145ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE

A.‘Robin Hoode and Quene Kath[erine],’ Percy MS., p. 15; Hales and Furnivall, I, 37.

B.‘Renowned Robin Hood,’ etc.a.Wood, 502, leaf 10.b.Roxburghe, I, 356, in the Ballad Society’s reprint, II, 419.c.Garland of 1663, No 9.d.Garland of 1670, No 8.e.Wood, 401, leaf 31 b.f.Pepys, II, 103, No 90.

C.‘Robin Hood, Scarlet and John,’ etc., Garland of 1663, No 1.

A copy in Roxburghe, III, 450, printed by L. How, in Petticoat Lane, is of the eighteenth century. In Ritson’s Robin Hood, 1795, II, 82, “from an old black-letter copyin a private collection, compared with another in that of Anthony a Wood.” In Evans’s Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 149, from an Aldermary garland.

Robin Hood has made Queen Katherine his friend by presenting her with a sum of gold which he had taken from the king’s harbingers. The king has offered a heavy wager that his archers cannot be excelled, and the queen may have her choice of all other bowmen in England. Availing herself of these terms, the queen summons Robin Hood and his men, who are to come to London on St George’s day, under changed names. She hopes to have Robin relieved of his outlawry. The king’s archers lead off, and make three. The ladies think the queen has no chance. She asks Sir Richard Lee, known to us already from the Gest, to be on her side. Sir Richard Lee, we are told, is sprung from Gawain’s blood (A, Gower’s, Gowrie’s in other texts), and naturally would deny nothing to a lady. The Bishop of Hereford declines to be of the queen’s party, but stakes a large sum on the king’s men. The queen’s archers shoot, and the game stands three and three; the queen bids the king beware. The third three shall pay for all, says the king. It is now time for the outlaws to do their best. Loxly, as Robin Hood is called, leads off. The particulars of the outlaws’ exploits are wanting inA.

InB,C, Robin’s feat is obscurely described. Clifton, who represents Scarlet (for inB,C, contrary to older tradition, Scarlet seems to be put before John), cleaves the willow wand, and Midge (Mutch), the Miller’s Son, who, according toA10, is John, is but little behind him.[117]The queen, to assure the safety of her men, begs the boon that the king will not be angry with any of her party, and the king replies, Welcome, friend or foe.

After this there is no occasion for concealment. The Bishop of Hereford, learning who Loxly is, says that Robin is only too old an acquaintance; Robin had once made him say a mass at two in the afternoon, and borrowed money of him which had never been repaid. Robin offers to pay him for the mass by giving half of the gold back. Small thanks, says the bishop, for paying me with my own money. King Henry, quite outstripping even the easiness of Edward in the Gest, says he loves Robin never the worse, and invites him to leave his outlaws and come live at the court, a proposal which is peremptorily rejected. This is a very pleasant ballad, with all the exaggeration, and it is much to be regretted that one half ofAis lost.

Cis a piece of regular hack-work, and could not maintain itself in competition withB, upon which, perhaps, it was formed. It will be observed that Sir Richard Lee is changed into Sir Robert Lee inC, and that the thirty-fourth stanza represents the king as subsequently making Robin Hood Earl of Huntington.

The adventure of the Bishop of Hereford with Robin Hood is the subject of a separate ballad, now found only in a late form: see No 144.

Loxly, the name given to Robin in the present ballad, is, according to the Life in the Sloane MS., a town in Yorkshire, “or after others in Nottinghamshire,” where Robin was born. The ballad of Robin Hood’s Birth, Breeding, etc., following the same tradition, or invention, says “Locksly town in Nottinghamshire.” It appears from Spencer Hall’s Forester’s Offering, London, 1841, that there is a Loxley Chase near Sheffield, in Yorkshire, and a Loxley River too: Gutch, I, 75.

Finsbury field was long a noted place for the practice of archery. In the year 1498, says Stow, all the gardens which had continued time out of mind without Moorgate, to wit, about and beyond the lordship of Fensberry, were destroyed. And of them was made aplain field for archers to shoot in. Survey of London, 1598, p. 351, cited, with other things pertinent, by Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 86 f.

R. H. and the Shepherd, R. H. rescuing Will Stutly, and R. H.’s Delight, are directed to be sung to the tune of R. H. and Queen Katherine,B, and may therefore be inferred to be of later date. R. H.’s Progress to Nottingham is to be sung to “Bold Robin Hood,” and as this conjunction of words occurs several times in R. H. and Queen Katherine, and the burden and its disposition, in the Progress to Nottingham, are the same as in R. H. and Queen Katherine, “Bold Robin Hood” may indicate this present ballad. R. H. and Queen Katherine,C, is directed to be sung to the tune of The Pinder of Wakefield.

R. H.’s Chase is a sequel to R. H. and Queen Katherine.

Translated by Anastasius Grün, p. 172.

Percy MS., p. 15; Hales and Furnivall, I, 37.

