154A TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD

Martin Parker’s True Tale of Robin Hood was entered to Francis Grove the 29th of February, 1632: Stationers’ Registers, Arber, IV, 273. A copy in the British Museum (press-mark C. 39. a. 52), which is here reprinted, is assumed by Mr W. C. Hazlitt, Handbook, p. 439, and Mr George Bullen, Brit. Mus. Catalogue, to be of this first edition. The title of this copy is: A True Tale of Robbin [Hood], or, A briefe touch of the life and death o[f that] Renowned Outlaw, Robert Earle of Huntin[gton] vulgarly called Robbin Hood, who lived and died in [A. D.] 1198, being the 9. yeare of the reigne of King Ric[hard] the first, commonly called Richard Cuer de Lyon. Carefully collected out of the truest Writers of our English C[hroni]cles. And published for the satisfaction of those who desire to s[ee] Truth purged from falsehood. By Martin Parker. Printed at London for T. Cotes, and are to be sold by F. Grove dwellin[g] upon Snow-hill, neare the Saracen[s head].[120]

Martin Parker professes in st. 117 to follow chronicles, not “fained tales.” Perhaps he regards broadside-ballads with historical names in them as chronicles: at any rate, though he reports some things which are found in Grafton, and in Major as cited by Grafton, much the larger part of his True Tale is now to be found only in ballads. When he does not agree with ballads which have come down to us, he may have used earlier copies, or he may have invented. The story of the abbot in 23–26 is at least from the same source as Robin Hood and the Bishop; the plundering of King Richard’s receivers in 33 is evidently the same event as that referred to in the first stanza of Robin Hood and Queen Katherine; Robin Hood is said to have built eight almshouses in 71, and one in the last stanza of The Noble Fisherman. The Gest could hardly have been unknown to Parker. Stanzas 3–9, concerning Robin’s rank, prodigality, and outlawry, may have been based upon Munday’s play; but nothing is said of Maid Marian. 44–50 and 56–65 may report the substance of some lost broadside.

Perhaps Parker calls his compilation aTrueTale because a tale of Robin Hood was a proverb for an incredible story: “Tales of Robin Hood are good for fools.”

