FOOTNOTES:

FOOTNOTES:[956]shawes = woods.[957]sheyne = bright, beautiful.[958]wyght yemèn = sturdy yeomen.[959]slon = slay.[960]shete a peny = shoot for a penny.[961]lyne = linden.[962]holde = wager.[963]buske = bush.[964]ferly = wondrous, strange.[965]lyed = gave the lie to.[966]ilkone = each one.[967]layn = concealment.[968]yatis = gates.[969]sparred = barred.[970]Buske = get ready.[971]bowne = bound, ready.[972]long of = along of, i. e. thy fault.[973]radly = quickly.[974]yare = ready.[975]throly thrast = pressed stubbornly.[976]gode wone = good number, plenty.[977]But if = unless.[978]wone = dwelt.[979]rule = ‘taking on,’ lamenting.[980]dughty = doughty.[981]mone = moan.[982]gyde = be the guide, take charge of.[983]tristil-tre = trysting-tree, rendezvous.[984]smale = small.[985]on fere = in company.[986]emys hows = uncle’s house.[987]at a stage = on an upper floor.[988]tithyngus = tidings.[989]hende = civil.[990]spyrred = spiered, inquired.[991]golett = gullet, throat.[992]of him agast = alarmed about him.[993]hye = haste.[994]bale = harm.[995]ferd = fear.[996]mot I the = I thrive.[997]after = behind on.[998]dere = injury.[999]next = nighest.[1000]yede = went.[1001]ychon = each one.[1002]sawten = assault.[1003]did of his hode = took off his hat.[1004]her = their.[1005]comyn bell = town bell.[1006]warison = reward.[1007]stye = path, alley.[1008]kepe I be = care I to be.[1009]yete = ate.[1010]grith = charter of peace.

[956]shawes = woods.

[957]sheyne = bright, beautiful.

[958]wyght yemèn = sturdy yeomen.

[959]slon = slay.

[960]shete a peny = shoot for a penny.

[961]lyne = linden.

[962]holde = wager.

[963]buske = bush.

[964]ferly = wondrous, strange.

[965]lyed = gave the lie to.

[966]ilkone = each one.

[967]layn = concealment.

[968]yatis = gates.

[969]sparred = barred.

[970]Buske = get ready.

[971]bowne = bound, ready.

[972]long of = along of, i. e. thy fault.

[973]radly = quickly.

[974]yare = ready.

[975]throly thrast = pressed stubbornly.

[976]gode wone = good number, plenty.

[977]But if = unless.

[978]wone = dwelt.

[979]rule = ‘taking on,’ lamenting.

[980]dughty = doughty.

[981]mone = moan.

[982]gyde = be the guide, take charge of.

[983]tristil-tre = trysting-tree, rendezvous.

[984]smale = small.

[985]on fere = in company.

[986]emys hows = uncle’s house.

[987]at a stage = on an upper floor.

[988]tithyngus = tidings.

[989]hende = civil.

[990]spyrred = spiered, inquired.

[991]golett = gullet, throat.

[992]of him agast = alarmed about him.

[993]hye = haste.

[994]bale = harm.

[995]ferd = fear.

[996]mot I the = I thrive.

[997]after = behind on.

[998]dere = injury.

[999]next = nighest.

[1000]yede = went.

[1001]ychon = each one.

[1002]sawten = assault.

[1003]did of his hode = took off his hat.

[1004]her = their.

[1005]comyn bell = town bell.

[1006]warison = reward.

[1007]stye = path, alley.

[1008]kepe I be = care I to be.

[1009]yete = ate.

[1010]grith = charter of peace.

