train the grove did refrain,And unto their caves they did go.And so ever after, as long as he liv'd,Altho' he was proper and tall,Yet, nevertheless, the truth to express,155Still Little John they did him call.
When Robin Hood was about twenty years old,With a hey down, down, and a down,He happen'd to meet Little John,A jolly brisk blade, right fit for the trade,For he was a lusty young man.
Tho' he was call'd Little, his limbs they were large,5And 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'll tell you in brief,If you will but listen awhile;10For this very jest, amongst all the rest,I think it may cause you to smile.
Bold Robin Hood said to his jolly bowmèn,"Pray tarry you here in this grove;And see that you all observe well my call,15While 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."20
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 chanc'd to espy.
They happen'd to meet on a long narrow bridge,25And neither of them would give way;Quoth bold Robin 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.30The stranger reply'd, "I'll liquor thy hide,If thou offer'st 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,35Before thou couldst strike me one blow."
"Thou talk'st like a coward," the stranger reply'd;"Well arm'd with a long bow you stand,To shoot at my breast, while I, I protest,Have nought but a staff in my hand."40
"The name of a coward," quoth Robin, "I scorn,Wherefore my long bow I'll lay by;And now, for thy sake, a staff will I take,The truth of thy manhood to try."
Then Robin Hood stept to a thicket of trees,45And chose him a staff of ground oak;Now this being done, away he did runTo the stranger, and merrily spoke:
"Lo! see my staff, it is lusty and tough,Now here on the bridge we will play;50Whoever falls in, the other shall winThe 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,55And 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.60
"So long as I'm able to handle my staffTo die in your debt, friend, I scorn:"Then to it each goes, and follow'd their blows,As if they had been threshing of corn.
The stranger gave Robin a crack on the crown,65Which caused the blood to appear;Then Robin enrag'd, more fiercely engag'd,And follow'd his blows more severe.
So thick and so fast did he lay it on him,With a passionate fury and ire,70At 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,75And tumbl'd 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.80
"I needs must acknowledge thou art a brave soul;With thee I'll no longer contend;For needs must I say, thou hast got the day,Our battel shall be at an end."
Then unto the bank he did presently wade,85And pull'd himself out by a thorn;Which done, at the last, he blow'd a loud blastStraitway on his fine bugle-horn:
The eccho of which through the vallies did fly,At which his stout bowmen appear'd,90All cloathed in green, most gay to be seen,So up to their master they steer'd.
"O what's the matter?" quoth William Stutely;"Good master, you are wet to the skin.""No matter," quoth he; "the lad which you see95In fighting hath tumbl'd me in."
"He shall not go scot-free," the others reply'd;So strait they were seizing him there,To duck him likewise; but Robin Hood cries,"He is a stout fellow, forbear.100
"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;105Speak 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;110My name is John Little, a man of good mettle;Ne'er doubt me, for I'll play my part."
"His name shall be alter'd," quoth William Stutely,"And I will his godfather be;Prepare then a feast, and none of the least,115For we will be merry," quoth he.
They presently fetch'd in a brace of fat does,With humming strong liquor likewise;They lov'd what was good; so, in the green-wood,This pretty sweet babe they baptize.120
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 christ'ning grac'd,
With all his bowmèn, which stood in a ring,125And were of the Nottingham breed;Brave Stutely comes then, with seven yeomèn,And did in this manner proceed.
"This infant was called John Little," quoth he;"Which name shall be changed anon;130The words we'll transpose, so whereever he goes,His name shall be call'd Little John."
They all with a shout made the elements ring,So soon as the office was o'er;To feasting they went, with true merriment,135And tippl'd strong liquor gillore.
Then Robin he took the pretty sweet babe,And cloath'd him from top to the toeIn garments of green, most gay to be seen,And gave him a curious long bow.140
"Thou shalt be an archer as well as the best,And range in the green-wood with us;"Where we'll not want gold nor silver, behold,While bishops have ought in their purse.
"We live here like 'squires, or lords of renown,145Without e'er a foot of free land;We feast on good cheer, with wine, ale, and beer,And ev'ry thing at our command."
Then music and dancing did finish the day;At length, when the sun waxed low,150Then all the whole train the grove did refrain,And unto their caves they did go.
