ROBIN HOOD AND THE SCOTCHMAN.

Come listen awhile, you gentlemen all,With a hey down, down, a down, down,That are this bower within,For a story of gallant bold Robin HoodI purpose now to begin."What time of day?" quod Robin Hood then;5Quoth Little John, "'Tis in the prime;""Why then we will to the greenwood gang,For we have no vittles to dine."As Robin Hood walkt the forrest along,(It was in the mid of the day,)10There he was met of a deft young manAs ever walkt on the way.His doublet was of silk, 'tis said,His stockings like scarlet shone;And he walked on along the way,15To Robin Hood then unknown.A herd of deer was in the bend,All feeding before his face:"Now the best of you Ile have to my dinner,And that in a little space."20Now the stranger he made no mickle adoe,But he bends a right good bow,And thebest of all the herd he slew,Forty good yardshim froe."Well shot, well shot," quod Robin Hood then,25"That shot it was shot in time;And if thou wilt accept of the place,Thou shalt be a bold yeoman of mine.""Go play the chiven," the stranger said,"Make haste and quickly go,30Or with my fist, be sure of this,Ile give thee buffets sto'.""Thou had'st not best buffet me," quod Robin Hood,"For though I seem forlorn,Yet I have those will take my part,35If I but blow my horn.""Thou wast not best wind thy horn," the stranger said,"Beest thou never so much in haste,For I can draw out a good broad sword,And quickly cut the blast."40Then Robin Hood bent a very good bow,To shoot, and that he would fain;The stranger he bent a very good bow,To shoot at bold Robin again."Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," quod Robin Hood,45"To shoot it would be in vain;For if we should shoot the one at the other,The one of us may be slain."But let's take our swords and our broad bucklèrs,And gang under yonder tree:"50"As I hope to be sav'd," the stranger said,"One foot I will not flee."Then Robin Hood lent the stranger a blow,'Most scar'd him out of his wit:"Thou neverdeltblow," the stranger he said,55"That shall be better quit."The stranger he drew out a good broad sword,And hit Robin on the crown,That from every haire of bold Robins head,The blood ran trickling down.60"God a mercy, good fellow!" quod Robin Hood then,"And for this that thou hast done,Tell me, good fellow, what thou art,Tell me where thou doestwone."The stranger then answer'd bold Robin Hood,65"Ile tell thee where I do dwell;In Maxwell town I was bred and born,My name is young Gamwell."For killing of my own fathers steward,I am forc'd to this English wood,70And for to seek an uncle of mine,Some call him Robin Hood.""But art thou a cousin of Robin Hood then?The sooner we should have done:""As I hope to be sav'd," the stranger then said,75"I am his own sisters son."But, lord! what kissing and courting was there,When these two cousins did greet!And they went all that summers day,And Little John did [not] meet.80But when they met with Little John,He unto them did say,"O master, pray where have you been,You have tarried so long away?""I met with a stranger," quod Robin Hood,85"Full sore he hath beaten me:""Then I'le have a bout with him," quod Little John,"And try if he can beat me.""Oh [no], oh no," quoth Robin Hood then,"Little John, it may [not] be so;90For he is my own dear sisters son,And cousins I have no mo."But he shall be a bold yeoman of mine,My chief man next to thee;And I Robin Hood, and thou Little John,95And Scadlock he shall be:"And weel be three of the bravest outlàwsThat live in the north country."If you will hear more of bold Robin Hood,In the second part it will be.100

Come listen awhile, you gentlemen all,With a hey down, down, a down, down,That are this bower within,For a story of gallant bold Robin HoodI purpose now to begin.

"What time of day?" quod Robin Hood then;5Quoth Little John, "'Tis in the prime;""Why then we will to the greenwood gang,For we have no vittles to dine."

As Robin Hood walkt the forrest along,(It was in the mid of the day,)10There he was met of a deft young manAs ever walkt on the way.

His doublet was of silk, 'tis said,His stockings like scarlet shone;And he walked on along the way,15To Robin Hood then unknown.

