University of California • Berkeley
From the book collection of
BERTRAND H. BRONSON
bequeathed by him
or donated by his wife
Mildred S. Bronson
THE
ENGLISH AND SCOTTISH
POPULAR BALLADS
EDITED BY
FKANCIS JAMES CHILD
IN FIVE VOLUMES
VOLUME III
PART I
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
Wsp Ifctoersftoe 3JDt:es#, Cambridge
LONDON : HENRY STEVENS, SON AND STILES
(CfajusanD Copie? Printet)
No*.
COPYRIGHT, 1888, BY F. J. CHILD
ALL EIGHTS RESERVED
REV. PROFESSOR SKEAT has done me the great service of collating Wynken de Worde's
text of The Gest of Robin Hood, the manuscript of Robin Hood and the Monk and of Robin
Hood and the Potter, and all the Robin Hood broadsides in the Pepys collection. Mr MAC-
MATH has collated the fragments of the earlier copy of The Gest which are preserved in the
Advocates' Library, and, as always, has been most ready to respond to every call for aid. I
would also gratefully acknowledge assistance received from Mr W. ALDIS WRIGHT, of Trinity
College, Cambridge ; the Rev. EDMUND VENABLES, Precentor of Lincoln ; Dr FURNIVALL ;
and, in America, from Mr W. W. NEWELL, Miss PERINE and Mrs DTJLANY.
F. J. C.
FEBRUARY, 1888.
ADVERTISEMENT TO PART VI
NUMBERS 156-188
MR MACMATH has helped me in many ways in the preparation of this Sixth Part, ands
as before, has been prodigal of time and pains. I am under particular obligations to Mi
ROBERT BRUCE ARMSTRONG, of Edinburgh, for his communications concerning the ballad-
folk of the Scottish border, and to Dr WILHELM WOLLNER, of the University of Leipsic,
and Mr GEORGE LYMAN KITTREDGE, my colleague in Harvard College, for contributions (in-
dicated by the initials of their names) which will be found in the Additions and Corrections.
Dr WOLLNER will continue his services. Mr JOHN KARtowicz, of Warsaw, purposes to
review in ' Wisla ' all the English ballads which have Polish affinities, and Professor ALEX-
ANDER VESSELOFSKY has allowed me to hope for his assistance ; so that there is a gratifying
prospect that the points of contact between the English and the Slavic popular ballads will in
the end be amply brought out. Thanks are due and are proffered, for favors of various kinds,
to Lieutenant -Colonel LUMSDEN, of London, Lieutenant - Colonel PRIDEAUX, of Calcutta,
Professor SKEAT, Miss ISABEL FLORENCE HAPGOOD, Professor VINOGRADOF, of Moscow,
Professor GEORGE STEPHENS, Mr AXEL OLRIK, of Copenhagen (to whom the completion
of SVEND GRUNDTVIG'S great work has been entrusted), Mr JAMES BARCLAY MURDOCH, of
Glasgow, Dr F. J. FURNIVALL, Professor C. R. LANMAN, Mr P. Z. ROUND, and Mr W. W.
NEWELL.
F. J. C.
JOLT 1889
CONTENTS OF VOLUME Til
BALLAD PAGE
114 JOHNIE COCK . 1
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 495.)
115. ROBYN AND GANDELEYN 12
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLT .... 14
(Additions and Corrections : EH, 518 ; IV, 496 ; V, 297.)
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE 39
(Additions and Corrections: HI, 519; IV, 496 ; V, 240, 297.)
118. ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE 89
119. ROBIN HOOD AND THE MONK 94
120. ROBIN HOOD'S DEATH 102
(Additions and Corrections : V, 240, 297.)
121. ROBIN HOOD AND THE POTTER 108
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 497.)
122. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER 115
123. ROBIN HOOD AND THE CURTAL FRIAR 120
(Additions and Corrections : V, 297.)
124. THE JOLLY FINDER OF WAKEFIELD 129
125. ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN 133
(Additions and Corrections : V, 297.)
126. ROBIN HOOD AND THE TANNER 137
127. ROBIN HOOD AND THE TINKER 140
128. ROBIN HOOD NEWLY REVIVED 144
129. ROBIN HOOD AND THE PRINCE OF ARAGON 147
130. ROBIN HOOD AND THE SCOTCHMAN 150
131. ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER 152
132. THE BOLD PEDLAR AND ROBIN HOOD 154
(Additions and Corrections : V, 240.)
133. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, I 155
134. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, II 158
135. ROBIN HOOD AND THE SHEPHERD 165
136. ROBIN HOOD'S DELIGHT 168
137. ROBIN HOOD AND THE PEDLARS 170
138. ROBIN HOOD AND ALLEN A DALE 172
139. ROBIN HOOD'S PROGRESS TO NOTTINGHAM ' 175
140. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THREE SQUIRES 177
141. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING WILL STUTLY 185
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 497.)
142. LITTLE JOHN A BEGGING 188
143. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP 191
144. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD 193
145. ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE 196
yiii CONTENTS OF VOLUME III
146. ROBIN HOOD'S CHASE • 205
147. ROBIN HOOD'S GOLDEN PRIZE • 208
(Additions and Corrections : III, 519.)
148. THE NOBLE FISHERMAN, OR, ROBIN HOOD'S PREFERMENT . . . . . 211
149. ROBIN HOOD'S BIRTH, BREEDING, VALOR AND MARRIAGE 214
150. ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN . 218
(Additions and Corrections : III, 519.)
151. THE KING'S DISGUISE, AND FRIENDSHIP WITH ROBIN HOOD . .-> 220
152. ROBIN HOOD AND THE GOLDEN ARROW . 223
(Additions and Corrections : V, 241.)
153. ROBIN HOOD AND THE VALIANT KNIGHT 225
154. A TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD 227
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER 233
(Additions and Corrections : III, 519 ; IV, 497 ; V, 241, 297.)
156. QUEEN ELEANOR'S CONFESSION 257
(Additions and Corrections: IV, 498 ; V, 241, 297.)
157. GUDE WALLACE 265
(Additions and Corrections : V, 242.)
158. HUGH SPENCER'S FEATS IN FRANCE 275
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 499 ; V, 243.)
159. DURHAM FIELD 282
(Additions and Corrections : V, 297.)
160. THE KNIGHT OF LIDDESDALE 288
161. THE BATTLE OF OTTERBURN 289
(Additions and Corrections : III, 520 ; IV, 499 ; V, 243, 297.)
162. THE HUNTING OF THE CHEVIOT 303
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 502 ; V, 244, 297.)
163. THE BATTLE OF HARLAW 316
(Additions and Corrections : V, 245.)
164. KING HENRY FIFTH'S CONQUEST OF FRANCE 320
(Additions and Corrections : V, 245.)
165. SIR JOHN BUTLER 327
166. THE ROSE OF ENGLAND 331
167. SIR ANDREW BARTON . 334
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 502 ; V, 245.)
168. FLODDEN FIELD 351
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 507 ; V, 298.)
169. JOHNIE ARMSTRONG 362
(Additions and Corrections: m, 520; IV, 507 ; V, 298.)
170. THE DEATH OF QUEEN JANE 372
(Additions and Corrections : V, 245, 298.)
171. THOMAS CROMWELL 377
172. MUSSELBURGH FlELD 378
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 507.)
173. MARY HAMILTON 379
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 507 ; V, 246, 298.)
174. EARL BOTHWELL ., . 399
(Additions and Corrections : V, 247.)
175. THE RISING IN THE NORTH 401
176. NORTHUMBERLAND BETRAYED BY DOUGLAS 408
(Additions and Corrections : V, 299.)
CONTENTS OF VOLUME III ix
177. THE EARL OF WESTMORELAND 416
(Additions and Corrections : V, 299.)
178. CAPTAIN CAR, OR, EDOM o GORDON 423
(Additions and Corrections : III, 520 ; IV, 513 ; V, 247, 299.)
179. ROOKHOPE RTDE 439
180. KING JAMES AND BROWN 442
181. THE BONNY EARL OF MURRAY 447
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 515.)
182. THE LAIRD o LOGIE 449
(Additions and Corrections : III, 520; IV, 515; V, 299.)
183. WILLIE MACINTOSH 456
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 516.)
184. THE LADS OF WAMPHRAY 458
(Additions and Corrections : III, 520.)
185. DICK o THE Cow 461
186. KINMONT WILLIE 469
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 516.)
187. JOCK o THE SIDE 475
188. ARCHIE o CAWFIELD 484
(Additions and Corrections : IV, 516.)
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS 496
114
JOHNIE COCK
A. Percy Papers, Miss Fisher's MS., No 5, 1780. O. « Johnnie Brad,' Harris MS., fol. 25.
B. 'Johnny Cock,' Pieces of Ancient Poetry from Un- H. ' Johnnie o Cocklesmuir,' Buchan's MSS, I, 82;
published Manuscripts and Scarce Books, Bristol, Dixon, Scottish Traditional Versions of Ancient Bal-
1814, [John Fry], p. 53. lads, p. 77, Percy Society, vol. xvii.
C. ' Johnny Cock,' Pieces of Ancient Poetry, etc., I. ' Johnie of Braidisbank,' Motherwell's Minstrelsy,
p. 51. p. 23.
D. 'Johnie of Cockerslee,' Kinloch's annotated copy J. Chambers, Scottish Ballads, p. 181.
of his Ancient Scottish Ballads, p. 38 Us.
K. Finlay's Scottish Ballads, I, xxxi: one stanza.
E. ' Johnie o Cocklesmuir,' Kinloch MSS, VII, 29 ;
Kinloch's Ancient Scottish Ballads, p. 36. L. Harris MS., fol. 25 b: one stanza.
F. ' Johnie of Breadislee,' Scott's Minstrelsy, I, 59, M. Froude, Thomas Carlyle, II, 335, New York, 1882,
1802. supplemented by Mrs Aitken : one stanza.
THE first notice in print of this precious
specimen of the unspoiled traditional ballad is
in Ritson's Scotish Song, 1794, I, xxxvi, note
25: the Rev. Mr Boyd, the translator of
Dante, had a faint recollection of three bal-
lads, one of which was called ' Johny Cox.'
Before this, 1780, a lady of Carlisle had sent
a copy to Doctor Percy, A. Scott, 1802, was
the first to publish the ballad, selecting " the
stanzas of greatest merit " from several copies
which were in his hands. John Fry gave two
valuable fragments, C, B (which he did not
separate), in his Pieces of Ancient Poetry,
1814, from a manuscript " appearing to be the
text-book of some illiterate drummer." * I
have been able to add only three versions to
those which were already before the world, A,
D, Gf ; and of these D is in part the same as B,
previously printed by Kinloch.
* This manuscript, which Fry bought in Glasgow in
1810, contained several other ballads, "but written so cor-
ruptly as to be of little or no authority." It did not occur
to Fry that the illiteracy of the drummer gave his ballads
the best of authority. I have done what I could to recover
VOL. III. 1
Pinkerton, Select Scotish Ballads, II, xxxix,
1783, has preserved a stanza, which he assigns
to a supposititious ballad of 'Bertram the
Archer : ' f
4 My trusty bow of the tough yew,
That I in London bought,
And silken strings, if ye prove true,
That my true-love has wrought.'
This stanza agrees with J 6, and with A 18,
H 19 in part, and is very likely to belong here ;
but it might be a movable passage, or com-
monplace.
All the versions are in accord as to the
primary points of the story. A gallant young
fellow, who pays no regard to the game-laws,
goes out, despite his mother's entreaties, to
ding the dun deer down. He kills a deer, and
feasts himself and his dogs so freely on it that
the manuscript, but in vain, though I had the kindest as-
sistance in Bristol from the Rev. J. Percivall, Mr Francis
Fry, and Mr J. F. Nicholls.
t See Motherwell's apt remarks, Minstrelsy, p. 1.
114. JOHNIE COCK
they all fall asleep. An old palmer, a silly
auld, stane-auld carl, observes him, and car-
ries word to seven foresters [fifteen B, three
(?) C]. They beset Johnie and wound him ;
he kills all but one, and leaves that one, badly
hurt, to carry tidings of the rest. Johnie
sends a bird to his mother to bid her fetch him
away, F 19, 20, cf. B 13 ; a bird warns his
mother that Johnie tarries long, H 21 (one of
Bnchan's parrots). The boy in A 20, 21 is ev-
idently a corruption of bird. Information is
given the mother in a different way in L. B-G-
must be adjudged to be incomplete ; I-M are
mere fragments. H has a false and silly con-
clusion, 22—24, in imitation of Robin Hood and
of Adam Bell. Mrs Harris had heard another
version besides G (of which she gives only one
stanza, L), in which " Johnie is slain and
thrown owre a milk-white steed ; news is sent
to Johnie's mother, who flies to her son." It
is the one forester who is not quite killed that
is thrown over his steed to carry tidings home,
P 18, G 11. D 19, E IT, and Mrs Harris's
second version are, as to this point, evidently
corrupted.
The hero's name is Johnny Cock, B 2, C 1 ;
Johny Cox, Rev. Mr Boyd; John o Cockis
(Johny Cockis ?), H 17 ; Johny o Cockley's
Well, A 14 ; o Cockerslee, D 14 ; of Cockie-
law, in one of the versions used by Scott for
P ; o Cocklesmuir, B 13, H 15. Again, Johnie
Brad, G 1, L ; Johnie o Breadislee, P 14 ;
Braidislee, J 2.
The hunting-ground, or the place where
Johnie is discovered, is up in Braidhouplee,
down in Bradyslee, A 6, high up in Bradyslee,
low down in Bradyslee, A 12 ; Braidscaur
Hill, D 6, Braidisbanks, D 12, I 1 ; Bride's
Braidmuir, H 2, 5 ; Broadspear Hill, B 2, 5 ;
Durrisdeer only in P 4. The seven foresters
are of Pickeram Side, A 3, 19 ; of Hislinton,
F 9. B I1 reads, Fifteen foresters in the braid
alow ; which seems to require emendation, per-
* " It is sometimes said that this outlaw possessed the old
Castle of Morton in Dumfriesshire, now ruinous. . . . The
mention of Durisdeer, a neighboring parish, adds weight to
the tradition." Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, 1833, III,
114f. Mr W. Benuet, writing in 1826 in The Dumfries
Monthly Magazine, III, 250, of which he was editor, speaks
of a field a little to the southwest of Lochmaben as still she w-
haps simply to Braid alow, perhaps to Braidib
lee.
With regard to the localities in A, Percy
notes that Pickeram Side is in Northumbria,
and that there is a Cockley Tower in Erring-
side, near Brady's Cragg, and a Brady's Cragg
near Chollerford Bridge. There is a Cockley,
alias Cocklaw, in Erringside, near Chollerton,
in the south division of Tynedale Ward, par-
ish of St John Lee. The Erring is a small
stream which enters the Tyne between Chol-
lerton and Chollerford. Again, Cocklaw
Walls appears in the map of the Ordnance
Survey, a little to the north and east of Cock-
ley in Erringside, and Cocklaw Walls may rep-
resent the Cockley's Well of the ballad.
(Percy notes that Cockley's Well is said to
be near Bewcastle, Cumberland.) I have not
found Brady's Cragg or Pickeram Side in the
Ordnance Survey maps, nor indeed any of the
compounds of Braidy or Braid anywhere.
There is a Braid a little to the south of
Edinburgh, Braid Hills and Braid Burn ; and
Motherwell, Minstrelsy, p. 17, says that there
is tradition for this region having been the
hunting-ground.
Scott's copy, F, lays the scene in Dumfries-
shire, and there is other tradition to the same
effect.*
Percy was struck with the occurrence of
the wolf in A 17, found also in B 10, C 5. He
considered, no doubt, that the mention of the
wolf was a token of the high antiquity of the
ballad. " Wolues that wyryeth men, wom-
men and children " are spoken of in Piers
Plowman, C, Passus, X, v. 226, Skeat, 1886,
I, 240, and the C text is assigned to about
1393. Holinshed (1577), I, 378, says that
though the island is void of wolves south of
the Tweed, yet the Scots cannot boast the
like, since they have grievous wolves.