But how many months be in the year?There are thirteen, I say;The midsummer moon is the merryest of allNext to the merry month of May.IIn summer time, when leaves grow green,And flowers are fresh and gay,Robin Hood and his merry menWere [all] disposed to play.IIThen some would leap, and some would run,And some use artillery:‘Which of you can a good bow draw,A good archer to be?III‘Which of you can kill a buck?Or who can kill a doe?Or who can kill a hart of grease,Five hundred foot him fro?’IVWill Scadlock he kill’d a buck,And Midge he kill’d a doe,And Little John kill’d a hart of grease,Five hundred foot him fro.V‘God’s blessing on thy heart,’ said Robin Hood,‘That hath [shot] such a shot for me;I would ride my horse an hundred miles,To finde one could match with thee’VIThat caus’d Will Scadlock to laugh,He laugh’d full heartily:‘There lives a curtal friar in Fountains AbbeyWill beat both him and thee.VII‘That curtal friar in Fountains AbbeyWell can a strong bow draw;He will beat you and your yeomen,Set them all on a row.’VIIIRobin Hood took a solemn oath,It was by Mary free,That he would neither eat nor drinkTill the friar he did see.IXRobin Hood put on his harness good,And on his head a cap of steel,Broad sword and buckler by his side,And they became him weel.XHe took his bow into his hand,It was made of a trusty tree,With a sheaf of arrows at his belt,To the Fountains Dale went he.XIAnd coming unto Fountain[s] Dale,No further would he ride;There was he aware of a curtal friar,Walking by the water-side.XIIThe friar had on a harness good,And on his head a cap of steel,Broad sword and buckler by his side,And they became him weel.XIIIRobin Hood lighted off his horse,And tied him to a thorn:‘Carry me over the water, thou curtal friar,Or else thy life’s forlorn.’XIVThe friar took Robin Hood on his back,Deep water he did bestride,And spake neither good word nor bad,Till he came at the other side.XVLightly leapt Robin Hood off the friar’s back;The friar said to him again,‘Carry me over this water, fine fellow,Or it shall breed thy pain.’XVIRobin Hood took the friar on ’s back,Deep water he did bestride,And spake neither good word nor bad,Till he came at the other side.XVIILightly leapt the friar off Robin Hood’s back;Robin Hood said to him again,‘Carry me over this water, thou curtal friar,Or it shall breed thy pain.’XVIIIThe friar took Robin Hood on’s back again,And stept up to the knee;Till he came at the middle stream,Neither good nor bad spake he.XIXAnd coming to the middle stream,There he threw Robin in:‘And chuse thee, chuse thee, fine fellow,Whether thou wilt sink or swim!’XXRobin Hood swam to a bush of broom,The friar to a wicker wand;Bold Robin Hood is gone to shore,And took his bow in hand.XXIOne of his best arrows under his beltTo the friar he let flye;The curtal friar, with his steel buckler,He put that arrow by.XXII‘Shoot on, shoot on, thou fine fellòw,Shoot on as thou hast begun;If thou shoot here a summer’s day,Thy mark I will not shun.’XXIIIRobin Hood shot passing well,Till his arrows all were gone;They took their swords and steel bucklers,And fought with might and maine;XXIVFrom ten o’ th’ clock that day,Till four i’ th’ afternoon;Then Robin Hood came to his knees,Of the friar to beg a boon.XXV‘A boon, a boon, thou curtal friar!I beg it on my knee;Give me leave to set my horn to my mouth,And to blow blasts three.’XXVI‘That will I do,’ said the curtal friar!‘Of thy blasts I have no doubt;I hope thou’lt blow so passing wellTill both thy eyes fall out.’XXVIIRobin Hood set his horn to his mouthHe blew but blasts three;Half a hundred yeomen, with bows bent,Came raking[1011]over the lee.XXVIII‘Whose men are these,’ said the friar,‘That come so hastily?’‘These men are mine,’ said Robin Hood‘Friar, what is that to thee?’XXIX‘A boon, a boon,’ said the curtal friar,‘The like I gave to thee!Give me leave to set my fist to my mouth,And to whute[1012]whutès three.’XXX‘That will I do,’ said Robin Hood,‘Or else I were to blame;Three whutès in a friar’s fistWould make me glad and fain.’XXXIThe friar he set his fist to his mouth,And whuted whutès three;Half a hundred good ban-dogsCame running the friar unto.XXXII‘Here’s for every man of thine a dog,And I my self for thee!’—‘Nay, by my faith,’ quoth Robin Hood,‘Friar, that may not be.’XXXIIITwo dogs at once to Robin Hood did go,T’ one behind, the other before;Robin Hood’s mantle of Lincoln greenOff from his back they tore.XXXIVAnd whether his men shot east or west,Or they shot north or south,The curtal dogs, so taught they were,They kept their arrows in their mouth.XXXV‘Take up thy dogs,’ said Little John,‘Friar, at my bidding be.’—‘Whose man art thou,’ said the curtal friar,‘Comes here to prate with me?’—XXXVI‘I am Little John, Robin Hood’s man,Friar, I will not lie;If thou take not up thy dogs soon,I’le take up them and thee.’XXXVIILittle John had a bow in his hand,He shot with might and main;Soon half a score of the friar’s dogsLay dead upon the plain.XXXVIII‘Hold thy hand, good fellow,’ said the curtal friar,‘Thy master and I will agree;And we will have new orders taken,With all the haste that may be.’XXXIX‘If thou wilt forsake fair Fountains Dale,And Fountains Abbey free,Every Sunday throughout the year,A noble shall be thy fee.XL‘And every holy day throughout the year,Changed shall thy garment be,If thou wilt go to fair Nottingham,And there remain with me.’XLIThis curtal friar had kept Fountains DaleSeven long years or more;There was neither knight, lord, nor earlCould make him yield before.