A herd of deer was in the bend,All feeding before his face:"Now the best of you Ile have to my dinner,And that in a little space."20

Now the stranger he made no mickle adoe,But he bends a right good bow,And thebest of all the herd he slew,Forty good yardshim froe.

"Well shot, well shot," quod Robin Hood then,25"That shot it was shot in time;And if thou wilt accept of the place,Thou shalt be a bold yeoman of mine."

"Go play the chiven," the stranger said,"Make haste and quickly go,30Or with my fist, be sure of this,Ile give thee buffets sto'."

"Thou had'st not best buffet me," quod Robin Hood,"For though I seem forlorn,Yet I have those will take my part,35If I but blow my horn."

"Thou wast not best wind thy horn," the stranger said,"Beest thou never so much in haste,For I can draw out a good broad sword,And quickly cut the blast."40

Then Robin Hood bent a very good bow,To shoot, and that he would fain;The stranger he bent a very good bow,To shoot at bold Robin again.

"Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," quod Robin Hood,45"To shoot it would be in vain;For if we should shoot the one at the other,The one of us may be slain.

"But let's take our swords and our broad bucklèrs,And gang under yonder tree:"50"As I hope to be sav'd," the stranger said,"One foot I will not flee."

Then Robin Hood lent the stranger a blow,'Most scar'd him out of his wit:"Thou neverdeltblow," the stranger he said,55"That shall be better quit."

The stranger he drew out a good broad sword,And hit Robin on the crown,That from every haire of bold Robins head,The blood ran trickling down.60

"God a mercy, good fellow!" quod Robin Hood then,"And for this that thou hast done,Tell me, good fellow, what thou art,Tell me where thou doestwone."

The stranger then answer'd bold Robin Hood,65"Ile tell thee where I do dwell;In Maxwell town I was bred and born,My name is young Gamwell.

"For killing of my own fathers steward,I am forc'd to this English wood,70And for to seek an uncle of mine,Some call him Robin Hood."

"But art thou a cousin of Robin Hood then?The sooner we should have done:""As I hope to be sav'd," the stranger then said,75"I am his own sisters son."

But, lord! what kissing and courting was there,When these two cousins did greet!And they went all that summers day,And Little John did [not] meet.80

But when they met with Little John,He unto them did say,"O master, pray where have you been,You have tarried so long away?"

"I met with a stranger," quod Robin Hood,85"Full sore he hath beaten me:""Then I'le have a bout with him," quod Little John,"And try if he can beat me."

"Oh [no], oh no," quoth Robin Hood then,"Little John, it may [not] be so;90For he is my own dear sisters son,And cousins I have no mo.

"But he shall be a bold yeoman of mine,My chief man next to thee;And I Robin Hood, and thou Little John,95And Scadlock he shall be:

"And weel be three of the bravest outlàwsThat live in the north country."If you will hear more of bold Robin Hood,In the second part it will be.100

23, and a. Ritson.24, full froe.55, felt. Ritson.64, won, R.

23, and a. Ritson.

24, full froe.

55, felt. Ritson.

64, won, R.