1Both gentlemen, or yeomen bould,Or whatsoever you are,To have a stately story tould,Attention now prepare.2It is a tale of Robin Hood,Which I to you will tell,Which being rightly understood,I know will please you well.3This Robbin, so much talked on,Was once a man of fame,Instiled Earle of Huntington,Lord Robert Hood by name.4In courtship and magnificence,His carriage won him prayse,And greater favour with his princeThan any in his dayes.5In bounteous liberalityHe too much did excell,And loved men of qualityMore than exceeding well.6His great revennues all he souldFor wine and costly cheere;He kept three hundred bowmen bold,He shooting lovd so deare.7No archer living in his timeWith him might well compare;He practisd all his youthfull primeThat exercise most rare.8At last, by his profuse expence,He had consumd his wealth,And being outlawed by his prince,In woods he livd by stealth.9The abbot of SaintMaries rich,To whom he mony ought,His hatred to this earle was suchThat he his downefall wrought.10So being outlawed, as ’tis told,He with a crew went forthOf lusty cutters, stout and bold,And robbed in the North.11Among the rest, one Little John,A yeoman bold and free,Who could, if it stood him upon,With ease encounter three.12One hundred men in all he got,With whom, the story sayes,Three hundred common men durst notHold combate any wayes.13They Yorkshire woods frequented much,And Lancashire also,Wherein their practises were suchThat they wrought mickle woe.14None rich durst travell to and fro,Though nere so strongly armd,But by these theeves, so strong in show,They still were robd and harmd.15His chiefest spight to the clergie was,That lived in monstrous pride;No one of them he would let passeAlong the high-way side,16But first they must to dinner goe,And afterwards to shrift:Full many a one he served so,Thus while he livd by theft.17No monkes nor fryers he would let goe,Without paying their fees:If they thought much to be usd so,Their stones he made them leese.18For such as they the country filldWith bastards in those dayes;Which to prevent, these sparkes did geldAll that came by their wayes.19But Robbin Hood so gentle was,And bore so brave a minde,If any in distresse did passe,To them he was so kinde20That he would give and lend to them,To helpe them at their neede:This made all poore men pray for him,And wish he well might speede.21The widdow and the fatherlesseHe would send meanes unto,And those whom famine did oppresseFound him a friendly foe.22Nor would he doe a woman wrong,But see her safe conveid;He would protect with power strongAll those who crav’d his ayde.23The abbot of Saint Maries then,Who him undid before,Was riding with two hundred men,And gold and silver store.24But Robbin Hood upon him setWith his couragious sparkes,And all the coyne perforce did get,Which was twelve thousand markes.25He bound the abbot to a tree,And would not let him passeBefore that to his men and heHis lordship had sayd masse.26Which being done, upon his horseHe set him fast astride,And with his face towards his ar—He forced him to ride.27His men were faine to be his guide,For he rode backward home;The abbot, being thus villifide,Did sorely chafe and fume.28Thus Robbin Hood did vindicateHis former wrongs receivd;For ’twas this covetous prelateThat him of land bereavd.29The abbot he rode to the kingWith all the haste he could,And to his Grace he every thingExactly did unfold.30And sayd if that no course were tane,By force or stratagem,To take this rebell and his traine,No man should passe for them.31The king protested by and byUnto the abbot thenThat Robbin Hood with speed should dye,With all his merry men.32But ere the king did any send,He did another feate,Which did his Grace much more offend;The fact indeed was great.33For in a short time after that,The kings receivers wentTowards London with the coyne they got,For’s Highnesse northerne rent.34Bold Robbin Hood and Little John,With the rest of their traine,Not dreading law, set them upon,And did their gold obtaine.35The king much moved at the same,And the abbots talke also,In this his anger did proclaime,And sent word to and fro,36That whosoere, alive or dead,Could bring him Robbin Hood,Should have one thousand markes, well paydIn gold and silver good.37This promise of the king did makeFull many yeomen boldAttempt stout Robbin Hood to take,With all the force they could.38But still when any came to him,Within the gay greene wood,He entertainement gave to them,With venison fat and good.39And shewd to them such martiall sport,With his long bow and arrow,That they of him did give report,How that it was great sorow,40That such a worthy man as heShould thus be put to shift,Being late a lord of high degree,Of living quite bereft.41The king, to take him, more and moreSent men of mickle might,But he and his still beate them sore,And conquered them in fight.42Or else, with love and courtesie,To him he won their hearts:Thus still he lived by robbery,Throughout the northerne parts.43And all the country stood in dreadOf Robbin Hood and’s men;For stouter lads nere livd by bread,In those dayes nor since then.44The abbot which before I nam’dSought all the meanes he couldTo have by force this rebell tane,And his adherents bold.45Therefore he armd five hundred men,With furniture compleate,But the outlawes slew halfe of them,And made the rest retreate.46The long bow and the arrow keeneThey were so usd untoThat still they kept the forest greene,In spight o th’ proudest foe.47Twelve of the abbots men he tooke,Who came him to have tane,When all the rest the field forsooke;These he did entertaine48With banquetting and merriment,And, having usd them well,He to their lord them safely sent,And willd them him to tell49That if he would be pleasd at lastTo beg of our good kingThat he might pardon what was past,And him to favour bring,50He would surrender backe agenThe money which beforeWas taken by him and his men,From him and many more.51Poore men might safely passe by him,And some that way would chuse,For well they knew that to helpe themHe evermore did use.52But where he knew a miser rich,That did the poore oppresse,To feele his coyne his hand did itch;Hee’de have it, more or lesse.53And sometimes, when the high-way fayld,Then he his courage rouses;He and his men have oft assayldSuch rich men in their houses.54So that, through dread of Robbin thenAnd his adventurous crew,The mizers kept great store of men,Which else maintaynd but few.55King Richard, of that name the first,Sirnamed Cuer de Lyon,Went to defeate the Pagans curst,Who kept the coasts of Syon.56The Bishop of Ely, chancelor,Was left as vice-roy here,Who like a potent emperorDid proudly domminere.57Our chronicles of him reportThat commonly he rodeWith a thousand horse from court to court,Where he would make abode.58He, riding downe towards the north,With his aforesayd traine,Robbin and his did issue forth,Them all to entertaine.59And, with the gallant gray-goose wing,They shewed to them such play,That made their horses kicke and fling,And downe their riders lay.60Full glad and faine the bishop was,For all his thousand men,To seeke what meanes he could to passeFrom out of Robbins ken.61Two hundred