The King has wedded an ill woman,Into some foreign land;His daughters twa, that stood in awe,They bravely sat and sang.Then in be-came their step-mother,5Sae stately steppin' ben;"O gin I live and bruik my life,I'll gar ye change your tune.""O we sang ne'er that sang, ladie,But we will sing again;10And ye ne'er boor that son, ladie,We wad lay our love on."But we will cow our yellow locks,A little abune our bree;And we will on to gude green-wud,15And serve for meat and fee."And we will kilt our gay claithingA little below the knee;And we will on the gude green-wud,Gif Robin Hood we see.20"And we will change our ain twa names,When we gae frae the toun,—The tane we will call Nicholas,The tither Rogee Roun."Then they hae cow'd their yellow locks,25A little abune their bree;And they are on to gude green-wudTo serve for meat and fee.And they hae kilt their gay claithingA little below their knee,30And they are on to gud green-wud,Gif Robin Hood they see.And they hae chang'd thair ain twa names,When they gaed frae the toun;—The tane they've called Nicholas,35The tither Rogee Roun.And they hae staid in gude green-wud,And never a day thoucht long,Till it fell ance upon a day,That Rogee sang a sang.40"When we were in our fathers bouer,We sew'd the silken seam;But now we walk the gude green-wud,And bear anither name."When we were in our fathers ha',45We wore the beaten gold;But now we wear the shield sae sharp,Alas! we'll die with cold!"Then up bespake him Robin Hood,As he to them drew near;50"Instead of boys to carry the bow,Twa ladies we've got here."So they had not been in gud green-wud,A twalmonth and a day,Till Rogee Roun was as big wi' bairn55As onie lady could gae."O wae be to my stepmother,That garr'd me leave my hame,For I'm wi' bairn to Robin Hood,And near nine month is gane.60"O wha will be my bouer-woman?Na bouer-woman is here!O wha will be my bouer-woman,Whan that sad time draws near?* * * * * * *The tane was wedded to Robin Hood,65And the tither to Little John;And it was a' owing to their step-motherThat garr'd them leave their hame.
The King has wedded an ill woman,Into some foreign land;His daughters twa, that stood in awe,They bravely sat and sang.
Then in be-came their step-mother,5Sae stately steppin' ben;"O gin I live and bruik my life,I'll gar ye change your tune."
"O we sang ne'er that sang, ladie,But we will sing again;10And ye ne'er boor that son, ladie,We wad lay our love on.
"But we will cow our yellow locks,A little abune our bree;And we will on to gude green-wud,15And serve for meat and fee.
"And we will kilt our gay claithingA little below the knee;And we will on the gude green-wud,Gif Robin Hood we see.20
"And we will change our ain twa names,When we gae frae the toun,—The tane we will call Nicholas,The tither Rogee Roun."
Then they hae cow'd their yellow locks,25A little abune their bree;And they are on to gude green-wudTo serve for meat and fee.
And they hae kilt their gay claithingA little below their knee,30And they are on to gud green-wud,Gif Robin Hood they see.
And they hae chang'd thair ain twa names,When they gaed frae the toun;—The tane they've called Nicholas,35The tither Rogee Roun.
And they hae staid in gude green-wud,And never a day thoucht long,Till it fell ance upon a day,That Rogee sang a sang.40
"When we were in our fathers bouer,We sew'd the silken seam;But now we walk the gude green-wud,And bear anither name.
"When we were in our fathers ha',45We wore the beaten gold;But now we wear the shield sae sharp,Alas! we'll die with cold!"
Then up bespake him Robin Hood,As he to them drew near;50"Instead of boys to carry the bow,Twa ladies we've got here."
So they had not been in gud green-wud,A twalmonth and a day,Till Rogee Roun was as big wi' bairn55As onie lady could gae.
"O wae be to my stepmother,That garr'd me leave my hame,For I'm wi' bairn to Robin Hood,And near nine month is gane.60
"O wha will be my bouer-woman?Na bouer-woman is here!O wha will be my bouer-woman,Whan that sad time draws near?
* * * * * * *
The tane was wedded to Robin Hood,65And the tither to Little John;And it was a' owing to their step-motherThat garr'd them leave their hame.
"Robin Hood and his fellow, Little John," says Motherwell, "were popular with the minstrels of Scotland as they were with those of England. Our early poets and historians never tired of alluding to songs current in their own times, relative to these waithmen and their merry men. Even to this day there are fragments of songs regarding them, traditionally extant in Scotland, which have not yet found their way into any printed collection of ballads commemorative of these celebrated outlaws. Were they carefully gathered they would form an interesting addition to Ritson'sRobin Hood. In that collection, the ballad ofRobin Hood and the Beggaris evidently the production of a Scottish minstrel, pretty early stall copies of which were printed both at Aberdeen and Glasgow."—Minstrelsy, p. xliii.