Now Robin Hood, Will Scadlock, and Little JohnAre walking over the plain,With a good fat buck, which Will ScadlòckWith his strong bow had slain."Jog on, jog on," cries Robin Hood,5"The day it runs full fast;For tho' my nephew me a breakfast gave,I have not yet broke my fast."Then to yonder lodge let us take our way,—I think it wondrous good,—10Where my nephew by my bold yeomènShall be welcom'd unto the greenwood."With that he took his bugle-horn,Full well he could it blow;Streight from the woods came marching down15One hundred tall fellows and mo."Stand, stand to your arms," says Will Scadlòck,"Lo! the enemies are within ken:"With that Robin Hood he laugh'd aloud,Crying, "They are my bold yeomèn."20Who, when they arrived, and Robin espy'd,Cry'd "Master, what is your will?We thought you had in danger been,Your horn did sound so shrill.""Now nay, now nay," quoth Robin Hood,25"The danger is past and gone;I would have you welcome my nephew here,That has paid me two for one."In feasting and sporting they pass'd the day,Till Phœbus sunk into the deep;30Then each one to his quarters hy'd,His guard there for to keep.Long had they not walked within the greenwood,When Robin he soon espy'dAbeautiful damsel all alone,35That on a black palfrey did ride.Her riding-suit was of sable hew black,Cypress over her face,Through which her rose-like cheeks did blush,All with a comely grace.40"Come tell me the cause, thou pretty one,"Quoth Robin, "and tell me aright,From whence thou comest, and whither thou goest,All in this mournful plight?""From London I came," the damsel reply'd,45"From London upon the Thames,"Which circled is, O grief to tell!Besieg'd with foreign arms;"By the proud prince of Arragon,Who swears by his martial hand50To have the princess to his spouse,Or else to waste this land;"Except such champions can be found,That dare fight three to three,Against the prince, and giants twain,55Most horrid for to see;"Whose grisly looks, and eyes like brands,Strike terrour where they come,With serpents hissing on their helms,Instead of feathered plume.60"The princess shall be the victor's prize,The king hath vow'd and said,And he that shall the conquest win,Shall have her to his bride."Now we are four damsels sent abroad,65To the east, west, north, and south,To try whose fortune is so goodTo find these champions forth."But all in vain we have sought about,For none so bold there are70That dare adventure life and blood,To free a lady fair.""When is the day?" quoth Robin Hood,"Tell me this and no more:""On Midsummer next," the dam'sel said,75"Which is June the twenty-four."With that the tears trickled down her cheeks,And silent was her tongue:With sighs and sobs she took her leave,Away her palfrey sprung.80The news struck Robin to the heart,He fell down on the grass;His actions and his troubled mindShew'd he perplexed was."Where lies your grief?" quoth Will Scadlòck,85"O master, tell to me:If the damsel's eyes have pierc'd your heart,I'll fetch her back to thee.""Now nay, now nay," quoth Robin Hood,"She doth not cause my smart;90But 'tis the poor distress'd princèss,That wounds me to the heart."I'll go fight the giants allTo set the lady free:""The devil take my soul," quoth Little John,95"If I part with thy company.""Must I stay behind?" quoth Will Scadlòck,"No, no, that must not be;I'le make the third man in the fight,So we shall be three to three."100These words cheer'd Robin to the heart,Joy shone within his face;Within his arms he hugged them both,And kindly did imbrace.Quoth he, "We'll put on motley gray,105And long staves in our hands,A scrip and bottle by our sides,As come from the holy land."So may we pass along the high-way,None will ask from whence we came,110But take us pilgrims for to be,Or else some holy men."Now they are on their journey gone,As fast as they may speed,Yet for all their haste, ere they arriv'd,115The princess forth was led,To be deliver'd to the prince,Who in the list did stand,Prepar'd to fight, or else receiveHis lady by the hand.120With that he walk'd about the lists,With giants by his side:"Bring forth," said he, "your champions,Or bring me forth my bride."This is the four and twentieth day,125The day prefixt upon:Bring forth my bride, or London burns,I swear byAlcaron."Then cries the king, and queen likewise,Both weeping as they spake,130"Lo! we have brought our daughter dear,Whom we are forc'd to forsake."With that stept out bold Robin Hood,Crys, "My liege, it must not be so;Such beauty as the fair princèss135Is not for a tyrant's mow."The prince he then began to storm,Cries, "Fool, fanatick, baboon!How dare you stop my valour's prize?I'll kill thee with a frown."140"Thou tyrant Turk, thou infidel,"Thus Robin began to reply,"Thy frowns I scorn; lo! here's my gage,And thus I thee defie."And for those two Goliahs there,145That stand on either side,Here are two little Davids by,That soon can tame their pride."Then the king did for armour send,For lances, swords, and shields:150And thus all three in armour brightCame marching to the field.The trumpets began to sound a charge,Each singled out his man;Their arms in pieces soon were hew'd,155Blood sprang from every vain.The prince he reacht Robin Hood a blow,He struck with might and main,Which forc'd him to reel about the field,As though he had been slain.160"God-a-mercy," quoth Robin, "for that blow!The quarrel shall soon be try'd;This stroke shall shew a full divorceBetwixt thee and thy bride."So from his shoulders he's cut his head,165Which on the ground did fall,And grumbling sore at Robin Hood,To be so dealt withal.The giants then began to rageTo see their prince lie dead:170"Thou's be the next," quoth little John,"Unless thou well guard thy head."With that his faulchion he wherled about,It was both keen and sharp;He clove the giant to the belt,175And cut in twain his heart.Will Scadlock well had play'd his part,The giant he had brought to his knee;Quoth Will, "The devil cannot break his fast,Unless he have you all three."180So with his faulchion he run him through,A deep and ghastly wound;Who dam'd and foam'd, curst and blasphem'd,And then fell to the ground.Now all the lists with shouts were fill'd,185The skies they did resound,Which brought the princess to herself,Who had fal'n in a swound.The king and queen and princess fair,Came walking to the place,190And gave the champions many thanks,And did them further grace."Tell me," quoth the king, "whence you are,That thus disguised came,Whose valour speaks that noble blood195Doth run through every vain.""A boon, a boon," quoth Robin Hood,"On my knees I beg and crave;""By my crown," quoth the king, "I grant;Ask what, and thou shalt have."200"Then pardon I beg for my merry men,Which are in the green-wood,For Little John, and Will Scadlock,And for me bold Robin Hood.""Art thou Robin Hood?" then quoth the king;205"For the valour thou hast shewn,Your pardons I do freely grant,And welcome every one."The princess Ipromis'dthe victor's prize;She cannot have you all three."210"She shall chuse," quoth Robin; said Little John,"Then little share falls to me."Then did the princess view all three,With a comely lovely grace,And took Will Scadlock by the hand,215Saying "Here I make my choice."With that a noble lord stept forth,Of Maxfield earl was he,Who look'd Will Scadlock in the face,And wept most bitterly.220Quoth he, "I had a son like thee,Whom I lov'd wondrous well;But he is gone, or rather dead,His name it is young Gamwell."Then did Will Scadlock fall on his knees,225Cries, "Father! father! here,Here kneels your son, your young Gamwell,You said you lov'd so dear."But, lord! what imbracing and kissing was there,When all these friends were met!230They are gone to the wedding, and so to bedding:And so I bid you good night.