of his men were kil’d,And fourescore horses good;Thirty, who did as captives yeeld,Were carryed to the greene wood.62Which afterwards were ransomed,For twenty markes a man;The rest set spurres to horse, and fledTo th’ town of Warrington.63The bishop, sore enraged then,Did, in King Richards name,Muster a power of northerne men,These outlawes bold to tame.64But Robbin, with his courtesie,So wonne the meaner sort,That they were loath on him to tryWhat rigor did import.65So that bold Robbin and his traineDid live unhurt of them,Vntill King Richard came againeFrom faire Jerusalem.66And then the talke of Robbin HoodHis royall eares did fill;His Grace admir’d that ith’ greene woodHe thus continued still.67So that the country farre and neareDid give him great applause;For none of them neede stand in feare,But such as broke the lawes.68He wished well unto the king,And prayed still for his health,And never practised any thingAgainst the common wealth.69Onely, because he was undoneBy th’ crewell clergie then,All meanes that he could thinke uponTo vexe such kinde of men70He enterprized, with hatefull spleene;In which he was to blame,For fault of some, to wreeke his teeneOn all that by him came.71With wealth which he by robbery gotEight almes-houses he built,Thinking thereby to purge the blotOf blood which he had spilt.72Such was their blinde devotion then,Depending on their workes;Which, if ’twere true, we Christian menInferiour were to Turkes.73But, to speake true of Robbin Hood,And wrong him not a iot,He never would shed any mans bloodThat him invaded not.74Nor would he iniure husbandmen,That toyld at cart and plough;For well he knew, were’t not for them,To live no man knew how.75The king in person, with some lords,To Notingham did ride,To try what strength and skill affordsTo crush these outlawes pride.76And, as he once before had done,He did againe proclaime,That whosoere would take uponTo bring to Notingham,77Or any place within the land,Rebellious Robbin Hood,Should be preferd in place to standWith those of noble blood.78When Robbin Hood heard of the same,Within a little space,Into the towne of NotinghamA letter to his Grace79He shot upon an arrow-head,One evening cunningly;Which was brought to the king, and readBefore his Maiestie.80The tennour of this letter wasThat Robbin would submit,And be true leigeman to his Grace,In any thing that’s fit,81So that his Highnesse would forgiveHim and his merry men all;If not, he must i th’ greene wood live,And take what chance did fall.82The king would faine have pardoned him,But that some lords did say,This president will much condemneYour Grace another day.83While that the king and lords did stayDebating on this thing,Some of these outlawes fled awayUnto the Scottish king.84For they supposd, if he were tane,Or to the king did yeeld,By th’ commons all the rest on ’s traineFull quickely would be quelld.85Of more than full a hundred menBut forty tarryed still,Who were resolvd to sticke to him,Let fortune worke her will.86If none had fled, all for his sakeHad got their pardon free;The king to favour meant to takeHis merry men and he.87But ere the pardon to him came,This famous archer dy’d:His death, and manner of the same,I’le presently describe.88For, being vext to thinke uponHis followers revolt,In melancholly passionHe did recount their fault.89‘Perfideous traytors!’ sayd he then,‘In all your dangers pastHave I you guarded as my menTo leave me thus at last?’90This sad perplexity did causeA fever, as some say,Which him unto confusion drawes,Though by a stranger way.91This deadly danger to prevent,He hide him with all speedeVnto a nunnery, with intentFor his healths sake to bleede.92A faithlesse fryer did pretendIn love to let him blood;But he by falshood wrought the endOf famous Robbin Hood.93The fryer, as some say, did thisTo vindicate the wrongWhich to the clergie he and hisHad done by power strong.94Thus dyed he by trechery,That could not dye by force;Had he livd longer, certainely,King Richard, in remorse,95Had unto favour him receavd;He brave men elevated;’Tis pitty he was of life bereavdBy one which he so hated.96A treacherous leech this fryer was,To let him bleed to death;And Robbin was, me thinkes, an asse,To trust him with his breath.97His corpes the priores of the place,The next day that he dy’d,Caused to be buried, in mean case,Close by the high-way side.98And over him she caused a stoneTo be fixed on the ground;An epitaph was set thereon,Wherein his name was found.99The date o th’ yeare, and day also,Shee made to be set there,That all who by the way did goeMight see it plaine appeare100That such a man as Robbin HoodWas buried in that place;And how he lived in the greene wood,And robd there for a space.101It seemes that though the clergie heHad put to mickle woe,He should not quite forgotten be,Although he was their foe.102This woman, though she did him hate,Yet loved his memory;And thought it wondrous pitty thatHis fame should with him dye.103This epitaph, as records tell,Within this hundred yearesBy many was discerned well,But time all things outweares.104His followers, when he was dead,Were some received to grace;The rest to forraigne countries fled,And left their native place.105Although his funerall was but meane,This woman had in mindeLeast his fame should be buried cleaneFrom those that came behind.106For certainely, before nor since,No man ere understood,Vnder the reigne of any prince,Of one like Robbin Hood.107Full thirteene yeares, and something more,These outlawes lived thus,Feared of the rich, loved of the poore,A thing most marvelous.108A thing impossible to usThis story seemes to be;None dares be now so venturous;But times are chang’d, we see.109We that live in these latter dayesOf civill government,If neede be, have a hundred wayesSuch outlawes to prevent.110In those dayes men more barbarous were,And lived lesse in awe;Now, God be thanked! people feareMore to offend the law.111No roaring guns were then in use,They dreampt of no such thing;Our English men in fight did chuseThe gallant gray-goose wing.112In which activity these men,Through practise, were so good,That in those dayes non equald them,Specially Robbin Hood.113So that, it seemes, keeping in caves,In woods and forrests thicke,Thei’d beate a multitude with staves,Their arrowes did so pricke.114And none durst neare unto them come,Unlesse in courtesie;All such he bravely would send home,With mirth and iollity.115Which courtesie won him such love,As I before have told;’Twas the cheefe cause that he did proveMore prosperous than he could.116Let us be thankefull for these timesOf plenty, truth and peace,And leave our great and horrid crimes,Least they cause this to cease.117I know there’s many fained talesOf Robbin Hood and’s crew;But chronicles, which seldome fayles,Reports this to be true.118Let none then thinke this a lye,For, if ’twere put to th’ worst,They may the truth of all discryI th’ raigne of Richard the first.119If any reader please to try,As I direction show,The truth of this brave history,Hee’l finde it true I know.120And I shall thinke my labour wellBestowed, to purpose good,When’t shall be sayd that I did tellTrue tales of Robbin Hood.

