Both gentlemen, and yeomen bold,Or whatsoever you are,To have a stately story toldAttention now prepare :It is a tale of Robin Hood,Which i to you will tell ;Which, being rightly understood,I know will please you well.This Robin (so much talked on)Was once a man of fame,Instiled earl of Huntington,Lord Robin Hood by name.In courtship and magnificenceHis carriage won him praise,And greater favour with his princeThan any in ‘those’278days.In bounteous liberalityHe too much did excell,And loved men of qualityMore than exceeding well.{129}His great revenues all he soldFor wine and costly chear ;He kept three hundred bow-men bold,He shooting lov’d so dear.No archer living in his timeWith him might well compare ;He practis’d all his youthful primeThat exercise most rare.At last, by his profuse expence,He had consum’d his wealth ;And, being outlaw’d by his prince,In woods he liv’d by stealth.The abbot of Saint Maries rich,To whom he money ought,His hatred to the earl was suchThat he his downfal wrought.So being outlaw’d (as ’tis told)He with a crew went forthOf lusty cutters stout and bold,And robbed in the North.Among the rest one Little John,A yeoman bold and free,Who could (if it stood him upon)With ease encounter three.{130}One hundred men in all he got,With whom (the story says)Three hundred common men durst notHold combat any waies.They Yorkshire woods frequented much,And Lancashire also,Wherein their practises were suchThat they wrought muckle woe.None rich durst travel to and fro,Though ne’r so strongly arm’d,But by these thieves (so strong in show)They still were rob’d and harm’d.His chiefest spight to th’ clergy was,That liv’d in monstrous pride :No one of them he would let passAlong the highway side,But first they must to dinner go,And afterwards to shrift :Full many a one he served so,Thus while he liv’d by theft.No monks nor fryers he would let goWithout paying their fees :If they thought much to be used so,Their stones he made them lese.{131}For such as they the country fill’dWith bastards in those days :Which to prevent, these sparks did geldAll that came in their ways.279But Robin Hood so gentle was,And bore so brave a mind,If any in distress did pass,To them he was so kind,That he would give and lend to them,To help them in their need ;This made all poor men pray for him,And wish he well might speed.The widow and the fatherlessHe would send means unto ;And those whom famine did oppressFound him a friendly foe.{132}Nor would he do a woman wrong,But see her safe convey’d :He would prótect with power strongAll those who crav’d his aid.The abbot of Saint Maries then,Who him undid before,Was riding with two hundred men,And gold and silver store :But Robin Hood upon him set,With his couragious sparks,And all the coyn perforce did get,Which was twelve thousand marks.He bound the abbot to a tree,And would not let him pass,Before that to his men and heHis lordship had said mass :Which being done, upon his horseHe set him fast astride,And with his face towàrds his a—He forced him to ride.His men were forced to be his guide,For he rode backward home :The abbot, being thus villify’d,Did sorely chafe and fume.ROBIN HOOD AND THE ABBOT.ROBIN HOOD AND THE ABBOT.{133}Thus Robin Hood did vindicateHis former wrongs receiv’d :For ’twas this covetous prelàteThat him of land bereav’d.The abbot he rode to the king,With all the haste he could ;And to his grace he every thingExactly did unfold :And said that if no course were ta’n,By force or stratagem,To take this rebel and his train,No man should pass for them.The king protested by and byUnto the abbot then,That Robin Hood with speed should dye,With all his merry men.But e’re the king did any send,He did another feat,Which did his grace much more offend,The fact indeed was great :For in a short time after thatThe kings receivers wentTowards London with the coyn they gotFor’s highness northern rent :{134}Bold Robin Hood and Little John,With the rest of their train,Not dreading law, set them upon,And did their gold obtain.The king much moved at the same,And the abbots talk also,In this his anger did proclaim,And sent word to and fro,That whosoever alive or deadCould bring bold Robin Hood,Should have one thousand marks well paidIn gold and silver good.This promise of the king did makeFull many yeomen boldAttempt stout Robin Hood to takeWith all the force they could.But still when any came to himWithin the gay green wood,He entertainment gave to themWith venison fat and good ;And shew’d to them such martial sportWith his long bow and arrow,That they of him did give report,How that it was great sorow{135}That such a worthy man as heShould thus be put to shift,Being a late lord of high degree,Of living quite bereft.The king to take him more and moreSent men of mickle might ;But he and his still beat them sore,And conquered them in fight :Or else with love and courtesie,To him he won their hearts.Thus still he liv’d by robberyThroughout the northern parts ;And all the country stood in dreadOf Robin Hood and’s men :For stouter lads ne’r liv’d by breadIn those days, nor since then.The abbot, which before i nam’d,Sought all the means he couldTo have by force this rebel ta’n,And his adherents bold.Therefore he arm’d five hundred men,With furniture compleat ;But the outlaws slew half of them,And made the rest retreat,{136}The long bow and the arrow keenThey were so us’d untoThat still he kept the forrest greenIn spight o’ th’ proudest foe.Twelve of the abbots men he took,Who came to have him ta’n,When all the rest the field forsook,These he did entertainWith banqueting and merriment,And, having us’d them well,He to their lord them safely sent,And will’d them him to tell,That if he would be pleas’d at lastTo beg of our good king,That he might pardon what was past,And him to favour bring,He would surrender back againThe mony which beforeWas taken by him ‘and his’ menFrom him and many more.Poor men might safely pass by him,And some that way would chuse,For well they knew that to help themHe evermore did use.{137}But where he knew a miser richThat did the poor oppress,To feel his coyn his hands did itch,He’d have it, more or less :And sometimes, when the high-way fail’d,Then he his courage rouzes,He and his men have oft assaildSuch rich men in their houses :So that, through dread of Robin then,And his adventurous crew,The misers kept great store of men,Which else maintain’d but few.King Richard, of that name the first,Sirnamed Cœur de Lyon,Went to defeat the Pagans curst,Who kept the coasts of Sion.The bishop of Ely, chancellor,Was left a vice-roy here,Who, like a potent emperor,Did proudly domineer.Our chronicles of him report,That commonly he rodeWith a thousand horse from court to court,Where he would make abode.