And so ever after, as long as he liv'd,Altho' he was proper and tall,Yet, nevertheless, the truth to express,155Still Little John they did him call.
A merry and pleasant song relating the gallant and fierce combat fought between Arthur Bland, a tanner of Nottingham, and Robin Hood, the greatest and most noblest archer of England. Tune is, Robin Hood and the Stranger.
Ritson'sRobin Hood, ii. 33, from an old black-letter copy in the collection of Anthony à Wood.
There is a copy with a few unimportant variations inA Collection of Old Ballads, i. 83, from which a single reading has been admitted.
In Nottingham there lives a jolly tannèr,With a hey down, down, a down, down,His name is Arthur-a-Bland;There is nere a squire in Nottinghamshire,Dare bid bold Arthur stand.With a long pike-staff upon his shouldèr,5So well he can clear his way;By two and by three he makes them to flee,For he hath no list to stay.And as he went forth, in a summers morning,Into the forrest of merry Sherwood,10To view the red deer, that range here and there,There met he with bold Robin Hood.As soon as bold Robinhe didespy,He thought some sport he would make,Therefore out of hand he bid him to stand,15And thus to him he spake:"Why, what art thou, thou bold fellow,That ranges so boldly here?In sooth, to be brief, thou lookst like a thief,That comes to steal our kings deer.20"For I am keeper in this forrest;The king puts me in trustTo look to his deer, that range here and there;Therefore stay thee I must.""If thou beest a keeper in this forrest,25And hast such a great command,Yet thou must have more partakers in store,Before thou make me to stand.""Nay, I have no more partakers in store,Or any that I do not need;30But I have a staff of another oke graff,I know it will do the deed."For thy sword and thy bow I care not a straw,Nor all thine arrows to boot;Ifthou get'sta knop upon the bare scop,35Thou canst as well sh—e as shoote.""Speak cleanly, good fellow," said jolly Robin,"And give better terms to me;Else Ile thee correct for thy neglect,And make thee more mannerly.40"Marry gep with a wenion!" quod Arthur-a-Bland,"Art thou such a goodly man?I care not a fig for thy looking so big;Mend thou thyself where thou can."Then Robin Hood he unbuckled his belt,45And laid down his bow so long;He took up a staff of another oke graff,That was both stiff and strong."I'le yield to thy weapon," said jolly Robin,"Since thou wilt not yield to mine;50For I have a staff of another oke graff,Not half a foot longer then thine."But let me measure," said jolly Robin,"Before we begin our fray;For I'le not have mine to be longer than thine,55For that will be counted foul play.""I pass not for length," bold Arthur reply'd,"My staff is of oke so free;Eight foot and a half, it will knock down a calf,And I hope it will knock down thee."60Then Robin could no longer forbear;He gave him such a knock,Quickly and soon the blood came down,Before it was ten a clock.Then Arthur he soon recovered himself,65And gave him such a knock on the crown,That from every side of bold Robin Hoods head,The blood came trickling down.Then Robin raged like a wild boar,As soon as he saw his own blood;70Then Bland was in hast, he laid on so fast,As though he had been cleaving of wood.And about, and about, and about they went,Like two wild bores in a chase;Striving to aim each other to maim,75Leg, arm, or any other place.And knock for knock they lustily dealt,Which held for two hours and more;That all the wood rang at every bang,They ply'd their work so sore.80"Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin Hood,"And let thy quarrel fall;For here we may thrash our bones all to mesh,And get no coyn at all."And in the forrest of merry Sherwood85Hereafter thou shalt be free:""God-a-mercy for nought, my freedom I bought;I may thank my staff, and not thee.""What tradesman art thou?" said jolly Robìn,"Good fellow, I prethee me show:90And also me tell in what place thou dost dwell,For both of these fain would I know.""I am a tanner," bold Arthur reply'd,"In Nottingham long have I wrought;And if thou'lt come there, I vow and swear,95I will tan thy hide for nought.""God-a-mercy, good fellow," said jolly Robin,"Since thou art so kind and free;And if thou wilt tan my hide for nought,I will do as much for thee.100"And if thou'lt forsake thy tanners trade,And live in the green wood with me,My name's Robin Hood, I swear by the rood,I will give thee both gold and fee.""If thou be Robin Hood," bold Arthur reply'd,105"As I think well thou art,Then here's my hand, my name's Arthur-a-Bland,We two