1Both gentlemen, or yeomen bould,Or whatsoever you are,To have a stately story tould,Attention now prepare.

Both gentlemen, or yeomen bould,

Or whatsoever you are,

To have a stately story tould,

Attention now prepare.

2It 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.

3This Robbin, so much talked on,Was once a man of fame,Instiled Earle of Huntington,Lord Robert Hood by name.

This Robbin, so much talked on,

Was once a man of fame,

Instiled Earle of Huntington,

Lord Robert Hood by name.

4In courtship and magnificence,His carriage won him prayse,And greater favour with his princeThan any in his dayes.

In courtship and magnificence,

His carriage won him prayse,

And greater favour with his prince

Than any in his dayes.

5In bounteous liberalityHe too much did excell,And loved men of qualityMore than exceeding well.

In bounteous liberality

He too much did excell,

And loved men of quality

More than exceeding well.

6His great revennues all he souldFor wine and costly cheere;He kept three hundred bowmen bold,He shooting lovd so deare.

His great revennues all he sould

For wine and costly cheere;

He kept three hundred bowmen bold,

He shooting lovd so deare.

7No archer living in his timeWith him might well compare;He practisd all his youthfull primeThat exercise most rare.

No archer living in his time

With him might well compare;

He practisd all his youthfull prime

That exercise most rare.

8At last, by his profuse expence,He had consumd his wealth,And being outlawed by his prince,In woods he livd by stealth.

At last, by his profuse expence,

He had consumd his wealth,

And being outlawed by his prince,

In woods he livd by stealth.

9The abbot of SaintMaries rich,To whom he mony ought,His hatred to this earle was suchThat he his downefall wrought.

The abbot of SaintMaries rich,

To whom he mony ought,

His hatred to this earle was such

That he his downefall wrought.

10So being outlawed, as ’tis told,He with a crew went forthOf lusty cutters, stout and bold,And robbed in the North.

So being outlawed, as ’tis told,

He with a crew went forth

Of lusty cutters, stout and bold,

And robbed in the North.

11Among the rest, one Little John,A yeoman bold and free,Who could, if it stood him upon,With ease encounter three.

Among the rest, one Little John,

A yeoman bold and free,

Who could, if it stood him upon,

With ease encounter three.

12One hundred men in all he got,With whom, the story sayes,Three hundred common men durst notHold combate any wayes.

One hundred men in all he got,

With whom, the story sayes,

Three hundred common men durst not

Hold combate any wayes.

13They Yorkshire woods frequented much,And Lancashire also,Wherein their practises were suchThat they wrought mickle woe.

They Yorkshire woods frequented much,

And Lancashire also,

Wherein their practises were such

That they wrought mickle woe.

14None rich durst travell to and fro,Though nere so strongly armd,But by these theeves, so strong in show,They still were robd and harmd.

None rich durst travell to and fro,

Though nere so strongly armd,

But by these theeves, so strong in show,

They still were robd and harmd.

15His chiefest spight to the clergie was,That lived in monstrous pride;No one of them he would let passeAlong the high-way side,

His chiefest spight to the clergie was,

That lived in monstrous pride;

No one of them he would let passe

Along the high-way side,

16But first they must to dinner goe,And afterwards to shrift:Full many a one he served so,Thus while he livd by theft.

But first they must to dinner goe,

And afterwards to shrift:

Full many a one he served so,

Thus while he livd by theft.

17No monkes nor fryers he would let goe,Without paying their fees:If they thought much to be usd so,Their stones he made them leese.

No monkes nor fryers he would let goe,

Without paying their fees:

If they thought much to be usd so,

Their stones he made them leese.

18For such as they the country filldWith bastards in those dayes;Which to prevent, these sparkes did geldAll that came by their wayes.

For such as they the country filld

With bastards in those dayes;

Which to prevent, these sparkes did geld

All that came by their wayes.

19But Robbin Hood so gentle was,And bore so brave a minde,If any in distresse did passe,To them he was so kinde

But Robbin Hood so gentle was,

And bore so brave a minde,

If any in distresse did passe,

To them he was so kinde

20That he would give and lend to them,To helpe them at their neede:This made all poore men pray for him,And wish he well might speede.

That he would give and lend to them,

To helpe them at their neede:

This made all poore men pray for him,

And wish he well might speede.

21The widdow and the fatherlesseHe would send meanes unto,And those whom famine did oppresseFound him a friendly foe.

The widdow and the fatherlesse

He would send meanes unto,

And those whom famine did oppresse

Found him a friendly foe.

22Nor would he doe a woman wrong,But see her safe conveid;He would protect with power strongAll those who crav’d his ayde.

Nor would he doe a woman wrong,

But see her safe conveid;

He would protect with power strong

All those who crav’d his ayde.

23The 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.

24But Robbin Hood upon him setWith his couragious sparkes,And all the coyne perforce did get,Which was twelve thousand markes.

But Robbin Hood upon him set

With his couragious sparkes,

And all the coyne perforce did get,

Which was twelve thousand markes.

25He bound the abbot to a tree,And would not let him passeBefore that to his men and heHis lordship had sayd masse.

He bound the abbot to a tree,

And would not let him passe

Before that to his men and he

His lordship had sayd masse.

26Which being done, upon his horseHe set him fast astride,And with his face towards his ar—He forced him to ride.

Which being done, upon his horse

He set him fast astride,

And with his face towards his ar—

He forced him to ride.

27His men were faine to be his guide,For he rode backward home;The abbot, being thus villifide,Did sorely chafe and fume.

His men were faine to be his guide,

For he rode backward home;

The abbot, being thus villifide,

Did sorely chafe and fume.

28Thus Robbin Hood did vindicateHis former wrongs receivd;For ’twas this covetous prelateThat him of land bereavd.

Thus Robbin Hood did vindicate

His former wrongs receivd;

For ’twas this covetous prelate

That him of land bereavd.

29The abbot he rode to the kingWith 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.

30And sayd if that no course were tane,By force or stratagem,To take this rebell and his traine,No man should passe for them.

And sayd if that no course were tane,

By force or stratagem,

To take this rebell and his traine,

No man should passe for them.