Ritson printed this ballad (Robin Hood, ii. 97,) from a modern copy printed at Newcastle. He remarks that a similar story may be found inLe Moyen de parvenir, (i. 304, ed. 1739,Comment un moine se débarasse des voleurs.)
We have adopted a superior version given by Gutch,which was from an Aberdeen copy in the Ashmolean Museum, without date.—(Gutch'sRobin Hood, ii. 233.)
Robin Hood and the Beggar, with the nine pieces which are now immediately subjoined, the first part of the tenth, (which has the same title as the present,) and the first part ofRobin Hood and the Stranger, in the Appendix, contains a story essentially the same with the first part of the ancient ballad ofRobin Hood and the Potter, p.17.
Lyth and listen, gentlemen,That's come of high born blood,I'll tell you of a brave bootingThat befel Robin Hood.Robin Hood upon a day,5He went forth alone;And as he came from BarnesdaleInto fair evening,He met a beggar on the way,Who sturdily could gang;10He had a pike-staff in his handThat was baith stark and strang.A clouted cloak about him was,That held him frae the cold;The thinnest bit of it, I guess,15Was more then twenty fold.His meal-pock hang about his neck,Into a leathern fang,Well fasten'd with a broad buckle,That was baith stark and strang.20He had three hats upon his head,Together stickèd fast,He car'd neither for wind nor weet,In lands where'er he past.Good Robin coost him in his way,25To see what he might be,If any beggar had monèy,He thought some part had he."Tarry, tarry," good Robin says,"Tarry, and speak with me;"30He heard him as he heard him not,And fast on his way can hie."It be's not so," says good Robin,"Nay, thou must tarry still;""By my troth," said the bold beggar,35"Of that I have no will."It is far to my lodging house,And it is growing late;If they have supt e'er I come inI will look wondrous blate."40"Now, by my truth," says good Robin,"I see well by thy fare,If thou chear well to thy supper,Of mine thou takes no care;"Who wants my dinner all this day,45And wots not where to lie,And should I to the tavern go,I want money to buy."Sir, thou must lend me some moneyTill we two meet again:"50The beggar answer'd cankerdly,"I have no money to lend."Thou art as young a man as I,And seems to be as sweir;If thou fast till thou get from me,55Thou shalt eat none this year.""Now, by my truth," says good Robin,"Since we are 'sembled so,If thou have but a small farthing,I'll have it e'er thou go.60"Therefore, lay down thy clouted cloak,And do no longer stand,And loose the strings of all thy pocks,I'll ripe them with my hand."And now to thee I make a vow,65If thou make any din,I shall see if a broad arrow,Can pierce a beggar's skin."The beggar smil'd, and answer made,"Far better let me be;70Think not that I will be afraidFor thy nip crooked tree."Or that I fear thee any whitFor thy curn nips of sticks;I know no use for them so meet75As to be pudding-pricks."Here I defy thee to do me ill,For all thy boisterous fare;Thou'st get nothing from me but ill,Would'st thou seek evermair."80Good Robin bent his noble bow,He was an angery man,And in it set a broad arròw;Yet erst was drawn a span,The beggar, with his noble tree,85Reach'd him so round a rout,That his bow and his broad arròwIn flinders flew about.Good Robin bound him to his brand,But that prov'd likewise vain,The beggar lighted on his handWith his pike-staff again.I wot he might not draw a swordFor forty days and mair;Good Robin could not speak a word,95His heart was never so sair.He could not fight, he could not flee,He wist not what to do;The beggar with his noble treeLaid lusty flaps him to.100He paid good Robin back and side,And beft him up and down,And with his pike-staff still laid on hard,Till he fell in a swoon."Fy, stand up, man," the beggar said,105"'Tis shame to go to rest;Stay still till thou get my money,I think it were the best."And syne go to the tavern house,And buy both wine and ale;110Hereat thy friends will crack full crouse,Thou hast been at a dale."Good Robin answer'd never a word,But lay still as a stane;His cheeks were white as any clay,115And closed were his eyen.The beggar thought him dead but fail,And boldly bown'd away;—I would you had been at the dale,And gotten part of the play.120
Lyth and listen, gentlemen,That's come of high born blood,I'll tell you of a brave bootingThat befel Robin Hood.
Robin Hood upon a day,5He went forth alone;And as he came from BarnesdaleInto fair evening,
He met a beggar on the way,Who sturdily could gang;10He had a pike-staff in his handThat was baith stark and strang.
A clouted cloak about him was,That held him frae the cold;The thinnest bit of it, I guess,15Was more then twenty fold.
His meal-pock hang about his neck,Into a leathern fang,Well fasten'd with a broad buckle,That was baith stark and strang.20
He had three hats upon his head,Together stickèd fast,He car'd neither for wind nor weet,In lands where'er he past.