P is translated by Schubart, p. 187 ; Wolff,
ing the trace of a circular tower, which was " called Cockies-
field, from one John Cock, or O'Cock, who had there his res-
idence, and who during his lifetime was one of the most
renowned freebooters in Annandale." Mr Macmath, who
pointed out the passage to me, observes that in Thomson's
map of Dumfriesshire, 1828, the name is given " Cocket-
field," and that there is also a Cocket Hill.
114. JOHNIE COCK
Halle der Volker, I, 41, Hausschatz, p. 224 ;
Doenniges, p. 10; Gerhard, p. 51 ; R. von Bis-
marck, Deutsches Museum, 1858, I, 897;
Cesare Cantu, Document! alia Storia Univer-
sale, V, 806 ; in Le Magasin Pittoresque, 1838,
p. 127 b ; by Lo&ve-Veimars, p. 296. Grundt-
vig, p. 269, No 41, translates a compound of
P, I, B (Kinloch's Ancient Scottish Ballads,
p. 36), and B; Knortz, Schottische Balladen,
No 18, a mixture of F and others.
Communicated to Percy by Miss Fisher, of Carlisle, 1780,
No 5 of MS.
1 JOHNY he has risen up i the morn,
Calls for water to wash his hands ;
But little knew he that his bloody hounds
Were bound in iron bands, bands
Were bound in iron bands
2 Johny's mother has gotten word o that,
And care-bed she has taen :
* O Johny, for my benison,
I beg you '1 stay at hame ;
For the wine so red, and the well baken bread,
My Johny shall want nane.
3 l There are seven forsters at Pickeram Side,
At Pickeram where they dwell,
And for a drop of thy heart's bluid
They wad ride the fords of hell.'
4 Johny he 's gotten word of that,
And he 's turnd wondrous keen ;
He 's put off the red scarlett,
And he 's put on the Lincolm green.
5 With a sheaf of arrows by his side,
And a bent bow in his hand,
He 's mounted on a prancing steed,
And he has ridden fast oer the strand.
6 He 's up i Braidhouplee, and down i Bradys-
lee,
And under a buss o broom,
And there he found a good dun deer,
Feeding in a buss of ling.
7 Johny shot, and the dun deer lap,
And she lap wondrous wide,
Until they came to the wan water,
And he stemd her of her pride.
8 He 'as taen out the little pen-knife,
'T was full three quarters long,
And he has taen out of that dun deer
The liver hot and the tongue.
9 They eat of the flesh, and they drank of the
blood,
And the blood it was so sweet,
Which caused Johny and his bloody hounds
To fall in a deep sleep.
10 By then came an old palmer,
And an ill death may he die !
For he 's away to Pickram Side,
As fast as he can drie.
11 ' What news, what news ? ' says the Seven
Forsters,
' What news have ye brought to me ? '
' I have noe news,' the palmer said,
' But what I saw with my eye.
12 ' High up i Bradyslee, low down i Bradiss-
lee,
And under a buss of scroggs,
O there I spied a well-wight man,
Sleeping among bis dogs.
13 * His coat it was of light Lincolm,
And his breeches of the same,
His shoes of the American leather,
And gold buckles tying them.'
14 Up bespake the Seven Forsters,
Up bespake they ane and a' :
O that is Johny o Cockleys Well,
And near him we will draw.
15 O the first y stroke that they gae him,
They struck him off by the knee ;
Then up bespake his sister's son : .
* O the next '11 gar him die ! '
114. JOHNIE COCK
16 ' O some they count ye well-wight men,
But I do count ye none ;
For you might well ha wakend me,
And askd gin I wad be taen.
17 ' The wildest wolf in aw this wood
Wad not ha done so by me ;
She 'd ha wet her foot ith wan water,
And sprinkled it oer my brae,
And if that wad not ha wakend me,
She wad ha gone and let me be.
18 ' O bows of yew, if ye be true,
In London, where ye were bought,
Fingers five, get up belive,
Manhuid shall fail me nought.'
19 He has killd the Seven Forsters,
He has killd them all but ane,
And that wan scarce to Pickeram Side,
To carry the bode-words hame.
20 ' Is there never a boy in a' this wood
That will tell what I can say ;
That will go to Cockleys Well,
Tell my mither to fetch me away ? '
21 There was a bay into that wood,
That carried the tidings away,
And many ae was the well-wight man
At the fetching o Johny away.
B
Pieces of Ancient Poetry from Unpublished Manuscripts
and Scarce Books, Bristol, 1814, p. 53.
1 FIFTEEN foresters in the Braid alow,
And they are wondrous fell;
To get a drop of Johnny's heart-bluid,
They would sink a' their souls to hell.
2 Johnny Cock has gotten word of this,
And he is wondrous keen ;
He['s] custan off the red scarlet,
And on the Linkum green.
3 And he is ridden oer muir and muss,
And over mountains high,
Till he came to yon wan water,
And there Johnny Cock did lie.
4 They have ridden oer muir and muss,
And over mountains high,
Till they met wi' an old palmer,
Was walking along the way.
5 * What news, what news, old palmer ?
What news have you to me ? '
' Yonder is one of the proudest wed sons
That ever my eyes did see.'
6 He 's taen out a horn from his side,
And he blew both loud and shrill,
Till a' the fifteen foresters
Heard Johnny Cock blaw his horn.
7 They have sworn a bluidy oath,
And they swore all in one,
That there was not a man among them a'
Would blaw such a blast as yon.
8 And they have ridden oer muir and muss,
And over mountains high,
Till they came to yon wan water,
Where Johnny Cock did lie.
9 They have shotten little Johnny Cock,
A little above the ee :
' For doing the like to me.
10 ' There 's not a wolf in a' the wood
Woud ' ha ' done the like to me ;
'She 'd ha ' dipped her foot in coll water,
And strinkled above my ee,
And if I would not have waked for that,
' She 'd ha ' gane and let me be.
11 ' But fingers five, come here, [come here,]
And faint heart fail me nought,
And silver strings, value me sma things,
Till I get alf this vengeance rowght ! '
12 He ha[s] shot a' the fifteen foresters,
Left never a one but one,
And he broke the ribs a that ane's side,
And let him take tiding home.
13 ' ... a bird in a' the wood
Could sing as I could say,
It would go in to my mother's bower,
And bid her kiss me, and take me away.'
114. JOHNIE COCK
C
Pieces of Ancient Poetry from Unpublished Manuscripts
and Scarce Books, Bristol, 1814, p. 51.
1 JOHNNY COCK, in a May morning,
Sought water to wash his hands,
And he is awa to louse his dogs,
That 's tied wi iron bans.
That 's tied wi iron bans
2 His coat it is of the light Lincum green,
And his breiks are of the same ;
His shoes are of the American leather,
Silver buckles tying them.
3 ' He ' hunted up, and so did ' he ' down,
Till ' he ' came to yon bush of scrogs,
And then to yon wan water,
"Where he slept among his dogs.
4 Johnny Cock out-shot a' the foresters,
And out-shot a the three ;
Out shot a' the foresters,
Wounded Johnny aboun the bree.
5 ' Woe be to you, foresters,
And an ill death may you die !
For there would not a wolf in a' the wood
Have done the like to me.
6 ' For ' 't would ha ' put its foot in the coll water
And ha strinkled it on my bree,
And gin that would not have done,
Would have gane and lett me be.
7 ' I often took to my mother
The dandoo and the roe,
But now I '1 take to my mother
Much sorrow and much woe.
8
' I often took to my mother
The dandoo and the hare,
But now I '1 take to my mother
Much sorrow and much care.'
Kinloch's annotated copy of his Ancient Scottish Ballads,
p. 38 bis : a West- Country version.
1 UP Johnie raise in a May morning,
Calld for water to wash his hands,
And he has calld for his gude gray hunds,
That lay bund in iron bands, bands
That lay bund in iron bands
2 * Ye '11 busk, ye '11 busk my noble dogs,
Ye '11 busk and mak them boun,
For I 'm going to the Braidscaur hill,
To ding the dun deer doun.'
3 Whan Johnie's mither gat word o that,
On the very bed she lay,
Says, Johnie, for my malison,
I pray ye at hame to stay.
4 Your meat sail be of the very, very best,
Your drink sail be the same,
And ye will win your mither's benison,
Gin ye wad stay at hame.
5 But Johnie has cast aff the black velvet,
And put on the Lincoln! twine,
And he is on to gude greenwud,
As fast as he could gang.
6 His mither's counsel he wad na tak,
He 's aff, and left the toun,
He 's aff unto the Braidscaur hill,
To ding the dun deer doun.
7 Johnie lookit east, and Johnie lookit west,
And he lookit aneath the sun,
And there he spied the dun deer sleeping,
Aneath a buss o whun.
8 Johnie shot, and the dun deer lap,
And he 's scaithed him in the side,
And atween the water and the wud
He laid the dun deer's pride.
9 They ate sae meikle o the venison,
And drank sae meikle o the blude,
That Johnie and his twa gray hunds
Fell asleep in yonder wud.
10 By there cam a silly auld man,
And a silly auld man was he,
And he 's aff to the proud foresters,
As fast as he could dree.
6
114. JOHNIE COCK
11 ' What news, what news, my silly auld man ?
What news ? come tell to me : '
* I heard na news, I speird na news
But what my een did see.
12 • As I cam in by Braidisbauks,
And doun amang the whuns,
The bonniest youngster eer I saw
Lay sleepin amang his hunds.
13 ' His cheeks war like the roses red,
His neck was like the snaw ;
His sark was o the holland fine,
And his jerkin lac'd fu braw.'
14 Up bespak the first forester,
The first forester of a' :
O this is Johnie o Cockerslee ;
Come draw, lads, we maun draw.
15 Up bespak the niest forester,
The niest forester of a' :
An this be Johnie o Cockerslee,
To him we winna draw.
16 The first shot that they did shoot,
They wotindit him on the bree ; ,
Up bespak the uncle's son,
' The niest will gar him die.'
1J The second shot that eer they shot,
It scaithd him near the heart ;
' I only wauken,' Johnie cried,
' Whan first I find the smart.
18 * Stand stout, stand stout, my noble dogs,
Stand stout, and dinna flee ;
Stand fast, stand fast, my gude gray hunds,
And we will gar them die.'
19 He has killed six o the proud foresters,
And wounded the seventh sair :
He laid his leg out owre his steed,
Says, I will kill na mair.
20 ' Oh wae befa thee, silly auld man,
An ill death may thee dee !
Upon thy head be a' this blude,
For mine, I ween, is free.'
E
Kinloch's MSS, VII, 29 : from recitation in the North
Country.
1 JOHNTE rose up in a May morning,
Calld for water to wash his hands,
And he has calld for his gud gray hunds,
That lay bund in iron bands, bands
That lay bund in iron bands
2 ' Ye '11 busk, ye '11 busk my noble dogs,
Ye '11 busk and mak them boun,
For I 'm gaing to the Broadspear hill,
To ding the dun deer doun.'
3 Whan Johnie's mither heard o this,
She til her son has gane :
' Ye '11 win your mither's benison,
Gin ye wad stay at hame.
4 ' Your meat sail be o the very, very best,
And your drink o the finest wine ;
And ye will win your mither's benison,
Gin ye wad stay at hame.'
5 His mither's counsel he wad na tak,
Nor wad he stay at hame ;
But he 's on to the Broadspear hill,
To ding the dun deer doun.
6 Johnie lookit east, and Johnie lookit west,
And a little below the sun,
And there he spied the dun deer lying sleeping,
Aneath a buss o brume.
•
7 Johnie shot, and the dun deer lap,
And he has woundit him in the side,
And atween the water and the wud
He laid the dun deer's pride.
8 They ate sae meikle o the venison,
And drank sae meikle o the blude,
That Johnie and his twa gray hunds
Fell asleep in yonder wud.
9 By there cam a silly auld man,
A silly auld man was he,
And he 's aff to the proud foresters,
To tell what he did see.
114. JOHNIE COCK
10 ' What news, what news, my silly auld man,
What news ? come tell to me : '
' Na news, na news/ said the silly auld man,
' But what mine een did see.
11 ' As I cam in by yon greenwud,
And doun amang the scrogs,
The bonniest youth that ere I saw
Lay sleeping atween twa dogs.
12 ' The sark that he had on his back
Was o the Holland sma,
And the coat that he had on his back
Was laced wi gowd fu braw.'
13 Up bespak the first forester,
The first forester ava :
' An this be Johnie o Cocklesmuir,
It 's time we war awa.'
14 Up bespak the niest forester,
The niest forester ava :
' An this be Johnie o Cocklesmuir,
To him we winna draw.'
15 The first shot that they did shoot,
They woundit'him on the thie ;
Up bespak the uncle's son,
The niest will gar him die.
16 ' Stand stout, stand stout, my noble dogs,
Stand stout, and dinna flee ;
Stand fast, stand fast, my gude gray hunds,
And we will mak them dee.'
17 He has killed six o the proud foresters,
And he has woundit the seventh sair ;
He laid his leg out oure his steed,
Says, I will kill na mair.
P
Scott's Minstrelsy, I, 59, 1802; made tip from several
different copies. Nithsdale.
1 JOHNIE rose up in a May morning,
Called for water to wash his hands :
' Gar loose to me the gude graie dogs,
That are bound wi iron bands.'
2 When Johnie's mother gat word o that,
Her hands for dule she wrang :
' 0 Johnie, for my bennison,
To the grenewood dinna gang !
3 ' Enough ye hae o the gude wheat-bread,
And eneugh o the blude-red wine,
. And therefore for nae vennison, Johnie,
I pray ye, stir frae hame.'
4 But Johnie 's buskt up his gude bend bow,
His arrows, ane by ane,
And he has gane to Durrisdeer,
To hunt the dun deer down.
5 As he came down by Merriemass,
And in by the benty line,
There has he espied a deer lying,
Aneath a bush of ling.
6 Johnie he shot, and the dun deer lap,
And he wounded her on the side,
But atween the water and the brae,
His hounds they laid her pride.
7 And Johnie has bryttled the deer sae weel
That he 's had out her liver and lungs,
And wi these he has feasted his bludey hounds
As if they had been erl's sons.
8 They eat sae much o the vennison,
And drank sae much o the blude,
That Johnie and a' his bludey hounds
Fell asleep as they had been dead.
9 And by there came a silly auld carle,
An ill death mote he die !
For he 's awa to Hislinton,
Where the Seven Foresters did lie.
10 ' What news, what news, ye gray-headed carle ?
What news bring ye to me ? '
' I bring nae news,' said the gray-headed
carle,
' Save what these eyes did see.
11 ' As I came down by Merriemass,
And down amang the scroggs,
The bonniest childe that ever I saw
Lay sleeping amang his dogs.
12 ' The shirt that was upon his back
Was o the holland fine ;
8
114. JOHNIE COCK
The doublet which was over that
Was o the Lincome twine.
13 ' The buttons that were on his sleeve
Were o the gowd sae gude ;
The gude graie hounds he lay amang,
Their mouths were dyed wi blude.'
14 Then out and spak the first forester,
The heid man ower them a' :
If this be Johnie o Breadislee,
Nae nearer will we draw.
15 But up and spak the sixth forester,
His sister's son was he :
If this be Johnie o Breadislee,
We soon shall gar him die.
16 The first flight of arrows the foresters shot,
They wounded him on the knee ;
And out and spak the seventh forester,
The next will gar him die.
17 Johnie 's set his back against an aik,
His fute against a stane,
And he has slain the Seven Foresters,
He has slain them a' but ane.
18 He has broke three ribs in that ane's side,
But and his collar bane ;
He 's laid him twa-fald ower bis steed,
Bade him carry the tidings hame.
19 ' O is there na a bonnie bird
Can sing as I can say,
Could flee away to my mother's bower,
And tell to fetch Johnie away ? ' -
20 The starling flew to his mother's window-
stane,
It whistled and it sang,
And aye the ower-word o the tune
Was, Johnie tarries lang !
21 They made a rod o the hazel-bush,
Another o the slae-thorn tree,
And mony, mony were the men
At fetching our Johnie.