will never depart."But tell me, O tell me, where is Little John?Of him fain would I hear;110For we are alide by the mothers side,And he is my kinsman dear."Then Robin Hood blew on the beaugle horn,He blew full lowd and shrill,And quickly anon appear'd Little John,115Come tripping down a green hill."O what is the matter?" then said Little John,"Master, I pray you tell;"Why do you stand with your staff in your hand?I fear all is not well."120"O man I do stand, and he makes me stand,The tanner that stands thee beside;He is a bonny blade, and master of his trade,For soundly he hath tan'd my hide.""He is to be commended," then said Little John,"If such a feat he can do;125If he be so stout, we will have a bout,And he shall tan my hide too.""Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin Hood,"For as I do understand,130He's a yeoman good of thine own blood,For his name is Arthur-a-Bland."Then Little John threw his staff away,As far as he could it fling,And ran out of hand to Arthur-a-Bland,135And about his neck did cling.With loving respect, there was no neglect,They were neither nice nor coy,Each other did face with a lovely grace,And both did weep for joy.140Then Robin Hood took them both by the hands,And danc'd round about the oke tree;"For three merry men, and three merry men,And three merry men we be."And ever hereafter as long as we live,145We three will be as one;The wood it shall ring, and the old wife sing,Of Robin Hood, Arthur, and John.
In Nottingham there lives a jolly tannèr,With a hey down, down, a down, down,His name is Arthur-a-Bland;There is nere a squire in Nottinghamshire,Dare bid bold Arthur stand.
With a long pike-staff upon his shouldèr,5So well he can clear his way;By two and by three he makes them to flee,For he hath no list to stay.
And as he went forth, in a summers morning,Into the forrest of merry Sherwood,10To view the red deer, that range here and there,There met he with bold Robin Hood.
As soon as bold Robinhe didespy,He thought some sport he would make,Therefore out of hand he bid him to stand,15And thus to him he spake:
"Why, what art thou, thou bold fellow,That ranges so boldly here?In sooth, to be brief, thou lookst like a thief,That comes to steal our kings deer.20
"For I am keeper in this forrest;The king puts me in trustTo look to his deer, that range here and there;Therefore stay thee I must."
"If thou beest a keeper in this forrest,25And hast such a great command,Yet thou must have more partakers in store,Before thou make me to stand."
"Nay, I have no more partakers in store,Or any that I do not need;30But I have a staff of another oke graff,I know it will do the deed.
"For thy sword and thy bow I care not a straw,Nor all thine arrows to boot;Ifthou get'sta knop upon the bare scop,35Thou canst as well sh—e as shoote."
"Speak cleanly, good fellow," said jolly Robin,"And give better terms to me;Else Ile thee correct for thy neglect,And make thee more mannerly.40
"Marry gep with a wenion!" quod Arthur-a-Bland,"Art thou such a goodly man?I care not a fig for thy looking so big;Mend thou thyself where thou can."
Then Robin Hood he unbuckled his belt,45And laid down his bow so long;He took up a staff of another oke graff,That was both stiff and strong.
"I'le yield to thy weapon," said jolly Robin,"Since thou wilt not yield to mine;50For I have a staff of another oke graff,Not half a foot longer then thine.
"But let me measure," said jolly Robin,"Before we begin our fray;For I'le not have mine to be longer than thine,55For that will be counted foul play."
"I pass not for length," bold Arthur reply'd,"My staff is of oke so free;Eight foot and a half, it will knock down a calf,And I hope it will knock down thee."60
Then Robin could no longer forbear;He gave him such a knock,Quickly and soon the blood came down,Before it was ten a clock.
Then Arthur he soon recovered himself,65And gave him such a knock on the crown,That from every side of bold Robin Hoods head,The blood came trickling down.
Then Robin raged like a wild boar,As soon as he saw his own blood;70Then Bland was in hast, he laid on so fast,As though he had been cleaving of wood.
And about, and about, and about they went,Like two wild bores in a chase;Striving to aim each other to maim,75Leg, arm, or any other place.
And knock for knock they lustily dealt,Which held for two hours and more;That all the wood rang at every bang,They ply'd their work so sore.80
"Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin Hood,"And let thy quarrel fall;For here we may thrash our bones all to mesh,And get no coyn at all.