Good Robin coost him in his way,25To see what he might be,If any beggar had monèy,He thought some part had he.
"Tarry, tarry," good Robin says,"Tarry, and speak with me;"30He heard him as he heard him not,And fast on his way can hie.
"It be's not so," says good Robin,"Nay, thou must tarry still;""By my troth," said the bold beggar,35"Of that I have no will.
"It is far to my lodging house,And it is growing late;If they have supt e'er I come inI will look wondrous blate."40
"Now, by my truth," says good Robin,"I see well by thy fare,If thou chear well to thy supper,Of mine thou takes no care;
"Who wants my dinner all this day,45And wots not where to lie,And should I to the tavern go,I want money to buy.
"Sir, thou must lend me some moneyTill we two meet again:"50The beggar answer'd cankerdly,"I have no money to lend.
"Thou art as young a man as I,And seems to be as sweir;If thou fast till thou get from me,55Thou shalt eat none this year."
"Now, by my truth," says good Robin,"Since we are 'sembled so,If thou have but a small farthing,I'll have it e'er thou go.60
"Therefore, lay down thy clouted cloak,And do no longer stand,And loose the strings of all thy pocks,I'll ripe them with my hand.
"And now to thee I make a vow,65If thou make any din,I shall see if a broad arrow,Can pierce a beggar's skin."
The beggar smil'd, and answer made,"Far better let me be;70Think not that I will be afraidFor thy nip crooked tree.
"Or that I fear thee any whitFor thy curn nips of sticks;I know no use for them so meet75As to be pudding-pricks.
"Here I defy thee to do me ill,For all thy boisterous fare;Thou'st get nothing from me but ill,Would'st thou seek evermair."80
Good Robin bent his noble bow,He was an angery man,And in it set a broad arròw;Yet erst was drawn a span,
The beggar, with his noble tree,85Reach'd him so round a rout,That his bow and his broad arròwIn flinders flew about.
Good Robin bound him to his brand,But that prov'd likewise vain,The beggar lighted on his handWith his pike-staff again.
I wot he might not draw a swordFor forty days and mair;Good Robin could not speak a word,95His heart was never so sair.
He could not fight, he could not flee,He wist not what to do;The beggar with his noble treeLaid lusty flaps him to.100
He paid good Robin back and side,And beft him up and down,And with his pike-staff still laid on hard,Till he fell in a swoon.
"Fy, stand up, man," the beggar said,105"'Tis shame to go to rest;Stay still till thou get my money,I think it were the best.
"And syne go to the tavern house,And buy both wine and ale;110Hereat thy friends will crack full crouse,Thou hast been at a dale."
Good Robin answer'd never a word,But lay still as a stane;His cheeks were white as any clay,115And closed were his eyen.
The beggar thought him dead but fail,And boldly bown'd away;—I would you had been at the dale,And gotten part of the play.120
Now three of Robin's men, by chance,Came walking by the way,And found their master in a trance,On ground where he did lay.Up have they taken good Robin,5Making a piteous beir,Yet saw they no man there at whomThey might the matter speir.They lookèd him all round about,But wounds on him saw none,10Yet at his mouth came bocking outThe blood of a good vein.Cold water they have taken syne,And cast into his face;Then he began to lift his eyne,15And spake within short space."Tell us, dear master," said his men,"How with you stands the case?"Good Robin sigh'd e'er he beganTo tell of his disgrace.20"I have been watchman in this woodNear hand this forty year,Yet I was never so hard besteadAs you have found me here."A beggar with a clouted cloak,25In whom I fear'd no ill,Hath with his pike-staff claw'd my back,I fear 'twill never be well.See, where he goes o'er yonder hill,With hat upon his head;30If e'er you lov'd your master well,Go now revenge this deed."And bring him back again to me,If it lie in your might,That I may see, before I die,35Him punisht in my sight."And if you may not bring him back,Let him not go loose on;For to us all it were great shameIf he escap't again."40"One of us shall with you remain,Because you're ill at ease,The other two shall bring him back,To use him as you please.""Now, by my troth," says good Robin,45"I trow there's enough said;If he get scouth to wield his tree,I fear you'll both be paid.""Be ye not fear'd, our good master,That we two can be dung50With any blutter base beggar,That has nought but a rung."His staff shall stand him in no stead;That you shall shortly see;But back again he shall be led,55And fast bound shall he be,To see if ye will have him slain,Or hangèd on a tree.""But cast you slily in his way,Before he be aware,60And on his pike-staff first hands lay,You'll speed the better far."Now leave we Robin with his man,Again to play the child,And learn himself to stand and gang65By haulds, for all his eild.Now pass we to the bold beggàrThat rakèd o'er the hill,Who never mended his pace no moreNor he had done no ill.70The young men knew the country well,So soon where he would be,And they have taken another way,Was nearer by miles three.They rudely ran with all their might,75Spared neither dub nor mire,They started neither at laigh nor hight,No travel made them tire.Till they before the beggar wan,And coost them in his way;80A little wood lay in