22 Then out and spake his auld mother, ,
And fast her teirs did fa ;
Ye wad nae be warnd, my son Johnie,
Frae the hunting to bide awa.
23 ' Aft hae I brought to Breadislee
The less gear and the mair,
But I neer brought to Breadislee
What grieved my heart sae sair.
24 ' But wae betide that silly auld carle,
An ill death shall he die ;
For the highest tree on Merriemass
Shall be his morning's fee.?
25 Now Johnie's gude bend bow is broke,
And his gude graie dogs are slain,
And his bodie lies dead in Durrisdeer,
And his hunting it is done.
G
Harris MS., fol. 25 : from Mrs Harris's recitation.
1 JOHNNIE BRAD, on a May mornin,
Called for water to wash his hands,
An there he spied his twa blude-hounds,
Waur bound in iron bands, bands
Waur bound in iron bands
*
2 Johnnie 's taen his gude bent bow,
Bot an his arrows kene,
An strippit himsel o the scarlet red, %
An put on the licht Lincoln green.
3 Up it spak Johnnie's mither,
An' a wae, wae woman was she :
I beg you bide at hame, Johnnie,*
I pray be ruled by me.
4 Baken bread ye sail nae lack,
An wine you sail lack nane ;
Oh Johnnie, for my benison,
I beg you bide at hame !
5 He has made a solemn aith,
Atween the sun an the mune,
That he wald gae to the gude green wood,
The dun deer to ding doon.
6 He luiket east, he luiket wast,
An in below the sun,
An there he spied the dun deer,
Aneath a bush o brume.
114. JOHNIE COCK
9
7 The firsten shot that Johnnie shot,
He wounded her in the side ;
The nexten shot that Johnnie shot,
I wat he laid her pride.
8 He 's eaten o the venison,
An drunken o the blude,
Until he fell as sound asleep
As though he had been dead.
9 Bye there cam a silly auld man,
And a silly auld man was he,
An he 's on to the Seven Foresters,
As fast as he can flee.
10 ' As I cam in by yonder haugh,
An in among the scroggs,
The bonniest boy that ere I saw
Lay sleepin atween his dogs.'
11 The firsten shot that Johnnie shot,
He shot them a' but ane,
An he flang him owre a milk-white steed,
Bade him bear tidings hame.
Buchan's MSS, I, 82 ; Dixon, Scottish Traditional Ver-
sions of Ancient Ballads, p. 77, Percy Society, vol. xvii.
1 JOHNNIE raise up in a May morning,
Calld for water to wash his hands,
And he 's commant his bluidy dogs
To be loosd frae their iron bands, bands
To be loosd frae their iron bands
2 ' Win up, win up, my bluidy dogs,
Win up, and be unbound,
And we will on to Bride's Braidmuir,
And ding the dun deer down.'
3 When his mother got word o that,
Then she took bed and lay ;
Says, Johnnie, my son, for my blessing,
Ye '11 stay at hame this day.
»
4 There 's baken bread and brown ale
[ -C Shall be at your command ;
Ye '11 win your mither's blythe blessing,
To the Bride's Braidmuir nae gang.
5 Mony are my friends, mither,
Though thousands were my foe ;
Betide me life, betide me death,
To the Bride's Braidmuir I '11 go.
6 The sark that was on Johnnie's back
Was o the cambric fine ;.
The belt that was around his middle
Wi pearlins it did shine.
7 The coat that was upon his back
Was o the linsey brown ;
And he 's awa to the Bride's Braidmuir,
To ding the dun deer down.
8 Johnnie lookd east, Johnnie lookd west,
And turnd him round and round,
And there he saw the king's dun deer,
Was cowing the bush o brune.
9 Johnnie shot, and the dun deer lap,
He wounded her in the side ;
Between him and yon burnie-bank,
Johnnie he laid her pride.
10 He ate sae muckle o the venison,
He drank sae muckle bleed,
Till he lay down between his hounds,
And slept as he 'd been dead.
11 But by there came a stane-auld man,
An ill death mat he dee !
For he is on to the Seven Foresters,
As fast as gang could he.
12 * What news, what news, ye stane-auld man?
What news hae ye brought you wi ? '
' Nae news, nae news, ye seven foresters,
But what your eyes will see.
13 ' As I gaed i yon rough thick hedge,
Amang yon bramly scroggs,
The fairest youth that eer I saw
Lay sleeping between his dogs.
10
114. JOHNIE COCK
14 * The sark that was upon his back
Was o the cambric fine ;
The belt that was around his middle
Wi pearlins it did shine.'
15 Then out it speaks the first forester :
Whether this be true or no,
O if it 's Johnnie o Cocklesmuir,
Nae forder need we go.
16 Out it spake the second forester,
A fierce fellow was he :
Betide me life, betide me death,
This youth we '11 go and see.
17 As they gaed in yon rough thick hedge,
And down yon forest gay,
They came to that very same place
Where John o Cockis he lay.
18 The first an shot they shot at him,
They wounded him in the thigh ;
Out spake the first forester's son :
By the next shot he maun die.
19 ' O stand ye true, my trusty bow,
And stout steel never fail !
Avenge me now on all my foes,
Who have my life i bail.'
20 Then Johnnie killd six foresters,
And wounded the seventh sair ;
Then drew a stroke at the stane-auld man,
That words he neer spake mair.
21 His mother's parrot in window sat,
She whistled and she sang,
And aye the owerturn o the note,
* Young Johnnie 's biding lang.'
22 When this reached the king's own ears,
It grievd him wondrous sair ;
Says, I 'd rather they 'd hurt my subjects all
Than Johnnie o Cocklesmuir.
23 ' But where are all my wall-wight men,
That I pay meat and fee,
Will gang the morn to Johnnie's castle,
See how the cause may be.'
24 Then he 's calld Johnnie up to court,
Treated him handsomelie,
And now to hunt in the Bride's Braidmuir,
For life has license free.
Motherwell's Minstrelsy, p. 23.
1 JOHNTE rose up in a May morning,
Called for water to wash his hands, hands
And he is awa to Braidisbanks, 4
To ding the dun deer down, down
To ding the dun deer down
2 Johnie lookit east, and Jolmie lookit west,
And it 's lang before the sun,
And there he did spy the dun deer lie,
Beneath a bush of brume.
3 Johnie shot, and the dun deer lap,
And he 's woundit her in the side ;
Out then spake his sister's son,
' And the neist will lay her pride.'
4 They 've eaten sae meikle o the gude venison,
And they've drunken sae muckle o the
blude,
That they 've fallen into as sound a sleep
As gif that they were dead.
5 < It 's doun, and it 's doun, and it 's doun, doun,
And it 's doun amang the scrogs,
And there ye '11 espy twa bonnie boys lie,
Asleep amang their dogs.'
6 They waukened Johnie out o his sleep,
And he 's drawn to him his coat :
* My fingers five, save me alive,
And a stout heart fail me not ! '
114. JOHNIE COCK
11
Chambers's Scottish Ballads, p. 181, stanzas 13, 16, 17,
21, 2'2, 23, 26: from the recitation of a lady resident at
Peebles.
1 His coat was o the scarlet red,
His vest was o the same ;
His stockings were o the worset lace,
And buckles tied to the same.
2 Out then spoke one, out then spoke two,
Out then spoke two or three ;
Out spoke the master forester,
1 It 's Johnie o Braidislee.
3 * If this be true, thou silly auld man,
Which you tell unto me,
Five hundred pounds of yearly rent
It shall not pay your fee.'
4 ' 0 wae be to you seven foresters !
I wonder ye dinna think shame,
You being seven sturdy men,
And I but a man my lane.
5 ' Now fail me not, my ten fingers,
That are both long and small !
Now fail me not, my noble heart !
For in thee I trust for all.
6 ' Now fail me not, my good bend bow,
That was in London coft !
Now fail me not, my golden string,
Which my true lover wrocht ! '
7 He has tossed him up, he has tossed him doun,
He has broken his collar-bone ;
He has tied him to his bridle reins,
Bade him carry the tidings home.
Finlay's Scottish Ballads, I, xxxi.
' THEKE 's no a bird in a' this f oreste
Will do as meikle for me
As dip its wing in the wan water
An straik it on my ee-bree.'
Harris MS., foL 25 b.
BUT aye at ilka ae mile's end
She fand a cat o clay,
An written upon the back o it
' Tak your son Johnnie Brod away.'
M
Reminiscences by Thomas Carlyle, II, 171, 1881, Froude's
Life of Carlyle, II, '416, 1882, completed by a communica-
tion of Mr Macmath : as sung by Carlyle's mother.
'O BUSK ye, O busk ye, my three bluidy
hounds,
0 busk, and go with me, me,
For there 's seven foresters in yon forest,
And them I want to see.' see
And them I want to see
A. * The Seven Forsters at Pickeram Side ' is a
title supplied by Percy.
63. I wun is added by Percy, at the end.
7*, 178. one water.
151. Oh. 19*. bord words, or bood words.
B follows O in Fry without a break. Words dis-
tinguished by ' ' in B, C are emendations or
C.
D.
additions of Fry. 4, 5 come between 12 and
13.
I1, braid alow. 101. the word. 10s. would have.
II2. hearted. 13*. bows.
4s. Out-shot.
" There is a West-Country version of this bal-
lad, under the title of Johnie of Cockerslee,
12
115. BOBYN AND GANDELEYN
differing very little from the present. The
variations in the reading I have marked at
their respective places." Kinloch, Assum-
ing that Kinloch has given all the varia-
tions (which include six entire stanzas), the
West-Country version is reproduced by com-
bining these readings with so much of the
other copy, Kinloch1 s Ancient Scottish Sal-
lads, p. 38, 05 did not vary. 15s. Kinloch
neglected to alter Cocklesmuir here.
B. 6*. lying is struck through, probably to im-
prove the metre. Kinloch made two slight
changes in printing.
H. 51. Mony ane. (?) 91. Johnnie lap : probably
an error of the copyist.
9», 18*. wound : cf. 202.
21*. bidding.
Dixon has changed stane-auld to silly-auld in
II1, 121, 20s ; Cockis to Cockl's in 17* ; and
has Scotticised the spelling.
L MotherweU notes a stanza as wanting after 3,
*077ie stanzas as wanting after 4, 5.
J. " The version of the ballad here given is partly
copied from those printed in the Border
Minstrelsy and in the publications of Messrs
Kinloch and MotherweU, and is partly taken
from the recitation of a lady resident at
Peebles and from a manuscript copy sub-
mitted to me by Mr Kinloch. The twelfth,
thirteenth, fourteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth,
twenty-first, twenty-second, twenty-third,
twenty-sixth, and twenty-seventh stanzas are
here printed for the first time." Chambers.
The \kth stanza had been printed by Scott,
F 12 ; the 23d, repeated here (6), by Pinker-,
ton ; the 27th is D 20. The first half of the
Vlih is D 131- *, and the remainder Cham-
bers's own : compare his 11 and P 11,/rom
which it seems to have been made.
L. " I have heard another version, where Johnnie
is slain and thrown ' owre a milk-white
steed.' News is sent to Johnnie's mother,
who flies to her son ; But aye at ilka ae
mile's end, etc."
M. "While she [Carlyle's mother] was at Craigen-
puttock, I made her train me to two song-
tunes ; and we often sang them together, and
tried them often again in coming down into
Annandale." The last half of the stanza is
cited. Letter of T. Carlyle, May 18, 1834,
in Froude's Life, 1795-1835, II, 335.
" Mrs Aitken, sister of T. Carlyle, sent me
[January 15, 1884] the first two lines to
complete the stanza of this Johny Cock, but
can call up no more of the ballad." Letter
of Mr Macmath.
115
ROBYN AND GANDELEYN
Sloane MS., 2593, foL 14 b, British Museum.
FEINTED by Ritson, Ancient Songs, 1790,
p. 48, and by Thomas Wright, Songs and
Carols (selected from the Sloane MS.), No X,
London, 1836, and again in his edition of the
whole MS. for the Warton Club, 1856, p. 42.
The manuscript is put at about 1450.
Wright remarks on the similarity of the
name Gandelyn to Gamelyn in the tale as-
signed to the Cook in some manuscripts of the
Canterbury Tales, and on the resemblance of
the tale of Gamelyn to Robin Hood story.
But he could hardly have wished to give the
impression that Robin in this ballad is Robin
Hood. This he no more is than John in the
ballad which precedes is Little John ; though
Gandelyn is as true to his master as Little
115. ROBYN AND GANDELEYN
13
John is, and is pronounced to be by the king,
in * Robin Hood and the Monk.' Ritson gave
the ballad the title of ' Robin Lyth,' looking
on the ' lyth ' of the burden as the hero's sur-
name ; derived perhaps from the village of
Lythe, two or three miles to the north of
Whitby. A cave on the 'north side of the
promontory of Flamborough, called Robin
Lyth's Hole (popularly regarded as the strong-
hold of a pirate), may have been, Ritson
thinks, one of the skulking-places of the Robin
who fell by the shaft of Wrennok. " Robin
Hood," he adds, " had several such in those
and other parts ; and, indeed, it is not very
improbable that our hero had been formerly in
the suite of that gallant robber, and, on his
master's death, had set up for himself."
Thought is free.
Translated by Grundtvig, Engelske og skot-
ske Folkeviser, page 44, No. 6.
1 I HEBDE a carpyng of a clerk,
Al at }one wodes ende,
Of gode Robyn and Gandeleyn ;
Was per now oper ]>ynge.
Robynw lyth in grene wode bowndyw
2 Stronge theuys wern po chylderiw now,
But bowmew gode and hende ;
He wentyw to wode to getyw hem fleych,
If God wold it hew sende.
3 Al day wewtyw J>o chylderiw too,
And fleych f owndyw he now,
Til it were a-geyn euyw ;
J>e chylderiw wold gow horn.
4 Half aw honderid of fat falyf der
He comyw a-^on,
And alle he wern f ayr and fat i-now,
But markyd was ]>er now :
' Be dere God,' seyde gode Robyn,
' Here of we xul haue on.'
5 Robyw bent bis joly bowe,
])er in he set a flo ;
J>e fattest der of alle
J>e herte he clef a to.
6 He hadde not pe der i-flawe,
Ne half out of pe hyde,
There cam a schrewde arwe out of pe west,
J>at felde Robertas pryde.
7 Gandeleyn lokyd hyw est and west,
Be euery syde :
' Hoo hat myw mayster slayin ?
Ho hat dow pis dede ?
Xal I neuer out of grene wode go
Til I se [his] sydis blede.'
8 Gandeleyn lokyd bym est and lokyd west,
And sowt vnder pe sunwe ;
He saw a lytil boy
He clepyw Wrennok of Donne.
9 A good bowe in his bond,
A brod arwe per ine,
And fowre and twenti goode arwys,
Trusyd in a prumme :
' Be war pe, war pe, Gandeleyn,
Her-of pu xalt haw summe.
10 ' Be war ]>e, war Jje, Gawdeleyn,
Her of ]m gyst plente : '
* Euer on for aw o]>er,' seyde Gandeleyn ;
' Mysauwter baue he xal fle.
11 ' Qwer-at xal our marke be ? '
Seyde Gandeleyn :
' Eueryche at opens herte,'
Seyde Wrennok ageyn.
12 ' Ho xal $eue J?e ferste schote ? '
Seyde Gawdeleyn :
' And I xul jeue }>e on be-forn,'
Seyde Wrennok ageyn.
13 Wrennok schette a ful good schote,
And he schet not to bye ;
J>row pe sawchopis of bis bryk ;
It towchyd neyper thye.
14 ' Now bast pu $ouyw me on be-forn,'
Al pus to Wrennok seyde he,
' And prow pe myjt of our lady
A betters I xal jeue pe.'
15 Gandeleyn bent his goode bowe,
And set per in a flo ;
14
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
He schet prow his grene certyl,
His herte he clef on too.
16 * Now xalt pu neuer jelpe, Wrennok,
At ale in1 at wyn,
pat pu hast slawe goode Robyn,
And his knaue Gandeleyn.
17 ' Now xalt pu neuer jelpe, Wrennok,
At wyn ne at ale,
pat pu hast slawe goode Robyn,
And Gandeleyw his knaue.'