"And in the forrest of merry Sherwood85Hereafter thou shalt be free:""God-a-mercy for nought, my freedom I bought;I may thank my staff, and not thee."
"What tradesman art thou?" said jolly Robìn,"Good fellow, I prethee me show:90And also me tell in what place thou dost dwell,For both of these fain would I know."
"I am a tanner," bold Arthur reply'd,"In Nottingham long have I wrought;And if thou'lt come there, I vow and swear,95I will tan thy hide for nought."
"God-a-mercy, good fellow," said jolly Robin,"Since thou art so kind and free;And if thou wilt tan my hide for nought,I will do as much for thee.100
"And if thou'lt forsake thy tanners trade,And live in the green wood with me,My name's Robin Hood, I swear by the rood,I will give thee both gold and fee."
"If thou be Robin Hood," bold Arthur reply'd,105"As I think well thou art,Then here's my hand, my name's Arthur-a-Bland,We two will never depart.
"But tell me, O tell me, where is Little John?Of him fain would I hear;110For we are alide by the mothers side,And he is my kinsman dear."
Then Robin Hood blew on the beaugle horn,He blew full lowd and shrill,And quickly anon appear'd Little John,115Come tripping down a green hill.
"O what is the matter?" then said Little John,"Master, I pray you tell;"Why do you stand with your staff in your hand?I fear all is not well."120
"O man I do stand, and he makes me stand,The tanner that stands thee beside;He is a bonny blade, and master of his trade,For soundly he hath tan'd my hide."
"He is to be commended," then said Little John,"If such a feat he can do;125If he be so stout, we will have a bout,And he shall tan my hide too."
"Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin Hood,"For as I do understand,130He's a yeoman good of thine own blood,For his name is Arthur-a-Bland."
Then Little John threw his staff away,As far as he could it fling,And ran out of hand to Arthur-a-Bland,135And about his neck did cling.
With loving respect, there was no neglect,They were neither nice nor coy,Each other did face with a lovely grace,And both did weep for joy.140
Then Robin Hood took them both by the hands,And danc'd round about the oke tree;"For three merry men, and three merry men,And three merry men we be.
"And ever hereafter as long as we live,145We three will be as one;The wood it shall ring, and the old wife sing,Of Robin Hood, Arthur, and John.
13, did him.35. I get.Ritson.
13, did him.
35. I get.Ritson.
Ritson'sRobin Hood, ii. 41.
From an old black-letter copy in the library of Anthony à Wood. The full title is,
A new song to drive away cold winter, Between Robin Hood and the jovial tinker:
A new song to drive away cold winter, Between Robin Hood and the jovial tinker:
How Robin by a wileThe Tinker he did cheat;But at the length, as you shall hear,The Tinker did him beat,Whereby the same they did then so agree,They after liv'd in love and unity.
How Robin by a wileThe Tinker he did cheat;But at the length, as you shall hear,The Tinker did him beat,Whereby the same they did then so agree,They after liv'd in love and unity.
To the tune of,In Summer time.