Now Robin Hood, Will Scadlock, and Little JohnAre walking over the plain,With a good fat buck, which Will ScadlòckWith his strong bow had slain.

"Jog on, jog on," cries Robin Hood,5"The day it runs full fast;For tho' my nephew me a breakfast gave,I have not yet broke my fast.

"Then to yonder lodge let us take our way,—I think it wondrous good,—10Where my nephew by my bold yeomènShall be welcom'd unto the greenwood."

With that he took his bugle-horn,Full well he could it blow;Streight from the woods came marching down15One hundred tall fellows and mo.

"Stand, stand to your arms," says Will Scadlòck,"Lo! the enemies are within ken:"With that Robin Hood he laugh'd aloud,Crying, "They are my bold yeomèn."20

Who, when they arrived, and Robin espy'd,Cry'd "Master, what is your will?We thought you had in danger been,Your horn did sound so shrill."

"Now nay, now nay," quoth Robin Hood,25"The danger is past and gone;I would have you welcome my nephew here,That has paid me two for one."

In feasting and sporting they pass'd the day,Till Phœbus sunk into the deep;30Then each one to his quarters hy'd,His guard there for to keep.

Long had they not walked within the greenwood,When Robin he soon espy'dAbeautiful damsel all alone,35That on a black palfrey did ride.

Her riding-suit was of sable hew black,Cypress over her face,Through which her rose-like cheeks did blush,All with a comely grace.40

"Come tell me the cause, thou pretty one,"Quoth Robin, "and tell me aright,From whence thou comest, and whither thou goest,All in this mournful plight?"

"From London I came," the damsel reply'd,45"From London upon the Thames,"Which circled is, O grief to tell!Besieg'd with foreign arms;

"By the proud prince of Arragon,Who swears by his martial hand50To have the princess to his spouse,Or else to waste this land;

"Except such champions can be found,That dare fight three to three,Against the prince, and giants twain,55Most horrid for to see;

"Whose grisly looks, and eyes like brands,Strike terrour where they come,With serpents hissing on their helms,Instead of feathered plume.60

"The princess shall be the victor's prize,The king hath vow'd and said,And he that shall the conquest win,Shall have her to his bride.