But how many months be in the year?There are thirteen, I say;The midsummer moon is the merryest of allNext to the merry month of May.

In summer time, when leaves grow green,And flowers are fresh and gay,Robin Hood and his merry menWere [all] disposed to play.

Then some would leap, and some would run,And some use artillery:‘Which of you can a good bow draw,A good archer to be?

‘Which of you can kill a buck?Or who can kill a doe?Or who can kill a hart of grease,Five hundred foot him fro?’

Will Scadlock he kill’d a buck,And Midge he kill’d a doe,And Little John kill’d a hart of grease,Five hundred foot him fro.

‘God’s blessing on thy heart,’ said Robin Hood,‘That hath [shot] such a shot for me;I would ride my horse an hundred miles,To finde one could match with thee’

That caus’d Will Scadlock to laugh,He laugh’d full heartily:‘There lives a curtal friar in Fountains AbbeyWill beat both him and thee.

‘That curtal friar in Fountains AbbeyWell can a strong bow draw;He will beat you and your yeomen,Set them all on a row.’

Robin Hood took a solemn oath,It was by Mary free,That he would neither eat nor drinkTill the friar he did see.

Robin Hood put on his harness good,And on his head a cap of steel,Broad sword and buckler by his side,And they became him weel.

He took his bow into his hand,It was made of a trusty tree,With a sheaf of arrows at his belt,To the Fountains Dale went he.

And coming unto Fountain[s] Dale,No further would he ride;There was he aware of a curtal friar,Walking by the water-side.

The friar had on a harness good,And on his head a cap of steel,Broad sword and buckler by his side,And they became him weel.

Robin Hood lighted off his horse,And tied him to a thorn:‘Carry me over the water, thou curtal friar,Or else thy life’s forlorn.’

The friar took Robin Hood on his back,Deep water he did bestride,And spake neither good word nor bad,Till he came at the other side.

Lightly leapt Robin Hood off the friar’s back;The friar said to him again,‘Carry me over this water, fine fellow,Or it shall breed thy pain.’

Robin Hood took the friar on ’s back,Deep water he did bestride,And spake neither good word nor bad,Till he came at the other side.

Lightly leapt the friar off Robin Hood’s back;Robin Hood said to him again,‘Carry me over this water, thou curtal friar,Or it shall breed thy pain.’

The friar took Robin Hood on’s back again,And stept up to the knee;Till he came at the middle stream,Neither good nor bad spake he.

And coming to the middle stream,There he threw Robin in:‘And chuse thee, chuse thee, fine fellow,Whether thou wilt sink or swim!’

Robin Hood swam to a bush of broom,The friar to a wicker wand;Bold Robin Hood is gone to shore,And took his bow in hand.

One of his best arrows under his beltTo the friar he let flye;The curtal friar, with his steel buckler,He put that arrow by.

‘Shoot on, shoot on, thou fine fellòw,Shoot on as thou hast begun;If thou shoot here a summer’s day,Thy mark I will not shun.’

Robin Hood shot passing well,Till his arrows all were gone;They took their swords and steel bucklers,And fought with might and maine;

From ten o’ th’ clock that day,Till four i’ th’ afternoon;Then Robin Hood came to his knees,Of the friar to beg a boon.

‘A boon, a boon, thou curtal friar!I beg it on my knee;Give me leave to set my horn to my mouth,And to blow blasts three.’

‘That will I do,’ said the curtal friar!‘Of thy blasts I have no doubt;I hope thou’lt blow so passing wellTill both thy eyes fall out.’

Robin Hood set his horn to his mouthHe blew but blasts three;Half a hundred yeomen, with bows bent,Came raking[1011]over the lee.

‘Whose men are these,’ said the friar,‘That come so hastily?’‘These men are mine,’ said Robin Hood‘Friar, what is that to thee?’

‘A boon, a boon,’ said the curtal friar,‘The like I gave to thee!Give me leave to set my fist to my mouth,And to whute[1012]whutès three.’

‘That will I do,’ said Robin Hood,‘Or else I were to blame;Three whutès in a friar’s fistWould make me glad and fain.’

The friar he set his fist to his mouth,And whuted whutès three;Half a hundred good ban-dogsCame running the friar unto.

‘Here’s for every man of thine a dog,And I my self for thee!’—‘Nay, by my faith,’ quoth Robin Hood,‘Friar, that may not be.’

Two dogs at once to Robin Hood did go,T’ one behind, the other before;Robin Hood’s mantle of Lincoln greenOff from his back they tore.

And whether his men shot east or west,Or they shot north or south,The curtal dogs, so taught they were,They kept their arrows in their mouth.

‘Take up thy dogs,’ said Little John,‘Friar, at my bidding be.’—‘Whose man art thou,’ said the curtal friar,‘Comes here to prate with me?’—

‘I am Little John, Robin Hood’s man,Friar, I will not lie;If thou take not up thy dogs soon,I’le take up them and thee.’