{138}He, riding down towards the north,With his aforesaid train,Robin and his men did issue forth,Them all to entertain ;And with the gallant gray-goose wingThey shew’d to them such playThat made their horses kick and fling,And down their riders lay,Full glad and fain the bishop was,For all his thousand men,So seek what means he could to passFrom out of Robins ken.Two hundred of his men were kill’d,And fourscore horses good,Thirty, who did as captives yield,Were carried to the green wood ;Which afterwards were ransomed,For twenty marks a man :The rest set spurs to horse and fledTo th’ town of Warrington.The bishop, sore inraged, thenDid, in king Richards name,Muster up a power of northern men,These outlaws bold to tame.{139}But Robin with his courtesieSo won the meaner sort,That they were loath on him to tryWhat rigour did import.So that bold Robin and his trainDid live unhurt of them,Until king Richard came againFrom fair Jerusalem :And then the talk of Robin HoodHis royal ears did fill ;His grace admir’d that i’ th’ green woodHe was continued still.So that the country far and nearDid give him great applause ;For none of them need stand in fear,But such as broke the laws.He wished well unto the king,And prayed still for his health,And never practis’d any thingAgainst the common-wealth.Only, because he was undoneBy th’ cruel clergy then,All means that he could think uponTo vex such kind of men,{140}He enterpriz’d with hateful spleen ;For which he was to blame,For fault of some to wreak his teenOn all that by him came.With wealth that he by roguery gotEight alms-houses he built,Thinking thereby to purge the blotOf blood which he had spilt.Such was their blind devotion then,Depending on their works ;Which if ’twere true, we Christian menInferiour were to Turks.But, to speak true of Robin Hood,And wrong him not a jot,He never would shed any mans bloodThat him invaded not.Nor would he injure husbandmen,That toil at cart and plough ;For well he knew wer’t not for themTo live no man knew how.The king in person, with some lords,To Nottingham did ride,To try what strength and skill affordsTo crush this outlaws pride.{141}And, as he once before had done,He did again proclaim,That whosoever would take uponTo bring to Nottingham,Or any place within the land,Rebellious Robin Hood,Should be preferr’d in place to standWith those of noble blood.When Robin Hood heard of the same,Within a little space,Into the town of NottinghamA letter to his graceHe shot upon an arrow head,One evening cunningly ;Which was brought to the king, and readBefore his majesty.The tenour of this letter wasThat Robin would submit,And be true liegeman to his graceIn any thing that’s fit,So that his highness would forgiveHim and his merry men all ;If not, he must i’ th’ green wood live,And take what chance did fall.{142}The king would feign have pardoned him,But that some lords did say,This president will much condemnYour grace another day.While that the king and lords did stayDebating on this thing,Some of these outlaws fled awayUnto the Scottish king.For they suppos’d, if he were ta’nOr to the king did yield,By th’ commons all the rest of ’s trainFull quickly would be quell’d.Of more than full an hundred men,But forty tarried still,Who were resolv’d to stick to him,Let Fortune work her will.If none had fled, all for his sakeHad got their pardon free ;The king to favour meant to takeHis merry men and he.But e’re the pardon to him cameThis famous archer dy’d :His death and manner of the sameI’le presently describe.{143}For, being vext to think uponHis followers revolt,In melancholy passiònHe did recount his fault.Perfidious traytors ! said he then,In all your dangers pastHave i you guarded as my men,To leave me thus at last !This sad perplexity did causeA feaver, as some say,Which him unto confusion draws,Though by a stranger way.This deadly danger to prevent,He hie’d him with all speedUnto a nunnery, with intentFor his healths-sake to bleed.A faithless fryer did pretendIn love to let him blood,But he by falshood wrought the endOf famous Robin Hood.The fryer, as some say, did thisTo vindicate the wrongWhich to the clergy he and hisHad done by power strong.{144}Thus dyed he by treachery,That could not die by force ;Had he liv’d longer, certainlyKing Richard, in remorse,Had unto favour him receiv’d,‘His’ brave men elevated :’Tis pitty he was of life bereav’dBy one which he so hated.A treacherous leach this fryer was,To let him bleed to death ;And Robin was, methinks, an assTo trust him with his breath.His corps the prioress of the place,The next day that he dy’d,Caused to be buried, in mean case,Close by the high-way side.And over him she caused a stoneTo be fixt on the ground,An epitaph was set thereon,Wherein his name was found ;The date o’ th’ year and day also,She made to be set there :That all, who by the way did go,Might see it plain appear.{145}That such a man as Robin HoodWas buried in that place ;And how he lived in the green woodAnd robbed for a space.It seems that though the clergy heHad put to mickle woe,He should not quite forgotten beAlthough he was their foe.This woman, though she did him hate,Yet loved his memory ;And thought it wondrous pitty thatHis fame should with him dye.This epitaph, as records tell,Within this hundred years,By many was discerned well,But time all things out-wears.His followers, when he was dead,Were some repriev’d to grace ;The rest to foreign countries fled,And left their native place.Although his funeral was but mean,This woman had in mind,Least his fame should be buried cleanFrom those that came behind.{146}For certainly, before nor since,No man e’re understood,Under the reign of any prince,Of one like Robin Hood.Full thirteen years, and something more,These outlaws lived thus ;Feared of the rich, loved of the poor :A thing most marvellous.A thing impossible to usThis story seems to be ;None dares be now so venturous,But times are chang’d we see.We that live in these later daysOf civil government,If need be, have an hundred waysSuch outlaws to prevent.In those days men more barbarous were,And lived less in awe ;Now (god be thanked) people fearMore to offend the law.No waring guns were then in use,They dreamt of no such thing ;Our Englishmen in fight did useThe gallant gray-goose wing ;{147}In which activity these men,Through practise, were so good,That in those days none equal’d them,Especially Robin Hood.So that, it seems, keeping in caves,In woods and forests thick,They’d beat a multitude with staves,Their arrows did so prick :And none durst neer unto them come,Unless in courtesie ;All such he bravely would send homeWith mirth and jollity :Which courtesie won him such love,As i before have told,’Twas the chief cause that he did proveMore prosperous than he could.280Let us be thankful for these timesOf plenty, truth and peace ;And leave our great and horrid crimes,Least they cause this to cease.I know there’s many feigned talesOf Robin Hood and ’s crew ;But chronicles, which seldome fails,Reports this to be true.{148}Let none then think this is a lye,For, if ’twere put to th’ worst,They may the truth of all descryI’ th’ reign of Richard the first.If any reader please to try,As i direction show,The truth of this brave history,He’l find it true I know.And i shall think my labour wellBestow’d to purpose good,When’t shall be said that i did tellTrue tales of Robin Hood.