a glen,And there they both did stay.They stood up closely by a tree,In ilk side of the gate,Until the beggar came them to,85That thought not of such fate.And as he was betwixt them past,They leapt upon him baith;The one his pike-staff grippèd fast,They fearèd for its scaith.90The other he held in his sightA drawen dirk to his breast,And said, "False carl, quit thy staff,Or I shall be thy priest."His pike-staff they have taken him frae,95And stuck it in the green,He was full loath to let gae,If better might have been.The beggar was the feardest manOf one that ever might be;100To win away no way he can,Nor help him with his tree.He wist not wherefore he was tane,Nor how many was there;He thought his life-days had been gane,105He grew into despair."Grant me my life," the beggar said,"For him that died on tree,And take away that ugly knife,Or then for fear I'll die.110"I griev'd you never in all my life,Nor late nor yet by ayre,Ye have great sin, if ye would slayA silly poor beggàr.""Thou lies, false lown," they said again,115"By all that may be sworn;Thou hast near slain the gentlest manThat ever yet was born."And back again thou shalt be led,And fast bound shalt thou be,120To see if he will have thee slain,Or hangèd on a tree."The beggar then thought all was wrong;They were set for his wrack;He saw nothing appearing then,125But ill upon worse back.Were he out of their hands, he thought,And had again his tree,He should not be had back for nought,With such as he did see.130Then he bethought him on a wile,If it could take effect,How he the young men might beguile,And give them a begeck.Thus for to do them shame or ill,135His beastly breast was bent;He found the wind grew something shril,To further his intent.He said, "Brave gentlemen, be good,And let the poor man be;140When ye have taken a beggar's blood,It helps you not a flea."It was but in my own defence,If he hath gotten skaith;But I will make a recompense,145Much better for you baith."If ye will set me safe and free,And do me no dangèr,An hundred pounds I will you give,And much more good silvèr,150"That I have gather'd this many years,Under this clouted cloak,And hid up[wonder]privately,In bottom of my pock."The young men to a council yeed,155And let the beggar gae;They wist full well he had no speedFrom them to run away.They thought they would the money take,Come after what so may;160And then they would not bring him back,But in that place him slay.By that good Robin would not knowThat they had gotten coin;It would content him for to show165That there they had him slain.They said, "False carl, soon have done,And tell forth thy monèy;For the ill turn that thou hast done'Tis but a simple fee.170"And yet we will not have thee back,Come after what so may,If thou will do that which thou spake,And make us present pay."O then he loos'd his clouted cloak,175And spread it on the ground,And thereon laid he many a pock,Betwixt them and the wind.He took a great bag from his hase,It was near full of meal,180Two pecks in it at least there was,And more I wot full well.Upon his cloak he laid it down,The mouth he open'd wide,To turn the same he made him bown,185The young men ready spy'd.In every hand he took a nookOf that great leathern meal,And with a fling the meal he shook,Into their faces hail:190Wherewith he blinded them so close,A stime they could not see;And then in heart he did rejoice,And clapt his lusty tree.He thought if he had done them wrong,195In mealing of their cloaths,For to strike off the meal againWith his pike-staff he goes.Or any of them could red their eyne,Or could a glimm'ring see,200Ilk one of them a dozen hadWell laid on with the tree.The young men were right swift of foot,And boldly ran away,The beggar could them no more hit,205For all the haste he may."What ails this haste?" the beggar said,"May ye not tarry still,Until your money be received?I'll pay you with good will.210"The shaking of my pocks, I fear,Hath blown into your eyne;But I have a good pike-staff hereCan ripe them out full clean."The young men answer'd never a word,215They were dumb as a stane;In the thick wood the beggar fled,E'er they riped their eyne.And syne the night became so late,To seek him was in vain:220But judge ye, if they lookèd blate,When they came home again.Good Robin spear'd how they had sped;They answer'd him, "Full ill:""That cannot be," good Robin says,225"Ye have been at the mill."The mill it is a meatrif place,They may lick what they please;Most like ye have been at that art,Who would look to your cloaths."230They hang'd their heads, they dropèd down,A word they could not speak:Robin said, "Because I fell a-swoon,I think you'll do the like."Tell on the matter, less or more,235And tell mewhatand howYe have done with the bold beggàr,I sent you for right now."And when they told him to an end,As I have said before,240How that the beggar did them blind,What misters process more,And how he lin'd their shoulders broadWith his great trenchen tree,And how in the thick wood he fled,245E'er they a stime could see,And how they scarcely could win home,Their bones were beft so sore,Good Robin cry'd, "Fy! out, for shame!We're sham'd for evermore."250Altho' good Robin would full fainOf his wrong revengèd be,He smil'd to see his merry young menHad gotten a taste of the tree.