Robyn lyjth in grene wode bowndyw
Written continuously, without division of stanzas
or verses. The burden, put after 1, stands at
the head of the ballad.
And for & always. I4, gynge.
4*. I now. 45. Robyn wanting/. 51. went.
7e. Til. 9". & xx. ' 102. hir. 12". }ewe. 12*. seyd.
148. pu myjt. 17*. Gawdelyyn : knawe.
Last line : bowdyw.
116
ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF
CLOUDESLY
a. Two fragments, stanzas 1134-1282, 161a-170, of an
edition by John Byddell, London, 1536 : Library of
the University of Cambridge.*
b. A fragment, stanzas 538-lll8, by a printer not iden-
tified: formerly in the possession of J. Payne Collier, f
c. ' Adambel, Clym of the cloughe, and Wyllyam of
cloudesle,' William Copeland, London [1548-68] :
British Museum, C. 21, c. 644
d. '« Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough, and William of
Cloudesle,' James Roberts, London, 1G05 : Bodleian
Library, C. 39, Art. Selden.
e. Another edition with the same title-page: Bodleian
Library, Malone, 299.
f. ' Adam Bell, Clime of the Cloug[he], and William
off Cloudeslee,' Percy MS., p. 890: British Museum.
Hales and Furnivall, III, 76.
4 ADAM BELT, * is licensed to John Kynge
in the Stationers' Registers, 19 July, 1557-
9 July, 1558 : Arber, I, 79. Again, among
copies which were Sampson Awdeley's, to
John Charlewood, 15 January, 1582; and,
among copies which were John Charlwoode's,
to James Robertes, 31 May, 1594 : Arber, II,
405, 651. Seven reprints of the seventeenth
* Colophon : [P]rynted at London, in Fletestrete, at [the
si]gne of the Sonne, by me lohn [By]ddell. In the yere
of our lord god m.ccccc.xxxvj. The seconde daye of June,
lohn Byddell.
Eight lines wanting: 120s'*; 121; 1683-*. Mutilated at
the beginning: 169; 170. Mutilated at the end: 1641;
165*; 1671.
t Eleven lines wanting : 602. 3. 4; 67*; 681.2; IQO*; 1044;
century, later than d, are noted in Mr W. C.
Hazlitt's Handbook, p. 35.
The larger part of a has been reprinted by
Mr F. S. Ellis, in his catalogue of the library
of Mr Henry Huth, I, 128 f, 1880.§ b was
used by Mr W. C. Hazlitt for his edition of
the ballad in Remains of the Early Popular
Poetry of England, II, 131. || c was reprinted
1051'2; 110*. Mutilated at the beginning: 61-641; 648-678;
75*-831; 904-5-6; 96*; 1053-1103; 1111-2. Mutilated at the
end: 601; 1018; 1023; 1031; 1042-3. Elsewhere: 972-3; 1041.
t Colophon. Imprinted at London, hi Lothburye, by
Wyllyam Copeland.
§ " Two leaves, discovered in the pasteboard or fly-leaves
of a book received from abroad."
|| b was kindly copied for me by Mr J. P. Collier in 1857.
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
15
by Percy in his Reliques, 1765, I, 129, with
corrections from f ; and by Ritson, Pieces of
Ancient Popular Poetry, 1791, p. 5, with the
necessary emendations of Copland's somewhat
faulty text, d is followed by a Second Part,
described by Ritson, in temperate terms, as
" a very inferior and servile production." It
is here given (with much reluctance) in an
Appendix.
Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough, and Wil-
liam of Cloudesly, outlawed for breach of the
game-laws, swear brotherhood, and betake
themselves to Inglewood, a forest adjacent to
Carlisle. William is a wedded man, and one
day tells his brethren that he means to go to
Carlisle to see his wife and children. Adam
would not advise this, lest he should be taken
by the justice. William goes to Carlisle, nev-
ertheless, knocks at his window, and is admit-
ted by Alice, his wife, who tells him with a
sigh that the place has been beset for him a
half year and more. While they make good
cheer, an old woman, whom William had kept
seven years for charity, slips out, and informs
the justice that William is come to town.*
The justice and the sheriff come presently
with a great rout to take William. Man and
wife defend the house till it is set on fire. Wil-
liam lets his wife and children down with
sheets, and shoots on till his bowstring is burnt,
then runs into the thick of his foes with
sword and buckler, but is felled by doors and
windows thrown on him, and so taken. The
sheriff orders the gates of Carlisle to be shut
close, and sets up a gallows to hang William.
A boy, friendly to the family, gets out at a
crevice in the wall, and carries word to Adam
and Clim, who instantly set out for the res-
cue.
Adam and Clim find the gates shut so fast
that there is no chance of getting in without
a stratagem. Adam has a fair written letter
in his pocket : they will make the porter think
that they have the king's seal. They beat on
the gate till the porter comes, and demand to
Mr Collier described his fragment as " a scrap which once
formed the fly-leaf of a book." Hazliit says that the type is
clearly older than Copland's, and very like Wynkyn de
Worde's.
be let in as messengers from the king to the jus-
tice. The porter demurs, but they browbeat
him with the king's seal ; he opens the gate ;
they wring his neck and take his keys. First
bending their bows and looking to the strings,
they make for the market-place, where they
find Cloudesly lying in a cart, on the point
to be hanged. William sees them, and takes
hope. Adam makes the sheriff his mark, Clim
the justice ; both fall, deadly wounded ; the
citizens fly ; the outlaws loose Cloudesly's
ropes. William wrings an axe from the hand
of an officer, and smites on every side ; Adam
and Clim shoot till their arrows ire gone, then
draw their swords. Horns are blown, and the
bells rung backwards ; the mayor of Carlisle
comes with a large force, and the fight is hot-
ter than ever. But all for naught, for the
outlaws get to the gates, and are soon in In-
glewood, under their trysty-tree.
Alice had come to Inglewood to make
known to Adam and Clim what had befallen
her husband, but naturally had not found
them, since they were already gone to Wil-
liam's rescue. A woman is heard weeping,
and Cloudesly, taking a turn to see what this
may mean, comes upon his wife and three
boys. Very sad she is, but the sight of her
husband makes all well. Three harts are
killed for supper, and William gives Alice the
best for standing so boldly by him. The out-
laws determine to go to the king to get a char-
ter of peace. William takes his eldest son
with him, leaving Alice and the two younger
at a nunnery. The three brethren make their
way to the king's presence, without leave of
porter or announcement by usher, kneel down
and hold up their hands, and ask grace for
having slain the king's deer. The king in-
quires their names, and when he hears who
they are says they shall all be hanged, and or-
ders them into arrest. Adam Bell once more
asks grace, since they have come to the king
of their free will, or else that they may go,
with such weapons as they have, when they
* This old woman gives the title ' Auld Matrons ' to a bal-
lad in Buchan's larger collection, II, 238, in which kitchen-
tradition has made over some of the incidents in the First
Fit of Adam Bell.
16
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
will ask no grace in a hundred years. The
king replies again that all three shall be
hanged. Hereupon the queen reminds the
king that when she was wedded he had prom-
ise"d to grant the first boon she should ask ;
she had hitherto asked nothing, but now begs
the three yeomen's lives. The king must
needs consent.
Immediately thereafter comes information
that the outlaws had slain the justice and
the sheriff, the mayor of Carlisle, all the con-
stables and catchpolls, the sergeants of the
law, forty foresters, and many more. This
makes the king so sad that he can eat no more ;
but he wishes to see these fellows shoot that
have wrought all this woe. The king's archers
and the queen's go to the butts with the three
yeomen, and the outlaws hit everything that
is set up. Cloudesly holds the butts too wide
for a good archer, and the three set up two
hazel rods, twenty score paces apart; he is a
good archer, says Cloudesly, that cleaves one
of these. The king says no man can do it ;
but Cloudesly cleaves the wand. The king
declares him the best archer he ever saw.
William says he will do a greater mastery :
he will lay an apple on his son's head (a boy
of seven), and split it in two at six score paces.
The king bids him make haste so to do : if he
fail, he shall be hanged ; and if he touch the
boy, the outlaws shall be hanged, all three.
Cloudesly ties the child to a stake, turning its
face from him, sets an apple on its head, and,
begging the people to remain quiet, cleaves
the apple in two. The king gives Cloudesly
eighteen pence a day as his bowman, and
makes him chief rider over the North Coun-
try. The queen adds twelve pence, makes him
a gentleman of cloth and fee and his two bro-
thers yeomen of her chamber, gives the boy
a place in her wine-cellar, and appoints Alice
her chief gentlewoman and governess of her
nursery. The yeomen express their thanks,
go to Rome [to some bishop, in the later
copy] to be absolved of their sins, live the
rest of their lives with the king, and die good
men, all three.
The rescue of Robin Hood by Little John
and Much in No 117, sts 61-82, has a general
resemblance to the rescue of Cloudesly by
Adam and Clim in this ballad, st. 52 ff. The
rescue of Will Stutly has also some slight sim-
ilarity : cf. No 141, sts 26-33, and 70, 79-81, of
4 Adam Bell.*
The shooting of an apple from a boy's head,
sts 151-62, is, as is well known, a trait in
several German and Norse traditions, and
these particular feats, as well as everything
resembling them, have been a subject of eager
discussion in connection with the apocryphal
history of William Tell.
The Icelandic saga of Dietrich of Bern,
compiled, according to the prologue, from Low
German tales and ballads, narrates that young
Egil, a brother of Weland the Smith, came
to Nidung's court with the fame of being the
best bowman in the world. Nidung, to prove
his skill, required Egil [on pain of death] to
shoot an apple from the head of his son, a
child of three years, only one trial being per-
mitted. Egil split the apple in the middle.
Though allowed but one chance, Egil had pro-
vided himself with three arrows. When asked
why, he answered the king that the two oth-
ers were meant for him, if he had hit the boy
with the first. Saga BiSriks Konungs af
Bern, ed. linger, c. 75, p. 90 f ; Peringskiold,
Wilkina Saga, c. 27, p. 63 f; Raszmann, Die
Deutsche Heldensage, II, 247 f ; the Swedish
rifacimento, Sagan om Didrik af Bern, ed.
Hylte"n-Cavallius, c. 73, p. 54. The Icelandic
saga was composed about 1250.
Saxo, writing about 1200, relates nearly the
same incidents of Toko, a man in the service
of King Harold Bluetooth (f c. 985). Toko,
while drinking with comrades, had bragged
that he was good enough bowman to hit the
smallest apple on top of a stick at the first shot.
This boast was carried to the king, who ex-
acted a fulfilment of it on pain of death ; but
the apple was to be set on the head of Toko's
son. The father exhorted the boy to stand
perfectly still, and, to make this easier, turned
the child's face from the direction of the shot ;
then, laying out three arrows from his quiver,
executed the required feat. When the king
asked why he had taken three arrows, Toko
replied, To wreak the miss of the first with
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OP CLOUDESLY
17
the points of the others. Saxo Grammati-
cus, Gesta Danorum, Book x, ed. Holder,
p. 329 f.
The White Book of Obwalden, written about
1470, informs us that Tell, a good archer,
having refused to bow to Gesler's hat, was or-
dered by the landvogt to shoot an apple from
the head of one of his children. Unable to
resist, Tell laid-by a second arrow, shot the
apple from the child's head, and being asked
why he had reserved the other arrow, re-
plied that if the first had missed he would
have shot Gesler or one of his men with the
second.*
This story is introduced into a piece of
verse on the origin of the Swiss confederacy,
of nearly the same date as the prose docu-
ment. In this the landvogt says to Tell that
if he does not hit with the first shot, it will
cost him his life ; the distance is one hundred
and twenty paces, as in the English ballad,
and Tell says simply that he would have shot
the landvogt if he had hit his son.f (Tell
uses a cross-bow, not the long-bow, as the
English.)
Henning Wulf, a considerable person in
Holstein, who had headed an unsuccessful out-
break against Christian the First of Denmark,
was captured and brought before the king.
The king, knowing Henning to be an incom-
parable archer, ordered him to shoot an ap-
ple from the head of his only son, a child : if
he succeeded, he was to go free. The exploit
was happily accomplished. But Henning had
put a second arrow into his mouth, and the
king asked the object. The second arrow
was for the king, had the boy been hit. Hen-
ning Wulf was outlawed. The story, which
* Vischer, Die Sage von der Befreiung der Waldstadte,
pp 33, 36 f ; Rochholz, Germania, XIII, 56 f . " Wa er das
nit hette gethan, so hette er selbs miissen darumb sterben : "
Boss's Chronicle, 1482, Vischer, p. 50.
t Liliencron, Die historischen Volkslieder der Deutschen,
II, 109, No 147 ; Bohme, p. 47, No 10 ; Vischer, p. 46 ; Boch-
holz, Tell u. Gessler, p. 180; Tobler, p. 3. This or a like
song was known to Buss, 1482. Tschudi, about a hundred
years later, c. 1570, says that the child was five or six,
not more than six, years old : Vischer, p. 1 22. There is
another, but later and even worse, " song " about William
Tell and the confederacy: Bohme, No 11, p. 49;Wunder-
horn, 1808, II, 129; etc.
t Miillenhoff , Sagen, u. s. w., der Herzogthihner Schleswig
is put at 1472, is the subject of a painting
preserved in a church. J
The Norwegian king, Haraldr HarSraSr
(f 1066), who has a grudge against Hemingr,
son of Aslakr, undertakes to put him to proof
in shooting, swimming, and snow-shoe sliding.
They go to a wood, and both execute extraor-
dinary feats with bow and lance ; but Hem-
ingr is much superior to the king. The king
orders Hemingr to shoot a nut from his bro-
ther Bjorn's head, on pain of death for missing.
Hemingr would rather die than venture such
a shot ; but his brother offers himself freely,
and undertakes to stand still. Then let the
king stand by Bjorn, says Hemingr, and see
whether I hit. But the king prefers to stand
by Hemingr, and appoints somebody else to
the other position. Hemingr crosses himself,
calls God to witness that the king is responsi-
ble, throws his lance, and strikes the nut from
his brother's head, doing him no harm. Hem-
ings Dattr, Flateyjarb6k, III, 405 f (1370-
80) ; Miiller, Sagabibliothek, III, 356 ff.
This story was probably derived from an old
song, and is preserved in Norwegian and Fa-
roe ballads : ' Harald kongin og Hemingen
unge,' Landstad, Norske Folkeviser, No 15, A,
B, pp. 177-188 ; ' Geyti Aslaksson,' Hammers-
haimb, Fseroiske Kvseder,No 17,A-C, n, 149-
163. In Norwegian A, 5-10, the shot is ex-
acted under pain of imprisonment. Hemingen
insists that the king shall take a place near
his brother [son], whom he exhorts to stand
erect and bold ; one half of the nut falls, the
other is left on the head ; the king asks what
was to have been done with a second arrow
which Hemingen had secreted, and is answered
as in the previous cases.§ The first and last
Holstein u. Lauenburg, p. 57, No 66. The story is local-
ized at another place in Holstein, with the change of apple
to pear : Liitolf, Germania, VIII, 213.
§ Torfaeus, in his history of Norway, III, 371, speaks of
a ballad about Heming sung in his time, c. 1700, which
would seem to have been the same as this, only somewhat
fuller. Landstad, p. 187.
These ballads represent the king as regarding himself as
f quite unapproachable in athletic exercises. The little boy
of ballads, smadrengin, kongins litil svein, Norwegian B,
Faroe A, or, in a Faroe variation ( Hammershaimb, p. 161),
Harald's queen, intimates knowledge of an equal or supe-
rior. Harald answers, in true ballad style, in Faroe A 6,
If he is not my better, you shall burn for it. In Norwe-
18
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
of these incidents are wanting in B (19-22).
In the Faroe ballad, A, 53-62, the king tells
Geyti (whom he also calls Hemingur) that he
must shoot a nut from his brother's head.
Geyti asks the king to go to the wood with him
to see the result, invokes God and St Olav,
hits the nut without touching his brother. It
is not till the next day that the king asks
Geyti why he had two arrows with him in
the wood.