In summer time, when leaves grow green,Down, a down, a down,And birds singing on every tree,Hey down, a down, a down,Robin Hood went to Nottingham,Down, a down, a down,As fast as hee could dree.Hey down, a down, a down.And as hee came to Nottingham,5A tinker he did meet,And seeing him a lusty blade,He did him kindly greet."Where dost thou live?" quoth Robin Hood,"I pray thee now mee tell:10Sad news I hear there is abroad,I fear all is not well.""What is that news?" the tinker said;"Tell mee without delay;I am a tinker by my trade,15And do live in Banburà.""As for the news," quoth Robin Hood,"It is but as I hear,Two tinkers were set i'th' stocks,For drinking ale and beer."20"If that be all," the tinker said,"As I may say to you,Your news is not worth a f—t,Since that they all bee true."For drinking of good ale and beer,25You will not lose your part:""No, by my faith," quoth Robin Hood,"I love it with all my heart."What news abroad?" quoth Robin Hood,"Tell me what thou dost hear:30Seeing thou goest from town to town,Some news thou need not fear.""All the news I have," the tinker said,"I hear it is for good,It is to seek a bold outlàw,35Which they call Robin Hood."I have a warrant from the king,To take him where I can;If you can tell me where hee is,I will make you a man.40"The king would give a hundred poundThat he could but him see;And if wee can but now him get,It will serve thee and mee.""Let me see that warrant," said Robin Hood,45"Ile see if it bee right;And I will do the best I canFor to take him this night."That will I not," the tinker said,"None with it I will trust;50And where hee is if you'll not tell,Take him by force I must."But Robin Hood perceiving wellHow then the game would go,"If you would go to Nottingham,55We shall find him I know."The tinker had a crab-tree staff,Which was both good and strong;Robin hee had a good strong blade,So they went both along.60And when they came to Nottingham,There they both tooke their inn;And there they called for ale and wine,To drink it was no sin.But ale and wine they drank so fast,65That the tinker hee forgotWhat thing he was about to do;It fell so to his lot,That while the tinker fell asleep,Robin made then haste away,70And left the tinker in the lurch,For the great shot to pay.But when the tinker wakenèd,And saw that he was gone,He call'd then even for his host,75And thus he made his moan:"I had a warrant from the king.Which might have done me good,That is to take a bold outlaw,Some call him Robin Hood.80"But now my warrant and mony's gone,Nothing I have to pay;But he that promis'd to be my friend,He is gone and fled away.""That friend you tell on," said the host,85"They call him Robin Hood;And when that first hee met with you,He ment you little good.""Had I but known it had been hee,"When that I had him here,90Th' one of us should have tri'd our mightWhich should have paid full dear."In the mean time I will away,No longer here Ile bide,But I will go and seek him out,95Whatever do me betide."But one thing I would gladly know,What here I have to pay;""Ten shillings just," then said the host;"Ile pay without delay;100"Or elce take here my working-bag,And my good hammer too;And if that I light but on the knave.I will then soon pay you.""The onely way," then said the host,105"And not to stand in fear,Is to seek him among the parks,Killing of the kings deer."The tinker hee then went with speed,And made then no delay,110Till he had found bold Robin Hood,That they might have a fray.At last hee spy'd him in a park,Hunting then of the deer;"What knave is that," quoth Robin Hood,115"That doth come mee so near?""No knave, no knave," the tinker said,"And that you soon shall know;"Whether of us hath done any wrong,My crab-tree staff shall show."120Then Robin drew his gallant blade,Made then of trusty steel;But the tinker he laid on so fast,That he made Robin reel.Then Robins anger did arise;125He fought right manfully,Until he had made the tinkèrAlmost then fit to fly.With that they had a bout again,They ply'd their weapons fast;130The tinker threshed his bones so sore,He made him yeeld at last."A boon, a boon," Robin hee cryes,"If thou will grant it mee;""Before I do it," the tinker said,135"Ile hang thee on this tree."But the tinker looking him about,Robin his horn did blow;Then came unto him Little John,And William Scadlock too.140"What is the matter," quoth Little John,"You sit on th' highway side?""Here is a tinker that stands by,That hath paid well my hide.""That tinker then," said Little John,145"Fain that blade I would see,And I would try what I could do,If hee'l do as much for me."But Robin hee then wish'd them bothThey should the quarrel cease,150"That henceforth wee may bee as one,And ever live in peace."And for the jovial tinkers part,A hundred pounds Ile giveIn th' year to maintain him on,155As long as he doth live."In manhood he is a mettled man,And a mettle-man by trade;Never thought I that any manShould have made mee so afraid.160"And if hee will bee one of us,"We will take all one fare;And whatsoever wee do get,He shall have his full share."So the tinker was content165With them to go along,And with them a part to take:And so I end my song.
In summer time, when leaves grow green,Down, a down, a down,And birds singing on every tree,Hey down, a down, a down,Robin Hood went to Nottingham,Down, a down, a down,As fast as hee could dree.Hey down, a down, a down.
And as hee came to Nottingham,5A tinker he did meet,And seeing him a lusty blade,He did him kindly greet.
"Where dost thou live?" quoth Robin Hood,"I pray thee now mee tell:10Sad news I hear there is abroad,I fear all is not well."
"What is that news?" the tinker said;"Tell mee without delay;I am a tinker by my trade,15And do live in Banburà."
"As for the news," quoth Robin Hood,"It is but as I hear,Two tinkers were set i'th' stocks,For drinking ale and beer."20
"If that be all," the tinker said,"As I may say to you,Your news is not worth a f—t,Since that they all bee true.