31The king protested by and byUnto the abbot thenThat Robbin Hood with speed should dye,With all his merry men.

The king protested by and by

Unto the abbot then

That Robbin Hood with speed should dye,

With all his merry men.

32But ere the king did any send,He did another feate,Which did his Grace much more offend;The fact indeed was great.

But ere the king did any send,

He did another feate,

Which did his Grace much more offend;

The fact indeed was great.

33For in a short time after that,The kings receivers wentTowards London with the coyne they got,For’s Highnesse northerne rent.

For in a short time after that,

The kings receivers went

Towards London with the coyne they got,

For’s Highnesse northerne rent.

34Bold Robbin Hood and Little John,With the rest of their traine,Not dreading law, set them upon,And did their gold obtaine.

Bold Robbin Hood and Little John,

With the rest of their traine,

Not dreading law, set them upon,

And did their gold obtaine.

35The king much moved at the same,And the abbots talke also,In this his anger did proclaime,And sent word to and fro,

The king much moved at the same,

And the abbots talke also,

In this his anger did proclaime,

And sent word to and fro,

36That whosoere, alive or dead,Could bring him Robbin Hood,Should have one thousand markes, well paydIn gold and silver good.

That whosoere, alive or dead,

Could bring him Robbin Hood,

Should have one thousand markes, well payd

In gold and silver good.

37This promise of the king did makeFull many yeomen boldAttempt stout Robbin Hood to take,With all the force they could.

This promise of the king did make

Full many yeomen bold

Attempt stout Robbin Hood to take,

With all the force they could.

38But still when any came to him,Within the gay greene wood,He entertainement gave to them,With venison fat and good.

But still when any came to him,

Within the gay greene wood,

He entertainement gave to them,

With venison fat and good.

39And shewd to them such martiall sport,With his long bow and arrow,That they of him did give report,How that it was great sorow,

And shewd to them such martiall sport,

With his long bow and arrow,

That they of him did give report,

How that it was great sorow,

40That such a worthy man as heShould thus be put to shift,Being late a lord of high degree,Of living quite bereft.

That such a worthy man as he

Should thus be put to shift,

Being late a lord of high degree,

Of living quite bereft.

41The king, to take him, more and moreSent men of mickle might,But he and his still beate 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 beate them sore,

And conquered them in fight.

42Or else, with love and courtesie,To him he won their hearts:Thus still he lived by robbery,Throughout the northerne parts.

Or else, with love and courtesie,

To him he won their hearts:

Thus still he lived by robbery,

Throughout the northerne parts.

43And all the country stood in dreadOf Robbin Hood and’s men;For stouter lads nere livd by bread,In those dayes nor since then.

And all the country stood in dread

Of Robbin Hood and’s men;

For stouter lads nere livd by bread,

In those dayes nor since then.

44The abbot which before I nam’dSought all the meanes he couldTo have by force this rebell tane,And his adherents bold.

The abbot which before I nam’d

Sought all the meanes he could

To have by force this rebell tane,

And his adherents bold.

45Therefore he armd five hundred men,With furniture compleate,But the outlawes slew halfe of them,And made the rest retreate.

Therefore he armd five hundred men,

With furniture compleate,

But the outlawes slew halfe of them,

And made the rest retreate.

46The long bow and the arrow keeneThey were so usd untoThat still they kept the forest greene,In spight o th’ proudest foe.

The long bow and the arrow keene

They were so usd unto

That still they kept the forest greene,

In spight o th’ proudest foe.

47Twelve of the abbots men he tooke,Who came him to have tane,When all the rest the field forsooke;These he did entertaine

Twelve of the abbots men he tooke,

Who came him to have tane,

When all the rest the field forsooke;

These he did entertaine

48With banquetting and merriment,And, having usd them well,He to their lord them safely sent,And willd them him to tell

With banquetting and merriment,

And, having usd them well,

He to their lord them safely sent,

And willd them him to tell

49That if he would be pleasd at lastTo beg of our good kingThat he might pardon what was past,And him to favour bring,

That if he would be pleasd at last

To beg of our good king

That he might pardon what was past,

And him to favour bring,

50He would surrender backe agenThe money which beforeWas taken by him and his men,From him and many more.

He would surrender backe agen

The money which before

Was taken by him and his men,

From him and many more.

51Poore men might safely passe by him,And some that way would chuse,For well they knew that to helpe themHe evermore did use.

Poore men might safely passe by him,

And some that way would chuse,

For well they knew that to helpe them

He evermore did use.

52But where he knew a miser rich,That did the poore oppresse,To feele his coyne his hand did itch;Hee’de have it, more or lesse.

But where he knew a miser rich,

That did the poore oppresse,

To feele his coyne his hand did itch;

Hee’de have it, more or lesse.

53And sometimes, when the high-way fayld,Then he his courage rouses;He and his men have oft assayldSuch rich men in their houses.

And sometimes, when the high-way fayld,

Then he his courage rouses;

He and his men have oft assayld

Such rich men in their houses.

54So that, through dread of Robbin thenAnd his adventurous crew,The mizers kept great store of men,Which else maintaynd but few.

So that, through dread of Robbin then

And his adventurous crew,

The mizers kept great store of men,

Which else maintaynd but few.

55King Richard, of that name the first,Sirnamed Cuer de Lyon,Went to defeate the Pagans curst,Who kept the coasts of Syon.