"Now we are four damsels sent abroad,65To the east, west, north, and south,To try whose fortune is so goodTo find these champions forth.

"But all in vain we have sought about,For none so bold there are70That dare adventure life and blood,To free a lady fair."

"When is the day?" quoth Robin Hood,"Tell me this and no more:""On Midsummer next," the dam'sel said,75"Which is June the twenty-four."

With that the tears trickled down her cheeks,And silent was her tongue:With sighs and sobs she took her leave,Away her palfrey sprung.80

The news struck Robin to the heart,He fell down on the grass;His actions and his troubled mindShew'd he perplexed was.

"Where lies your grief?" quoth Will Scadlòck,85"O master, tell to me:If the damsel's eyes have pierc'd your heart,I'll fetch her back to thee."

"Now nay, now nay," quoth Robin Hood,"She doth not cause my smart;90But 'tis the poor distress'd princèss,That wounds me to the heart.

"I'll go fight the giants allTo set the lady free:""The devil take my soul," quoth Little John,95"If I part with thy company."

"Must I stay behind?" quoth Will Scadlòck,"No, no, that must not be;I'le make the third man in the fight,So we shall be three to three."100

These words cheer'd Robin to the heart,Joy shone within his face;Within his arms he hugged them both,And kindly did imbrace.

Quoth he, "We'll put on motley gray,105And long staves in our hands,A scrip and bottle by our sides,As come from the holy land.

"So may we pass along the high-way,None will ask from whence we came,110But take us pilgrims for to be,Or else some holy men."

Now they are on their journey gone,As fast as they may speed,Yet for all their haste, ere they arriv'd,115The princess forth was led,

To be deliver'd to the prince,Who in the list did stand,Prepar'd to fight, or else receiveHis lady by the hand.120

With that he walk'd about the lists,With giants by his side:"Bring forth," said he, "your champions,Or bring me forth my bride.

"This is the four and twentieth day,125The day prefixt upon:Bring forth my bride, or London burns,I swear byAlcaron."

Then cries the king, and queen likewise,Both weeping as they spake,130"Lo! we have brought our daughter dear,Whom we are forc'd to forsake."

With that stept out bold Robin Hood,Crys, "My liege, it must not be so;Such beauty as the fair princèss135Is not for a tyrant's mow."

The prince he then began to storm,Cries, "Fool, fanatick, baboon!How dare you stop my valour's prize?I'll kill thee with a frown."140

"Thou tyrant Turk, thou infidel,"Thus Robin began to reply,"Thy frowns I scorn; lo! here's my gage,And thus I thee defie.

"And for those two Goliahs there,145That stand on either side,Here are two little Davids by,That soon can tame their pride."

Then the king did for armour send,For lances, swords, and shields:150And thus all three in armour brightCame marching to the field.

The trumpets began to sound a charge,Each singled out his man;Their arms in pieces soon were hew'd,155Blood sprang from every vain.

The prince he reacht Robin Hood a blow,He struck with might and main,Which forc'd him to reel about the field,As though he had been slain.160

"God-a-mercy," quoth Robin, "for that blow!The quarrel shall soon be try'd;This stroke shall shew a full divorceBetwixt thee and thy bride."

So from his shoulders he's cut his head,165Which on the ground did fall,And grumbling sore at Robin Hood,To be so dealt withal.

The giants then began to rageTo see their prince lie dead:170"Thou's be the next," quoth little John,"Unless thou well guard thy head."

With that his faulchion he wherled about,It was both keen and sharp;He clove the giant to the belt,175And cut in twain his heart.

Will Scadlock well had play'd his part,The giant he had brought to his knee;Quoth Will, "The devil cannot break his fast,Unless he have you all three."180

So with his faulchion he run him through,A deep and ghastly wound;Who dam'd and foam'd, curst and blasphem'd,And then fell to the ground.