Little John had a bow in his hand,He shot with might and main;Soon half a score of the friar’s dogsLay dead upon the plain.

‘Hold thy hand, good fellow,’ said the curtal friar,‘Thy master and I will agree;And we will have new orders taken,With all the haste that may be.’

‘If thou wilt forsake fair Fountains Dale,And Fountains Abbey free,Every Sunday throughout the year,A noble shall be thy fee.

‘And every holy day throughout the year,Changed shall thy garment be,If thou wilt go to fair Nottingham,And there remain with me.’

This curtal friar had kept Fountains DaleSeven long years or more;There was neither knight, lord, nor earlCould make him yield before.

FOOTNOTES:[1011]raking = advancing.[1012]whute = whistle.

[1011]raking = advancing.

[1012]whute = whistle.

ICome, all you brave gallants, and listen a while,That are in the bowers within;For of Robin Hood, that archer good,A song I intend for to sing.IIUpon a time it chancèd soBold Robin in forrest did spyA jolly butchèr, with a bonny fine mare,With his flesh to the market did hye.III‘Good morrow, good fellow!’ said jolly Robìn,‘What food hast? tell unto me;And thy trade to me tell, and where thou dost dwell,For I like well thy company.’IVThe butcher he answered jolly Robin:‘No matter where I dwell;For a butcher I am, and to NotinghamI am going, my flesh to sell.’V‘What price thy flesh?’ said jolly Robìn,‘Come, tell it soon unto me;And the price of thy mare, be she never so dear,For a butcher fain would I be.’VI‘The price of my flesh,’ the butcher repli’d,‘I soon will tell unto thee;With my bonny mare, and they are not dear,Four mark thou must give unto me.’VII‘Four mark I will give thee,’ saith jolly Robìn,‘Four mark it shall be thy fee;Thy mony come count, and let me mount,For a butcher I fain would be.’VIIINow Robin he is to Notingham gone,His butcher’s trade for to begin;With good intent, to the Sheriff he went,And there he took up his inn.IXWhen other butchers they opened their meat,Bold Robin he then begun;But how for to sell he knew not well,For a butcher he was but young.XWhen other butchers no meat could sell,Robin got both gold and fee;For he sold more meat for one penyThan others could do for three.XIBut when he sold his meat so fast,No butcher by him could thrive;For he sold more meat for one penyThan others could do for five.XIIWhich made the butchers of NotinghamTo study as they did stand,Saying, surely he was some prodigal,That had sold his father’s land.XIIIThe butchers they stepped to jolly Robin,Acquainted with him for to be;‘Come, brother,’ one said, ‘we be all of one trade,Come, will you go dine with me?’XIV‘Accurst of his heart,’ said jolly Robìn,‘That a butcher doth deny!I will go with you, my brethren true,And as fast as I can hie.’XVBut when to the Sheriff’s house they came,To dinner they hied apace,And Robin Hood he the man must beBefore them all to say grace.XVI‘Pray God bless us all,’ said jolly Robìn,‘And our meat within this place;A cup of sack good, to nourish our blood,And so I do end my grace.XVII‘Come fill us more wine,’ said jolly Robìn,‘Let us merry be while we do stay;For wine and good cheer, be it never so dear,I vow I the reck’ning will pay.XVIII‘Come, brothers, be merry,’ said jolly Robìn,‘Let us drink, and never give o’er;For the shot I will pay, ere I go my way,If it cost me five pounds and more.’XIX‘This is a mad blade,’ the butchers then said;Says the Sheriff, ‘He’s some prodigal,That his land has sold, for silver and gold,And meaneth to spend it all.’XX‘Hast thou any horn-beasts,’ the Sheriff inquired,‘Good fellow, to sell unto me?’—‘Yea, a plenty I have, good Master Sheriff,I have hundreds two or three.XXI‘And a hundred acre of good free land,An it please you go for to see;And I’le make you as good assurance of itAs ever my father made me.’XXIIThe Sheriff he saddled a good palfrèy,With three hundred pound in gold,And away he went with bold Robin Hood,His hornèd beasts to behold.XXIIIAway then the Sheriff and Robin did ride,To the forest of merry Sherwood;Then the Sheriff did say, ‘God bless us this dayFrom a man they call Robin Hood!’XXIVBut when that a little further they came,Bold Robin he chancèd to spyA hundred head of the good red deer,Come tripping the Sheriff full nigh.XXV‘How like you my horn’d beasts, Master Sheriff?They be fat and fair for to see;’‘I tell thee, good fellow, I would I were gone,For I like not thy company.’XXVIThen Robin he set his horn to his mouth,And blew but blastès three;Then quickly anon there came Little John,And all his company.XXVII‘What is your will?’ then said Little John,‘Good master come tell it to me;’‘I have brought hither the Sheriff of Notingham,This day to dine with thee.’XXVIII‘He is welcome to me,’ then said Little John,‘I hope he will honestly pay;I know he has gold, if it be but well told,Will serve us to drink a whole day.’XXIXRobin Hood took his mantle from his back,And laid it upon the ground,And out of the Sheriff’s portmantleHe told three hundred pound.XXXThen Robin he brought him thorow the wood,Set him on his dapple gray:‘O have me commended, good sir, to your wife!’—So Robin went laughing away.