The same story, pleasingly varied for the
occasion, is found in the saga of the Norwe-
gian king Olafr Tryggvason (f 1000). The
king hears that EindriSi, a handsome, rich,
and amiable young man, is unconverted. Ein-
driSi is a good swimmer, bowman, and dirk-
thrower. Olafr, a proficient in all such exer-
cises, proposes to try masteries with him in
the feats which he has repute for, on the terms
that if Eindriol is beaten he shall be baptized,
but if victor shall hold such faith as he will.
The first trial is in swimming, and in this
Olafr shows unequivocal superiority. The
next day they shoot at a target, and the ad-
vantage, after two essays, is rather with Ein-
dritfi. The king compliments EindritH ; but
the issue between them is not yet decided.
This fine young fellow's salvation is at stake,
and expedients which one might otherwise
scruple at are justifiable. Olafr knows that
Eindriol tenderly loves a pretty child, four or
five years old, his sister's son. This boy shall
be our target, says the king. A chessman
(the king-piece) on his head shall be the
mark, to be shot off without hurting the boy.
Eindridl must needs submit, but means to
have revenge if the child comes to harm. The
king orders a cloth to be passed round the
boy's head, each end of which is to be held
firmly by a man, so as to prevent any stirring
when the whiz of the arrow is heard. Olafr
signs both himself and the point of his arrow
with the cross, and shoots ; the arrow takes off
gian B, Faroe A, the king immediately sets out to find his
rival Cf. Charlemagne and King Arthur, I, 275, 279, and
the beginning of 'King Estmere,' II, 51, and Landstad, p.
177, note 1.
* The Witches' Hammer was composed in 1486, and Pun-
ker is there recorded to have exercised his devil's craft sixty
years before. Elsewhere Punker [Pumper] is said to have
the chessman, passing between it and the
head, grazing the crown and drawing some
little blood. The king bids EindriSi take his
turn ; but Eindridi's mother and sister beg him
with tears to desist, and he, though ready to
take the risk, yields to their entreaties, and
leaves the victory with Olafr. On the third
day there is a match at a game with dirks.
For a time no one can say which does the
better ; but in the end Olafr performs feats
so marvellous as in EindriSi's conviction to
demonstrate the assistance of a deity: where-
fore he consents to be baptized. Saga Olafs
Tryggvasonar, Fornmanna Sogur, II, 259—74,
c. 235; Flateyjarb6k, I, 456-64, cc. 359-64.
Punker, a warlock of Rorbach (a town not
far from Heidelberg), had obtained from the
devil, as the regular recompense for his having
thrice pierced the crucifix, the power of mak-
ing three unerring shots daily, and had so been
able to pick off in detail all but one of the gar-
rison of a besieged town. To put his skill to
proof, a certain nobleman ordered him to
shoot a piece of money from his own son's
head. Punker wished to be excused, for he
feared that the devil might play him false ;
but being induced to make the trial, knocked
the coin from the boy's cap, doing him no
damage. Before shooting, he had stuck an-
other arrow into his collar, and asked why,
replied that if the devil had betrayed him,
and he had killed the child, he would have
sent the other bolt through the body of the
person who had obliged him to undertake the
performance. Malleus Maleficarum, Pars II,
Qusestio I, c. xvi.* The date of the transac-
tion is put at about 1420.
The last three forms of this tradition have
the unimportant variations of brother and
brother, or uncle and nephew, for father and .
son, and of nut, chessman, or coin for apple.
The story is German-Scandinavian, and not
remarkably extended.! The seven versions
been torn to pieces by oppressed peasants in 1420. The name
is spelled Puncler in the edition of 1620, pp 248 f, and Pun-
cher in the edition followed by Grimm. See, Rochholz in
Germania, XIII, 48-51.
t The Tell story, complete, Apfelschuss, Felsensprung
und Tyrannenmord, is said to occur among the Finns and
the Lapps : E. Pabsf, cited by Pfannenschmid, Germania,
116. ADAM BELL, GLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AJSD WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
19
agree in two points : the shot is compulsory ;
the archer meditates revenge in case he harms
the person on whose head the mark is placed.*
These features are wanting in the English
ballad. William of Cloudesly offers of his
own free motion to shoot an apple from his
son's head, and this after the king had de-
clared him the best archer he had ever seen,
for splitting a hazel-rod at twenty score paces;
so that the act was done purely for glory. To
be sure, the king threatens him with death if
he does not achieve what he has undertaken,
as death is also threatened in four of the seven
German-Scandinavian stories for refusal to try
the shot or for missing ; but the threats in
sts 154 f of the English ballad are a revival of
the vow in sts 119 f. Justice has been balked
by the unconditional boon granted the queen ;
aggravating and exasperating circumstances
have come to light since this unadvised grace
was conceded, and a hope is presented for a
pretext under which the king may still hang
the outlaws, all three. The shooting of the
apple from the boy's head, isolated from any
particular connection, is perhaps all of the
German-Scandinavian story that was known
to the English ballad-maker, and all minor re-
semblances may well be fortuitous.f
If the shooting of an apple by somebody
from somebody's head is to be regarded as the
kernel of the story, its area may then be con-
siderably extended.
Castre'n heard the following story among
the Finns in Russian Karelia. Robbers had
carried a man off over a lake. The son of the
captive, a boy of twelve, followed along the
other side of the lake, threatening to shoot
them if they did not let his father go. These
threats, for a time, only procured worse treat-
ment for the prisoner ; but at last the boy was
told that his father should be released if he
could shoot an arrow across the water and
split an apple laid on his father's head. This
the boy did, and his father was liberated.
CastreVs Reiseerinnerungen aus den Jahren
1838-44, ed. Schiefner, p. 89 f.
A Persian poet introduces into a work
composed about 1175 this anecdote. J A dis-
tinguished king was very fond of a beautiful
slave, so much so that he was never easy un-
less he was in some way engaged with him.
When the king amused himself with shoot-
ing, this slave would tremble with fear, for the
king would make his mark of an apple placed
on his favorite's head, split the apple, and in
so doing make the slave sick with alarm.
J. Grimm had seen a manuscript of travels
in Turkey, in the Cassel library, with a pic-
ture of an archer aiming at an apple on a
child's head. Deutsche Mythologie, I, 317,
note, ed. 1875.
With regard to the Persian story, Benfey
observes that it must be admitted as possible
that the shooting of an apple from the head
of a beloved person may have been pitched
upon in various localities, independently, as
the mark of supreme skill in archery, but
that this is not likely, and that the history of
tradition requires us rather to presume that
the conception was original in one instance
IX, 5. Particulars, which are very desirable, are not given.
This would not add much to the range of the story.
* In the prose Hemings Dattr, the intent to take ven-
geance appears from Hemingr's wish that the king should
stand close to the mark ; in the ballads he reserves an ar-
row. In the ()lafs Saga, EindriSi openly announces his pur-
pose ; in all but this version (treating the prose Hemings
Dattr and the ballads as one), the archer provides himself
with two arrows, or three.
t Such as the penalty for missing, as above said ; or Tell's
shooting at a hundred and twenty paces, and bearing
Cloudesly's name, William. If the coincidence as to the
distance should be held to be very important, I, for one,
should have no objection to admitting that this part of the
ballad may be derived from the Tell story.
J. Grimm remarked in 1813, Gedanken iiber Mythos, Epos
und Geschichte (Kleinere Schriften, IV, 77), that the simi-
larity of the names Tell, Bell, Velent, Bellerophon (see a
little further on, p. 21), could hardly fail to strike even a
superficial observer, and also pointed to the identity of Tell's
and Cloudesly's Christian name. In his Deutsche Mytholo-
gie, I, 317, ed. 1875, it is simply said that the surname Bell,
as well as Cloudesly's Christian name, is suggestive of Wil-
liam Tell.
t The poet is Mohammed ben Ibrahim, 1119-c. 1230, and
he bore the honorary title of Furid Uddin (Pearl of Reli-
gion), and the sobriquet of Attar, perfumer. The title of
the poem is The Language of Birds. Garcin de Tassy, La
Poesie Philosophique et Religieuse chez les Persans, Extrait
de la Revue Contemporaine, t. xxiv, pp. 4, 35. " Nur den
Apfel treffen wir bier. . . . Es bleibt also weiter nichts ubrig
als anzunehmen dass die persische Sage ... in die grau-
esten Urzeiten des arischen Alterthumshinaufreichen muss."
(Pfannenschmid, in Germ an ia, X, 26 f.) A rapid inference.
20
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
only, and borrowed in the remainder; in which
case the borrowing would be by the West from
the East, and not the other way. We can
come to no decision, however, he adds, until
the source of the Persian story, or some older
form of it, shall have been discovered. (Got-
tinger Gelehrte Anzeigen, 1861, p. 680.) The
cautiousness of the imperial scholar is worthy
of all imitation. The Persian saga, as it is
sometimes called, is, in the perhaps mutilated
form in which we have it, an inconsistent and
inept anecdote ; the German - Scandinavian
saga is a complete and rational story. In
this story it is fundamental that the archer
executes a successful shot under circumstances
highly agitating to the nerves ; he risks the
life of a beloved object, and in the majority
of versions his own life is at stake besides.
That the act must be done under compulsion
is the simplest corollary. If the archer is cool
enough to volunteer the shot, then the chief
difficulty in making it is removed. This is a
fault in the English ballad, where the father
is unconcerned, and all the feeling is shown
by the spectators. Cloudesly had already
split a hazel -rod at twenty score paces;
what was it for him to hit an apple at six
score ? *
But we are still far from covering the range
of stories which have been treated as having
some significant relation to that of Egil. Any
shot at an apple, any shot at an object on a
child's person (provided the case be not a fact
and recent), has been thought worth quoting,
as a probable sprout from the same root. For
examples : In an Esthonian popular tale, one
Sharpeye hits an apple which a man a long
way off is holding by his mouth. In a Ser-
vian poem, the hero, Milosch, sends an arrow
through a ring, and hits a golden apple on the
point of a lance. Bellerophon's sons, Hippo-
lochus and Isandrus, disputing which should
* EindriSi also had accomplished a harder shot before he
tried the chessman. But Hemingr, having done what was
thought a masterly thing in cleaving a nut, is compelled to
knock the same nut, shooting at the same distance, from his
brother's head.
t Das Inland, No 39, p. 630, cited by Rochholz, Tell und
Gessler, p. 40 f. Gerhard's Wila, I, 147 f, cited by Roch-
holz, p. 39 f. EustathiuB to Iliad, xii, lol, first cited by
be king of the Lycians, it was proposed that
the question should be settled by seeing which
could shoot through a ring placed on the
breast of a child lying on his back. Laoda-
mia, sister of the competitors, offered her son
Sarpedon for the trial, and the uncles, to show
their appreciation of such handsome behavior,
resigned their claims in favor of Sarpedon.
The shot, we may understand, did riot come
off.f
With regard to all this series of stories, and
others which have been advanced as allied,
more will be required to make out a substan-
tial relationship than their having in common
a shot at some object in contiguity with a
living human body, be the object an apple, or
whatever else. The idea of thus enhancing
the merit or interest of a shot is not so in-
genious that one instance must be held to be
original, and all others derivative. The archer
Alcon, according to Servius,J was wont to
shoot through rings placed on men's heads.
Sir John Malcolm (Kaye's Life, II, 400) was
told that at Mocha, when the dates were ripe,
a otone, standing up some three inches, would
be put on the head of a child, at which two
or three of the best marksmen would fire,
with ball, at thirty-one yards distance. A
case was reported, about fifty years ago, of a
man in Pennsylvania shooting a very small
apple from the head of another man.§ A
linen-weaver was judicially punished at Spires,
some thirty years ago, for shooting a sheet of
paper from his son's hand, and afterwards a
potato (" also einen Erdapfel," Rochholz I)
from the boy's head.|| The keel-boat men of
the Mississippi, in their playfulness, would cut
the pipe out of a companion's hat-band at a
long distance. " If they quarreled among
themselves, and then made friends, their test
that they bore no malice was to shoot some
small object from each other's heads," such as
Grimm, Deutsche Mythologie (who says, " Ea stimmt auch
theilweise," p. 317, ed. 1875) ; by others later.
t To Virgil, Eel. v, 11, cited by Ideler, Die Sage von
dem Schuss des Tell, p. 59, note 3.
§ Hisely, Recherches Critiques sur THistoire de Guil-
laume Teil, p. 590.
|| Pfannenschmid, in Germania, X, 25; Rocliholz. Tell
und Gessler, p. 41 f.
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OP CLOUDESLY
21
an apple. Such feats have of late been com-
mon on the American stage.
Whatever may be thought of the linen-
weaver at Spires, it will scarcely be main-
tained that the Mississippi keel-boat men shot
at apples in imitation of William Tell. As
to the selection of an apple, it seems enough
to say that an apple makes a convenient mark,
is familiar to temperate climates, and at hand
at almost any part of the year.* But the
chief point of all to be borne in mind is, that
whether the Mississippi boatmen took their
cue, directly or indirectly, from William Tell,
they do not become mythical personages by
virtue of their repeating his shot. None the
more does William of Cloudesly. A story
long current in Europe, a mythical story if
you please, could certainly be taken up by an
English ballad-maker without prejudice to the
substantial and simply romantic character of
his hero.f
The late Mr Joseph Hunter unhesitatingly
declared Adam Bell " a genuine personage of
history," and considered that he had had " the
good fortune to recover from a very authentic
source of information some particulars of this
hero of our popular minstrelsy which show
distinctly the time at which he lived."
" King Henry the Fourth, by letters en-
rolled in the Exchequer, in Trinity Term, in
the seventh year of his reign [1406], and
bearing date the 14th day of April, granted
to one Adam Bell an annuity of 41. 10s. issu-
ing out of the fee-farm of Clipston, in the
forest of Sherwood, together with the profits
and advantages of the vesture and herbage
* T. B. Thorpe, Reminiscences of the Mississippi, in Har-
per's New Monthly Magazine, XII, 30. A story is there
related of a famous Mike Fink's striking an apple from a
man's head by shooting between it and the skull, like the
Scandinavian marksmen. In Captain Mayne Reid's Scalp
Hunters, or Romantic Adventures in Northern Mexico, ch.
22, we are told of an Indian's shooting a prairie-gourd from
the head of his sister, which may or may not be an inven-
tion. The title of the chapter is A Feat k la Tell, and
this may perhaps be the only foundation for an assertion
that the Tell story had been found in Mexico ; at least, in-
quiries have not brought to light any other.
t For the interpretation which has been put upon the Tell
story, see, among many, Pfanuenschmid, in Germania,
X, 1-40; Rochholz, Tell uiid Gessler, in Sage und Ge-
schichte.
of the garden called the Halgarth, in which
the manor-house of Clipston is situated.
" Now, as Sherwood is noted for its con-
nection with archery, and may be regarded
also as the patria of much of the ballad po-
etry of England, and the name of Adam Bell
is a peculiar one, this might be almost of
itself sufficient to show that the ballad had a
foundation in veritable history. But we fur-
ther find that this Adam Bell violated his
allegiance by adhering to the Scots, the king's
enemies ; whereupon this grant was virtually
resumed, and the sheriff of Nottinghamshire
accounted for the rents which would have
been his. In the third year of King Henry
the Fifth [1416], the account was rendered
by Thomas Hercy, and in the fourth year by
Simon Leak. The mention of his adhesion
to the Scots leads us to the Scottish border,
and will not leave a doubt in the mind of
the most sceptical that we have here one of
the persons, some of whose deeds (with some
poetical license, perhaps) are come down to
us in the words of one of our popular ballads."
(New Illustrations of the Life, Studies, and
Writings of Shakespeare, I, 245 f, 1845.)