1Now list you, lithe you, gentlemen,A while for a litle space,And I shall tell you how Queene KatterineGott Robin Hood his grace.2Gold taken from the kings harbengersSeldome times hath beene seene,. . . . . . .. . . . . . .* * * * *3. . . . . . .‘Queene Katherine, I say to thee;’‘That’s a princly wager,’ quoth Queene Katherine,‘Betweene your grace and me.4‘Where must I haue mine archers?’ says Queene Katherine;‘You haue the flower of archery:’‘Now take your choice, dame,’ he sayes,‘Thorow out all England free.5‘Yea from North Wales to Westchester,And also to Couentry;And when you haue chosen the best you can,The wager must goe with mee.’6‘If that prooue,’ says Queene Katherine,‘Soone that wilbe tride and knowne;Many a man counts of another mans pursse,And after looseth his owne.’7The queene is to her palace gone,To her page thus shee can say:Come hither to me, Dicke Patrinton,Trusty and trew this day.8Thou must bring me the names of my archers all,All strangers must they bee,Yea from North Wales to West Chester,And alsoe to Couentrie.9Commend me to Robin Hood, says Queene Katherine,And alsoe to Litle John,And specially to Will Scarlett,Ffryar Tucke and Maid Marryan.10Robin Hood we must call Loxly,And Little John the Millers sonne;Thus wee then must change their names,They must be strangers euery one.11Commend mee to Robin Hood, sayes Queene Katherine,And marke, page, what I say;In London they must be with me[Vpon StGeorges day.]* * * * *12. . . . . . .‘These words hath sent by me;Att London you must be with herVpon StGeorg[e]s day.13‘Vpon StGeorg[e]s day att nooneAtt London needs must you bee;Shee wold not misse your companieFor all the gold in Cristinty.14‘Shee hath tane a shooting for your sake,The greatest in Christentie,And her part you must needs takeAgainst her prince, Henery.15‘Shee sends you heere her gay gold ringA trew token for to bee;And, as you are [a] banisht man,Shee trusts to sett you free.’16‘And I loose that wager,’ says bold Robin Hoode,‘I’le bring mony to pay for me;And wether that I win or loose,On my queenes part I will be.’17In sommer time when leaues grow greene,And flowers are fresh and gay,Then RobinHood he deckt his menEche one in braue array.18He deckt his men in Lincolne greene,Himselfe in scarlett red;Fayre of theire brest then was it seeneWhen his siluer armes were spread.19With hattis white and fethers blacke,And bowes and arrowes keene,And thus he ietted towards louly London,To present Queene Katherine.20But when they cam to louly London,They kneeled vpon their knee;Sayes, God you saue, Queene Katherine,And all your dignitie!* * * * *21. . . . . . . of my guard,’Thus can King Henry say,‘And those that wilbe of Queene Katerines side,They are welcome to me this day.’22‘Then come hither to me, Sir Richard Lee,Thou art a knight full good;Well it is knowen ffrom thy pedygreeThou came from Gawiins blood.23‘Come hither, Bishopp of Hereford,’ quoth Queene Katherine—A good preacher I watt was hee—‘And stand thou heere vpon a odd side,On my side for to bee.’24‘I like not that,’ sayes the bishopp then,‘By faikine of my body,For if I might haue my owne will,On the kings I wold bee.’25‘What will thou be[t] against vs,’ says Loxly then,‘And stake it on the ground?’‘That will I doe, fine fellow,’ he says,‘And it drawes to fiue hundreth pound.’26‘There is a bett,’ says Loxly then;‘Wee’le stake it merrily;’But Loxly knew full well in his mindAnd whose that gold shold bee.27Then the queenes archers they shot aboutTill it was three and three;Then the lady’s gaue a merry shout,Sayes, Woodcocke, beware thine eye!28‘Well, gam and gam,’ then quoth our king,‘The third three payes for all;’Then Robine rounded with our queene,Says, The kings part shall be small.29Loxly puld forth a broad arrowe,He shott it vnder hand,. . . . s vnto . .. . . . . . .* * * * *30. . . . . . .‘For once he vndidd mee;If I had thought it had beene bold RobinHoode,I wold not haue betted one peny.31‘Is this RobinHood?’ says the bishopp againe;‘Once I knew him to soone;He made me say a masse against my will,Att two a clocke in the afternoone.32‘He bound me fast vnto a tree,Soe did he my merry men;He borrowed ten pound against my will,But he neuer paid me againe.’33‘What and if I did?’ says bold RobinHood,‘Of that masse I was full faine;In recompence, befor king and queeneTake halfe of thy gold againe.’34‘I thanke thee for nothing,’ says the bishopp,‘Thy large gift to well is knowne,That will borrow a mans mony against his will,And pay him againe with his owne.’35‘What if he did soe?’ says King Henery,‘For that I loue him neuer the worsse;Take vp thy gold againe, bold Robin Hood,And put [it] in thy pursse.36‘If thou woldest leaue thy bold outlawes,And come and dwell with me,Then I wold say thou art welcome, bold RobinHood,The flower of archery.’37‘I will not leaue my bold outlawesFor all the gold in Christentie;In merry Sherwood I’le take my end,Vnder my trusty tree.38‘And gett your shooters, my leeig[e], where you will,For in faith you shall haue none of me;And when Queene Katherine puts up her f[inger]Att her Graces commandement I’le bee.’

1Now list you, lithe you, gentlemen,A while for a litle space,And I shall tell you how Queene KatterineGott Robin Hood his grace.

Now list you, lithe you, gentlemen,

A while for a litle space,

And I shall tell you how Queene Katterine

Gott Robin Hood his grace.

2Gold taken from the kings harbengersSeldome times hath beene seene,. . . . . . .. . . . . . .

Gold taken from the kings harbengers

Seldome times hath beene seene,

. . . . . . .

* * * * *

3. . . . . . .‘Queene Katherine, I say to thee;’‘That’s a princly wager,’ quoth Queene Katherine,‘Betweene your grace and me.

. . . . . . .

‘Queene Katherine, I say to thee;’

‘That’s a princly wager,’ quoth Queene Katherine,

‘Betweene your grace and me.

4‘Where must I haue mine archers?’ says Queene Katherine;‘You haue the flower of archery:’‘Now take your choice, dame,’ he sayes,‘Thorow out all England free.

‘Where must I haue mine archers?’ says Queene Katherine;

‘You haue the flower of archery:’

‘Now take your choice, dame,’ he sayes,

‘Thorow out all England free.

5‘Yea from North Wales to Westchester,And also to Couentry;And when you haue chosen the best you can,The wager must goe with mee.’

‘Yea from North Wales to Westchester,

And also to Couentry;

And when you haue chosen the best you can,

The wager must goe with mee.’

6‘If that prooue,’ says Queene Katherine,‘Soone that wilbe tride and knowne;Many a man counts of another mans pursse,And after looseth his owne.’

‘If that prooue,’ says Queene Katherine,

‘Soone that wilbe tride and knowne;

Many a man counts of another mans pursse,

And after looseth his owne.’

7The queene is to her palace gone,To her page thus shee can say:Come hither to me, Dicke Patrinton,Trusty and trew this day.

The queene is to her palace gone,

To her page thus shee can say:

Come hither to me, Dicke Patrinton,

Trusty and trew this day.

8Thou must bring me the names of my archers all,All strangers must they bee,Yea from North Wales to West Chester,And alsoe to Couentrie.

Thou must bring me the names of my archers all,

All strangers must they bee,

Yea from North Wales to West Chester,

And alsoe to Couentrie.

9Commend me to Robin Hood, says Queene Katherine,And alsoe to Litle John,And specially to Will Scarlett,Ffryar Tucke and Maid Marryan.

Commend me to Robin Hood, says Queene Katherine,

And alsoe to Litle John,

And specially to Will Scarlett,

Ffryar Tucke and Maid Marryan.

10Robin Hood we must call Loxly,And Little John the Millers sonne;Thus wee then must change their names,They must be strangers euery one.

Robin Hood we must call Loxly,

And Little John the Millers sonne;

Thus wee then must change their names,

They must be strangers euery one.

11Commend mee to Robin Hood, sayes Queene Katherine,And marke, page, what I say;In London they must be with me[Vpon StGeorges day.]

Commend mee to Robin Hood, sayes Queene Katherine,

And marke, page, what I say;

In London they must be with me

[Vpon StGeorges day.]

* * * * *

12. . . . . . .‘These words hath sent by me;Att London you must be with herVpon StGeorg[e]s day.

. . . . . . .

‘These words hath sent by me;

Att London you must be with her

Vpon StGeorg[e]s day.

13‘Vpon StGeorg[e]s day att nooneAtt London needs must you bee;Shee wold not misse your companieFor all the gold in Cristinty.

‘Vpon StGeorg[e]s day att noone

Att London needs must you bee;

Shee wold not misse your companie

For all the gold in Cristinty.

14‘Shee hath tane a shooting for your sake,The greatest in Christentie,And her part you must needs takeAgainst her prince, Henery.

‘Shee hath tane a shooting for your sake,

The greatest in Christentie,

And her part you must needs take

Against her prince, Henery.

15‘Shee sends you heere her gay gold ringA trew token for to bee;And, as you are [a] banisht man,Shee trusts to sett you free.’

‘Shee sends you heere her gay gold ring

A trew token for to bee;

And, as you are [a] banisht man,

Shee trusts to sett you free.’

16‘And I loose that wager,’ says bold Robin Hoode,‘I’le bring mony to pay for me;And wether that I win or loose,On my queenes part I will be.’