Come, all you brave gallants, and listen a while,That are in the bowers within;For of Robin Hood, that archer good,A song I intend for to sing.

Upon a time it chancèd soBold Robin in forrest did spyA jolly butchèr, with a bonny fine mare,With his flesh to the market did hye.

‘Good morrow, good fellow!’ said jolly Robìn,‘What food hast? tell unto me;And thy trade to me tell, and where thou dost dwell,For I like well thy company.’

The butcher he answered jolly Robin:‘No matter where I dwell;For a butcher I am, and to NotinghamI am going, my flesh to sell.’

‘What price thy flesh?’ said jolly Robìn,‘Come, tell it soon unto me;And the price of thy mare, be she never so dear,For a butcher fain would I be.’

‘The price of my flesh,’ the butcher repli’d,‘I soon will tell unto thee;With my bonny mare, and they are not dear,Four mark thou must give unto me.’

‘Four mark I will give thee,’ saith jolly Robìn,‘Four mark it shall be thy fee;Thy mony come count, and let me mount,For a butcher I fain would be.’

Now Robin he is to Notingham gone,His butcher’s trade for to begin;With good intent, to the Sheriff he went,And there he took up his inn.

When other butchers they opened their meat,Bold Robin he then begun;But how for to sell he knew not well,For a butcher he was but young.

When other butchers no meat could sell,Robin got both gold and fee;For he sold more meat for one penyThan others could do for three.

But when he sold his meat so fast,No butcher by him could thrive;For he sold more meat for one penyThan others could do for five.

Which made the butchers of NotinghamTo study as they did stand,Saying, surely he was some prodigal,That had sold his father’s land.

The butchers they stepped to jolly Robin,Acquainted with him for to be;‘Come, brother,’ one said, ‘we be all of one trade,Come, will you go dine with me?’

‘Accurst of his heart,’ said jolly Robìn,‘That a butcher doth deny!I will go with you, my brethren true,And as fast as I can hie.’

But when to the Sheriff’s house they came,To dinner they hied apace,And Robin Hood he the man must beBefore them all to say grace.

‘Pray God bless us all,’ said jolly Robìn,‘And our meat within this place;A cup of sack good, to nourish our blood,And so I do end my grace.

‘Come fill us more wine,’ said jolly Robìn,‘Let us merry be while we do stay;For wine and good cheer, be it never so dear,I vow I the reck’ning will pay.

‘Come, brothers, be merry,’ said jolly Robìn,‘Let us drink, and never give o’er;For the shot I will pay, ere I go my way,If it cost me five pounds and more.’

‘This is a mad blade,’ the butchers then said;Says the Sheriff, ‘He’s some prodigal,That his land has sold, for silver and gold,And meaneth to spend it all.’

‘Hast thou any horn-beasts,’ the Sheriff inquired,‘Good fellow, to sell unto me?’—‘Yea, a plenty I have, good Master Sheriff,I have hundreds two or three.

‘And a hundred acre of good free land,An it please you go for to see;And I’le make you as good assurance of itAs ever my father made me.’

The Sheriff he saddled a good palfrèy,With three hundred pound in gold,And away he went with bold Robin Hood,His hornèd beasts to behold.

Away then the Sheriff and Robin did ride,To the forest of merry Sherwood;Then the Sheriff did say, ‘God bless us this dayFrom a man they call Robin Hood!’

But when that a little further they came,Bold Robin he chancèd to spyA hundred head of the good red deer,Come tripping the Sheriff full nigh.

‘How like you my horn’d beasts, Master Sheriff?They be fat and fair for to see;’‘I tell thee, good fellow, I would I were gone,For I like not thy company.’

Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth,And blew but blastès three;Then quickly anon there came Little John,And all his company.

‘What is your will?’ then said Little John,‘Good master come tell it to me;’‘I have brought hither the Sheriff of Notingham,This day to dine with thee.’

‘He is welcome to me,’ then said Little John,‘I hope he will honestly pay;I know he has gold, if it be but well told,Will serve us to drink a whole day.’