Mr Hunter's points are, that an Adam Bell
had a grant from the proceeds of a farm in
the forest of Sherwood, that Adam Bell is a
peculiar name, and that his Adam Bell ad-
hered to the king's enemies. To be sure,
Adam Bell's retreat in the ballad is not Sher-
wood, in Nottinghamshire, but Englishwood,
or Inglewood, in Cumberland (an old hunting-
ground of King Arthur's, according to several
romances), a forest sixteen miles in length,
The mildew of myth spreads, of course, from William to
his comrades. J. Grimm, in his Gedanken iiber Mythos,
etc., 1813, interprets Clim, Cloudesly, and Clough all in
the sense of nail, sharp point, arrow ; and as Bell is &f\os,
Tell is telum, Toko rfyov, and Egil is igel, hedgehog, and
therefore the spine of the hedgehog, and therefore dart, the
names are all one as to meaning. But Grimm appears to
have been less confident about these etymologies in later
days. Sir G. W. Cox, on the other hand, says that Cloudes-
ly's name marks him as an inhabitant of Cloudland. (Mean-
while, every likelihood favors the derivation of Cloudcsly
from clud, rock, and leah, lea, and the interpretation of
Clim as Clem and of Clough as ravine.) Cloudesly and his
mates are all the more mythical because they are three, and
because, as it is asserted, Robin Hood is mythical, with
whom they are, one and all, assumed to be identical.
22
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
reaching from Carlisle to Penrith.* But it
would be captious to insist upon this. Robin
Hood has no connection in extant ballads
with the Cumberland forest, but Wyntoun's
Scottish Chronicle, c. 1420, makes him to
have frequented Ingle wood as well as Barns-
dale, f The historical Adam Bell was granted
an annuity, and forfeited it for adhering to
the king's enemies, the Scots ; the Adam Bell
of the ballad was outlawed for breaking the
game-laws, and in consequence came into con-
flict with the king's officers, but never adhered
to the king's enemies, first or last, received
the king's pardon, was made yeoman of the
queen's chamber, dwelt with the king, and
died a good man. Neither is there anything
peculiar in the name Adam Bell. Bell was
as well known a name on the borders $ as
Armstrong or Graham. There is record of
an Adam Armstrong and an Adam Graham ;
there is a Yorkshire Adam Bell mentioned
in the Parliamentary Writs (II, 508, 8 and
17 Edward II,) a hundred years before Hun-
ter's annuitant; a contemporary Adam Bell,
of Dunbar, is named in the Exchequer Rolls
of Scotland under the years 1414, 1420
(IV, 198, 325) ; and the name occurs repeat-
edly at a later date in the Registers of the
Great Seal of Scotland.
The placability of the king in this ballad is
repeated in the Gest of Robin Hood, and is
also exhibited in the Tale of Gamelyn, where
Gamely n is made justice of all the free forest,
as William is here made chief rider over all
the North Country. The king, besides, for-
gives all Gamely n's eight young men, and
puts them in good office. The king of the
outlaws, in the tale, had previously made his
peace without any difficulty. Vv 888-94,
687-89.
Translated, after Percy's Reliques, by Bod-
mer, II, 78 ; by Fouque", Busching, Erzahlun-
gen, u. s. w., des Mittelalters, I, 1 ; the third
Fit, by Knortz, Lieder und Romanzen Alt-
englands, No 70.
C. 1 MEBY it was in grene forest,
Amonge the leues grene,
Where that men walke both east awd west,
Wyth bowes and arrowes kene,
2 To ryse the dere out of theyr denne ;
Suche sightes as hath ofte bene sene,
As by th[r]e yemen of the north countrey,
By them it is as I nieane.
3 The one of them hight Adam Bel,
The other Clym of the Clough,
The thyrd was William of Cloudesly,
An archer good ynough.
4 They were outlawed for venyson,
These thre yemen euerechone ;
* Camden, Britannia, II, 175, ed. 1772. King Edward the
First, when hunting in this forest, is said to have killed two
hundred bucks in one day. For Arthur's hunting there,
see Robson, Three Early English Metrical Romances, p.
26, LV7, p. 59, V1; Madden's Syr Gawayne, p. 298, v. 16 ;
this book, I, 294, st. 9, etc.
t Cronykil of Scotland, Book vii, v. 3523 f, ed. Laing,
II, 263.
They swore them brethen vpon a day,
To Englysshe-wood for to gone.
5 Now litli and lysten, gentylmen,
And that of myrthes loueth to here :
Two of them were single men,
The third had a wedded fere.
6 Wyllyam was the wedded man,
Muche more then was hys care :
He sayde to hys brethen vpon a day,
To Carelel he would fare,
7 For to speke with fayre Alse hys wife,
And with hys chyldren thre :
' By my trouth,' sayde Adam Bel,
' Not by the counsell of me.
J John Bell robbed the Chamberlain's men of cattle, 1337 :
Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, II, 437. The Bells are in-
cluded with the Grahams, Armstrongs, and others, among
the bad and more vagrant of the great surnames of the bor-
der, by the Lord Warden of the Marches of England, 1593
(Rymer's Foedera, XVI, 183, ed. 1727, cited by Bishop
Percy), and had no better estimation in Scotland.
116. ADAM BELL, GLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
23
8 ' For if ye go to Caerlel, brother,
And from thys wylde wode wende,
If the justice mai you take,
Your lyfe were at an ende.'
9 ' If that I come not to morowe, brother,
By pryme to you agayne,
Truste not els but that I am take,
Or else that I am slayne.'
10 He toke hys leaue of hys brethen two,
And to Carlel he is gone ;
There he knocked at hys owne wyndowe,
Shortlye and anone.
11 ' Wher be you, fayre Alyce, my wyfe,
And my chyldren three ?
Lyghtly let in thyne husbande,
Wyllyam of Cloudesle.'
12 ' Alas ! ' then sayde fayre Alyce,
And syghed wonderous sore,
' Thys place hath ben besette for you
Thys halfe yere and more.'
13 ' Now am I here,' sayde Cloudesle,
' I woulde that I in were ;
Now feche vs meate and drynke ynoughe,
And let vs make good chere.'
14 She feched him meat and drynke plenty,
Lyke a true wedded wyfe,
And pleased hym with that she had,
Whome she loued as her lyfe.
15 There lay an old wyfe in that place,
A lytle besyde the fyre,
Whych Wyllyam had found, of cherytye,
More then seuen yere.
16 Up she rose, and walked full styll,
Euel mote she spede therefoore !
For she had not set no fote on ground
In seuen yere before.
17 She went vnto the justice hall,
As fast as she could hye :
( Thys nyght is come vn to thys town
Wyllyam of Cloudesle.'
18 Thereof the iustice was full fayne, *
And so was the shirife also :
'Thou shalt not trauaile hether, dame, for
nought ;
Thy meed thou shalt haue or thou go.'
19 They gaue to her a ryght good goune,
Of scarlat it was, as I heard say[n]e ;
She toke the gyft, and home she wente,
And couched her doune agayne.
20 They rysed the towne of mery Carlel,
In all the hast that they can,
And came thronging to Wyllyames house,
As fast [as] they might gone.
21 Theyr they besette that good yeman,
Round about on euery syde ;
Wyllyam hearde great noyse of folkcs,
That heytherward they hyed.
22 Alyce opened a shot-wyndow,
And loked all about ;
She was ware of the justice and the shrife bothe,
Wyth a full great route.
23 ' Alas ! treason,' cryed Alyce,
' Euer wo may thou be !
Go into my chambre, my husband,' she sayd,
' Swete Wyllyam of Cloudesle.'
24 He toke hys sweard and hys bucler,
Hys bow and hy[s] chyldren thre,
And wente into hys strongest chamber,
Where he thought surest to be.
25 Fayre Alice folowed him as a louer true,
With a pollaxe in her hande :
' He shalbe deade that here cometh in
Thys dore, whyle I may stand.'
26 Cloudesle bent a wel good bowe,
That was of trusty tre,
He smot the justise on the brest,
That hys arrowe brest in thre.
27 ' God's curse on his hartt,' saide William,
' Thys day thy cote dyd on ;
If it had ben no better then myne,
It had gone nere thy bone.'
28 ' Yelde the, Cloudesle,' sayd the justise,
* And thy bowe and thy arrowes the fro : '
* Gods curse on hys hart,' sayde fair Al[i]ce,
' That my husband councelleth so.'
24
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
29 ' Set fyre on the house,' saide the sherife,
1 Syth it wyll no better be,
And brenne we therin William,' he saide,
' Hys wyfe and chyldren thre.'
30 They fyred the house in many a place,
The fyre flew vpon hye ;
' Alas ! ' than cryed fayr Alice,
' I se we shall here dy.'
31 William openyd hys backe wyndow,
That was in hys chambre on hye,
And wyth shetes let hys wyfe downe,
And hys chyldren thre.
32 ' Haue here my treasure,' sayde William,
' My wyfe and my chyldren thre ;
For Christes loue do them no harme,
But wreke you all on me.'
33 Wyllyam shot so wonderous well,
Tyll hys arrowes were all go,
And the fyre so fast vpon hym fell,
That hys bo[w]stryng brent in two.
34 The spercles brent and fell hym on,
Good Wyllyam of Cloudesle ;
But than was he a wofull man, and sayde,
Thys is a cowardes death to me.
35 ' Leuer I had,' sayde Wyllyam,
' ' With my sworde in the route to renne,
Then here among myne ennemyes wode
Thus cruelly to bren.'
36 He toke hys sweard and hys buckler,
And among them all he ran ;
Where the people were most in prece,
He smot downe many a man.
37 There myght no man stand hys stroke,
So f ersly on them he ran ;
Then they threw wyndowes and dores on him,
And so toke that good yeman.
38 There they hym bounde both hand and fote,
And in depe dongeon hym cast ;
' Now, Cloudesle,' sayde the hye justice,
1 Thou shalt be hanged in hast.'
39 ' One vow shal I make,' sayde the sherife,
'A payre of new galowes shall I for the
make,
And al the gates of Caerlel shalbe shutte,
There shall no man come in therat.
40 ' Then shall not helpe dim of the Cloughe,
Nor yet Adam Bell,
Though they came with a thousand mo,
Nor all the deuels in hell.'
41 Early in the mornyng the justice vprose,
To the gates fast gan he gon,
And commaunded to be shut full cloce
Lightile euerychone.
42 Then went he to the market-place,
As fast as he coulde hye ;
A payre of new gallous there dyd he vp set,
Besyde the pyllory.
43 A lytle boy stod them amonge,
And asked what meaned that gallow-tre ;
They sayde, To hange a good yeaman,
Called Wyllyam of Cloudesle.
44 That lytle boye was the towne swyne-heard,
And kept fayre Alyce swyne ;
Full oft he had sene Cloudesle in the wodde,
And geuen hym there to dyne.
45 He went out of a creues in the wall,
And lightly to the woode dyd gone ;
There met he with these wyght yonge men,
Shortly and anone.
46 ' Alas ! ' then sayde that lytle boye,
' Ye tary here all to longe ;
Cloudesle is taken and dampned to death,
All readye for to honge.'
47 ' Alas ! ' then sayde good Adam Bell,
' That euer we see thys daye !
He myght her with vs haue dwelled,
So ofte as we dyd him praye.
48 ' He myght haue taryed in grene f oreste,
Under the shadowes sheene,
And haue kepte both hym and vs in reaste,
Out of trouble and teene.'
49 Adam bent a ryght good bow,
A great hart sone had he slayne ;
' Take that, chylde,' he sayde, ' to thy dynner,
And bryng me myne arrowe agayne.'
116. ADAM BELL, GLIM OF THE CLOTJGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
25
50 4 Now go we hence,' sayed these wight yong men,
' Tary we no lenger here ;
We shall hym borowe, by Gods grace,
Though we bye it full dere.'
51 To Caerlel went these good yemen,
In a mery mornyng of Maye :
Her is a fyt of Cloudesli,
And another is for to saye.
52 And when they came to mery Caerlell,
In a fayre mornyng-tyde,
They founde the gates shut them vntyll,
Round about on euery syde.
53 ' Alas ! ' than sayd good Adam Bell,
* That euer we were made men !
b. These gates be shyt so wonderly well,
That we may not come here in.'
54 Than spake Clymme of the Cloughe :
With a wyle we wyll vs in brynge ;
Let vs say we be messengers,
Streyght comen from oure kynge.
55 Adam sayd, I haue a lettre wryten wele,
Now let vs wysely werke ;
We wyll say we haue the kynges scale,
I holde the porter no clerke.
56 Than Adam Bell bete on the gate,
With strokes greate and stronge ;
The porter herde suche a noyse therate,
And to the gate faste he thronge.
57 ' Who is there no we,' sayd the porter,
' That maketh all this knockynge ?
' We be two messengers,' sayd Clymme of the
Clo[ughe],
' Be comen streyght frome oure kynge.'
58 * We haue a lettre,' sayd Adam Bell,
' To the justyce we must it brynge ;
Let vs in, oure message to do,
That we were agayne to our kynge.'
59 ' Here cometh no man in,' sayd the porter,
< By hym that dyed on a tre,
Tyll a false thefe be hanged,
Called Wyllyam of Clowdysle.'
60 Than spake that good [yeman Clym of the
Cloughe,
And swore by Mary fre,
If that we stande long wythout,
Lyke a thefe hanged shalt thou be/J
61 [Lo here] we haue got the kynges seale ;
[What ! Ijordane, arte thou wode ?
[The p]orter had wende it had been so,
[And l]yghtly dyd of his hode.
62 ' [Welco]me be my lordes scale,' sayd he,
' [For] that shall ye come in : '
[He] opened the gate ryght shortly,
[An] euyll openynge for hym !
63 ' [Nlowe we are in,' sayd Adam Bell,
' [T]herof we are full fayne ;
[But] Cryst knoweth that herowed hell,
[H]ow we shall come oute agayne.'
64 ' [Had] we the keys,' sayd Clym of the Clowgh,
' Ryght well than sholde we spede ;
[Than] myght we come out well ynough,
[Whan] we se tyme and nede.'
65 [They] called the porter to a councell,
[And] wronge hys necke in two,
[And] kest hym in a depe dongeon,
[And] toke the keys hym fro.
66 ' [N]ow am I porter,' sayd Adam Bell ;
' [Se]> broder, the keys haue we here ;
[The] worste porter to mery Carlell,
[That ye] had this hondreth yere.
67 ' [Now] wyll we oure bowes bende,
[Into the t]owne wyll we go,
[For to delyuer our dere] broder,
[Where he lyeth in care and wo.'
68 Then they bent theyr good yew bowes,
And loked theyr strmges were round ;]
The market-place of mery Carlyll,
They beset in that stounde.
69 And as they loked them besyde,
A payre of newe galowes there they se,
And the iustyce, with a quest of swerers,
That had iuged Clowdysle there hanged to be.
70 And Clowdysle hymselfe lay redy in a carte,
Fast bounde bothe fote and hande,
And a strong rope aboute his necke,
All redy for to be hangde.
71 The iustyce called to hym a ladde ;
Clowdysles clothes sholde he haue,
To take the mesure of that good yoman,
And therafter to make his graue.
72 ' I haue sene as greate a merueyll,' sayd
Clowd[esle],
' As bytwene this and pryme,
He that maketh thys graue for me,
Hymselfe may lye therin.'
26
116. AT1AM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
73 f Thou spekest proudely,' sayd the iustyce ;
' I shall hange the with my hande : '
Full well that herde his bretheren two,
There styll as they dyd stande.
74 Than Clowdysle cast hys eyen asyde,
And sawe hys bretheren stande,
At a corner of the market-place,
With theyr good bowes bent in theyr hand,
Redy the iustyce for to chase.
75 ' I se good comforte,' sayd Clowdysle,
' Yet hope I well to fare ;
If I myght haue my handes at wyll,
[Ryght Ijytell wolde I care.'
76 [Than bjespake good Adam Bell,
[To Clym]me of the Clowgh so fre ;
[Broder], se ye marke the iustyce well ;
[Lo yonjder ye may him se.
77 [And at] the sheryf shote I wyll,
[Stron]gly with an arowe kene ;
[A better] shotte in mery Carlyll,
[Thys se]uen yere was not sene.
78 [They lo]used theyr arowes bothe at ones,
[Of no] man had they drede ;
[The one] hyt the iustyce, the other the sheryf,
[That b]othe theyr sydes gan blede.
79 [All men] voyded, that them stode nye,
[Whan] the iustyce fell to the grounde,
[And the] sheryf fell nyghe hym by ;
[Eytherj had his dethes wounde.