‘And I loose that wager,’ says bold Robin Hoode,

‘I’le bring mony to pay for me;

And wether that I win or loose,

On my queenes part I will be.’

17In sommer time when leaues grow greene,And flowers are fresh and gay,Then RobinHood he deckt his menEche one in braue array.

In sommer time when leaues grow greene,

And flowers are fresh and gay,

Then RobinHood he deckt his men

Eche one in braue array.

18He deckt his men in Lincolne greene,Himselfe in scarlett red;Fayre of theire brest then was it seeneWhen his siluer armes were spread.

He deckt his men in Lincolne greene,

Himselfe in scarlett red;

Fayre of theire brest then was it seene

When his siluer armes were spread.

19With hattis white and fethers blacke,And bowes and arrowes keene,And thus he ietted towards louly London,To present Queene Katherine.

With hattis white and fethers blacke,

And bowes and arrowes keene,

And thus he ietted towards louly London,

To present Queene Katherine.

20But when they cam to louly London,They kneeled vpon their knee;Sayes, God you saue, Queene Katherine,And all your dignitie!

But when they cam to louly London,

They kneeled vpon their knee;

Sayes, God you saue, Queene Katherine,

And all your dignitie!

* * * * *

21. . . . . . . of my guard,’Thus can King Henry say,‘And those that wilbe of Queene Katerines side,They are welcome to me this day.’

. . . . . . . of my guard,’

Thus can King Henry say,

‘And those that wilbe of Queene Katerines side,

They are welcome to me this day.’

22‘Then come hither to me, Sir Richard Lee,Thou art a knight full good;Well it is knowen ffrom thy pedygreeThou came from Gawiins blood.

‘Then come hither to me, Sir Richard Lee,

Thou art a knight full good;

Well it is knowen ffrom thy pedygree

Thou came from Gawiins blood.

23‘Come hither, Bishopp of Hereford,’ quoth Queene Katherine—A good preacher I watt was hee—‘And stand thou heere vpon a odd side,On my side for to bee.’

‘Come hither, Bishopp of Hereford,’ quoth Queene Katherine—

A good preacher I watt was hee—

‘And stand thou heere vpon a odd side,

On my side for to bee.’

24‘I like not that,’ sayes the bishopp then,‘By faikine of my body,For if I might haue my owne will,On the kings I wold bee.’

‘I like not that,’ sayes the bishopp then,

‘By faikine of my body,

For if I might haue my owne will,

On the kings I wold bee.’

25‘What will thou be[t] against vs,’ says Loxly then,‘And stake it on the ground?’‘That will I doe, fine fellow,’ he says,‘And it drawes to fiue hundreth pound.’

‘What will thou be[t] against vs,’ says Loxly then,

‘And stake it on the ground?’

‘That will I doe, fine fellow,’ he says,

‘And it drawes to fiue hundreth pound.’

26‘There is a bett,’ says Loxly then;‘Wee’le stake it merrily;’But Loxly knew full well in his mindAnd whose that gold shold bee.

‘There is a bett,’ says Loxly then;

‘Wee’le stake it merrily;’

But Loxly knew full well in his mind

And whose that gold shold bee.

27Then the queenes archers they shot aboutTill it was three and three;Then the lady’s gaue a merry shout,Sayes, Woodcocke, beware thine eye!

Then the queenes archers they shot about

Till it was three and three;

Then the lady’s gaue a merry shout,

Sayes, Woodcocke, beware thine eye!

28‘Well, gam and gam,’ then quoth our king,‘The third three payes for all;’Then Robine rounded with our queene,Says, The kings part shall be small.

‘Well, gam and gam,’ then quoth our king,

‘The third three payes for all;’

Then Robine rounded with our queene,

Says, The kings part shall be small.

29Loxly puld forth a broad arrowe,He shott it vnder hand,. . . . s vnto . .. . . . . . .

Loxly puld forth a broad arrowe,

He shott it vnder hand,

. . . . s vnto . .

. . . . . . .

* * * * *

30. . . . . . .‘For once he vndidd mee;If I had thought it had beene bold RobinHoode,I wold not haue betted one peny.

. . . . . . .

‘For once he vndidd mee;

If I had thought it had beene bold RobinHoode,

I wold not haue betted one peny.

31‘Is this RobinHood?’ says the bishopp againe;‘Once I knew him to soone;He made me say a masse against my will,Att two a clocke in the afternoone.

‘Is this RobinHood?’ says the bishopp againe;

‘Once I knew him to soone;

He made me say a masse against my will,

Att two a clocke in the afternoone.

32‘He bound me fast vnto a tree,Soe did he my merry men;He borrowed ten pound against my will,But he neuer paid me againe.’

‘He bound me fast vnto a tree,

Soe did he my merry men;

He borrowed ten pound against my will,

But he neuer paid me againe.’

33‘What and if I did?’ says bold RobinHood,‘Of that masse I was full faine;In recompence, befor king and queeneTake halfe of thy gold againe.’

‘What and if I did?’ says bold RobinHood,

‘Of that masse I was full faine;

In recompence, befor king and queene

Take halfe of thy gold againe.’

34‘I thanke thee for nothing,’ says the bishopp,‘Thy large gift to well is knowne,That will borrow a mans mony against his will,And pay him againe with his owne.’

‘I thanke thee for nothing,’ says the bishopp,

‘Thy large gift to well is knowne,

That will borrow a mans mony against his will,

And pay him againe with his owne.’

35‘What if he did soe?’ says King Henery,‘For that I loue him neuer the worsse;Take vp thy gold againe, bold Robin Hood,And put [it] in thy pursse.

‘What if he did soe?’ says King Henery,

‘For that I loue him neuer the worsse;

Take vp thy gold againe, bold Robin Hood,

And put [it] in thy pursse.

36‘If thou woldest leaue thy bold outlawes,And come and dwell with me,Then I wold say thou art welcome, bold RobinHood,The flower of archery.’

‘If thou woldest leaue thy bold outlawes,

And come and dwell with me,

Then I wold say thou art welcome, bold RobinHood,

The flower of archery.’

37‘I will not leaue my bold outlawesFor all the gold in Christentie;In merry Sherwood I’le take my end,Vnder my trusty tree.

‘I will not leaue my bold outlawes

For all the gold in Christentie;

In merry Sherwood I’le take my end,

Vnder my trusty tree.

38‘And gett your shooters, my leeig[e], where you will,For in faith you shall haue none of me;And when Queene Katherine puts up her f[inger]Att her Graces commandement I’le bee.’

‘And gett your shooters, my leeig[e], where you will,

For in faith you shall haue none of me;

And when Queene Katherine puts up her f[inger]

Att her Graces commandement I’le bee.’

* * * * *

a.Wood, 402, leaf 10.b.Roxburghe, I, 356, in the Ballad Society’s reprint, II, 419.c.Garland of 1663, No 9.d.Garland of 1670, No 8.e.Wood, 401, leaf 31 b.f.Pepys, II, 103, No 90.