Both gentlemen, and yeomen bold,Or whatsoever you are,To have a stately story toldAttention now prepare :It is a tale of Robin Hood,Which i to you will tell ;Which, being rightly understood,I know will please you well.This Robin (so much talked on)Was once a man of fame,Instiled earl of Huntington,Lord Robin Hood by name.In courtship and magnificenceHis carriage won him praise,And greater favour with his princeThan any in ‘those’278days.In bounteous liberalityHe too much did excell,And loved men of qualityMore than exceeding well.{129}His great revenues all he soldFor wine and costly chear ;He kept three hundred bow-men bold,He shooting lov’d so dear.No archer living in his timeWith him might well compare ;He practis’d all his youthful primeThat exercise most rare.At last, by his profuse expence,He had consum’d his wealth ;And, being outlaw’d by his prince,In woods he liv’d by stealth.The abbot of Saint Maries rich,To whom he money ought,His hatred to the earl was suchThat he his downfal wrought.So being outlaw’d (as ’tis told)He with a crew went forthOf lusty cutters stout and bold,And robbed in the North.Among the rest one Little John,A yeoman bold and free,Who could (if it stood him upon)With ease encounter three.{130}One hundred men in all he got,With whom (the story says)Three hundred common men durst notHold combat any waies.They Yorkshire woods frequented much,And Lancashire also,Wherein their practises were suchThat they wrought muckle woe.None rich durst travel to and fro,Though ne’r so strongly arm’d,But by these thieves (so strong in show)They still were rob’d and harm’d.His chiefest spight to th’ clergy was,That liv’d in monstrous pride :No one of them he would let passAlong the highway side,But first they must to dinner go,And afterwards to shrift :Full many a one he served so,Thus while he liv’d by theft.No monks nor fryers he would let goWithout paying their fees :If they thought much to be used so,Their stones he made them lese.{131}For such as they the country fill’dWith bastards in those days :Which to prevent, these sparks did geldAll that came in their ways.279But Robin Hood so gentle was,And bore so brave a mind,If any in distress did pass,To them he was so kind,That he would give and lend to them,To help them in their need ;This made all poor men pray for him,And wish he well might speed.The widow and the fatherlessHe would send means unto ;And those whom famine did oppressFound him a friendly foe.{132}Nor would he do a woman wrong,But see her safe convey’d :He would prótect with power strongAll those who crav’d his aid.The abbot of Saint Maries then,Who him undid before,Was riding with two hundred men,And gold and silver store :But Robin Hood upon him set,With his couragious sparks,And all the coyn perforce did get,Which was twelve thousand marks.He bound the abbot to a tree,And would not let him pass,Before that to his men and heHis lordship had said mass :Which being done, upon his horseHe set him fast astride,And with his face towàrds his a—He forced him to ride.His men were forced to be his guide,For he rode backward home :The abbot, being thus villify’d,Did sorely chafe and fume.
Both gentlemen, and yeomen bold,Or whatsoever you are,To have a stately story toldAttention now prepare :
Both gentlemen, and yeomen bold,
Or whatsoever you are,
To have a stately story told
Attention now prepare :
It is a tale of Robin Hood,Which i to you will tell ;Which, being rightly understood,I know will please you well.
It is a tale of Robin Hood,
Which i to you will tell ;
Which, being rightly understood,
I know will please you well.
This Robin (so much talked on)Was once a man of fame,Instiled earl of Huntington,Lord Robin Hood by name.
This Robin (so much talked on)
Was once a man of fame,
Instiled earl of Huntington,
Lord Robin Hood by name.
In courtship and magnificenceHis carriage won him praise,And greater favour with his princeThan any in ‘those’278days.
In courtship and magnificence
His carriage won him praise,
And greater favour with his prince
Than any in ‘those’278days.
In bounteous liberalityHe too much did excell,And loved men of qualityMore than exceeding well.{129}
In bounteous liberality
He too much did excell,
And loved men of quality
More than exceeding well.{129}
His great revenues all he soldFor wine and costly chear ;He kept three hundred bow-men bold,He shooting lov’d so dear.
His great revenues all he sold
For wine and costly chear ;
He kept three hundred bow-men bold,
He shooting lov’d so dear.
No archer living in his timeWith him might well compare ;He practis’d all his youthful primeThat exercise most rare.
No archer living in his time
With him might well compare ;
He practis’d all his youthful prime
That exercise most rare.
At last, by his profuse expence,He had consum’d his wealth ;And, being outlaw’d by his prince,In woods he liv’d by stealth.
At last, by his profuse expence,
He had consum’d his wealth ;
And, being outlaw’d by his prince,
In woods he liv’d by stealth.
The abbot of Saint Maries rich,To whom he money ought,His hatred to the earl was suchThat he his downfal wrought.
The abbot of Saint Maries rich,
To whom he money ought,
His hatred to the earl was such
That he his downfal wrought.
So being outlaw’d (as ’tis told)He with a crew went forthOf lusty cutters stout and bold,And robbed in the North.
So being outlaw’d (as ’tis told)
He with a crew went forth
Of lusty cutters stout and bold,
And robbed in the North.
Among the rest one Little John,A yeoman bold and free,Who could (if it stood him upon)With ease encounter three.{130}
Among the rest one Little John,
A yeoman bold and free,
Who could (if it stood him upon)
With ease encounter three.{130}
One hundred men in all he got,With whom (the story says)Three hundred common men durst notHold combat any waies.
One hundred men in all he got,
With whom (the story says)
Three hundred common men durst not
Hold combat any waies.
They Yorkshire woods frequented much,And Lancashire also,Wherein their practises were suchThat they wrought muckle woe.
They Yorkshire woods frequented much,
And Lancashire also,
Wherein their practises were such
That they wrought muckle woe.
None rich durst travel to and fro,Though ne’r so strongly arm’d,But by these thieves (so strong in show)They still were rob’d and harm’d.
None rich durst travel to and fro,
Though ne’r so strongly arm’d,
But by these thieves (so strong in show)
They still were rob’d and harm’d.
His chiefest spight to th’ clergy was,That liv’d in monstrous pride :No one of them he would let passAlong the highway side,
His chiefest spight to th’ clergy was,
That liv’d in monstrous pride :
No one of them he would let pass
Along the highway side,
But first they must to dinner go,And afterwards to shrift :Full many a one he served so,Thus while he liv’d by theft.
But first they must to dinner go,
And afterwards to shrift :
Full many a one he served so,
Thus while he liv’d by theft.