Now three of Robin's men, by chance,Came walking by the way,And found their master in a trance,On ground where he did lay.
Up have they taken good Robin,5Making a piteous beir,Yet saw they no man there at whomThey might the matter speir.
They lookèd him all round about,But wounds on him saw none,10Yet at his mouth came bocking outThe blood of a good vein.
Cold water they have taken syne,And cast into his face;Then he began to lift his eyne,15And spake within short space.
"Tell us, dear master," said his men,"How with you stands the case?"Good Robin sigh'd e'er he beganTo tell of his disgrace.20
"I have been watchman in this woodNear hand this forty year,Yet I was never so hard besteadAs you have found me here.
"A beggar with a clouted cloak,25In whom I fear'd no ill,Hath with his pike-staff claw'd my back,I fear 'twill never be well.
See, where he goes o'er yonder hill,With hat upon his head;30If e'er you lov'd your master well,Go now revenge this deed.
"And bring him back again to me,If it lie in your might,That I may see, before I die,35Him punisht in my sight.
"And if you may not bring him back,Let him not go loose on;For to us all it were great shameIf he escap't again."40
"One of us shall with you remain,Because you're ill at ease,The other two shall bring him back,To use him as you please."
"Now, by my troth," says good Robin,45"I trow there's enough said;If he get scouth to wield his tree,I fear you'll both be paid."
"Be ye not fear'd, our good master,That we two can be dung50With any blutter base beggar,That has nought but a rung.
"His staff shall stand him in no stead;That you shall shortly see;But back again he shall be led,55And fast bound shall he be,To see if ye will have him slain,Or hangèd on a tree."
"But cast you slily in his way,Before he be aware,60And on his pike-staff first hands lay,You'll speed the better far."
Now leave we Robin with his man,Again to play the child,And learn himself to stand and gang65By haulds, for all his eild.
Now pass we to the bold beggàrThat rakèd o'er the hill,Who never mended his pace no moreNor he had done no ill.70
The young men knew the country well,So soon where he would be,And they have taken another way,Was nearer by miles three.
They rudely ran with all their might,75Spared neither dub nor mire,They started neither at laigh nor hight,No travel made them tire.
Till they before the beggar wan,And coost them in his way;80A little wood lay in a glen,And there they both did stay.
They stood up closely by a tree,In ilk side of the gate,Until the beggar came them to,85That thought not of such fate.
And as he was betwixt them past,They leapt upon him baith;The one his pike-staff grippèd fast,They fearèd for its scaith.90
The other he held in his sightA drawen dirk to his breast,And said, "False carl, quit thy staff,Or I shall be thy priest."
His pike-staff they have taken him frae,95And stuck it in the green,He was full loath to let gae,If better might have been.
The beggar was the feardest manOf one that ever might be;100To win away no way he can,Nor help him with his tree.
He wist not wherefore he was tane,Nor how many was there;He thought his life-days had been gane,105He grew into despair.
"Grant me my life," the beggar said,"For him that died on tree,And take away that ugly knife,Or then for fear I'll die.110
"I griev'd you never in all my life,Nor late nor yet by ayre,Ye have great sin, if ye would slayA silly poor beggàr."
"Thou lies, false lown," they said again,115"By all that may be sworn;Thou hast near slain the gentlest manThat ever yet was born.
"And back again thou shalt be led,And fast bound shalt thou be,120To see if he will have thee slain,Or hangèd on a tree."
The beggar then thought all was wrong;They were set for his wrack;He saw nothing appearing then,125But ill upon worse back.
Were he out of their hands, he thought,And had again his tree,He should not be had back for nought,With such as he did see.130
Then he bethought him on a wile,If it could take effect,How he the young men might beguile,And give them a begeck.
Thus for to do them shame or ill,135His beastly breast was bent;He found the wind grew something shril,To further his intent.
He said, "Brave gentlemen, be good,And let the poor man be;140When ye have taken a beggar's blood,It helps you not a flea.
"It was but in my own defence,If he hath gotten skaith;But I will make a recompense,145Much better for you baith.
"If ye will set me safe and free,And do me no dangèr,An hundred pounds I will you give,And much more good silvèr,150
"That I have gather'd this many years,Under this clouted cloak,And hid up[wonder]privately,In bottom of my pock."
The young men to a council yeed,155And let the beggar gae;They wist full well he had no speedFrom them to run away.
They thought they would the money take,Come after what so may;160And then they would not bring him back,But in that place him slay.
By that good Robin would not knowThat they had gotten coin;It would content him for to show165That there they had him slain.
They said, "False carl, soon have done,And tell forth thy monèy;For the ill turn that thou hast done'Tis but a simple fee.170
"And yet we will not have thee back,Come after what so may,If thou will do that which thou spake,And make us present pay."