1Gold tane from the kings harbengers,Down a down a downAs seldome hath been seen,Down a down a downAnd carried by bold Robin HoodFor a present to the queen.Down a down a down2‘If that I live a year to an end,’Thus gan Queen Katherin say,‘Bold Robin Hood, I will be thy friend,And all thy yeomen gay.’3The queen is to her chamber gone,As fast as she can wen;She cals unto her her lovely page,His name was Richard Patringten.4‘Come hither to mee, thou lovely page,Come thou hither to mee;For thou must post to Notingham,As fast as thou canst dree.5‘And as thou goest to Notingham,Search all those English wood;Enquire of one good yeoman or anotherThat can tell thee of Robin Hood.’6Sometimes he went, sometimes hee ran,As fast as he could win;And when hee came to Notingham,There he took up his inne.7And when he came to Notingham,And had took up his inne,He calls for a pottle of Renish wine,And drank a health to his queen.8There sat a yeoman by his side;‘Tell mee, sweet page,’ said hee,‘What is thy business or the cause,So far in the North Country?’9‘This is my business and the cause,Sir, I’le tell it you for good,To inquire of one good yeoman or anotherTo tell mee of Robin Hood.’10‘I’le get my horse betime in the morn,By it be break of day,And I will shew thee bold Robin Hood,And all his yeomen gay.’11When that he came at Robin Hoods place,Hee fell down on his knee:‘Queen Katherine she doth greet you well,She greets you well by mee.12‘She bids you post to fair London court,Not fearing any thing;For there shall be a little sport,And she hath sent you her ring.’13Robin took his mantle from his back—It was of the Lincoln green—And sent it by this lovely page,For a present unto the queen.14In summer time, when leaves grow green,It is a seemly sight to seeHow Robin Hood himself had drest,And all his yeomandry.15He cloathed his men in Lincoln green,And himself in scarlet red,Black hats, white feathers, all alike;Now bold Robin Hood is rid.16And when he came at Londons court,Hee fell downe on his knee:‘Thou art welcome, Locksly,’ said the queen,‘And all thy good yeomendree.’17The king is into Finsbury field,Marching in battel ray,And after follows bold Robin Hood,And all his yeomen gay.18‘Come hither, Tepus,’ said the king,‘Bow-bearer after mee,Come measure mee out with this lineHow long our mark shall be.’19‘What is the wager?’ said the queen,‘That must I now know here:’‘Three hundred tun of Renish wine,Three hundred tun of beer.20‘Three hundred of the fattest hartsThat run on Dallom lee;That’s a princely wager,’ said the king,‘That needs must I tell thee.’21With that bespake one Clifton then,Full quickly and full soon;‘Measure no mark for us, most soveraign leige,Wee’l shoot at sun and moon.’22‘Ful fifteen score your mark shall be,Ful fifteen score shall stand;’‘I’le lay my bow,’ said Clifton then,‘I’le cleave the willow wand.’23With that the kings archers led about,While it was three and none;With that the ladies began to shout,Madam, your game is gone!24‘A boon, a boon,’ Queen Katherine cries,‘I crave on my bare knee;Is there any knight of your privy counselOf Queen Katherines part will be?25‘Come hither to mee, Sir Richard Lee,Thou art a knight full good;For I do know by thy pedigreeThou springst from Goweres blood.26‘Come hither to me, thou Bishop of Herefordshire’—For a noble priest was he—‘By my silver miter,’ said the bishop then,‘I’le not bet one peny.27‘The king hath archers of his own,Full ready and full light,And these be strangers every one,No man knows what they height.’28‘What wilt thou bet,’ said Robin Hood,‘Thou seest our game the worse?’‘By my silver miter,’ said the bishop then,‘All the mony within my purse.’29‘What is in thy purse?’ said Robin Hood,‘Throw it down on the ground;’‘Fifteen score nobles,’ said the bishop then,‘It’s neer an hundred pound.’30Robin Hood took his bagge from his side,And threw it down on the green;William Scadlocke went smiling away,‘I know who this mony must win.’31With that the queens archers led about,While it was three and three;With that the ladies gave a shout,‘Woodcock, beware thyn ee!’32‘It is three and three, now,’ said the king,‘The next three pays for all;’Robin Hood went and whispered to the queen,‘The kings part shall be but small.’33Robin Hood he led about,He shot it under hand,And Clifton, with a bearing arrow,He clave the willow wand.34And little Midge, the Miller’s son,Hee shot not much the worse;He shot within a finger of the prick;‘Now, bishop, beware thy purse!’35‘A boon, a boon,’ Queen Katherine cries,‘I crave on my bare knee,—That you will angry be with noneThat is of my party.’36‘They shall have forty days to come,And forty days to go,And three times forty to sport and play;Then welcome friend or fo.’37‘Then thou art welcome, Robin Hood,’ said the queen,‘And so is Little John,So is Midge, the Miller’s son;Thrice welcome every one.’38‘Is this Robin Hood?’ the king now said;‘For it was told to meeThat he was slain in the pallace-gate,So far in the North Country.’39‘Is this Robin Hood,’ said the bishop then,‘As I see well to be?Had I knowne that had been that bold outlaw,I would not have bet one peny.40‘Hee took me late one Saturday at night,And bound mee fast to a tree,And made mee sing a mass, God wot,To him and his yeomendree.’41‘What and if I did?’ says Robin Hood,‘Of that mass I was full fain;For recompense to thee,’ he says,‘Here’s half thy gold again.’42‘Now nay, now nay,’ saies Little John,‘Master, that shall not be;We must give gifts to the kings officers;That gold will serve thee and mee.’

1Gold tane from the kings harbengers,Down a down a downAs seldome hath been seen,Down a down a downAnd carried by bold Robin HoodFor a present to the queen.Down a down a down

Gold tane from the kings harbengers,

Down a down a down

As seldome hath been seen,

Down a down a down

And carried by bold Robin Hood

For a present to the queen.

Down a down a down

2‘If that I live a year to an end,’Thus gan Queen Katherin say,‘Bold Robin Hood, I will be thy friend,And all thy yeomen gay.’

‘If that I live a year to an end,’

Thus gan Queen Katherin say,

‘Bold Robin Hood, I will be thy friend,

And all thy yeomen gay.’

3The queen is to her chamber gone,As fast as she can wen;She cals unto her her lovely page,His name was Richard Patringten.

The queen is to her chamber gone,

As fast as she can wen;

She cals unto her her lovely page,

His name was Richard Patringten.

4‘Come hither to mee, thou lovely page,Come thou hither to mee;For thou must post to Notingham,As fast as thou canst dree.

‘Come hither to mee, thou lovely page,

Come thou hither to mee;

For thou must post to Notingham,

As fast as thou canst dree.

5‘And as thou goest to Notingham,Search all those English wood;Enquire of one good yeoman or anotherThat can tell thee of Robin Hood.’

‘And as thou goest to Notingham,

Search all those English wood;

Enquire of one good yeoman or another

That can tell thee of Robin Hood.’

6Sometimes he went, sometimes hee ran,As fast as he could win;And when hee came to Notingham,There he took up his inne.

Sometimes he went, sometimes hee ran,

As fast as he could win;

And when hee came to Notingham,

There he took up his inne.

7And when he came to Notingham,And had took up his inne,He calls for a pottle of Renish wine,And drank a health to his queen.

And when he came to Notingham,

And had took up his inne,

He calls for a pottle of Renish wine,

And drank a health to his queen.