No monks nor fryers he would let goWithout paying their fees :If they thought much to be used so,Their stones he made them lese.{131}
No monks nor fryers he would let go
Without paying their fees :
If they thought much to be used so,
Their stones he made them lese.{131}
For such as they the country fill’dWith bastards in those days :Which to prevent, these sparks did geldAll that came in their ways.279
For such as they the country fill’d
With bastards in those days :
Which to prevent, these sparks did geld
All that came in their ways.279
But Robin Hood so gentle was,And bore so brave a mind,If any in distress did pass,To them he was so kind,
But Robin Hood so gentle was,
And bore so brave a mind,
If any in distress did pass,
To them he was so kind,
That he would give and lend to them,To help them in their need ;This made all poor men pray for him,And wish he well might speed.
That he would give and lend to them,
To help them in their need ;
This made all poor men pray for him,
And wish he well might speed.
The widow and the fatherlessHe would send means unto ;And those whom famine did oppressFound him a friendly foe.{132}
The widow and the fatherless
He would send means unto ;
And those whom famine did oppress
Found him a friendly foe.{132}
Nor would he do a woman wrong,But see her safe convey’d :He would prótect with power strongAll those who crav’d his aid.
Nor would he do a woman wrong,
But see her safe convey’d :
He would prótect with power strong
All those who crav’d his aid.
The abbot of Saint Maries then,Who him undid before,Was riding with two hundred men,And gold and silver store :
The abbot of Saint Maries then,
Who him undid before,
Was riding with two hundred men,
And gold and silver store :
But Robin Hood upon him set,With his couragious sparks,And all the coyn perforce did get,Which was twelve thousand marks.
But Robin Hood upon him set,
With his couragious sparks,
And all the coyn perforce did get,
Which was twelve thousand marks.
He bound the abbot to a tree,And would not let him pass,Before that to his men and heHis lordship had said mass :
He bound the abbot to a tree,
And would not let him pass,
Before that to his men and he
His lordship had said mass :
Which being done, upon his horseHe set him fast astride,And with his face towàrds his a—He forced him to ride.
Which being done, upon his horse
He set him fast astride,
And with his face towàrds his a—
He forced him to ride.
His men were forced to be his guide,For he rode backward home :The abbot, being thus villify’d,Did sorely chafe and fume.
His men were forced to be his guide,
For he rode backward home :
The abbot, being thus villify’d,
Did sorely chafe and fume.
ROBIN HOOD AND THE ABBOT.
ROBIN HOOD AND THE ABBOT.
ROBIN HOOD AND THE ABBOT.
ROBIN HOOD AND THE ABBOT.
{133}
Thus Robin Hood did vindicateHis former wrongs receiv’d :For ’twas this covetous prelàteThat him of land bereav’d.The abbot he rode to the king,With all the haste he could ;And to his grace he every thingExactly did unfold :And said that if no course were ta’n,By force or stratagem,To take this rebel and his train,No man should pass for them.The king protested by and byUnto the abbot then,That Robin Hood with speed should dye,With all his merry men.But e’re the king did any send,He did another feat,Which did his grace much more offend,The fact indeed was great :For in a short time after thatThe kings receivers wentTowards London with the coyn they gotFor’s highness northern rent :{134}Bold Robin Hood and Little John,With the rest of their train,Not dreading law, set them upon,And did their gold obtain.The king much moved at the same,And the abbots talk also,In this his anger did proclaim,And sent word to and fro,That whosoever alive or deadCould bring bold Robin Hood,Should have one thousand marks well paidIn gold and silver good.This promise of the king did makeFull many yeomen boldAttempt stout Robin Hood to takeWith all the force they could.But still when any came to himWithin the gay green wood,He entertainment gave to themWith venison fat and good ;And shew’d to them such martial sportWith his long bow and arrow,That they of him did give report,How that it was great sorow{135}That such a worthy man as heShould thus be put to shift,Being a late lord of high degree,Of living quite bereft.The king to take him more and moreSent men of mickle might ;But he and his still beat them sore,And conquered them in fight :Or else with love and courtesie,To him he won their hearts.Thus still he liv’d by robberyThroughout the northern parts ;And all the country stood in dreadOf Robin Hood and’s men :For stouter lads ne’r liv’d by breadIn those days, nor since then.The abbot, which before i nam’d,Sought all the means he couldTo have by force this rebel ta’n,And his adherents bold.Therefore he arm’d five hundred men,With furniture compleat ;But the outlaws slew half of them,And made the rest retreat,{136}The long bow and the arrow keenThey were so us’d untoThat still he kept the forrest greenIn spight o’ th’ proudest foe.Twelve of the abbots men he took,Who came to have him ta’n,When all the rest the field forsook,These he did entertainWith banqueting and merriment,And, having us’d them well,He to their lord them safely sent,And will’d them him to tell,That if he would be pleas’d at lastTo beg of our good king,That he might pardon what was past,And him to favour bring,He would surrender back againThe mony which beforeWas taken by him ‘and his’ menFrom him and many more.Poor men might safely pass by him,And some that way would chuse,For well they knew that to help themHe evermore did use.{137}But where he knew a miser richThat did the poor oppress,To feel his coyn his hands did itch,He’d have it, more or less :And sometimes, when the high-way fail’d,Then he his courage rouzes,He and his men have oft assaildSuch rich men in their houses :So that, through dread of Robin then,And his adventurous crew,The misers kept great store of men,Which else maintain’d but few.King Richard, of that name the first,Sirnamed Cœur de Lyon,Went to defeat the Pagans curst,Who kept the coasts of Sion.The bishop of Ely, chancellor,Was left a vice-roy here,Who, like a potent emperor,Did proudly domineer.Our chronicles of him report,That commonly he rodeWith a thousand horse from court to court,Where he would make abode.{138}He, riding down towards the north,With his aforesaid train,Robin and his men did issue forth,Them all to entertain ;And with the gallant gray-goose wingThey shew’d to them such playThat made their horses kick and fling,And down their riders lay,Full glad and fain the bishop was,For all his thousand men,So seek what means he could to passFrom out of Robins ken.Two hundred of his men were kill’d,And fourscore horses good,Thirty, who did as captives yield,Were carried to the green wood ;Which afterwards were ransomed,For twenty marks a man :The rest set spurs to horse and fledTo th’ town of Warrington.The bishop, sore inraged, thenDid, in king Richards name,Muster up a power of northern men,These outlaws bold to tame.