Now all the lists with shouts were fill'd,185The skies they did resound,Which brought the princess to herself,Who had fal'n in a swound.

The king and queen and princess fair,Came walking to the place,190And gave the champions many thanks,And did them further grace.

"Tell me," quoth the king, "whence you are,That thus disguised came,Whose valour speaks that noble blood195Doth run through every vain."

"A boon, a boon," quoth Robin Hood,"On my knees I beg and crave;""By my crown," quoth the king, "I grant;Ask what, and thou shalt have."200

"Then pardon I beg for my merry men,Which are in the green-wood,For Little John, and Will Scadlock,And for me bold Robin Hood."

"Art thou Robin Hood?" then quoth the king;205"For the valour thou hast shewn,Your pardons I do freely grant,And welcome every one.

"The princess Ipromis'dthe victor's prize;She cannot have you all three."210"She shall chuse," quoth Robin; said Little John,"Then little share falls to me."

Then did the princess view all three,With a comely lovely grace,And took Will Scadlock by the hand,215Saying "Here I make my choice."

With that a noble lord stept forth,Of Maxfield earl was he,Who look'd Will Scadlock in the face,And wept most bitterly.220

Quoth he, "I had a son like thee,Whom I lov'd wondrous well;But he is gone, or rather dead,His name it is young Gamwell."

Then did Will Scadlock fall on his knees,225Cries, "Father! father! here,Here kneels your son, your young Gamwell,You said you lov'd so dear."

But, lord! what imbracing and kissing was there,When all these friends were met!230They are gone to the wedding, and so to bedding:And so I bid you good night.

35, Of a.128, Acaron.209, promise. Ritson.

35, Of a.

128, Acaron.

209, promise. Ritson.

[30]"This (from an old black-letter copy in Major Pearson's collection) is evidently the genuine second part of the present ballad: although constantly printed as an independent article, under the title ofRobin Hood, Will Scadlock, and Little John; Or, a narrative of their victories obtained against the prince of Aragon and the two giants; and how Will Scadlock married the princess.Tune of Robin Hood; or, Hey down, down, a down." Instead of which, in all former editions, are given the following incoherent stanzas, which have all the appearance of being the fragment of a quite different ballad:Then bold Robin Hood to the north he would go,With valour and mickle might,With sword by his side, which oft had been tri'd,To fight and recover his right.The first that he met was a bonny bold Scot,His servant he said he would be:"No," quoth Robin Hood, "it cannot be good,For thou wilt prove false unto me."Thou hast not been true to sire nor cuz.""Nay, marry," the Scot, he said,"As true as your heart, Ile never part,Gude master, be not afraid."Then Robin turned his face to the east,"Fight on, my merry men stout;Our cause is good," quod brave Robin Hood,"And we shall not be beaten out."The battel grows hot on every side,The Scotchman made great moan:Quoth Jockey, "Gude faith, they fight on each side,Would I were with my wife Joan!"The enemy compast brave Robin about,'Tis long ere the battel ends;Ther's neither will yield, nor give up the field,For both are supplied with friends.This song it was made in Robin Hoods dayes:Let's pray unto Jove above,To give us true peace, that mischief may cease,And war may give place unto love.Ritson.

Then bold Robin Hood to the north he would go,With valour and mickle might,With sword by his side, which oft had been tri'd,To fight and recover his right.The first that he met was a bonny bold Scot,His servant he said he would be:"No," quoth Robin Hood, "it cannot be good,For thou wilt prove false unto me."Thou hast not been true to sire nor cuz.""Nay, marry," the Scot, he said,"As true as your heart, Ile never part,Gude master, be not afraid."Then Robin turned his face to the east,"Fight on, my merry men stout;Our cause is good," quod brave Robin Hood,"And we shall not be beaten out."The battel grows hot on every side,The Scotchman made great moan:Quoth Jockey, "Gude faith, they fight on each side,Would I were with my wife Joan!"The enemy compast brave Robin about,'Tis long ere the battel ends;Ther's neither will yield, nor give up the field,For both are supplied with friends.This song it was made in Robin Hoods dayes:Let's pray unto Jove above,To give us true peace, that mischief may cease,And war may give place unto love.