Robin Hood took his mantle from his back,And laid it upon the ground,And out of the Sheriff’s portmantleHe told three hundred pound.

Then Robin he brought him thorow the wood,Set him on his dapple gray:‘O have me commended, good sir, to your wife!’—So Robin went laughing away.

ICome, gentlemen all, and listen a while;A story I’ll to you unfold—How Robin Hood servèd the Bishop,When he robb’d him of his gold.IIAs it befel in merry Barnsdale,And under the green-wood tree,The Bishop of Hereford was to come by,With all his companye.III‘Come, kill a ven’son,’ said bold Robin Hood,‘Come, kill me a good fat deer;The Bishop’s to dine with me to day,And he shall pay well for his cheer.IV‘We’ll kill a fat ven’son,’ said bold Robin Hood,‘And dress’t by the highway-side,And narrowly watch for the Bishop,Lest some other way he should ride.’VHe dress’d himself up in shepherd’s attire,With six of his men also;And the Bishop of Hereford came thereby,As about the fire they did go.VI‘What matter is this?’ said the Bishop;‘Or for whom do you make this a-do?Or why do you kill the King’s ven’son,When your company is so few?’VII‘We are shepherds,’ said bold Robin Hood,‘And we keep sheep all the year;And we are disposed to be merry this day,And to kill of the King’s fat deer.’VIII‘You are brave fellowes,’ said the Bishop,‘And the King of your doings shall know;Therefore make haste, come along with me,For before the King you shall go.’IX‘O pardon, O pardon,’ says bold Robin Hood,‘O pardon, I thee pray!For it never becomes your lordship’s coatTo take so many lives away.’X‘No pardon, no pardon!’ the Bishop says;‘No pardon I thee owe;Therefore make haste, come along with me,For before the King you shall go.’XIRobin set his back against a tree,And his foot against a thorn,And from underneath his shepherd’s coatHe pull’d out a bugle horn.XIIHe put the little end to his mouth,And a loud blast did he blow,Till threescore and ten of bold Robin’s menCame running all on a row;XIIIAll making obeisance to bold Robin Hood;—’Twas a comely sight for to see:‘What matter, my master,’ said Little John,‘That you blow so hastilye?’—XIV‘O here is the Bishop of Hereford,And no pardon we shall have.’—‘Cut off his head, master,’ said Little John,‘And throw him into his grave.’—XV‘O pardon, O pardon,’ said the Bishop,‘O pardon, I thee pray!For if I had known it had been you,I’d have gone some other way.’—XVI‘No pardon, no pardon!’ said Robin Hood;‘No pardon I thee owe;Therefore make haste, come along with me,For to merry Barnsdale you shall go.’XVIIThen Robin has taken the Bishop’s handAnd led him to merry Barnsdale;He made him to stay and sup with him that night,And to drink wine, beer and ale.XVIII‘Call in the reckoning,’ said the Bishòp,‘For methinks it grows wondrous high.’—‘Lend me your purse, Bishop,’ said Little John,‘And I’ll tell you by-and-by.’XIXThen Little John took the Bishop’s cloak,And spread it upon the ground,And out of the Bishop’s portmantuaHe told three hundred pound.XX‘So now let him go,’ said Robin Hood;Said Little John, ‘That may not be;For I vow and protest he shall sing us a massBefore that he go from me.’XXIRobin Hood took the Bishop by the hand,And bound him fast to a tree,And made him to sing a mass, God wot,To him and his yeomandrye.XXIIThen Robin Hood brought him through the woodAnd causèd the music to play,And he made the Bishop to dance in his boots,And they set him on ’s dapple-grey,And they gave the tail within his hand—And glad he could so get away!

Come, gentlemen all, and listen a while;A story I’ll to you unfold—How Robin Hood servèd the Bishop,When he robb’d him of his gold.

As it befel in merry Barnsdale,And under the green-wood tree,The Bishop of Hereford was to come by,With all his companye.

‘Come, kill a ven’son,’ said bold Robin Hood,‘Come, kill me a good fat deer;The Bishop’s to dine with me to day,And he shall pay well for his cheer.

‘We’ll kill a fat ven’son,’ said bold Robin Hood,‘And dress’t by the highway-side,And narrowly watch for the Bishop,Lest some other way he should ride.’

He dress’d himself up in shepherd’s attire,With six of his men also;And the Bishop of Hereford came thereby,As about the fire they did go.

‘What matter is this?’ said the Bishop;‘Or for whom do you make this a-do?Or why do you kill the King’s ven’son,When your company is so few?’

‘We are shepherds,’ said bold Robin Hood,‘And we keep sheep all the year;And we are disposed to be merry this day,And to kill of the King’s fat deer.’

‘You are brave fellowes,’ said the Bishop,‘And the King of your doings shall know;Therefore make haste, come along with me,For before the King you shall go.’