{139}But Robin with his courtesieSo won the meaner sort,That they were loath on him to tryWhat rigour did import.So that bold Robin and his trainDid live unhurt of them,Until king Richard came againFrom fair Jerusalem :And then the talk of Robin HoodHis royal ears did fill ;His grace admir’d that i’ th’ green woodHe was continued still.So that the country far and nearDid give him great applause ;For none of them need stand in fear,But such as broke the laws.He wished well unto the king,And prayed still for his health,And never practis’d any thingAgainst the common-wealth.Only, because he was undoneBy th’ cruel clergy then,All means that he could think uponTo vex such kind of men,{140}He enterpriz’d with hateful spleen ;For which he was to blame,For fault of some to wreak his teenOn all that by him came.With wealth that he by roguery gotEight alms-houses he built,Thinking thereby to purge the blotOf blood which he had spilt.Such was their blind devotion then,Depending on their works ;Which if ’twere true, we Christian menInferiour were to Turks.But, to speak true of Robin Hood,And wrong him not a jot,He never would shed any mans bloodThat him invaded not.Nor would he injure husbandmen,That toil at cart and plough ;For well he knew wer’t not for themTo live no man knew how.The king in person, with some lords,To Nottingham did ride,To try what strength and skill affordsTo crush this outlaws pride.{141}And, as he once before had done,He did again proclaim,That whosoever would take uponTo bring to Nottingham,Or any place within the land,Rebellious Robin Hood,Should be preferr’d in place to standWith those of noble blood.When Robin Hood heard of the same,Within a little space,Into the town of NottinghamA letter to his graceHe shot upon an arrow head,One evening cunningly ;Which was brought to the king, and readBefore his majesty.The tenour of this letter wasThat Robin would submit,And be true liegeman to his graceIn any thing that’s fit,So that his highness would forgiveHim and his merry men all ;If not, he must i’ th’ green wood live,And take what chance did fall.{142}The king would feign have pardoned him,But that some lords did say,This president will much condemnYour grace another day.While that the king and lords did stayDebating on this thing,Some of these outlaws fled awayUnto the Scottish king.For they suppos’d, if he were ta’nOr to the king did yield,By th’ commons all the rest of ’s trainFull quickly would be quell’d.Of more than full an hundred men,But forty tarried still,Who were resolv’d to stick to him,Let Fortune work her will.If none had fled, all for his sakeHad got their pardon free ;The king to favour meant to takeHis merry men and he.But e’re the pardon to him cameThis famous archer dy’d :His death and manner of the sameI’le presently describe.{143}For, being vext to think uponHis followers revolt,In melancholy passiònHe did recount his fault.Perfidious traytors ! said he then,In all your dangers pastHave i you guarded as my men,To leave me thus at last !This sad perplexity did causeA feaver, as some say,Which him unto confusion draws,Though by a stranger way.This deadly danger to prevent,He hie’d him with all speedUnto a nunnery, with intentFor his healths-sake to bleed.A faithless fryer did pretendIn love to let him blood,But he by falshood wrought the endOf famous Robin Hood.The fryer, as some say, did thisTo vindicate the wrongWhich to the clergy he and hisHad done by power strong.{144}Thus dyed he by treachery,That could not die by force ;Had he liv’d longer, certainlyKing Richard, in remorse,Had unto favour him receiv’d,‘His’ brave men elevated :’Tis pitty he was of life bereav’dBy one which he so hated.A treacherous leach this fryer was,To let him bleed to death ;And Robin was, methinks, an assTo trust him with his breath.His corps the prioress of the place,The next day that he dy’d,Caused to be buried, in mean case,Close by the high-way side.And over him she caused a stoneTo be fixt on the ground,An epitaph was set thereon,Wherein his name was found ;The date o’ th’ year and day also,She made to be set there :That all, who by the way did go,Might see it plain appear.{145}That such a man as Robin HoodWas buried in that place ;And how he lived in the green woodAnd robbed for a space.It seems that though the clergy heHad put to mickle woe,He should not quite forgotten beAlthough he was their foe.This woman, though she did him hate,Yet loved his memory ;And thought it wondrous pitty thatHis fame should with him dye.This epitaph, as records tell,Within this hundred years,By many was discerned well,But time all things out-wears.His followers, when he was dead,Were some repriev’d to grace ;The rest to foreign countries fled,And left their native place.Although his funeral was but mean,This woman had in mind,Least his fame should be buried cleanFrom those that came behind.{146}For certainly, before nor since,No man e’re understood,Under the reign of any prince,Of one like Robin Hood.Full thirteen years, and something more,These outlaws lived thus ;Feared of the rich, loved of the poor :A thing most marvellous.A thing impossible to usThis story seems to be ;None dares be now so venturous,But times are chang’d we see.We that live in these later daysOf civil government,If need be, have an hundred waysSuch outlaws to prevent.In those days men more barbarous were,And lived less in awe ;Now (god be thanked) people fearMore to offend the law.No waring guns were then in use,They dreamt of no such thing ;Our Englishmen in fight did useThe gallant gray-goose wing ;{147}In which activity these men,Through practise, were so good,That in those days none equal’d them,Especially Robin Hood.So that, it seems, keeping in caves,In woods and forests thick,They’d beat a multitude with staves,Their arrows did so prick :And none durst neer unto them come,Unless in courtesie ;All such he bravely would send homeWith mirth and jollity :Which courtesie won him such love,As i before have told,’Twas the chief cause that he did proveMore prosperous than he could.280Let us be thankful for these timesOf plenty, truth and peace ;And leave our great and horrid crimes,Least they cause this to cease.I know there’s many feigned talesOf Robin Hood and ’s crew ;But chronicles, which seldome fails,Reports this to be true.{148}Let none then think this is a lye,For, if ’twere put to th’ worst,They may the truth of all descryI’ th’ reign of Richard the first.If any reader please to try,As i direction show,The truth of this brave history,He’l find it true I know.And i shall think my labour wellBestow’d to purpose good,When’t shall be said that i did tellTrue tales of Robin Hood.
Thus Robin Hood did vindicateHis former wrongs receiv’d :For ’twas this covetous prelàteThat him of land bereav’d.
Thus Robin Hood did vindicate
His former wrongs receiv’d :
For ’twas this covetous prelàte
That him of land bereav’d.
The abbot he rode to the king,With all the haste he could ;And to his grace he every thingExactly did unfold :
The abbot he rode to the king,
With all the haste he could ;
And to his grace he every thing
Exactly did unfold :
And said that if no course were ta’n,By force or stratagem,To take this rebel and his train,No man should pass for them.
And said that if no course were ta’n,
By force or stratagem,
To take this rebel and his train,
No man should pass for them.
The king protested by and byUnto the abbot then,That Robin Hood with speed should dye,With all his merry men.
The king protested by and by
Unto the abbot then,
That Robin Hood with speed should dye,
With all his merry men.