O then he loos'd his clouted cloak,175And spread it on the ground,And thereon laid he many a pock,Betwixt them and the wind.
He took a great bag from his hase,It was near full of meal,180Two pecks in it at least there was,And more I wot full well.
Upon his cloak he laid it down,The mouth he open'd wide,To turn the same he made him bown,185The young men ready spy'd.
In every hand he took a nookOf that great leathern meal,And with a fling the meal he shook,Into their faces hail:190
Wherewith he blinded them so close,A stime they could not see;And then in heart he did rejoice,And clapt his lusty tree.
He thought if he had done them wrong,195In mealing of their cloaths,For to strike off the meal againWith his pike-staff he goes.
Or any of them could red their eyne,Or could a glimm'ring see,200Ilk one of them a dozen hadWell laid on with the tree.
The young men were right swift of foot,And boldly ran away,The beggar could them no more hit,205For all the haste he may.
"What ails this haste?" the beggar said,"May ye not tarry still,Until your money be received?I'll pay you with good will.210
"The shaking of my pocks, I fear,Hath blown into your eyne;But I have a good pike-staff hereCan ripe them out full clean."
The young men answer'd never a word,215They were dumb as a stane;In the thick wood the beggar fled,E'er they riped their eyne.
And syne the night became so late,To seek him was in vain:220But judge ye, if they lookèd blate,When they came home again.
Good Robin spear'd how they had sped;They answer'd him, "Full ill:""That cannot be," good Robin says,225"Ye have been at the mill.
"The mill it is a meatrif place,They may lick what they please;Most like ye have been at that art,Who would look to your cloaths."230
They hang'd their heads, they dropèd down,A word they could not speak:Robin said, "Because I fell a-swoon,I think you'll do the like.
"Tell on the matter, less or more,235And tell mewhatand howYe have done with the bold beggàr,I sent you for right now."
And when they told him to an end,As I have said before,240How that the beggar did them blind,What misters process more,
And how he lin'd their shoulders broadWith his great trenchen tree,And how in the thick wood he fled,245E'er they a stime could see,
And how they scarcely could win home,Their bones were beft so sore,Good Robin cry'd, "Fy! out, for shame!We're sham'd for evermore."250
Altho' good Robin would full fainOf his wrong revengèd be,He smil'd to see his merry young menHad gotten a taste of the tree.
72,73. Wanting in the original, and restored from the Aberdeen copy.Gutch.153, wonder.Ritson.236, where.243, 244. These two lines are restored from the Aberdeen ballad. G.
72,73. Wanting in the original, and restored from the Aberdeen copy.Gutch.
153, wonder.Ritson.
236, where.
243, 244. These two lines are restored from the Aberdeen ballad. G.
Ritson'sRobin Hood, ii. 18.
"From an old black-letter copy, in A. à Wood's collection, compared with two others in the British Museum, one in black-letter.
"Several lines of this ballad are quoted in the two old plays of theDownfallandDeath of Robert earle of Huntington, 1601, 4to. b. l. but acted many years before. It is also alluded to in Shakespeare'sMerry Wives of Windsor, act i. scene 1, and again in his Second Part ofKing Henry IV., act v. scene 3.
"In 1557 certain 'ballets' are entered on the books of the Stationers' Company, 'to John Wallye and Mrs. Toye,' one of which is entitledOf Wakefylde and a grene; meaning apparently the ballad here reprinted."Ritson.
In Wakefield there lives a jolly pindèr,In Wakefield all on a green,In Wakefield all on a green.* * * * ** * * * *"There is neither knight nor squire," said the pinder,"Nor baron that is so bold,5Nor baron that is so bold,Dare make a trespàss to the town of Wakefield,But his pledge goes to the pinfold," &c.All this beheard threewighty yeomen,'Twas Robin Hood, Scarlet and John;10With that they espy'd the jolly pindèr,As he sat under a thorn."Now turn again, turn again," said the pindèr,"For a wrong way you have gone;For you have forsaken the kings highway,15And made a path over the corn.""O that were a shame," said jolly Robìn,"We being three, and thou but one:"The pinder leapt back then thirty good foot,'Twas thirty good foot and one.20He leaned his back fast unto a thorn,And his foot against a stone,And there he fought a long summers day,A summers day so long,Till that their swords on their broad bucklèrs,25Were broke fast into their hands."Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said bold Robin Hood,"And my merry men stand aside;For this is one of the best pindèrs,That with sword ever I tryed.30"And wilt thou forsake thy pinders craft,And go to the greenwood with me?Thou shalt have a livery twice in the year,Th' one greene, 'tither brown shall be.""At Michaelmas next my cov'nant comes out,35When every man gathers his fee,Then I'le take my blew blade all in my hand,And plod to the green-wood with thee.""Hast thou either meat or drink," said Robin Hood,"For my merry men and me?"40* * * * ** * * * *"I have both bread and beef," said the pinder,"And good ale of the best:""And that is meat good enough," said Robin Hood,For such unbidden 'guest.'"O wilt thou forsake the pinder his craft,45And go to the green-wood with me?Thou shalt have a livery twice in the year,The one green, the other brown [shall be].""If Michaelmas day was come and gone,And my master had paid me my fee,50Then would I set as little by him,As my master doth by me."