80 [All the c]ytezeyns fast gan fle,
[They du]rste no lenger abyde ;
[There ly]ghtly they loused Clowdysle,
[Where he] with ropes lay tyde.
81 [Wyllyam] sterte to an offycer of the towne,
[Hys axe] out his hande he wronge ;
[On eche] syde he smote them downe,
[Hym tho]ught he had taryed to longe.
82 [Wyllyam] sayd to his bretheren two,
[Thys daye] let vs togyder lyue and deye ;
[If euer you] haue nede as I haue no we,
[The same] shall ye fynde by me.
83 [They] shyt so well in that tyde,.
For theyr strynges were of sylke full sure,
That they kepte the stretes on euery syde ;
That batayll dyd longe endure.
84 They fought togyder as bretheren true,
Lyke hardy men and bolde ;
Many a man to the grounde they threwe,
And made many an herte colde.
85 But whan theyr arowes were all gone,
Men presyd on them full fast ;,
They drewe theyr swerdes than anone,
And theyr bowes from them caste.
86 They wente lyghtly on theyr waye,
With swerdes and buckelers rounde ;
By that it was the myddes of the daye,
They had made many a wounde.
87 There was many a noute-horne in Carlyll
blowen,
And the belles backwarde dyd they rynge :
Many a woman sayd alas,
And many theyr handes dyd wrynge.
88 The mayre of Carlyll forth come was,
And with hym a full grete route ;
These thre yomen dredde hym full sore,
For theyr lyues stode in doubte.
89 The mayre came armed, a full greate pace,
With a polaxe in his hande ;
Many a stronge man with hym was,
There in that stoure to stande.
90 The mayre smote at Clowdysle with his byll,
His buckeler he brast in two ;
Full many a yoman with grete yll,
' [Al]as, treason ! ' they cryed for wo.
' [Ke]pe we the gates fast,' they bad,
' [T]hat these traytours theroute not go.'
91 But all for nought was that they wrought,
For so fast they downe were layde
Tyll they all thre, that so manfully fought,
Were goten without at a brayde.
92 ' Haue here your keys,' sayd Adam Bell,
' Myne offyce I here forsake ;
Yf ye do by my councell,
A newe porter ye make.'
93 He thre we the keys there at theyr hedes,
And bad them evyll to thryue,
And all that letteth ony good yoman
To come and comforte his wyue.
94 Thus be these good yomen gone to the wode,
As lyght as lefe on lynde ;
They laughe and be mery in theyr mode,
Theyr enemyes were farre behynde.
95 Whan they came to Inglyswode,
Under theyr trysty-tre,
There they founde bowes full gode,
And arowes greate plente.
96 ' So helpe me God,' sayd Adam Bell,
And Clymme of the Clowgh so fre.
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
27
( I wolde we were nowe in mery Carlell,
[Bejfore that fayre meyne.'
97 They set them downe and made good chere,
And eate an[d drjanke full well :
Here is a fytte [of] these wyght yongemen,
And another I shall you tell.
98 As they sat in Inglyswode,
Under theyr trysty-tre,
Them thought they herde a woman [wepe],
But her they myght not se.
99 Sore syghed there fayre Alyce, and sayd,
Alas that euer I se this daye !
For now is my dere husbonde slayne,
Alas and welawaye !
100 Myght I haue spoken wyth hys dere breth-
[eren],
With eyther of them twayne,
rm , J. , , , . J, 'r m
[To shew to them what him befell!
My herte were out of payne.
101 Clowdysle walked a lytell besyde,
And loked vnder the grene wodde lynde ;
He was ware of his wyfe and his chyldre[n
„, .
1 ull wo in herte and mynde.
102 < Welcome, wyfe,' than sayd Wyllyam,
* Unto this trysty-tre ;
I had wende yesterdaye, by swete Sai[nt John],
Thou sholde me neuer haue se.'
103 'Now wele is me,' she sayd, ' that [ye be here],
My herte is out of wo : '
' Dame,' he sayd, ' be mery and glad,
And thanke my bretheren two.'
104 ' Here of to -spoke,' sayd Ad[am] Bell,
' I-wys it [is no bote] ;
The me [at that we must supp withall,
It runneth yet fast on fote.'
105 Then went they down into a launde,
These noble archares all thre,
Eche of the]m slewe a harte of grece,
[The best t]hey coude there se.
106 ' [Haue here the] best, Alyce my wyfe,'
[Sayde Wyllya]m of Clowdysle,
* [By cause ye so] boldely stode me by,
[Whan I w]as slayne full nye/
[And than]ked God of theyr fortune ;
[They we]re bothe mery and glad.
108 [And whan] they had souped well,
[Certayne] withouten leace,
[Clowdysle] sayde, We wyll to cure kynge,
[To get v]s a chartre of peace.
109 [Alyce shal] be at soiournynge,
[In a nunry] here besyde ;
[My tow sonn]es shall with her go,
[And ther the]y shall abyde.
110 [Myne eldest so]ne shall go with me,
[For hym haue I] no care,
[And he shall breng] you worde agayne
[How that we do fare.
111 Thus be these wig]ht men to London gone,
[As fast as they ma]ye hye,
[Tyll they came to the kynges] palays,
c. There they woulde nedes be.
1 -i o A j u *v, *u i
112 And whan they came to the kynges courte,
\, J &
Unto the Pallace Sate'
Of no man wold they aske leue,
But boldly went in therat.
They preced prestiy into the hall,
Of no man had they dreade ;
m, .. ' , , , ,, „
The porter came atter and dyd them call,
Alld with them began to
a-
114 The vssher sayd, Yemen, what wolde ye
haue ?
I praye you tell me ;
Ye myght thus make offycers shent:
Good syrs, of whens be ye ?
115 ' Syr, we be outlawes of the forest,
Certayne withouten leace,
And hyther we be come to our kynge,
To get vs a charter of peace.'
116 And whan they came before our kynge,
As it was the lawe of the lande,
They kneled downe without lettynge,
And eche helde vp his hande.
117 They sayd, Lorde, we beseche you here,
That ye wyll graunte vs grace,
For we haue slayne your fatte falowe dere,
In many a sondry place.
118 < What is your names ? ' than sayd our kynge,
' Anone that you tell me : *
They sayd, Adam Bell, Clym of the Clough,
And Wylliam of Clowdesle.
28
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
119 ' Be ye those theues,' than sayd our kynge,
' That men haue tolde of to me ?
Here to God I make a vowe,
Ye shall be hanged all thre.
120 ' Ye shall be dead without mercy,
As I am kynge of this laude : '
c. He commanded his officers euerichone
Fast on them to lay hand.
121 There they toke these good yemen,
And arested them all thre :
< So may I thryue,' sayd Adam Bell,
' Thys game lyketh not me.
a. 122 ' But, good lorde, we beseche you nowe,
That ye wyll graunte vs grace,
In so moche as we be to you commen ;
Or elles that we may fro you passe,
123 ' With suche weapons as we haue here,
Tyll we be out of your place ;
And yf we lyue this hondred yere,
We wyll aske you no grace.'
124 ' Ye speke proudly,' sayd the kynge,
* Ye shall be hanged all thre : '
' That were great pity,' sayd the quene,
' If any grace myght be.
125 ' My lorde, whan I came fyrst in to this lande,
To be your wedded wyfe,
The fyrst bone that I wolde aske,
Ye wolde graunte me belyfe.
126 ' And I asked you neuer none tyll nowe,
Therf ore, good lorde, graunte it me : '
' Nowe aske it, madame,' sayd the kynge,
' And graunted shall it be.'
127 ' Than, good lorde, I you beseche,
The yemen graunte you me : '
' Madame, ye myght haue asked a bone
That sholde haue ben worthe them thre.
128 ' Ye myght haue asked towres and towne[Yj,
Parkes and forestes plentie : '
c. ' None so pleasaunt to mi pay,' she said,
' Nor none so lefe to me.'
129 ' Madame, sith it is your desyre,
Your askyng graunted shalbe ;
But I had leuer haue geuen you
Good market-townes thre.'
130 The quene was a glad woman,
And sayd, Lord, gramarcy ;
I dare vndertake for them
That true men shall they be.
131 But, good lord, speke som mery word,
That comfort they may se :
' I graunt you grace,' then said our king,
4 Wasshe, felos, and to meate go ye.'
132 They had not setten but a whyle,
Certayne without lesynge,
There came messengers out of the north,
With letters to our kyng.
i
133 And whan the came before the kynge,
The kneled downe vpon theyr kne,
And sayd, Lord, your offycers grete you wel,
Of Caerlel in the north cuntre.
134 ' How fare[th] my justice,' sayd the kyng,
' And my sherif e also ? '
' Syr, they be slayne, without leasynge,
And many an officer mo.'
135 ' Who hath them slayne ? ' sayd the kyng,
' Anone thou tell me : '
' Adam Bel, and Clime of the Clough,
And Wyllyam of Cloudesle.'
136 'Alas for rewth ! ' then sayd our kynge,
' My hart is wonderous sore ;
I had leuer [th]an a thousand pounde
I had knowne of thys before.
137 ' For I haue y-graunted them grace,
And that f orthynketh me ;
But had I knowne all thys before,
They had ben hanged all thre.'
138 The kyng opened the letter anone,
Hym selfe he red it tho,
And founde how these thre outlawes had slaine
Thre hundred men and mo.
139 Fyrst the justice and the sheryfe,
And the mayre of Caerlel towne ;
Of all the constables and catchipolles
Alyue were left not one.
140 The baylyes and the bedyls both,
And the sergeauntes of the law,
And forty fosters of the fe
These outlawes had y-slaw ;
141 And broken his parks, and slaine his dere ;
Ouer all they chose the best ;
So perelous outlawes as they were
Walked not by easte nor west.
116. ADAM BELL, GLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
29
142 When the kynge this letter had red,
In hys harte he syghed sore ;
* Take vp the table,' anone he bad,
' For I may eate no more.'
143 The kyng called hys best archars,
To the buttes with hym to go ;
* I wyll se these f elowes shote,' he sayd,
f That in the north haue wrought this wo.'
144 The kynges bowmen buske them blyue,
And the quenes archers also,
So dyd these thre wyght yemen,
Wyth them they thought to go.
145 There twyse or thryse they shote about,
For to assay theyr hande ;
There was no shote these thre yemen shot
That any prycke might them stand.
146 Then spake Wyllyam of Cloudesle ;
By God that for me dyed,
1 hold hym neuer no good archar
That shuteth at buttes so wyde.
147 < Wherat? ' then sayd our kyng,
* I pray thee tell me : '
< At suche a but, syr,' he sayd,
' As men vse in my countree.'
148 Wyllyam wente into a fyeld,
And his to brethren with him ;
There they set vp to hasell roddes,
Twenty score paces betwene.
149 ' I hold him an archar,' said Cloudesle,
' That yonder wande cleueth in two : '
' Here is none suche,' sayd the kyng,
' Nor none that can so do.'
150 * I shall assaye, syr,' sayd Cloudesle,
' Or that I farther go : '
Cloudesle, with a bearyng arow,
Claue the wand in to.
151 ' Thou art the best archer,' then said the king,
' Forsothe that euer I se : '
* And yet for your loue,' sayd Wylliam,
' I wyll do more maystry.
152 ' I haue a sonne is seuen yere olde ;
He is to me full deare ;
I wyll hym tye to a stake,
All shall se that be here ;
153 ' And lay an apple vpon hys head,
And go syxe score paces hym fro,
And I my selfe, with a brode arow,
Shall cleue the apple in two.'
154 'Now hast the,' then sayd'' the kyng;
' By him that dyed on a tre,
But yf thou do not as thou hest sayde,
Hanged shalt thou be.
155 ' And thou touche his head or gowne,
In syght that men may se,
By all the sayntes that be in heavew,
I shall hange you all thre.'
156 ' That I haue promised,' said William,
' I wyl it neuer forsake ; '
And there euen before the kynge,
In the earth he droue a stake ;
157 And bound therto his eldest sonne,
And bad hym stande styll therat,
And turned the childes face fro him,
Because he shuld not sterte.
158 An apple vpon his head he set,
And then his bowe he bent ;
Syxe score paces they were outmet,
And thether Cloudesle went.
159 There he drew out a fayr brode arrowe ;
Hys bowe was great and longe ;
He set that arrowe in his bowe,
That was both styffe and stronge.
160 He prayed the people that was there
That they would styll stande ;
4 For he that shooteth for such a wager,
Behoueth a stedfast hand.'
161 Muche people prayed for Cloudesle,
a. That hys lyfe saued myght be,
And whan he made hym redy to shote,
There was many a wepynge eye.
162 Thus Clowdesle clefte the apple in two,
That many a man it se ;
' Ouer goddes forbode,' sayd the kynge,
' That thou sholdest shote at me !
163 ' I gyue the .xviii. pens a daye,
And my bowe shalte thou here,
And ouer all the north countree
I make the chefe rydere.'
30
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
164 ' And I gyue the .xii. pens a day,' sayd the
que[ne],
' By God and by my f aye ;
Come fetche thy payment whan thou wylt,
No man shall say the naye.
165 ' Wyllyam, I make the gentylman
Of clothynge and of fee,
And thy two brethren yemen of my chambr[e],
For they are so semely to se.
166 ' Your sone, for he is tendre of age,
Of my wyne-seller shall he be,
And whan he commeth to mannes state,
Better auaunced shall he be.
167 ' And, "Wylliam, brynge me your wyfe,' sayd
th[e quene] ;
Me longeth sore here to se ;
She shall be my chefe gentylwoman,
And gouerne my nursery.'
168 The yemen thanked them full courteysly,
And sayd, To Rome streyght wyll we
wende,
[Of all the synnes that we haue done
To be assoyled of his hand.
169 So forth]e be gone these good yemen,
[As fast a] s they myght hye,
[And aft]er came and dwelled with the kynge,
[And dye]d good men all thre.
170 [Thus e]ndeth the lyues of these good ye-
men,
[God sen]de them eternall blysse,
[And all] that with hande-bowe shoteth,
[That of] heuen they may neuer mysse !
Deficiencies in a, b are supplied from o unless 702.
it is otherwise noted. 7 18.
a. 1201. deed. 721.
b. 871. an oute home. The emendation is Prof. 738.
Stoats. 74?,
991'2. and sayd begins the second line. 742.
100s. supplied from d, e. 746.
c. 5s. singele. II1. be your. 132. In woulde. 752.
162. spende. 171, 1071. whent. 188. fore. 771.
221. shop-wyndow. 22*. great full great. 781.
238. Gy. 261. welgood. 308. Alece. 792.
332. aU gon. 814.
348>4. and sayde begins the fourth line. 824.
442. there Alyce. 444. geuend. 841.
46*. Allreadye. 484. in reaffte [?]. 863.
511. Cyerlel. B21. Carelell. 884.
Variations from b. 902.
53*. shut : wonderous. 911.
541, 561, 648, 761, 858, 1021, 1071. Then. 92*«,
548. Lee. 544. come nowe. 558. scales. 924.
568. a wanting. 564. faste wanting. 942.
574. come ryght. 582. me for we. 944.
591. commeth none. 592. Be : vpon. 952.
618. went. 621. he saide. 628. fidl shortlye. 958.
631. are we. 638. know. 961.
644, 792, 1064, 1081. When. 972.
651. a wanting. 65*. hys keys. 97 4.
662, 678, 768. brother. 664. hundred. 988.
681. They bent theyr bowes. Then, good yew 984.
from e, f. 991.
688. in mery. 684. in wanting. 992.
69*. And they : squyers. 1004
bounde wanting. 712. Cloudesle.
good wanting: yeman, and ye always,
as, 888, 908, 938, 941.
Cloudesli. 732. the hange.
that wanting : brtehren, or, breehren.
821, 841, 1001, 1034. brethen.
stande wanting. 748. marked,
to chaunce. 751. good wanting.
will. 761. Then spake. 768. Brother,
shyrfe. 772. an wanting.
thre arrowes. 784. there sedes.
fell downe. 812. out of.
he taryed all to. 822. togyder wanting.
shall you. 831. shot. 838. sede.