But e’re the king did any send,He did another feat,Which did his grace much more offend,The fact indeed was great :
But e’re the king did any send,
He did another feat,
Which did his grace much more offend,
The fact indeed was great :
For in a short time after thatThe kings receivers wentTowards London with the coyn they gotFor’s highness northern rent :{134}
For in a short time after that
The kings receivers went
Towards London with the coyn they got
For’s highness northern rent :{134}
Bold Robin Hood and Little John,With the rest of their train,Not dreading law, set them upon,And did their gold obtain.
Bold Robin Hood and Little John,
With the rest of their train,
Not dreading law, set them upon,
And did their gold obtain.
The king much moved at the same,And the abbots talk also,In this his anger did proclaim,And sent word to and fro,
The king much moved at the same,
And the abbots talk also,
In this his anger did proclaim,
And sent word to and fro,
That whosoever alive or deadCould bring bold Robin Hood,Should have one thousand marks well paidIn gold and silver good.
That whosoever alive or dead
Could bring bold Robin Hood,
Should have one thousand marks well paid
In gold and silver good.
This promise of the king did makeFull many yeomen boldAttempt stout Robin Hood to takeWith all the force they could.
This promise of the king did make
Full many yeomen bold
Attempt stout Robin Hood to take
With all the force they could.
But still when any came to himWithin the gay green wood,He entertainment gave to themWith venison fat and good ;
But still when any came to him
Within the gay green wood,
He entertainment gave to them
With venison fat and good ;
And shew’d to them such martial sportWith his long bow and arrow,That they of him did give report,How that it was great sorow{135}
And shew’d to them such martial sport
With his long bow and arrow,
That they of him did give report,
How that it was great sorow{135}
That such a worthy man as heShould thus be put to shift,Being a late lord of high degree,Of living quite bereft.
That such a worthy man as he
Should thus be put to shift,
Being a late lord of high degree,
Of living quite bereft.
The king to take him more and moreSent men of mickle might ;But he and his still beat them sore,And conquered them in fight :
The king to take him more and more
Sent men of mickle might ;
But he and his still beat them sore,
And conquered them in fight :
Or else with love and courtesie,To him he won their hearts.Thus still he liv’d by robberyThroughout the northern parts ;
Or else with love and courtesie,
To him he won their hearts.
Thus still he liv’d by robbery
Throughout the northern parts ;
And all the country stood in dreadOf Robin Hood and’s men :For stouter lads ne’r liv’d by breadIn those days, nor since then.
And all the country stood in dread
Of Robin Hood and’s men :
For stouter lads ne’r liv’d by bread
In those days, nor since then.
The abbot, which before i nam’d,Sought all the means he couldTo have by force this rebel ta’n,And his adherents bold.
The abbot, which before i nam’d,
Sought all the means he could
To have by force this rebel ta’n,
And his adherents bold.
Therefore he arm’d five hundred men,With furniture compleat ;But the outlaws slew half of them,And made the rest retreat,{136}
Therefore he arm’d five hundred men,
With furniture compleat ;
But the outlaws slew half of them,
And made the rest retreat,{136}
The long bow and the arrow keenThey were so us’d untoThat still he kept the forrest greenIn spight o’ th’ proudest foe.
The long bow and the arrow keen
They were so us’d unto
That still he kept the forrest green
In spight o’ th’ proudest foe.
Twelve of the abbots men he took,Who came to have him ta’n,When all the rest the field forsook,These he did entertain
Twelve of the abbots men he took,
Who came to have him ta’n,
When all the rest the field forsook,
These he did entertain
With banqueting and merriment,And, having us’d them well,He to their lord them safely sent,And will’d them him to tell,
With banqueting and merriment,
And, having us’d them well,
He to their lord them safely sent,
And will’d them him to tell,
That if he would be pleas’d at lastTo beg of our good king,That he might pardon what was past,And him to favour bring,
That if he would be pleas’d at last
To beg of our good king,
That he might pardon what was past,
And him to favour bring,
He would surrender back againThe mony which beforeWas taken by him ‘and his’ menFrom him and many more.
He would surrender back again
The mony which before
Was taken by him ‘and his’ men
From him and many more.
Poor men might safely pass by him,And some that way would chuse,For well they knew that to help themHe evermore did use.{137}
Poor men might safely pass by him,
And some that way would chuse,
For well they knew that to help them
He evermore did use.{137}
But where he knew a miser richThat did the poor oppress,To feel his coyn his hands did itch,He’d have it, more or less :
But where he knew a miser rich
That did the poor oppress,
To feel his coyn his hands did itch,
He’d have it, more or less :
And sometimes, when the high-way fail’d,Then he his courage rouzes,He and his men have oft assaildSuch rich men in their houses :
And sometimes, when the high-way fail’d,
Then he his courage rouzes,
He and his men have oft assaild
Such rich men in their houses :
So that, through dread of Robin then,And his adventurous crew,The misers kept great store of men,Which else maintain’d but few.
So that, through dread of Robin then,
And his adventurous crew,
The misers kept great store of men,
Which else maintain’d but few.
King Richard, of that name the first,Sirnamed Cœur de Lyon,Went to defeat the Pagans curst,Who kept the coasts of Sion.
King Richard, of that name the first,
Sirnamed Cœur de Lyon,
Went to defeat the Pagans curst,
Who kept the coasts of Sion.
The bishop of Ely, chancellor,Was left a vice-roy here,Who, like a potent emperor,Did proudly domineer.
The bishop of Ely, chancellor,
Was left a vice-roy here,
Who, like a potent emperor,
Did proudly domineer.
Our chronicles of him report,That commonly he rodeWith a thousand horse from court to court,Where he would make abode.{138}
Our chronicles of him report,
That commonly he rode
With a thousand horse from court to court,
Where he would make abode.{138}
He, riding down towards the north,With his aforesaid train,Robin and his men did issue forth,Them all to entertain ;
He, riding down towards the north,
With his aforesaid train,
Robin and his men did issue forth,
Them all to entertain ;
And with the gallant gray-goose wingThey shew’d to them such playThat made their horses kick and fling,And down their riders lay,
And with the gallant gray-goose wing
They shew’d to them such play
That made their horses kick and fling,
And down their riders lay,
Full glad and fain the bishop was,For all his thousand men,So seek what means he could to passFrom out of Robins ken.
Full glad and fain the bishop was,
For all his thousand men,
So seek what means he could to pass
From out of Robins ken.
Two hundred of his men were kill’d,And fourscore horses good,Thirty, who did as captives yield,Were carried to the green wood ;
Two hundred of his men were kill’d,
And fourscore horses good,
Thirty, who did as captives yield,
Were carried to the green wood ;
Which afterwards were ransomed,For twenty marks a man :The rest set spurs to horse and fledTo th’ town of Warrington.