8There sat a yeoman by his side;‘Tell mee, sweet page,’ said hee,‘What is thy business or the cause,So far in the North Country?’

There sat a yeoman by his side;

‘Tell mee, sweet page,’ said hee,

‘What is thy business or the cause,

So far in the North Country?’

9‘This is my business and the cause,Sir, I’le tell it you for good,To inquire of one good yeoman or anotherTo tell mee of Robin Hood.’

‘This is my business and the cause,

Sir, I’le tell it you for good,

To inquire of one good yeoman or another

To tell mee of Robin Hood.’

10‘I’le get my horse betime in the morn,By it be break of day,And I will shew thee bold Robin Hood,And all his yeomen gay.’

‘I’le get my horse betime in the morn,

By it be break of day,

And I will shew thee bold Robin Hood,

And all his yeomen gay.’

11When that he came at Robin Hoods place,Hee fell down on his knee:‘Queen Katherine she doth greet you well,She greets you well by mee.

When that he came at Robin Hoods place,

Hee fell down on his knee:

‘Queen Katherine she doth greet you well,

She greets you well by mee.

12‘She bids you post to fair London court,Not fearing any thing;For there shall be a little sport,And she hath sent you her ring.’

‘She bids you post to fair London court,

Not fearing any thing;

For there shall be a little sport,

And she hath sent you her ring.’

13Robin took his mantle from his back—It was of the Lincoln green—And sent it by this lovely page,For a present unto the queen.

Robin took his mantle from his back—

It was of the Lincoln green—

And sent it by this lovely page,

For a present unto the queen.

14In summer time, when leaves grow green,It is a seemly sight to seeHow Robin Hood himself had drest,And all his yeomandry.

In summer time, when leaves grow green,

It is a seemly sight to see

How Robin Hood himself had drest,

And all his yeomandry.

15He cloathed his men in Lincoln green,And himself in scarlet red,Black hats, white feathers, all alike;Now bold Robin Hood is rid.

He cloathed his men in Lincoln green,

And himself in scarlet red,

Black hats, white feathers, all alike;

Now bold Robin Hood is rid.

16And when he came at Londons court,Hee fell downe on his knee:‘Thou art welcome, Locksly,’ said the queen,‘And all thy good yeomendree.’

And when he came at Londons court,

Hee fell downe on his knee:

‘Thou art welcome, Locksly,’ said the queen,

‘And all thy good yeomendree.’

17The king is into Finsbury field,Marching in battel ray,And after follows bold Robin Hood,And all his yeomen gay.

The king is into Finsbury field,

Marching in battel ray,

And after follows bold Robin Hood,

And all his yeomen gay.

18‘Come hither, Tepus,’ said the king,‘Bow-bearer after mee,Come measure mee out with this lineHow long our mark shall be.’

‘Come hither, Tepus,’ said the king,

‘Bow-bearer after mee,

Come measure mee out with this line

How long our mark shall be.’

19‘What is the wager?’ said the queen,‘That must I now know here:’‘Three hundred tun of Renish wine,Three hundred tun of beer.

‘What is the wager?’ said the queen,

‘That must I now know here:’

‘Three hundred tun of Renish wine,

Three hundred tun of beer.

20‘Three hundred of the fattest hartsThat run on Dallom lee;That’s a princely wager,’ said the king,‘That needs must I tell thee.’

‘Three hundred of the fattest harts

That run on Dallom lee;

That’s a princely wager,’ said the king,

‘That needs must I tell thee.’

21With that bespake one Clifton then,Full quickly and full soon;‘Measure no mark for us, most soveraign leige,Wee’l shoot at sun and moon.’

With that bespake one Clifton then,

Full quickly and full soon;

‘Measure no mark for us, most soveraign leige,

Wee’l shoot at sun and moon.’

22‘Ful fifteen score your mark shall be,Ful fifteen score shall stand;’‘I’le lay my bow,’ said Clifton then,‘I’le cleave the willow wand.’

‘Ful fifteen score your mark shall be,

Ful fifteen score shall stand;’

‘I’le lay my bow,’ said Clifton then,

‘I’le cleave the willow wand.’

23With that the kings archers led about,While it was three and none;With that the ladies began to shout,Madam, your game is gone!

With that the kings archers led about,

While it was three and none;

With that the ladies began to shout,

Madam, your game is gone!

24‘A boon, a boon,’ Queen Katherine cries,‘I crave on my bare knee;Is there any knight of your privy counselOf Queen Katherines part will be?

‘A boon, a boon,’ Queen Katherine cries,

‘I crave on my bare knee;

Is there any knight of your privy counsel

Of Queen Katherines part will be?

25‘Come hither to mee, Sir Richard Lee,Thou art a knight full good;For I do know by thy pedigreeThou springst from Goweres blood.

‘Come hither to mee, Sir Richard Lee,

Thou art a knight full good;

For I do know by thy pedigree

Thou springst from Goweres blood.

26‘Come hither to me, thou Bishop of Herefordshire’—For a noble priest was he—‘By my silver miter,’ said the bishop then,‘I’le not bet one peny.

‘Come hither to me, thou Bishop of Herefordshire’—

For a noble priest was he—

‘By my silver miter,’ said the bishop then,

‘I’le not bet one peny.

27‘The king hath archers of his own,Full ready and full light,And these be strangers every one,No man knows what they height.’

‘The king hath archers of his own,

Full ready and full light,

And these be strangers every one,

No man knows what they height.’

28‘What wilt thou bet,’ said Robin Hood,‘Thou seest our game the worse?’‘By my silver miter,’ said the bishop then,‘All the mony within my purse.’

‘What wilt thou bet,’ said Robin Hood,

‘Thou seest our game the worse?’

‘By my silver miter,’ said the bishop then,

‘All the mony within my purse.’

29‘What is in thy purse?’ said Robin Hood,‘Throw it down on the ground;’‘Fifteen score nobles,’ said the bishop then,‘It’s neer an hundred pound.’

‘What is in thy purse?’ said Robin Hood,

‘Throw it down on the ground;’

‘Fifteen score nobles,’ said the bishop then,

‘It’s neer an hundred pound.’

30Robin Hood took his bagge from his side,And threw it down on the green;William Scadlocke went smiling away,‘I know who this mony must win.’

Robin Hood took his bagge from his side,

And threw it down on the green;

William Scadlocke went smiling away,

‘I know who this mony must win.’

31With that the queens archers led about,While it was three and three;With that the ladies gave a shout,‘Woodcock, beware thyn ee!’

With that the queens archers led about,

While it was three and three;

With that the ladies gave a shout,

‘Woodcock, beware thyn ee!’

32‘It is three and three, now,’ said the king,‘The next three pays for all;’Robin Hood went and whispered to the queen,‘The kings part shall be but small.’

‘It is three and three, now,’ said the king,

‘The next three pays for all;’

Robin Hood went and whispered to the queen,

‘The kings part shall be but small.’

33Robin Hood he led about,He shot it under hand,And Clifton, with a bearing arrow,He clave the willow wand.

Robin Hood he led about,

He shot it under hand,

And Clifton, with a bearing arrow,

He clave the willow wand.

34And little Midge, the Miller’s son,Hee shot not much the worse;He shot within a finger of the prick;‘Now, bishop, beware thy purse!’