King Richard, of that name the first,

Sirnamed Cuer de Lyon,

Went to defeate the Pagans curst,

Who kept the coasts of Syon.

56The Bishop of Ely, chancelor,Was left as vice-roy here,Who like a potent emperorDid proudly domminere.

The Bishop of Ely, chancelor,

Was left as vice-roy here,

Who like a potent emperor

Did proudly domminere.

57Our chronicles of him reportThat commonly he rodeWith a thousand horse from court to court,Where he would make abode.

Our chronicles of him report

That commonly he rode

With a thousand horse from court to court,

Where he would make abode.

58He, riding downe towards the north,With his aforesayd traine,Robbin and his did issue forth,Them all to entertaine.

He, riding downe towards the north,

With his aforesayd traine,

Robbin and his did issue forth,

Them all to entertaine.

59And, with the gallant gray-goose wing,They shewed to them such play,That made their horses kicke and fling,And downe their riders lay.

And, with the gallant gray-goose wing,

They shewed to them such play,

That made their horses kicke and fling,

And downe their riders lay.

60Full glad and faine the bishop was,For all his thousand men,To seeke what meanes he could to passeFrom out of Robbins ken.

Full glad and faine the bishop was,

For all his thousand men,

To seeke what meanes he could to passe

From out of Robbins ken.

61Two hundred of his men were kil’d,And fourescore horses good;Thirty, who did as captives yeeld,Were carryed to the greene wood.

Two hundred of his men were kil’d,

And fourescore horses good;

Thirty, who did as captives yeeld,

Were carryed to the greene wood.

62Which afterwards were ransomed,For twenty markes a man;The rest set spurres to horse, and fledTo th’ town of Warrington.

Which afterwards were ransomed,

For twenty markes a man;

The rest set spurres to horse, and fled

To th’ town of Warrington.

63The bishop, sore enraged then,Did, in King Richards name,Muster a power of northerne men,These outlawes bold to tame.

The bishop, sore enraged then,

Did, in King Richards name,

Muster a power of northerne men,

These outlawes bold to tame.

64But Robbin, with his courtesie,So wonne the meaner sort,That they were loath on him to tryWhat rigor did import.

But Robbin, with his courtesie,

So wonne the meaner sort,

That they were loath on him to try

What rigor did import.

65So that bold Robbin and his traineDid live unhurt of them,Vntill King Richard came againeFrom faire Jerusalem.

So that bold Robbin and his traine

Did live unhurt of them,

Vntill King Richard came againe

From faire Jerusalem.

66And then the talke of Robbin HoodHis royall eares did fill;His Grace admir’d that ith’ greene woodHe thus continued still.

And then the talke of Robbin Hood

His royall eares did fill;

His Grace admir’d that ith’ greene wood

He thus continued still.

67So that the country farre and neareDid give him great applause;For none of them neede stand in feare,But such as broke the lawes.

So that the country farre and neare

Did give him great applause;

For none of them neede stand in feare,

But such as broke the lawes.

68He wished well unto the king,And prayed still for his health,And never practised any thingAgainst the common wealth.

He wished well unto the king,

And prayed still for his health,

And never practised any thing

Against the common wealth.

69Onely, because he was undoneBy th’ crewell clergie then,All meanes that he could thinke uponTo vexe such kinde of men

Onely, because he was undone

By th’ crewell clergie then,

All meanes that he could thinke upon

To vexe such kinde of men

70He enterprized, with hatefull spleene;In which he was to blame,For fault of some, to wreeke his teeneOn all that by him came.

He enterprized, with hatefull spleene;

In which he was to blame,

For fault of some, to wreeke his teene

On all that by him came.

71With wealth which he by robbery gotEight almes-houses he built,Thinking thereby to purge the blotOf blood which he had spilt.

With wealth which he by robbery got

Eight almes-houses he built,

Thinking thereby to purge the blot

Of blood which he had spilt.

72Such was their blinde devotion then,Depending on their workes;Which, if ’twere true, we Christian menInferiour were to Turkes.

Such was their blinde devotion then,

Depending on their workes;

Which, if ’twere true, we Christian men

Inferiour were to Turkes.

73But, to speake true of Robbin Hood,And wrong him not a iot,He never would shed any mans bloodThat him invaded not.

But, to speake true of Robbin Hood,

And wrong him not a iot,

He never would shed any mans blood

That him invaded not.

74Nor would he iniure husbandmen,That toyld at cart and plough;For well he knew, were’t not for them,To live no man knew how.

Nor would he iniure husbandmen,

That toyld at cart and plough;

For well he knew, were’t not for them,

To live no man knew how.

75The king in person, with some lords,To Notingham did ride,To try what strength and skill affordsTo crush these outlawes pride.

The king in person, with some lords,

To Notingham did ride,

To try what strength and skill affords

To crush these outlawes pride.

76And, as he once before had done,He did againe proclaime,That whosoere would take uponTo bring to Notingham,

And, as he once before had done,

He did againe proclaime,

That whosoere would take upon

To bring to Notingham,

77Or any place within the land,Rebellious Robbin Hood,Should be preferd in place to standWith those of noble blood.

Or any place within the land,

Rebellious Robbin Hood,

Should be preferd in place to stand

With those of noble blood.