Which afterwards were ransomed,
For twenty marks a man :
The rest set spurs to horse and fled
To th’ town of Warrington.
The bishop, sore inraged, thenDid, in king Richards name,Muster up a power of northern men,These outlaws bold to tame.{139}
The bishop, sore inraged, then
Did, in king Richards name,
Muster up a power of northern men,
These outlaws bold to tame.{139}
But Robin with his courtesieSo won the meaner sort,That they were loath on him to tryWhat rigour did import.
But Robin with his courtesie
So won the meaner sort,
That they were loath on him to try
What rigour did import.
So that bold Robin and his trainDid live unhurt of them,Until king Richard came againFrom fair Jerusalem :
So that bold Robin and his train
Did live unhurt of them,
Until king Richard came again
From fair Jerusalem :
And then the talk of Robin HoodHis royal ears did fill ;His grace admir’d that i’ th’ green woodHe was continued still.
And then the talk of Robin Hood
His royal ears did fill ;
His grace admir’d that i’ th’ green wood
He was continued still.
So that the country far and nearDid give him great applause ;For none of them need stand in fear,But such as broke the laws.
So that the country far and near
Did give him great applause ;
For none of them need stand in fear,
But such as broke the laws.
He wished well unto the king,And prayed still for his health,And never practis’d any thingAgainst the common-wealth.
He wished well unto the king,
And prayed still for his health,
And never practis’d any thing
Against the common-wealth.
Only, because he was undoneBy th’ cruel clergy then,All means that he could think uponTo vex such kind of men,{140}
Only, because he was undone
By th’ cruel clergy then,
All means that he could think upon
To vex such kind of men,{140}
He enterpriz’d with hateful spleen ;For which he was to blame,For fault of some to wreak his teenOn all that by him came.
He enterpriz’d with hateful spleen ;
For which he was to blame,
For fault of some to wreak his teen
On all that by him came.
With wealth that he by roguery gotEight alms-houses he built,Thinking thereby to purge the blotOf blood which he had spilt.
With wealth that he by roguery got
Eight alms-houses he built,
Thinking thereby to purge the blot
Of blood which he had spilt.
Such was their blind devotion then,Depending on their works ;Which if ’twere true, we Christian menInferiour were to Turks.
Such was their blind devotion then,
Depending on their works ;
Which if ’twere true, we Christian men
Inferiour were to Turks.
But, to speak true of Robin Hood,And wrong him not a jot,He never would shed any mans bloodThat him invaded not.
But, to speak true of Robin Hood,
And wrong him not a jot,
He never would shed any mans blood
That him invaded not.
Nor would he injure husbandmen,That toil at cart and plough ;For well he knew wer’t not for themTo live no man knew how.
Nor would he injure husbandmen,
That toil at cart and plough ;
For well he knew wer’t not for them
To live no man knew how.
The king in person, with some lords,To Nottingham did ride,To try what strength and skill affordsTo crush this outlaws pride.{141}
The king in person, with some lords,
To Nottingham did ride,
To try what strength and skill affords
To crush this outlaws pride.{141}
And, as he once before had done,He did again proclaim,That whosoever would take uponTo bring to Nottingham,
And, as he once before had done,
He did again proclaim,
That whosoever would take upon
To bring to Nottingham,
Or any place within the land,Rebellious Robin Hood,Should be preferr’d in place to standWith those of noble blood.
Or any place within the land,
Rebellious Robin Hood,
Should be preferr’d in place to stand
With those of noble blood.
When Robin Hood heard of the same,Within a little space,Into the town of NottinghamA letter to his grace
When Robin Hood heard of the same,
Within a little space,
Into the town of Nottingham
A letter to his grace
He shot upon an arrow head,One evening cunningly ;Which was brought to the king, and readBefore his majesty.
He shot upon an arrow head,
One evening cunningly ;
Which was brought to the king, and read
Before his majesty.
The tenour of this letter wasThat Robin would submit,And be true liegeman to his graceIn any thing that’s fit,
The tenour of this letter was
That Robin would submit,
And be true liegeman to his grace
In any thing that’s fit,
So that his highness would forgiveHim and his merry men all ;If not, he must i’ th’ green wood live,And take what chance did fall.{142}
So that his highness would forgive
Him and his merry men all ;
If not, he must i’ th’ green wood live,
And take what chance did fall.{142}
The king would feign have pardoned him,But that some lords did say,This president will much condemnYour grace another day.
The king would feign have pardoned him,
But that some lords did say,
This president will much condemn
Your grace another day.
While that the king and lords did stayDebating on this thing,Some of these outlaws fled awayUnto the Scottish king.
While that the king and lords did stay
Debating on this thing,
Some of these outlaws fled away
Unto the Scottish king.
For they suppos’d, if he were ta’nOr to the king did yield,By th’ commons all the rest of ’s trainFull quickly would be quell’d.
For they suppos’d, if he were ta’n
Or to the king did yield,
By th’ commons all the rest of ’s train
Full quickly would be quell’d.
Of more than full an hundred men,But forty tarried still,Who were resolv’d to stick to him,Let Fortune work her will.
Of more than full an hundred men,
But forty tarried still,
Who were resolv’d to stick to him,
Let Fortune work her will.
If none had fled, all for his sakeHad got their pardon free ;The king to favour meant to takeHis merry men and he.
If none had fled, all for his sake
Had got their pardon free ;
The king to favour meant to take
His merry men and he.
But e’re the pardon to him cameThis famous archer dy’d :His death and manner of the sameI’le presently describe.{143}
But e’re the pardon to him came
This famous archer dy’d :
His death and manner of the same
I’le presently describe.{143}
For, being vext to think uponHis followers revolt,In melancholy passiònHe did recount his fault.
For, being vext to think upon
His followers revolt,
In melancholy passiòn
He did recount his fault.
Perfidious traytors ! said he then,In all your dangers pastHave i you guarded as my men,To leave me thus at last !
Perfidious traytors ! said he then,
In all your dangers past
Have i you guarded as my men,
To leave me thus at last !
This sad perplexity did causeA feaver, as some say,Which him unto confusion draws,Though by a stranger way.
This sad perplexity did cause
A feaver, as some say,
Which him unto confusion draws,
Though by a stranger way.
This deadly danger to prevent,He hie’d him with all speedUnto a nunnery, with intentFor his healths-sake to bleed.