And little Midge, the Miller’s son,

Hee shot not much the worse;

He shot within a finger of the prick;

‘Now, bishop, beware thy purse!’

35‘A boon, a boon,’ Queen Katherine cries,‘I crave on my bare knee,—That you will angry be with noneThat is of my party.’

‘A boon, a boon,’ Queen Katherine cries,

‘I crave on my bare knee,—

That you will angry be with none

That is of my party.’

36‘They shall have forty days to come,And forty days to go,And three times forty to sport and play;Then welcome friend or fo.’

‘They shall have forty days to come,

And forty days to go,

And three times forty to sport and play;

Then welcome friend or fo.’

37‘Then thou art welcome, Robin Hood,’ said the queen,‘And so is Little John,So is Midge, the Miller’s son;Thrice welcome every one.’

‘Then thou art welcome, Robin Hood,’ said the queen,

‘And so is Little John,

So is Midge, the Miller’s son;

Thrice welcome every one.’

38‘Is this Robin Hood?’ the king now said;‘For it was told to meeThat he was slain in the pallace-gate,So far in the North Country.’

‘Is this Robin Hood?’ the king now said;

‘For it was told to mee

That he was slain in the pallace-gate,

So far in the North Country.’

39‘Is this Robin Hood,’ said the bishop then,‘As I see well to be?Had I knowne that had been that bold outlaw,I would not have bet one peny.

‘Is this Robin Hood,’ said the bishop then,

‘As I see well to be?

Had I knowne that had been that bold outlaw,

I would not have bet one peny.

40‘Hee took me late one Saturday at night,And bound mee fast to a tree,And made mee sing a mass, God wot,To him and his yeomendree.’

‘Hee took me late one Saturday at night,

And bound mee fast to a tree,

And made mee sing a mass, God wot,

To him and his yeomendree.’

41‘What and if I did?’ says Robin Hood,‘Of that mass I was full fain;For recompense to thee,’ he says,‘Here’s half thy gold again.’

‘What and if I did?’ says Robin Hood,

‘Of that mass I was full fain;

For recompense to thee,’ he says,

‘Here’s half thy gold again.’

42‘Now nay, now nay,’ saies Little John,‘Master, that shall not be;We must give gifts to the kings officers;That gold will serve thee and mee.’

‘Now nay, now nay,’ saies Little John,

‘Master, that shall not be;

We must give gifts to the kings officers;

That gold will serve thee and mee.’

The Garland of 1663, No 1.

1Stout Robin Hood, a most lusty out-law,As ever yet lived in this land,As ever yet lived in this land.His equal I’m sure you never yet saw,So valiant was he of his hand,So valiant was he of his hand.2No archers could ever compare with these three,Although from us they are gone;The like was never, nor never will be,To Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.3Many stout robberies by these men were done,Within this our kingdom so wide;Vpon the highway much treasure they have won,No one that his purse ere deny’d.4Great store of money they from the kings menCouragiously did take away;Vnto fair Queen Katherine they gave it again,Who to them these words did say.5If that I live but another fair year,Kind Robin Hood, said the fair queen,The love for this courtesie that I thee bear,Assure thy self it shall be seen.6Brave Robin Hood courteously thanked her Grace,And so took his leave of the queen;He with his bold archers then hied him apace,In summer time, to the woods green.7‘Now wend we together, my merry men all,To the green wood to take up our stand:’These archers were ready at Robin Hoods call,With their bent bows all in their hand.8‘Come, merrily let us now valiantly goWith speed unto the green wood,And there let us kill a stout buck or a do,For our master, Robin Hood.’9At London must now be a game of shooting,Where archers should try their best skill;It was so commanded by their gracious king;The queen then thought to have her will.10Her little foot-page she sent with all speed,To find out stout Robin Hood,Who in the North bravely did live, as we read,With his bow-men in the green wood.11When as this young page unto the North came,He staid under a hill at his inn;Within the fair town of sweet Nottingham,He there to enquire did begin.12The page then having enquired arightThe way unto Robin Hoods place,As soon as the page had obtained of him sight,He told him strange news from her Grace.13‘Her Majestie praies you to haste to the court,’And therewithall shewd him her ring;We must not delay his swift haste to this sport,Which then was proclaimd by the king.14Then Robin Hood hies him with all speed he may,With his fair men attired in green,And towards fair London he then takes his way;His safety lay all on the queen.15Now Robin Hood welcome was then to the court,Queen Katharine so did allow;Now listen, my friends, and my song shal reportHow the queen performed her vow.16The king then went marching in state with his peersTo Finsbury field most gay,Where Robin Hood follows him, void of all fears,With his lusty brave shooters that day.17The king did command that the way should beStraight mete with a line that was good;The answer was made to him presently,By lusty bold Robin Hood.18‘Let there be no mark measured,’ then said he soon;‘I,’ so said Scarlet and John,‘For we will shoot to the sun or the moon;We scorn to be outreacht with none.’19‘What shall the wager be?’ then said the queen,‘Pray tell me before you begin:’‘Three hundred tuns of good wine shall be seen,And as much of strong bear for to win.20‘Three hundred of lusty fat bucks, sweet, beside,Shall now be our royal lay:’Quoth Robin Hood, What ere does betide,I’le bear this brave purchase away.21‘Full fifteenscore,’ saith the king, ‘it shall be;’Then straight did the bow-men begin,And Robin Hoods side gave them leave certainlyA while some credit to win.22The royal queen Katharine aloud cried she,Is here no lord, nor yet knight,That will take my part in this bold enmity?Sir Robert Lee, pray do me right.23Then to the bold Bishop of HerefordshireMost mildly spoke our good queen;But he straight refused to lay any more,Such ods on their parties were seen.24‘What wilt thou bet, seeing our game is the worse?’Unto him then said Robin Hood:‘Why then,’ quoth the bishop, ‘all that’s in my purse;’Quoth Scarlet, That bargain is good.25‘A hundred good pounds there is in the same,’The bishop unto him did say;Then said Robin Hood, Now here’s for the game,And to bear this your money away.26Then did the kings archer his arrows commandMost bravely and with great might,But brave jolly Robin shot under his hand,And then did hit the mark right.27And Clifton he then, with his arrow so good,The willow-wood cleaved in two;The Miller’s young son came not short, by the rood,His skill he most bravely did show.28Thus Robin Hood and his crew won the rich prize,From all archers that there could be;Then loudly unto the king Queen Katherine cries,Forgive all my company!29The king then did say, that for forty daies,Free leave then to come or go,For any man there, though he got the praise,‘Be he friend,’ quoth he, ‘or be he foe.’30Then quoth the queen, Welcome thou art, Robin Hood,And welcome, brave bow-men all three;Then straight quoth the king, I did hear, by the rood,That slain he was in the countrey.31‘Is this Robin Hood?’ the bishop did say,‘Is this Robin Hood certainly?He made me to say him mass last Saturday,To him and his bold yeomendry.’32‘Well,’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘in requital thereof,Half thy gold I give unto thee;’‘Nay, nay,’ then said Little John in a scoff,‘‘Twill serue us ith’ North Countrey.’33Then Robin Hood pardon had straight of the king,And so had they every one;The fame of these days most loudly does ring,Of Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.34Great honours to Robin Hood after were done,As stories for certain do say;The king made him Earl of fair Huntington,Whose fame will never decay.35Thus have you heard the fame of these men,Good archers they were every one;We never shal see the like shooters againAs Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.