‘O pardon, O pardon,’ says bold Robin Hood,‘O pardon, I thee pray!For it never becomes your lordship’s coatTo take so many lives away.’

‘No pardon, no pardon!’ the Bishop says;‘No pardon I thee owe;Therefore make haste, come along with me,For before the King you shall go.’

Robin set his back against a tree,And his foot against a thorn,And from underneath his shepherd’s coatHe pull’d out a bugle horn.

He put the little end to his mouth,And a loud blast did he blow,Till threescore and ten of bold Robin’s menCame running all on a row;

All making obeisance to bold Robin Hood;—’Twas a comely sight for to see:‘What matter, my master,’ said Little John,‘That you blow so hastilye?’—

‘O here is the Bishop of Hereford,And no pardon we shall have.’—‘Cut off his head, master,’ said Little John,‘And throw him into his grave.’—

‘O pardon, O pardon,’ said the Bishop,‘O pardon, I thee pray!For if I had known it had been you,I’d have gone some other way.’—

‘No pardon, no pardon!’ said Robin Hood;‘No pardon I thee owe;Therefore make haste, come along with me,For to merry Barnsdale you shall go.’

Then Robin has taken the Bishop’s handAnd led him to merry Barnsdale;He made him to stay and sup with him that night,And to drink wine, beer and ale.

‘Call in the reckoning,’ said the Bishòp,‘For methinks it grows wondrous high.’—‘Lend me your purse, Bishop,’ said Little John,‘And I’ll tell you by-and-by.’

Then Little John took the Bishop’s cloak,And spread it upon the ground,And out of the Bishop’s portmantuaHe told three hundred pound.

‘So now let him go,’ said Robin Hood;Said Little John, ‘That may not be;For I vow and protest he shall sing us a massBefore that he go from me.’

Robin Hood took the Bishop by the hand,And bound him fast to a tree,And made him to sing a mass, God wot,To him and his yeomandrye.

Then Robin Hood brought him through the woodAnd causèd the music to play,And he made the Bishop to dance in his boots,And they set him on ’s dapple-grey,And they gave the tail within his hand—And glad he could so get away!

ICome listen to me, you gallants so free,All you that love mirth for to hear,And I will you tell of a bold outlàw,That lived in Nottinghamshire.IIAs Robin Hood in the forest stood,All under the green-wood tree,There was he ware of a brave young man,As fine as fine might be.IIIThe youngster was clothed in scarlet red,In scarlet fine and gay,And he did frisk it over the plain,And chanted a roundelay.IVAs Robin Hood next morning stood,Amongst the leaves so gay,There did he espy the same young manCome drooping along the way.VThe scarlet he wore the day before,It was clean cast away;And every step he fetcht a sigh,‘Alack and a well a day!’VIThen steppèd forth brave Little John,And Much the miller’s son,Which made the young man bend his bow,When as he saw them come.VII‘Stand off, stand off!’ the young man said,‘What is your will with me?’—‘You must come before our master straight,Under yon green-wood tree.’VIIIAnd when he came bold Robin before,Robin askt him courteously,‘O hast thou any money to spare,For my merry men and me?’IX‘I have no money,’ the young man said,‘But five shillings and a ring;And that I have kept this seven long years,To have it at my weddìng.X‘Yesterday I should have married a maid,But she is now from me tane,And chosen to be an old knight’s delight,Whereby my poor heart is slain.’XI‘What is thy name?’ then said Robin Hood,‘Come tell me, without any fail.’—‘By the faith of my body,’ then said the young man,‘My name it is Alan a Dale.’XII‘What wilt thou give me,’ said Robin Hood,‘In ready gold or fee,To help thee to thy true-love again,And deliver her unto thee?’XIII‘I have no money,’ then quoth the young man,‘No ready gold nor fee,But I will swear upon a bookThy true servant for to be.’—XIV‘But how many miles to thy true-love?Come tell me without any guile.’—‘By the faith of my body,’ then said the young man,‘It is but five little mile.’XVThen Robin he hasted over the plain,He did neither stint nor lin[1013],Until he came unto the churchWhere Alan should keep his weddìng.XVI‘What dost thou do here?’ the Bishop he said,‘I prithee now tell to me:’‘I am a bold harper,’ quoth Robin Hood,‘And the best in the north countrey.’XVII‘O welcome, O welcome!’ the Bishop he said,‘That musick best pleaseth me.’—‘You shall have no musick,’ quoth Robin Hood,‘Till the bride and the bridegroom I see.’XVIIIWith that came in a wealthy knight,Which was both grave and old,And after him a finikin lass,Did shine like glistering gold.XIX‘This is no fit match,’ quoth bold Robin Hood,‘That you do seem to make here;For since we are come unto the church,The bride she shall chuse her own dear.’XXThen Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth,And blew blasts two or three;When four and twenty bowmen boldCome leaping over the lee.XXIAnd when they came into the churchyard,Marching all on a row,The first man was Alan a Dale,To give bold Robin his bow.XXII‘This is thy true-love,’ Robin he said,‘Young Alan, as I hear say;And you shall be married at this same time,Before we depart away.’XXIII‘That shall not be,’ the Bishop he said,‘For thy word it shall not stand;They shall be three times askt in the church,As the law is of our land.’XXIVRobin Hood pull’d off the Bishop’s coat,And put it upon Little John;‘By the faith of my body,’ then Robin said,‘This cloath doth make thee a man.’XXVWhen Little John went into the quire,The people began for to laugh;He askt them seven times in the church,Least three should not be enough.XXVI‘Who gives me this maid?’ then said Little John;Quoth Robin, ‘That do I!And he that doth take her from Alan a DaleFull dearly he shall her buy.’XXVIIAnd thus having ended this merry weddìngThe bride lookt as fresh as a queen,And so they return’d to the merry green-wood,Amongst the leaves so green.