This deadly danger to prevent,
He hie’d him with all speed
Unto a nunnery, with intent
For his healths-sake to bleed.
A faithless fryer did pretendIn love to let him blood,But he by falshood wrought the endOf famous Robin Hood.
A faithless fryer did pretend
In love to let him blood,
But he by falshood wrought the end
Of famous Robin Hood.
The fryer, as some say, did thisTo vindicate the wrongWhich to the clergy he and hisHad done by power strong.{144}
The fryer, as some say, did this
To vindicate the wrong
Which to the clergy he and his
Had done by power strong.{144}
Thus dyed he by treachery,That could not die by force ;Had he liv’d longer, certainlyKing Richard, in remorse,
Thus dyed he by treachery,
That could not die by force ;
Had he liv’d longer, certainly
King Richard, in remorse,
Had unto favour him receiv’d,‘His’ brave men elevated :’Tis pitty he was of life bereav’dBy one which he so hated.
Had unto favour him receiv’d,
‘His’ brave men elevated :
’Tis pitty he was of life bereav’d
By one which he so hated.
A treacherous leach this fryer was,To let him bleed to death ;And Robin was, methinks, an assTo trust him with his breath.
A treacherous leach this fryer was,
To let him bleed to death ;
And Robin was, methinks, an ass
To trust him with his breath.
His corps the prioress of the place,The next day that he dy’d,Caused to be buried, in mean case,Close by the high-way side.
His corps the prioress of the place,
The next day that he dy’d,
Caused to be buried, in mean case,
Close by the high-way side.
And over him she caused a stoneTo be fixt on the ground,An epitaph was set thereon,Wherein his name was found ;
And over him she caused a stone
To be fixt on the ground,
An epitaph was set thereon,
Wherein his name was found ;
The date o’ th’ year and day also,She made to be set there :That all, who by the way did go,Might see it plain appear.{145}
The date o’ th’ year and day also,
She made to be set there :
That all, who by the way did go,
Might see it plain appear.{145}
That such a man as Robin HoodWas buried in that place ;And how he lived in the green woodAnd robbed for a space.
That such a man as Robin Hood
Was buried in that place ;
And how he lived in the green wood
And robbed for a space.
It seems that though the clergy heHad put to mickle woe,He should not quite forgotten beAlthough he was their foe.
It seems that though the clergy he
Had put to mickle woe,
He should not quite forgotten be
Although he was their foe.
This woman, though she did him hate,Yet loved his memory ;And thought it wondrous pitty thatHis fame should with him dye.
This woman, though she did him hate,
Yet loved his memory ;
And thought it wondrous pitty that
His fame should with him dye.
This epitaph, as records tell,Within this hundred years,By many was discerned well,But time all things out-wears.
This epitaph, as records tell,
Within this hundred years,
By many was discerned well,
But time all things out-wears.
His followers, when he was dead,Were some repriev’d to grace ;The rest to foreign countries fled,And left their native place.
His followers, when he was dead,
Were some repriev’d to grace ;
The rest to foreign countries fled,
And left their native place.
Although his funeral was but mean,This woman had in mind,Least his fame should be buried cleanFrom those that came behind.{146}
Although his funeral was but mean,
This woman had in mind,
Least his fame should be buried clean
From those that came behind.{146}
For certainly, before nor since,No man e’re understood,Under the reign of any prince,Of one like Robin Hood.
For certainly, before nor since,
No man e’re understood,
Under the reign of any prince,
Of one like Robin Hood.
Full thirteen years, and something more,These outlaws lived thus ;Feared of the rich, loved of the poor :A thing most marvellous.
Full thirteen years, and something more,
These outlaws lived thus ;
Feared of the rich, loved of the poor :
A thing most marvellous.
A thing impossible to usThis story seems to be ;None dares be now so venturous,But times are chang’d we see.
A thing impossible to us
This story seems to be ;
None dares be now so venturous,
But times are chang’d we see.
We that live in these later daysOf civil government,If need be, have an hundred waysSuch outlaws to prevent.
We that live in these later days
Of civil government,
If need be, have an hundred ways
Such outlaws to prevent.
In those days men more barbarous were,And lived less in awe ;Now (god be thanked) people fearMore to offend the law.
In those days men more barbarous were,
And lived less in awe ;
Now (god be thanked) people fear
More to offend the law.
No waring guns were then in use,They dreamt of no such thing ;Our Englishmen in fight did useThe gallant gray-goose wing ;{147}
No waring guns were then in use,
They dreamt of no such thing ;
Our Englishmen in fight did use
The gallant gray-goose wing ;{147}
In which activity these men,Through practise, were so good,That in those days none equal’d them,Especially Robin Hood.
In which activity these men,
Through practise, were so good,
That in those days none equal’d them,
Especially Robin Hood.
So that, it seems, keeping in caves,In woods and forests thick,They’d beat a multitude with staves,Their arrows did so prick :
So that, it seems, keeping in caves,
In woods and forests thick,
They’d beat a multitude with staves,
Their arrows did so prick :
And none durst neer unto them come,Unless in courtesie ;All such he bravely would send homeWith mirth and jollity :
And none durst neer unto them come,
Unless in courtesie ;
All such he bravely would send home
With mirth and jollity :
Which courtesie won him such love,As i before have told,’Twas the chief cause that he did proveMore prosperous than he could.280
Which courtesie won him such love,
As i before have told,
’Twas the chief cause that he did prove
More prosperous than he could.280
Let us be thankful for these timesOf plenty, truth and peace ;And leave our great and horrid crimes,Least they cause this to cease.
Let us be thankful for these times
Of plenty, truth and peace ;
And leave our great and horrid crimes,
Least they cause this to cease.
I know there’s many feigned talesOf Robin Hood and ’s crew ;But chronicles, which seldome fails,Reports this to be true.{148}
I know there’s many feigned tales
Of Robin Hood and ’s crew ;
But chronicles, which seldome fails,
Reports this to be true.{148}
Let none then think this is a lye,For, if ’twere put to th’ worst,They may the truth of all descryI’ th’ reign of Richard the first.
Let none then think this is a lye,
For, if ’twere put to th’ worst,
They may the truth of all descry
I’ th’ reign of Richard the first.
If any reader please to try,As i direction show,The truth of this brave history,He’l find it true I know.
If any reader please to try,
As i direction show,
The truth of this brave history,
He’l find it true I know.
And i shall think my labour wellBestow’d to purpose good,When’t shall be said that i did tellTrue tales of Robin Hood.
And i shall think my labour well
Bestow’d to purpose good,
When’t shall be said that i did tell
True tales of Robin Hood.