"For drinking of good ale and beer,25You will not lose your part:""No, by my faith," quoth Robin Hood,"I love it with all my heart.
"What news abroad?" quoth Robin Hood,"Tell me what thou dost hear:30Seeing thou goest from town to town,Some news thou need not fear."
"All the news I have," the tinker said,"I hear it is for good,It is to seek a bold outlàw,35Which they call Robin Hood.
"I have a warrant from the king,To take him where I can;If you can tell me where hee is,I will make you a man.40
"The king would give a hundred poundThat he could but him see;And if wee can but now him get,It will serve thee and mee."
"Let me see that warrant," said Robin Hood,45"Ile see if it bee right;And I will do the best I canFor to take him this night.
"That will I not," the tinker said,"None with it I will trust;50And where hee is if you'll not tell,Take him by force I must."
But Robin Hood perceiving wellHow then the game would go,"If you would go to Nottingham,55We shall find him I know."
The tinker had a crab-tree staff,Which was both good and strong;Robin hee had a good strong blade,So they went both along.60
And when they came to Nottingham,There they both tooke their inn;And there they called for ale and wine,To drink it was no sin.
But ale and wine they drank so fast,65That the tinker hee forgotWhat thing he was about to do;It fell so to his lot,
That while the tinker fell asleep,Robin made then haste away,70And left the tinker in the lurch,For the great shot to pay.
But when the tinker wakenèd,And saw that he was gone,He call'd then even for his host,75And thus he made his moan:
"I had a warrant from the king.Which might have done me good,That is to take a bold outlaw,Some call him Robin Hood.80
"But now my warrant and mony's gone,Nothing I have to pay;But he that promis'd to be my friend,He is gone and fled away."
"That friend you tell on," said the host,85"They call him Robin Hood;And when that first hee met with you,He ment you little good."
"Had I but known it had been hee,"When that I had him here,90Th' one of us should have tri'd our mightWhich should have paid full dear.
"In the mean time I will away,No longer here Ile bide,But I will go and seek him out,95Whatever do me betide.
"But one thing I would gladly know,What here I have to pay;""Ten shillings just," then said the host;"Ile pay without delay;100
"Or elce take here my working-bag,And my good hammer too;And if that I light but on the knave.I will then soon pay you."
"The onely way," then said the host,105"And not to stand in fear,Is to seek him among the parks,Killing of the kings deer."
The tinker hee then went with speed,And made then no delay,110Till he had found bold Robin Hood,That they might have a fray.
At last hee spy'd him in a park,Hunting then of the deer;"What knave is that," quoth Robin Hood,115"That doth come mee so near?"
"No knave, no knave," the tinker said,"And that you soon shall know;"Whether of us hath done any wrong,My crab-tree staff shall show."120
Then Robin drew his gallant blade,Made then of trusty steel;But the tinker he laid on so fast,That he made Robin reel.
Then Robins anger did arise;125He fought right manfully,Until he had made the tinkèrAlmost then fit to fly.
With that they had a bout again,They ply'd their weapons fast;130The tinker threshed his bones so sore,He made him yeeld at last.
"A boon, a boon," Robin hee cryes,"If thou will grant it mee;""Before I do it," the tinker said,135"Ile hang thee on this tree."
But the tinker looking him about,Robin his horn did blow;Then came unto him Little John,And William Scadlock too.140
"What is the matter," quoth Little John,"You sit on th' highway side?""Here is a tinker that stands by,That hath paid well my hide."
"That tinker then," said Little John,145"Fain that blade I would see,And I would try what I could do,If hee'l do as much for me."
But Robin hee then wish'd them bothThey should the quarrel cease,150"That henceforth wee may bee as one,And ever live in peace.
"And for the jovial tinkers part,A hundred pounds Ile giveIn th' year to maintain him on,155As long as he doth live.
"In manhood he is a mettled man,And a mettle-man by trade;Never thought I that any manShould have made mee so afraid.160
"And if hee will bee one of us,"We will take all one fare;And whatsoever wee do get,He shall have his full share."
So the tinker was content165With them to go along,And with them a part to take:And so I end my song.
Shewing how Robin Hood, Little John, and the Shepherd fought a sore combate.