Stout Robin Hood, a most lusty out-law,

As ever yet lived in this land,

As ever yet lived in this land.

His equal I’m sure you never yet saw,

So valiant was he of his hand,

So valiant was he of his hand.

2No archers could ever compare with these three,Although from us they are gone;The like was never, nor never will be,To Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.

No archers could ever compare with these three,

Although from us they are gone;

The like was never, nor never will be,

To Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.

3Many stout robberies by these men were done,Within this our kingdom so wide;Vpon the highway much treasure they have won,No one that his purse ere deny’d.

Many stout robberies by these men were done,

Within this our kingdom so wide;

Vpon the highway much treasure they have won,

No one that his purse ere deny’d.

4Great store of money they from the kings menCouragiously did take away;Vnto fair Queen Katherine they gave it again,Who to them these words did say.

Great store of money they from the kings men

Couragiously did take away;

Vnto fair Queen Katherine they gave it again,

Who to them these words did say.

5If that I live but another fair year,Kind Robin Hood, said the fair queen,The love for this courtesie that I thee bear,Assure thy self it shall be seen.

If that I live but another fair year,

Kind Robin Hood, said the fair queen,

The love for this courtesie that I thee bear,

Assure thy self it shall be seen.

6Brave Robin Hood courteously thanked her Grace,And so took his leave of the queen;He with his bold archers then hied him apace,In summer time, to the woods green.

Brave Robin Hood courteously thanked her Grace,

And so took his leave of the queen;

He with his bold archers then hied him apace,

In summer time, to the woods green.

7‘Now wend we together, my merry men all,To the green wood to take up our stand:’These archers were ready at Robin Hoods call,With their bent bows all in their hand.

‘Now wend we together, my merry men all,

To the green wood to take up our stand:’

These archers were ready at Robin Hoods call,

With their bent bows all in their hand.

8‘Come, merrily let us now valiantly goWith speed unto the green wood,And there let us kill a stout buck or a do,For our master, Robin Hood.’

‘Come, merrily let us now valiantly go

With speed unto the green wood,

And there let us kill a stout buck or a do,

For our master, Robin Hood.’

9At London must now be a game of shooting,Where archers should try their best skill;It was so commanded by their gracious king;The queen then thought to have her will.

At London must now be a game of shooting,

Where archers should try their best skill;

It was so commanded by their gracious king;

The queen then thought to have her will.

10Her little foot-page she sent with all speed,To find out stout Robin Hood,Who in the North bravely did live, as we read,With his bow-men in the green wood.

Her little foot-page she sent with all speed,

To find out stout Robin Hood,

Who in the North bravely did live, as we read,

With his bow-men in the green wood.

11When as this young page unto the North came,He staid under a hill at his inn;Within the fair town of sweet Nottingham,He there to enquire did begin.

When as this young page unto the North came,

He staid under a hill at his inn;

Within the fair town of sweet Nottingham,

He there to enquire did begin.

12The page then having enquired arightThe way unto Robin Hoods place,As soon as the page had obtained of him sight,He told him strange news from her Grace.

The page then having enquired aright

The way unto Robin Hoods place,

As soon as the page had obtained of him sight,

He told him strange news from her Grace.

13‘Her Majestie praies you to haste to the court,’And therewithall shewd him her ring;We must not delay his swift haste to this sport,Which then was proclaimd by the king.

‘Her Majestie praies you to haste to the court,’

And therewithall shewd him her ring;

We must not delay his swift haste to this sport,

Which then was proclaimd by the king.

14Then Robin Hood hies him with all speed he may,With his fair men attired in green,And towards fair London he then takes his way;His safety lay all on the queen.

Then Robin Hood hies him with all speed he may,

With his fair men attired in green,

And towards fair London he then takes his way;

His safety lay all on the queen.

15Now Robin Hood welcome was then to the court,Queen Katharine so did allow;Now listen, my friends, and my song shal reportHow the queen performed her vow.

Now Robin Hood welcome was then to the court,

Queen Katharine so did allow;

Now listen, my friends, and my song shal report

How the queen performed her vow.

16The king then went marching in state with his peersTo Finsbury field most gay,Where Robin Hood follows him, void of all fears,With his lusty brave shooters that day.

The king then went marching in state with his peers

To Finsbury field most gay,

Where Robin Hood follows him, void of all fears,

With his lusty brave shooters that day.

17The king did command that the way should beStraight mete with a line that was good;The answer was made to him presently,By lusty bold Robin Hood.

The king did command that the way should be

Straight mete with a line that was good;

The answer was made to him presently,

By lusty bold Robin Hood.

18‘Let there be no mark measured,’ then said he soon;‘I,’ so said Scarlet and John,‘For we will shoot to the sun or the moon;We scorn to be outreacht with none.’

‘Let there be no mark measured,’ then said he soon;

‘I,’ so said Scarlet and John,

‘For we will shoot to the sun or the moon;

We scorn to be outreacht with none.’

19‘What shall the wager be?’ then said the queen,‘Pray tell me before you begin:’‘Three hundred tuns of good wine shall be seen,And as much of strong bear for to win.

‘What shall the wager be?’ then said the queen,

‘Pray tell me before you begin:’

‘Three hundred tuns of good wine shall be seen,

And as much of strong bear for to win.

20‘Three hundred of lusty fat bucks, sweet, beside,Shall now be our royal lay:’Quoth Robin Hood, What ere does betide,I’le bear this brave purchase away.

‘Three hundred of lusty fat bucks, sweet, beside,

Shall now be our royal lay:’

Quoth Robin Hood, What ere does betide,

I’le bear this brave purchase away.

21‘Full fifteenscore,’ saith the king, ‘it shall be;’Then straight did the bow-men begin,And Robin Hoods side gave them leave certainlyA while some credit to win.

‘Full fifteenscore,’ saith the king, ‘it shall be;’

Then straight did the bow-men begin,

And Robin Hoods side gave them leave certainly

A while some credit to win.

22The royal queen Katharine aloud cried she,Is here no lord, nor yet knight,That will take my part in this bold enmity?Sir Robert Lee, pray do me right.

The royal queen Katharine aloud cried she,

Is here no lord, nor yet knight,

That will take my part in this bold enmity?

Sir Robert Lee, pray do me right.

23Then to the bold Bishop of HerefordshireMost mildly spoke our good queen;But he straight refused to lay any more,Such ods on their parties were seen.

Then to the bold Bishop of Herefordshire

Most mildly spoke our good queen;

But he straight refused to lay any more,

Such ods on their parties were seen.

24‘What wilt thou bet, seeing our game is the worse?’Unto him then said Robin Hood:‘Why then,’ quoth the bishop, ‘all that’s in my purse;’Quoth Scarlet, That bargain is good.

‘What wilt thou bet, seeing our game is the worse?’

Unto him then said Robin Hood:

‘Why then,’ quoth the bishop, ‘all that’s in my purse;’

Quoth Scarlet, That bargain is good.

25‘A hundred good pounds there is in the same,’The bishop unto him did say;Then said Robin Hood, Now here’s for the game,And to bear this your money away.