In Wakefield there lives a jolly pindèr,In Wakefield all on a green,In Wakefield all on a green.
* * * * ** * * * *
"There is neither knight nor squire," said the pinder,"Nor baron that is so bold,5Nor baron that is so bold,Dare make a trespàss to the town of Wakefield,But his pledge goes to the pinfold," &c.
All this beheard threewighty yeomen,'Twas Robin Hood, Scarlet and John;10With that they espy'd the jolly pindèr,As he sat under a thorn.
"Now turn again, turn again," said the pindèr,"For a wrong way you have gone;For you have forsaken the kings highway,15And made a path over the corn."
"O that were a shame," said jolly Robìn,"We being three, and thou but one:"The pinder leapt back then thirty good foot,'Twas thirty good foot and one.20
He leaned his back fast unto a thorn,And his foot against a stone,And there he fought a long summers day,A summers day so long,Till that their swords on their broad bucklèrs,25Were broke fast into their hands.
"Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said bold Robin Hood,"And my merry men stand aside;For this is one of the best pindèrs,That with sword ever I tryed.30
"And wilt thou forsake thy pinders craft,And go to the greenwood with me?Thou shalt have a livery twice in the year,Th' one greene, 'tither brown shall be."
"At Michaelmas next my cov'nant comes out,35When every man gathers his fee,Then I'le take my blew blade all in my hand,And plod to the green-wood with thee."
"Hast thou either meat or drink," said Robin Hood,"For my merry men and me?"40
* * * * ** * * * *
"I have both bread and beef," said the pinder,"And good ale of the best:""And that is meat good enough," said Robin Hood,For such unbidden 'guest.'
"O wilt thou forsake the pinder his craft,45And go to the green-wood with me?Thou shalt have a livery twice in the year,The one green, the other brown [shall be]."
"If Michaelmas day was come and gone,And my master had paid me my fee,50Then would I set as little by him,As my master doth by me."
9, witty young men.Ritson29, 30. This is the reading in one black-letter copy that has come under the Editor's notice, instead of"For this is one of the best pindersThat ever I tried with sword."—Gutch.33, 34. From the same.
9, witty young men.Ritson
29, 30. This is the reading in one black-letter copy that has come under the Editor's notice, instead of
"For this is one of the best pindersThat ever I tried with sword."—Gutch.
"For this is one of the best pindersThat ever I tried with sword."—Gutch.
33, 34. From the same.
"No ancient copy of this ballad having been met with, it is given from an edition ofRobin Hood's Garland, printed some years since at York. The tune isArthur a Bland."Ritson'sRobin Hood, ii. 137.
When Phœbus had melted the 'sickles' of ice,With a hey down, &c.And likewise the mountains of snow,Bold Robin Hood he would ramble away,To frolick abroad with his bow.He left all his merry men waiting behind,5Whilst through the green vallies he pass'd,Where he did behold a forester bold,Who cry'd out, "Friend, whither so fast?""I am going," quoth Robin, "to kill a fat buck,For me and my merry men all;10Besides, ere I go, I'll have a fat doe,Or else it shall cost me a fall.""You'd best have a care," said the forester then,"For these are his majesty's deer;Before you shall shoot, the thing I'll dispute,15For I am head forester here.""These thirteen long summers," quoth Robin, "I'm sure,My arrows I here have let fly,Where freely I range; methinks it is strange,You should have more power than I.20"This forest," quoth Robin, "I think is my own,And so are the nimble deer too;Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear,I'll not be affronted by you."The forester he had a long quarter staff,25Likewise a broad sword by his side;Without more ado, he presently drew,Declaring the truth should be try'd.Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,Thus, ere he would take any wrong,30His courage was flush, he'd venture a brush,And thus they fell to it ding dong.The very first blow that the forester gave,He made his broad weapon cry twang;'Twas over the head, he fell down for dead,35O that was a damnable bang!But Robin he soon recovered himself,And bravely fell to it again;The very next stroke their weapons they broke.Yet never a man there was slain.40At quarter staff then they resolvèd to play,Because they would have the other bout;And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood,Unwilling he was to give out.Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows,45The other return'd them as fast;At every stroke their jackets did smoke,Three hours the combat did last.At length in a rage the forester grew,And cudgell'd bold Robin so sore,50That he could not stand, so shaking his hand,He cry'd, "Let us freely give o'er."Thou art a brave fellow; I needs must confess,I never knew any so good;Thou art fitting to be a yeoman for me,55And range in the merry green-wood."Ill give thee this ring as a token of love,For bravely thou hast acted thy part;That man that can fight, in him I delight,And love him with all my whole heart.60Robin Hood set his bugle-horn to his mouth,A blast then he merrily blows;His yeomen did hear, and strait did appear,A hundred with trusty long bows.Now Little John came at the head of them all,65Cloath'd in a rich mantle of green;And likewise the rest were gloriously drest,A delicate sight to be seen."Lo, these are my yeomen," said bold Robin Hood,"And thou shalt be one of the train;70A mantle and bow, and quiver also,I give them whom I entertain."The forester willingly enter'd the list,They were such a beautiful sight;Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe,75And made a rich supper that night.What singing and dancing was in the green wood,For joy of another new mate!With might and delight they spent all the night,And liv'd at a plentiful rate.80The forester ne'er was so merry before,As then he was with these brave souls,Who never would fail, in wine, beer, or ale,To take off their cherishing bowls.Then Robin Hood gave him a mantle of green,85Broad arrows, and curious long bow:This done, the next day, so gallant and gay,He marchèd them all on a row.Quoth he, "My brave yeomen, be true to your trust,And then we may range the woods wide:"90They all did declare, and solemnly swear,They would conquer, or die by his side.