78When Robbin Hood heard of the same,Within a little space,Into the towne of NotinghamA letter to his Grace

When Robbin Hood heard of the same,

Within a little space,

Into the towne of Notingham

A letter to his Grace

79He shot upon an arrow-head,One evening cunningly;Which was brought to the king, and readBefore his Maiestie.

He shot upon an arrow-head,

One evening cunningly;

Which was brought to the king, and read

Before his Maiestie.

80The tennour of this letter wasThat Robbin would submit,And be true leigeman to his Grace,In any thing that’s fit,

The tennour of this letter was

That Robbin would submit,

And be true leigeman to his Grace,

In any thing that’s fit,

81So that his Highnesse would forgiveHim and his merry men all;If not, he must i th’ greene wood live,And take what chance did fall.

So that his Highnesse would forgive

Him and his merry men all;

If not, he must i th’ greene wood live,

And take what chance did fall.

82The king would faine have pardoned him,But that some lords did say,This president will much condemneYour Grace another day.

The king would faine have pardoned him,

But that some lords did say,

This president will much condemne

Your Grace another day.

83While that the king and lords did stayDebating on this thing,Some of these outlawes fled awayUnto the Scottish king.

While that the king and lords did stay

Debating on this thing,

Some of these outlawes fled away

Unto the Scottish king.

84For they supposd, if he were tane,Or to the king did yeeld,By th’ commons all the rest on ’s traineFull quickely would be quelld.

For they supposd, if he were tane,

Or to the king did yeeld,

By th’ commons all the rest on ’s traine

Full quickely would be quelld.

85Of more than full a hundred menBut forty tarryed still,Who were resolvd to sticke to him,Let fortune worke her will.

Of more than full a hundred men

But forty tarryed still,

Who were resolvd to sticke to him,

Let fortune worke her will.

86If 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.

87But ere the pardon to him came,This famous archer dy’d:His death, and manner of the same,I’le presently describe.

But ere the pardon to him came,

This famous archer dy’d:

His death, and manner of the same,

I’le presently describe.

88For, being vext to thinke uponHis followers revolt,In melancholly passionHe did recount their fault.

For, being vext to thinke upon

His followers revolt,

In melancholly passion

He did recount their fault.

89‘Perfideous traytors!’ sayd he then,‘In all your dangers pastHave I you guarded as my menTo leave me thus at last?’

‘Perfideous traytors!’ sayd he then,

‘In all your dangers past

Have I you guarded as my men

To leave me thus at last?’

90This sad perplexity did causeA fever, as some say,Which him unto confusion drawes,Though by a stranger way.

This sad perplexity did cause

A fever, as some say,

Which him unto confusion drawes,

Though by a stranger way.

91This deadly danger to prevent,He hide him with all speedeVnto a nunnery, with intentFor his healths sake to bleede.

This deadly danger to prevent,

He hide him with all speede

Vnto a nunnery, with intent

For his healths sake to bleede.

92A faithlesse fryer did pretendIn love to let him blood;But he by falshood wrought the endOf famous Robbin Hood.

A faithlesse fryer did pretend

In love to let him blood;

But he by falshood wrought the end

Of famous Robbin Hood.

93The fryer, as some say, did thisTo vindicate the wrongWhich to the clergie he and hisHad done by power strong.

The fryer, as some say, did this

To vindicate the wrong

Which to the clergie he and his

Had done by power strong.

94Thus dyed he by trechery,That could not dye by force;Had he livd longer, certainely,King Richard, in remorse,

Thus dyed he by trechery,

That could not dye by force;

Had he livd longer, certainely,

King Richard, in remorse,

95Had unto favour him receavd;He brave men elevated;’Tis pitty he was of life bereavdBy one which he so hated.

Had unto favour him receavd;

He brave men elevated;

’Tis pitty he was of life bereavd

By one which he so hated.

96A treacherous leech this fryer was,To let him bleed to death;And Robbin was, me thinkes, an asse,To trust him with his breath.

A treacherous leech this fryer was,

To let him bleed to death;

And Robbin was, me thinkes, an asse,

To trust him with his breath.

97His corpes the priores of the place,The next day that he dy’d,Caused to be buried, in mean case,Close by the high-way side.

His corpes the priores of the place,

The next day that he dy’d,

Caused to be buried, in mean case,

Close by the high-way side.

98And over him she caused a stoneTo be fixed on the ground;An epitaph was set thereon,Wherein his name was found.

And over him she caused a stone

To be fixed on the ground;

An epitaph was set thereon,

Wherein his name was found.

99The date o th’ yeare, and day also,Shee made to be set there,That all who by the way did goeMight see it plaine appeare

The date o th’ yeare, and day also,

Shee made to be set there,

That all who by the way did goe

Might see it plaine appeare

100That such a man as Robbin HoodWas buried in that place;And how he lived in the greene wood,And robd there for a space.

100

That such a man as Robbin Hood

Was buried in that place;

And how he lived in the greene wood,

And robd there for a space.

101It seemes that though the clergie heHad put to mickle woe,He should not quite forgotten be,Although he was their foe.

101

It seemes that though the clergie he

Had put to mickle woe,

He should not quite forgotten be,

Although he was their foe.

102This woman, though she did him hate,Yet loved his memory;And thought it wondrous pitty thatHis fame should with him dye.

102

This woman, though she did him hate,

Yet loved his memory;

And thought it wondrous pitty that

His fame should with him dye.