Then bold Robin Hood to the north he would go,With valour and mickle might,With sword by his side, which oft had been tri'd,To fight and recover his right.

The first that he met was a bonny bold Scot,His servant he said he would be:"No," quoth Robin Hood, "it cannot be good,For thou wilt prove false unto me.

"Thou hast not been true to sire nor cuz.""Nay, marry," the Scot, he said,"As true as your heart, Ile never part,Gude master, be not afraid."

Then Robin turned his face to the east,"Fight on, my merry men stout;Our cause is good," quod brave Robin Hood,"And we shall not be beaten out."

The battel grows hot on every side,The Scotchman made great moan:Quoth Jockey, "Gude faith, they fight on each side,Would I were with my wife Joan!"

The enemy compast brave Robin about,'Tis long ere the battel ends;Ther's neither will yield, nor give up the field,For both are supplied with friends.

This song it was made in Robin Hoods dayes:Let's pray unto Jove above,To give us true peace, that mischief may cease,And war may give place unto love.

Ritson.

Given in Gutch'sRobin Hood, ii. 392, from an Irish Garland, printed at Monaghan, 1796.

This piece is the same as the fragment usually printed as the Second Part ofRobin Hood and the Stranger, (see p. 409,) and both are undoubtedly relics of some older ballad.

Now bold Robin Hood to the north would goWith valour and mickle might;With sword by his side, which oft had been try'd,To fight and recover his right.The first that he met was a jolly stout Scot,5His servant he said he would be;"No," quoth Robin Hood, "it cannot be good,For thou wilt prove false unto me."Thou has not been true to sire or cuz;""Nay, marry," the Scot he said,10"As true as your heart, I never will part;Good master, be not afraid.""But e'er I employ you," said bold Robin Hood,"With you I must have a bout;"The Scotchman reply'd, "Let the battle be try'd,15For I know I will beat you out."Thus saying, the contest did quickly begin,Which lasted two hours and more;The blows Sawney gave bold Robin so brave,The battle soon made him give o'er.20"Have mercy, thou Scotchman," bold Robin Hood cry'd,"Full dearly this boon have I bought;We will both agree, and my man you shall be,For a stouter I never have fought."Then Sawny consented with Robin to go,25To be of his bowmen so gay;Thus ended the fight, and with mickle delightTo Sherwood they hasted away.

Now bold Robin Hood to the north would goWith valour and mickle might;With sword by his side, which oft had been try'd,To fight and recover his right.

The first that he met was a jolly stout Scot,5His servant he said he would be;"No," quoth Robin Hood, "it cannot be good,For thou wilt prove false unto me.

"Thou has not been true to sire or cuz;""Nay, marry," the Scot he said,10"As true as your heart, I never will part;Good master, be not afraid."

"But e'er I employ you," said bold Robin Hood,"With you I must have a bout;"The Scotchman reply'd, "Let the battle be try'd,15For I know I will beat you out."

Thus saying, the contest did quickly begin,Which lasted two hours and more;The blows Sawney gave bold Robin so brave,The battle soon made him give o'er.20

"Have mercy, thou Scotchman," bold Robin Hood cry'd,"Full dearly this boon have I bought;We will both agree, and my man you shall be,For a stouter I never have fought."

Then Sawny consented with Robin to go,25To be of his bowmen so gay;Thus ended the fight, and with mickle delightTo Sherwood they hasted away.

From Ritson'sRobin Hood, ii. 192.

Printed by Copland at the end of his edition of theLytell Geste. The whole title runs:Here beginnethe the playe of Robyn Hoode, very proper to be played in Maye games. A few corrections were made by Ritson from White's edition of 1634.

The fragment here preserved is founded upon the ballads ofRobin Hood and the Curtall Fryer, (p. 271,) andRobin Hood and the Potter(p. 17.) Were the whole play recovered, we should probably find it apot pourriof the most favorite stories of Robin Hood.