‘A hundred good pounds there is in the same,’

The bishop unto him did say;

Then said Robin Hood, Now here’s for the game,

And to bear this your money away.

26Then did the kings archer his arrows commandMost bravely and with great might,But brave jolly Robin shot under his hand,And then did hit the mark right.

Then did the kings archer his arrows command

Most bravely and with great might,

But brave jolly Robin shot under his hand,

And then did hit the mark right.

27And Clifton he then, with his arrow so good,The willow-wood cleaved in two;The Miller’s young son came not short, by the rood,His skill he most bravely did show.

And Clifton he then, with his arrow so good,

The willow-wood cleaved in two;

The Miller’s young son came not short, by the rood,

His skill he most bravely did show.

28Thus Robin Hood and his crew won the rich prize,From all archers that there could be;Then loudly unto the king Queen Katherine cries,Forgive all my company!

Thus Robin Hood and his crew won the rich prize,

From all archers that there could be;

Then loudly unto the king Queen Katherine cries,

Forgive all my company!

29The king then did say, that for forty daies,Free leave then to come or go,For any man there, though he got the praise,‘Be he friend,’ quoth he, ‘or be he foe.’

The king then did say, that for forty daies,

Free leave then to come or go,

For any man there, though he got the praise,

‘Be he friend,’ quoth he, ‘or be he foe.’

30Then quoth the queen, Welcome thou art, Robin Hood,And welcome, brave bow-men all three;Then straight quoth the king, I did hear, by the rood,That slain he was in the countrey.

Then quoth the queen, Welcome thou art, Robin Hood,

And welcome, brave bow-men all three;

Then straight quoth the king, I did hear, by the rood,

That slain he was in the countrey.

31‘Is this Robin Hood?’ the bishop did say,‘Is this Robin Hood certainly?He made me to say him mass last Saturday,To him and his bold yeomendry.’

‘Is this Robin Hood?’ the bishop did say,

‘Is this Robin Hood certainly?

He made me to say him mass last Saturday,

To him and his bold yeomendry.’

32‘Well,’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘in requital thereof,Half thy gold I give unto thee;’‘Nay, nay,’ then said Little John in a scoff,‘‘Twill serue us ith’ North Countrey.’

‘Well,’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘in requital thereof,

Half thy gold I give unto thee;’

‘Nay, nay,’ then said Little John in a scoff,

‘‘Twill serue us ith’ North Countrey.’

33Then Robin Hood pardon had straight of the king,And so had they every one;The fame of these days most loudly does ring,Of Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.

Then Robin Hood pardon had straight of the king,

And so had they every one;

The fame of these days most loudly does ring,

Of Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.

34Great honours to Robin Hood after were done,As stories for certain do say;The king made him Earl of fair Huntington,Whose fame will never decay.

Great honours to Robin Hood after were done,

As stories for certain do say;

The king made him Earl of fair Huntington,

Whose fame will never decay.

35Thus have you heard the fame of these men,Good archers they were every one;We never shal see the like shooters againAs Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.

Thus have you heard the fame of these men,

Good archers they were every one;

We never shal see the like shooters again

As Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.

After 22, 113, 204, 293, 384, half a page is gone.

21.Perhapsharvengers.

52. cauentry.

93.PerhapsWilliam.

After 16: The 2d part.

182. hinselfe.

254. 500th:.

272, 282. 3.

314. 2.

323. 10li:.

Renowned Robin Hood: or, his famous archery truly related; with the worthy exploits hee acted before Queen Katherine, hee being an outlaw-man; and how shee for the same obtained of the king his own and his fellows pardon. To a new tune.

London, Printed for F. Grove, on Snow-hill. Entred according to order. (1620–55.)

164. yeomen three:sob-e, butyeomendree,the reading off, must be right, since the whole band is present, and only two yeomen besides Robin are distinguished.

232, 312. While,if preserved, must be taken in the sense oftill,which occurs inf, 232, as inA, 272.

311. the kings:so all.A, 27hasqueenes,rightly.

314. thy knee:so all exceptb,which hasthy nee.

352. crave that on.

394. havewanting:cf.A30,c,f.

404. yeomen three:so all.See164.

Printed at London for Francis Grove.

22. can.

33.unto her lovely.

34. Parringten.

44. can.

63, 71. came at.

81. sate.

84. in this.

102. Be it the.

111. Hood.

133. sent that.

142. It’s.

213. markes.

231. archer.

254. sprungst.

311. the kings.

314. thy nee.

333. baring.

334. clove.

351. cryed.

352. crave that on.

381. now said the king.

382. so told.

383. in Pallace gates.

394. not bet.

404. yeomen three.

411. an if.

412. fullwanting.

33. unto her lovelie.

53, 93. or other.

81. sate.

91. is the.

104. yeoman.

164. yeomen three.

171. goneforfield.

204. must I needs.

233. shoot.

244. OnforOf.

254. sprangst from Gowries.

303. Sadlock.

304. whose this money must be.311. the kings.

314. thy knee.

323. towanting.

352. crave that on.

394. have bet.

401. onforone.

404. yeomen three.

33. unto her lovely.

34. Patrington.

134. toforunto.

144. hiswanting.

164. yeomen three.

244. OnforOf.

254. sprangst.

311. the kings.

314. thy knee.

352. crave that on.

364. welcome every one.

391. quothforsaid.

394. not bet.

401. onforone.

404. yeomen three.

London, Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere & J. Wright. (1655–80.)

34. Patrington.

73. calld.

81. sate.

83. thy cause.

101. betimes.

164. goodwanting: yeomen three.

172. gallant ray.

192. needsfornow.

202. runs.

223. quothforsaid.

311. the kings.

313. shoot.

314. thy knee.

352. thatwanting.

383. thewanting.

393. I thought it had.

394. not bet.

404. yeomen three.

422. may not.

In the title: being an outlaw man (heewanting): how heforhow shee.

Printed for J. W[right], J. C[larke], W. T[hackeray], and T. Passenger. (1670–86?)

33. unto her lovely.

34. Parington.

41. Come thou: myforthou.

43. nowforpost.

52. woods.

62. wen.

73. bottle.

74. drinks.

81. sate.

83. or thy.

101. betimes.

111. toforat.

132. thewanting.

134. toforunto.

142. It was.

164. thy yeomandree.

171. is gone to.

172. array.

184. must be.

204. to the.

231. lead.

232. Till it.

242. crave it.

243. ever aforany.

244. sideforpart.

254. sprangest.

283. then said the bishop.

291. in it said.

303. Will.

311. the kings.

314. thy knee.

324. partwanting.

352. crave it.

353. wouldforwill.

364. welcome every one.

373. And so.

381. said now.

391. quothforsaid.

393. it had.

394. not a bet.

401. on Saturday night.

404. yeomen three.

411. then says.

422. may not.

Robin Hood, Scarlet and John: Wherein you may see how Robin Hood, having lived an out-law many years, the Queen sent for him, and shooting a match before the King and Queen at London, and winning the rich prize, the Queen gained his pardon, and he was afterwards Earl of Huntington.

To the tune of The Pinder of Wakefield.

203. what or.

261. archers.

273. yonng.

283. Katheline.

301,3. qd.

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