When Phœbus had melted the 'sickles' of ice,With a hey down, &c.And likewise the mountains of snow,Bold Robin Hood he would ramble away,To frolick abroad with his bow.
He left all his merry men waiting behind,5Whilst through the green vallies he pass'd,Where he did behold a forester bold,Who cry'd out, "Friend, whither so fast?"
"I am going," quoth Robin, "to kill a fat buck,For me and my merry men all;10Besides, ere I go, I'll have a fat doe,Or else it shall cost me a fall."
"You'd best have a care," said the forester then,"For these are his majesty's deer;Before you shall shoot, the thing I'll dispute,15For I am head forester here."
"These thirteen long summers," quoth Robin, "I'm sure,My arrows I here have let fly,Where freely I range; methinks it is strange,You should have more power than I.20
"This forest," quoth Robin, "I think is my own,And so are the nimble deer too;Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear,I'll not be affronted by you."
The forester he had a long quarter staff,25Likewise a broad sword by his side;Without more ado, he presently drew,Declaring the truth should be try'd.
Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,Thus, ere he would take any wrong,30His courage was flush, he'd venture a brush,And thus they fell to it ding dong.
The very first blow that the forester gave,He made his broad weapon cry twang;'Twas over the head, he fell down for dead,35O that was a damnable bang!
But Robin he soon recovered himself,And bravely fell to it again;The very next stroke their weapons they broke.Yet never a man there was slain.40
At quarter staff then they resolvèd to play,Because they would have the other bout;And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood,Unwilling he was to give out.
Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows,45The other return'd them as fast;At every stroke their jackets did smoke,Three hours the combat did last.
At length in a rage the forester grew,And cudgell'd bold Robin so sore,50That he could not stand, so shaking his hand,He cry'd, "Let us freely give o'er.
"Thou art a brave fellow; I needs must confess,I never knew any so good;Thou art fitting to be a yeoman for me,55And range in the merry green-wood.
"Ill give thee this ring as a token of love,For bravely thou hast acted thy part;That man that can fight, in him I delight,And love him with all my whole heart.60
Robin Hood set his bugle-horn to his mouth,A blast then he merrily blows;His yeomen did hear, and strait did appear,A hundred with trusty long bows.
Now Little John came at the head of them all,65Cloath'd in a rich mantle of green;And likewise the rest were gloriously drest,A delicate sight to be seen.
"Lo, these are my yeomen," said bold Robin Hood,"And thou shalt be one of the train;70A mantle and bow, and quiver also,I give them whom I entertain."
The forester willingly enter'd the list,They were such a beautiful sight;Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe,75And made a rich supper that night.
What singing and dancing was in the green wood,For joy of another new mate!With might and delight they spent all the night,And liv'd at a plentiful rate.80
The forester ne'er was so merry before,As then he was with these brave souls,Who never would fail, in wine, beer, or ale,To take off their cherishing bowls.
Then Robin Hood gave him a mantle of green,85Broad arrows, and curious long bow:This done, the next day, so gallant and gay,He marchèd them all on a row.
Quoth he, "My brave yeomen, be true to your trust,And then we may range the woods wide:"90They all did declare, and solemnly swear,They would conquer, or die by his side.
Or, a merry combat fought between Robin Hood, Little John, and Will Scarelock, and three stout keepers in Sheerwood Forrest.
Or, a merry combat fought between Robin Hood, Little John, and Will Scarelock, and three stout keepers in Sheerwood Forrest.