Now stand ye forth, my mery men all,And harke what I shall say;Of an adventure I shal you tell,The which befell this other day.As I went by the hygh way,With a stout frere I met,And a quarter-staffe in his hande.Lyghtely to me he lept,And styll he bade me stande.There were strypes two or three,10But I cannot tell who had the worse,But well I wote the horeson lept within me,And fro me he toke my purse.Is there any of my mery men all,That to that frere wyll go,And bryng hym to me forth withall,Whether he wyll or no?

Yes, mayster, I make god a vowe,To that frere wyll I go,And bring him to you,20Whether he wyl or no.

Deus hic, deus hic, god be here!Is not this a holy worde for a frere?God save all this company!But am not I a jolly fryer?For I can shote both farre and nere,And handle the sworde and bucklèr,And this quarter-staffe also.If I mete with a gentylman or yemàn,I am not afrayde to loke hym upon,30Nor boldly with him to carpe;If he speake any wordes to me,He shall have strypes two or thre,That shal make his body smarte.But,maisters, to shew you the matter,Wherfore and why I am come hither,In fayth I wyl not spare.I am come to seke a good yeman,In Bernisdale men sai is his habitacion,His name is Robyn Hode.40And if that he be better man than I,His servaunt wyll I be, and serve him truely;But if that I be better man than he,By my truth my knave shall he be,And leade these dogges all three.

Yelde the, fryer, in thy long cote.

I beshrew thy hart, knave, thou hurtest my throt.

I trowe, fryer, thou beginnest to dote;Who made the so malapert and so bolde,To come into this forest here,50Amonge my falowe dere?

Go louse the, ragged knave.If thou make mani wordes, I will geve the on the eare,Though I be but a poore fryer.To seke Robyn Hode I am com here,And to him my hart to breke.

Thou lousy frer, what wouldest thou with hym?He never loved fryer, nor none of freiers kyn.

Avaunt, ye ragged knave!Or ye shall have on the skynne.60

Of all the men in the morning thou art the worst,To mete with the I have no lust;For he that meteth a frere or a fox in the morning,To spedeillthat day he standeth in jeoperdy.Therfore I had lever mete with the devil of hell,(Fryer, I tell the as I thinke,)Then mete with a fryer or a foxIn a mornyng, or I drynk.

Avaunt, thou ragged knave, this is but a mock;If thou make mani words thou shal have a knock.70

Harke, frere, what I say here:Over this water thou shalt me bere,The brydge is borne away.

To say naye I wyll not:To let the of thine oth it were great pitie and sin,But up on a fryers backe, and have even in.

Nay, have over.

Now am I, frere, within, and thou, Robin, without,To lay the here I have no great doubt.Now art thou, Robyn, without, and I, frere, within,80Lye ther, knave; chose whether thou wilte sinke or swym.

Why, thou lowsy frere, what hast thoudone?

Mary, set a knave over the shone.

Therfore thou shalt abye.

Why, wylt thou fyght a plucke?

And god send me good lucke.

Than have a stroke for fryer Tucke.

Holde thy hande, frere, and here me speke.

Say on, ragged knave,Me semeth ye begyn to swete.90

In this forest I have a hounde,I wyl not give him for an hundreth pound.Geve me leve my home to blowe,That my hounde may knowe.

Blowe on, ragged knave, without any doubte,Untyll bothe thyne eyes starte out.Here be a sorte of ragged knaves come in,Clothed all in Kendale grene,And to the they take their way nowe.

Peradventure they do so.100

I gave the leve to blowe at thy wyll,Now give me leve to whistell my fyll.

Whystell, frere, evyl mote thou fare,Untyll bothe thyne eyesstare.

Now Cut and Bause!Breng forth the clubbes and staves,And downe with those ragged knaves!

How sayest thou, frere, wylt thou be my man,To do me the best servyse thou can?Thou shalt have both golde and fee,110And also here is a lady free,I wyll geve her unto the,And her chapplayn I the make,To serve her for my sake.

Here is a huckle duckle, an inch above the buckle;She is a trul of trust, to serve a frier at his lust,A prycker, a prauncer, a terer ofshetes,A wagger ofbuttockeswhen other men slepes.Go home, ye knaves, and lay crabbes in the fyre,For my lady and I wil daunce in the myre,120For veri pure joye.

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