Come listen to me, you gallants so free,All you that love mirth for to hear,And I will you tell of a bold outlàw,That lived in Nottinghamshire.

As Robin Hood in the forest stood,All under the green-wood tree,There was he ware of a brave young man,As fine as fine might be.

The youngster was clothed in scarlet red,In scarlet fine and gay,And he did frisk it over the plain,And chanted a roundelay.

As Robin Hood next morning stood,Amongst the leaves so gay,There did he espy the same young manCome drooping along the way.

The scarlet he wore the day before,It was clean cast away;And every step he fetcht a sigh,‘Alack and a well a day!’

Then steppèd forth brave Little John,And Much the miller’s son,Which made the young man bend his bow,When as he saw them come.

‘Stand off, stand off!’ the young man said,‘What is your will with me?’—‘You must come before our master straight,Under yon green-wood tree.’

And when he came bold Robin before,Robin askt him courteously,‘O hast thou any money to spare,For my merry men and me?’

‘I have no money,’ the young man said,‘But five shillings and a ring;And that I have kept this seven long years,To have it at my weddìng.

‘Yesterday I should have married a maid,But she is now from me tane,And chosen to be an old knight’s delight,Whereby my poor heart is slain.’

‘What is thy name?’ then said Robin Hood,‘Come tell me, without any fail.’—‘By the faith of my body,’ then said the young man,‘My name it is Alan a Dale.’

‘What wilt thou give me,’ said Robin Hood,‘In ready gold or fee,To help thee to thy true-love again,And deliver her unto thee?’

‘I have no money,’ then quoth the young man,‘No ready gold nor fee,But I will swear upon a bookThy true servant for to be.’—

‘But how many miles to thy true-love?Come tell me without any guile.’—‘By the faith of my body,’ then said the young man,‘It is but five little mile.’

Then Robin he hasted over the plain,He did neither stint nor lin[1013],Until he came unto the churchWhere Alan should keep his weddìng.

‘What dost thou do here?’ the Bishop he said,‘I prithee now tell to me:’‘I am a bold harper,’ quoth Robin Hood,‘And the best in the north countrey.’

‘O welcome, O welcome!’ the Bishop he said,‘That musick best pleaseth me.’—‘You shall have no musick,’ quoth Robin Hood,‘Till the bride and the bridegroom I see.’

With that came in a wealthy knight,Which was both grave and old,And after him a finikin lass,Did shine like glistering gold.

‘This is no fit match,’ quoth bold Robin Hood,‘That you do seem to make here;For since we are come unto the church,The bride she shall chuse her own dear.’

Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth,And blew blasts two or three;When four and twenty bowmen boldCome leaping over the lee.

And when they came into the churchyard,Marching all on a row,The first man was Alan a Dale,To give bold Robin his bow.

‘This is thy true-love,’ Robin he said,‘Young Alan, as I hear say;And you shall be married at this same time,Before we depart away.’

‘That shall not be,’ the Bishop he said,‘For thy word it shall not stand;They shall be three times askt in the church,As the law is of our land.’

Robin Hood pull’d off the Bishop’s coat,And put it upon Little John;‘By the faith of my body,’ then Robin said,‘This cloath doth make thee a man.’

When Little John went into the quire,The people began for to laugh;He askt them seven times in the church,Least three should not be enough.

‘Who gives me this maid?’ then said Little John;Quoth Robin, ‘That do I!And he that doth take her from Alan a DaleFull dearly he shall her buy.’

And thus having ended this merry weddìngThe bride lookt as fresh as a queen,And so they return’d to the merry green-wood,Amongst the leaves so green.

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