103This epitaph, as records tell,Within this hundred yearesBy many was discerned well,But time all things outweares.

103

This epitaph, as records tell,

Within this hundred yeares

By many was discerned well,

But time all things outweares.

104His followers, when he was dead,Were some received to grace;The rest to forraigne countries fled,And left their native place.

104

His followers, when he was dead,

Were some received to grace;

The rest to forraigne countries fled,

And left their native place.

105Although his funerall was but meane,This woman had in mindeLeast his fame should be buried cleaneFrom those that came behind.

105

Although his funerall was but meane,

This woman had in minde

Least his fame should be buried cleane

From those that came behind.

106For certainely, before nor since,No man ere understood,Vnder the reigne of any prince,Of one like Robbin Hood.

106

For certainely, before nor since,

No man ere understood,

Vnder the reigne of any prince,

Of one like Robbin Hood.

107Full thirteene yeares, and something more,These outlawes lived thus,Feared of the rich, loved of the poore,A thing most marvelous.

107

Full thirteene yeares, and something more,

These outlawes lived thus,

Feared of the rich, loved of the poore,

A thing most marvelous.

108A thing impossible to usThis story seemes to be;None dares be now so venturous;But times are chang’d, we see.

108

A thing impossible to us

This story seemes to be;

None dares be now so venturous;

But times are chang’d, we see.

109We that live in these latter dayesOf civill government,If neede be, have a hundred wayesSuch outlawes to prevent.

109

We that live in these latter dayes

Of civill government,

If neede be, have a hundred wayes

Such outlawes to prevent.

110In those dayes men more barbarous were,And lived lesse in awe;Now, God be thanked! people feareMore to offend the law.

110

In those dayes men more barbarous were,

And lived lesse in awe;

Now, God be thanked! people feare

More to offend the law.

111No roaring guns were then in use,They dreampt of no such thing;Our English men in fight did chuseThe gallant gray-goose wing.

111

No roaring guns were then in use,

They dreampt of no such thing;

Our English men in fight did chuse

The gallant gray-goose wing.

112In which activity these men,Through practise, were so good,That in those dayes non equald them,Specially Robbin Hood.

112

In which activity these men,

Through practise, were so good,

That in those dayes non equald them,

Specially Robbin Hood.

113So that, it seemes, keeping in caves,In woods and forrests thicke,Thei’d beate a multitude with staves,Their arrowes did so pricke.

113

So that, it seemes, keeping in caves,

In woods and forrests thicke,

Thei’d beate a multitude with staves,

Their arrowes did so pricke.

114And none durst neare unto them come,Unlesse in courtesie;All such he bravely would send home,With mirth and iollity.

114

And none durst neare unto them come,

Unlesse in courtesie;

All such he bravely would send home,

With mirth and iollity.

115Which courtesie won him such love,As I before have told;’Twas the cheefe cause that he did proveMore prosperous than he could.

115

Which courtesie won him such love,

As I before have told;

’Twas the cheefe cause that he did prove

More prosperous than he could.

116Let us be thankefull for these timesOf plenty, truth and peace,And leave our great and horrid crimes,Least they cause this to cease.

116

Let us be thankefull for these times

Of plenty, truth and peace,

And leave our great and horrid crimes,

Least they cause this to cease.

117I know there’s many fained talesOf Robbin Hood and’s crew;But chronicles, which seldome fayles,Reports this to be true.

117

I know there’s many fained tales

Of Robbin Hood and’s crew;

But chronicles, which seldome fayles,

Reports this to be true.

118Let none then thinke this a lye,For, if ’twere put to th’ worst,They may the truth of all discryI th’ raigne of Richard the first.

118

Let none then thinke this a lye,

For, if ’twere put to th’ worst,

They may the truth of all discry

I th’ raigne of Richard the first.

119If any reader please to try,As I direction show,The truth of this brave history,Hee’l finde it true I know.

119

If any reader please to try,

As I direction show,

The truth of this brave history,

Hee’l finde it true I know.

120And I shall thinke my labour wellBestowed, to purpose good,When’t shall be sayd that I did tellTrue tales of Robbin Hood.

120

And I shall thinke my labour well

Bestowed, to purpose good,

When’t shall be sayd that I did tell

True tales of Robbin Hood.

At the end of the Tale:

The Epitaph which the Prioresse of the Monastery of Kirkes Lay in Yorke-shire set over Robbin Hood, which, as is before mentioned, was to bee reade within these hundreth yeares, though in old broken English, much to the same sence and meaning.

Decembris quarto die, 1198: anno regni Richardii Primi 9.

Robert Earle of HuntingtonLies under this little stone.No archer was like him so good:His wildnesse named him Robbin Hood.Full thirteene yeares, and something more,These northerne parts he vexed sore.Such out-lawes as he and his menMay England never know agen.

Robert Earle of Huntington

Lies under this little stone.

No archer was like him so good:

His wildnesse named him Robbin Hood.

Full thirteene yeares, and something more,

These northerne parts he vexed sore.

Such out-lawes as he and his men

May England never know agen.

Some other superstitious words were in it, which I thought fit to leave out.[121]

Bodl. L. 78.

22. Thatforwhich.

204. wisht.

593. kickeforkickle.

702. InforFor.

942. WhoforThat.

1081. impossibleforunpossible.

1163. ourforout.

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