The : together. 852. preced to.
mas myd. 87 2. they wanting.
For of theyr lyues they stode in great,
brust. 908. euyll. 906. That.
y* ye. 912. to fast. 914. at wanting.
, Transposed : Yf you do, etc., Myne offce.
do we. 931. theyr keys,
lyghtly as left. 948. The lough an.
fere. 951, 981. Englyshe.
Under the : trusty, and 982.
There wanting. 954. full great.
God me help. 968. nowe wanting.
drynke. 978. fet of.
And wanting : I wyll.
They thaught : woman wepe.
mought.
the fayre ; and sayde begins the next line.
I sawe. 1002. Or with. 100s. wanting.
put out. 1022. Under thus trusti.
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
31
1024. had se. 1061, 1091. Alee.
1068. by me. 1071. theyr wanting.
1072'3. Transposed : And thanked, etc., Wyth
such.
1082. without any. 1091. Alee shalbe at our.
1108. you breng. Ill1, these good yemen.
Ill2, myght hye. Ill8, pallace.
Variations from a.
114s. you. 115a. without any. 1158. become.
1161. the kyng. 1168, 1171. The.
1171. beseche the.
1181. be your nams : then, and 1191.
1222. you graunt. 1238. hundreth.
124s. then sayd. 1261. you wanting.
1272. These : ye. 1274. all thre.
1281. town. 1371. hauy graunted. 1531. apele.
Variations from a.
1622. myght se. 1624. sholdest wanting.
1641. .xvii. 1648. when. 1651. the a.
1668. estate. 1672. her sore.
1674. To gouerne. 1681. thanketh.
1682. To some bysshop wyl we wend.
1691. begone : there good.
1704. they wanting.
a bout, a gayne, a monge, a none, a byde, a
lyue, ther at, etc., are joined.
d, e, f. The readings of all three are the same
unless divergence is noted.
I1, f. in the. I8, whereas men hunt east.
21. raise. 22. d. sights haue oft.
e. sights haue not oft. f. has oft.
28. three yeomen. 24. as wanting.
32. Another. 42. thre wanting.
d, e. euery chone. f. eueryeche one.
48. brethren on a. 44. English wood.
52. And wanting : mirth. 58. e. were wanting.
68. brethren, and generally, e. on a.
71. There to : Alice. 72. f. with wanting.
81. e, f. we go. d. Carlell, and generally.
e, f. Carlile, and generally.
88. If that : doe you. 84. life is.
98. Trust you then that, d, f. tane.
e. taken. II1. Alice he said.
II2. My wife and children three.
II8. owne husband, f. thy.
122. e, f. very sore.
124. d, f. halfe a. e. Full halfe a.
131. e. I am. 132. d, f. in I. e. in we.
141. d. fet. 142. d. true and.
148. e. what she. 151. d. in the.
152. little before. 161. rose and forth she goes.
16*. e. might. 168. not wanting.
164. e. yeeres. f. not 7 yeere. 171. into.
178. night she said is come to towne.
181. e. Thereat.
182. e. was wanting, f. And wanting.
183. e. dame wanting. 184. ere.
192. d, e. as wanting, d, e, f. saine.
201. raised. 202. that wanting.
208. e. And thronging fast vnto the house.
204. As fast as. e. gan.
211. the good yeoman. 212. Round wanting.
218. d. of the folke. e. of folke.
f . of the folkes.
214. thetherward : fast for they.
221. back for shot. 228. e. bothe wanting.
e, f. second the wanting.
224. e, f. And with them. e. a great rout,
f . a full great.
231. then cryed. 238. e, f. second my want-
ing, f. sweet husband.
242. e. second hys wanting. 248. the for hys.
f. He went. 244. f. the surest.
251. Alice like a louer true. 252. f. Tooke a.
258. d, f . Said he shall die that commeth.
e. Said he shall dye. 261. right good.
262. of a. 264. burst.
274. had beene neere the.
282. d. second thy wanting, e. thine arrowes.
f. the bow and arrowes.
292. d, e. Sith no better it will be.
29s. burne : saith. f. burne there.
294. and his. 301. f. The for they: and of ten.
302. d, e. vp wanting, f. fledd on.
308. then, and generally, e, f. said faire.
304. e. we here shall, f. here wee shall.
311. a for hys.
31 2. second on wanting, d. was on.
318. And there : he did let downe.
314. His wife and children.
32*. f. Haue you here.
322. d, f. second my wanting.
321,2. e. wanting. 32s. f. Gods loue.
332. d, f. agoe. e. go.
338. the wanting, about for vpon.
334. f. burnt. 341. fell vppon.
348'4. and sayde begins the fourth line.
351. e, f. had I. 352. runne.
35s. e. amongst, d, f . my. 354. So : burne.
361. buckler then. 362. f . amongst.
368. people thickest were.
371. man abide, e, f. strokes. 372. e. run.
378. f. Then the : att him. e. doore.
374. that yeoman, f. And then the.
381. both wanting. 382. in a.
38s. d, e. then said, d, f . hye wanting.
32
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
392. e. gallowes thou shalt haue.
39*. d. al wanting. 401. There, f . helpe yett.
408. f. a 100d men. 411. arose.
41 2. f . can he. 41*. d. them to : full wanting.
e, f. to shut close. 428. d, e. he set vp.
f . There he new a paire of gallowes he sett vpp.
42*. f. Hard by the. 43a. meant.
441. the wanting, f. The litle.
44*. f. scene William. 44*. e. gaue.
451. at a creuice of.
452. wood he ran (ron, runn). f. And wanting.
458. e. he met. e, f. wighty yeomen.
461. e, f. said the. 462. e, f. You.
468. e, f. tane. e. doomd.
46*. d. Already, e, f . And ready to be hangd.
47 a. saw.
47s. d, e. might haue tarried heere with vs.
f. He had better haue tarryed with vs.
47*. e. as wanting. 481. haue dwelled.
482. these for the. f. shaddoowes greene.
48s. haue wanting : at rest. 48*. d, f . of all.
492. he had. 501. e. we go.
d. wighty yeomen, e, f. iolly yeomen.
502. longer. 511. f. bold yeomen.
512. f. All in a mor[n]inge of May.
51*. f. And wanting. 521. f. to wanting.
522. f. All in a morning. 528. vnto.
538. wonderous. d, f . be shut. e. are shut,
f. ffast/br well. 53*. therein. 54*. come.
e. the king. 55 *. wry ten wanting.
552. e. Now wanting, f. wiselye marke.
561. d, f. at the. f. gates. 562. f. hard and.
568. d, e. a wanting.
f. tmarueiled who was theratt.
56*. faste wanting, e, f. gates.
571. nowe wanting, f. Who be.
572. f. makes. 578. e. said they then.
f. quoth Clim. 57*. come right.
58*. the for our. 591. none in. 592. e. of a.
598. Till that. f. a wanting.
601. d. the for that.
e. that good yeman wanting.
f . spake good Clim. 60*. d, f . thou shalt.
611. got wanting.
61 8. d, e. porter wend (weend).
f. had went wanting. 621. is my : he said.
622. d. ye shall, e, f. you shall.
628. e, f . gates, d, e. full shortly.
f . ryght wanting. 631. are we.
63a. Whereof : are right. 638. d. knowes.
e, f . Christ he knowes assuredly.
63*. e. come wanting, f . gett out.
642-81*. then, When, and nearly always.
651. a wanting. 658. cast.
65*. d, f. his keyes. 662. e. we haue.
668. in for to. 66*. d. hundred.
e, f. That came this hundred. 67 1. we will.
678. brother. 67*. That for Where he.
681. d. Then : their good.
e, f. Then: their good yew. 688. in for of.
698. d, f. of squiers. e. squirers.
69*. e, f. That iudged William hanged.
701. e, f. hymselfe wanting.
f. ready there in. 70*. d, e. Already.
f. to hange. 7 12, he should, e. Cloudesle.
718. good wanting.
71*. e. thereby make him a. f . And wanting.
721. a wanting. 72s. a graue.
732. I will thee hang. 738. heard this.
741. eye. e. William.
742. two (tow) brethren : stande wanting.
748. e. the corner : place wel prepard.
74*. d. good wanting : bent wanting.
e, f. wanting. 745. d, e. the justice to chase.
f. the iustice to slaine. 751. good wanting.
758. e. hands let free. 75*. d, e. might I.
761. Then spake. 768. Brother : you.
76*. you. 771. And wanting.
782. d, e. they had.
78s. f. the shirrfe, the other the iustice.
78*. d, f. can. 791. e.. stood them.
79s. fell wanting. 79*. d, e. deaths.
801. f. flye. 802. d, f. longer. 808. e. Then.
811. d, f . start, e. stept. 812. out of.
81*. had wanting : all too. f . Hee thought.
821. e. brethren. 822. togyder wanting.
S31, shot, e, f. in wanting.
832. full wanting. 83*. e. The.
d, f . long did. 841. like for as.
852. d, f . pressed to. 85s. e. swords out anon.
86s. d, f. was mid. f . were mid.
86*. had wanting.
871. e. There was wanting, e, f . Carlile was.
872. they wanting, d. backwards.
881, 891, 901. mayor, maior.
888. thre wanting. 88*. For of.
d. f. they stood in great.
e. they were in great.
89*. e. Within that stoure. 902. brast.
d, f. he wanting. 908. euill.
90*. f . ffull woe. 905. f. Keepe well.
906. That. 912. d, e. downe they.
f. were downe. 91*. gotten out. e. of a.
922. heere I. e. My. 928. d, f. you.
92*. doe you. 931. d, f. their keyes at.
d. head. 938. any. 941. e, f. be the.
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
33
d. word. 942. lightly. 948. f. wood.
951. d, e. English wood, f . merry greenwood.
952. the trustie. 95*. d. full great.
961. God me helpe. 968. nowe wanting.
96*. d. manie. e. many. f. meanye.
971. d, f. sate. e. Then sat they.
972. d, e. drunke.
97 8. fit of: yeomen for yonge men.
f. A 2d ffitt of the wightye.
974. And wanting : I will.
981. English wood, d, f. sate.
982. d, e. trustie. f. the greenwoode.
98*. woman wepe. e, f. They.
984. e, f . could act.
99 :. Sore then : there wanting.
d. f. and sayd begins the next line.
991,2. e. And sayd Alas wanting.
992. saw. 993. f. nowe wanting.
1001. e. spoke. 1002. Or with.
1008. d, e. To shew to them what him befell.
f. To show them, etc. 1011. aside.
1012. f. He looked.
1018. second his wanting, e. He saw his.
1022. Under, d. this trustie. e. a trusty.
f. the trustye. 1024. d, f. shouldest had.
e. shouldst had. 1034. d, e. brethren.
1044. e. It resteth. 1051. the lawnd.
1052. noble men all.
1054. f. that they cold see. 1062. f. saith.
1068. Because : by me.
1071. they went : theyr wanting.
1078. for their.
1082, 1152. without any leace (lease).
1091. at our. 1092. f. Att a. 1101. My.
1102. I haue. Ill1, good yeomen.
Ill3, d, f. might hye. e. can hye.
Ill8, pallace. Ill4, e, f. Where.
d. neede. e, f. needs.
1121. kings, f. But when. 1122. f. & to.
1131. proceeded presently. 1132. they had.
1134. e, f. gan. 1141. e, f. you.
1142. e, f. to me. 1148. You : thus wanting.
1144. from for of. 1152. f. Certes.
1158. the for our. 1161. the for our.
d, f. when. e. whan.
1171. d, e. beseech thee.
f. beseeche yee sure. 1181. What be.
e, f . the for our.
118*. e. They sayd wanting.
1191. d, e. than wanting, f. then.
e. the for our. 1192. of wanting.
1198. f. Here I make a vow to God.
1194. You. 120*. f. officer[s] euery one.
VOL. III. 5
1211. e. Therefore. 1228. doo/orbe: come.
1224. from. 1232. d. your wanting.
123*. d, e. hundreth : f . 100d.
1234. d, e. of you.
f . Of you wee will aske noe. 1254. You.
1261. ye. 1264. f. itt shalbe.
1271. f. good my. 1272. These : ye.
1274. them all. 1281. f. You : townes.
1302. e. garmarcie. f . god a mercye.
1304. they shall.
131 2. d. they may comfort see.
6. they might comfort see.
f. some comfort they might see.
1318. e, f. the for our.
1321. e. sittin. f. sitten. 1328. came two.
1338. e. our for your. 1341. fareth.
1351. e. slaine them. f. then said.
1352. Anone that you.
1358. and wanting. 1361. f. ffor wrath.
1363. then, f . rather then. 1364. of wanting.
1371. f. y- wanting. 1372. d. forethinketh.
1381. d, f. king he.
1388. And there : thre wanting.
1392. mayor. 1398. catchpoles.
1394. f. but one. 1401. bayliffes.
1408. forresters. 1404. haue.
f. haue the slawe.
1412. e, f . Of all. f. coice the. 1418. d. Such.
1422. hys wanting. 1428. d. table he said.
e. table then said he. f . tables then sayd hee.
1424. e, f. I can. 1431. then called.
143*. e, f . said he. f. To see.
1434. e. hath. 144 l. d, e. buskt : blithe.
f . archers busket : blythe.
144*. f. Soe did the queenes alsoe.
1448. d, e. thre wanting, f. weightye.
1444. f . They thought with them.
1458. thre wanting. 1454. them wanting.
1462. e, f. By him. 146*. d, e. a good.
f. him not a good. 147 \ e. the for our.
f. then wanting. 147 2. to me.
1481. into the. 1482. brethren.
1484. f. 400 paces.
1494. For no man can so doo.
1501. f. syr wanting. 1502. further.
151. d, f. our king, e, f. then wanting.
152s. tie him. 1524. e, f. see him.
1541. hast thee. f . then wanting.
1548. f . dost : has. 155*. you hang.
1562. d, e. I neuer will forsake.
f. That I will neuer. 1578. him fro.
158*. out wanting, f. meaten.
1592. e. were. 1601. were there.
34
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
160*. had neede of a. e, f. steddy.
1621. claue. 1622. myght see. d, f.
1628. Now God forbid then said.
As.
162*.
1634.
1651.
1654.
1668.
d, e. shouldst. 1631. f . gaue : 8 pence.
e. chiefe ranger. 1641. xiii. e, f . He.
thee a. 165s. f. bretheren.
are louely to. 1662. e, f. he shall be.
mans estate, e, f. corns, comes.
166*. d. aduanced I will him see.
e, f. Better preferred. 1672. d. sore for to.
e. I long full sore to see. f. I long her sore.
1674. To.
1682. d. To some bishop will we wend,
e, f . To some bishop we will wend.
1684. at bis. 1691. e. the good.
1692. they can. d. So fast. 1698. and liued.
169*. good yeomen. 1701. f. liffe.
1708. f. with a. 170*. d, e. they wanting.
Insignificant variations of spelling are not no-
ticed.
APPENDIX
THE SECOND PART OF ADAM BELL
August 16, 1586, there was entered to Edward
White, in the Stationers' Registers, ' A ballad of
William Clowdisley neuer printed before : ' Arber,
II, 455. This was in all probability the present
piece, afterwards printed with ' Adam Bell ' as a
Second Part. The Second Part of Adam Bell was
entered to John Wright, September 24, 1608 : Ar-
ber, III, 390. The ballad is a pure manufacture,
with no root in tradition, and it is an absurd ex-
travaganza besides. The copy in the Percy Folio,
here collated with the earliest preserved printed
copy, has often the better readings, but may have
been corrected, a has such monstrosities as y-then,
y-so.
a. ' The Second Part of Adam Bell,' London, James Rob-
erts, 1605. b. 'Yonnge Cloudeslee,' Percy MS. p. 398;
Hales and Furnivall, III, 102.
1 LIST northerne laddes to blither things
Then yet were brought to light,
Performed by our countriemen
In many a fray and fight :
2 Of Adam Bell, dim of the Clough,
And William of Cloudisly,
Who were in fauour with the king,
For all their misery.
3 Yong William of the wine-seller,
When yeoman he was made,
Gan follow then his father's steps :
He loued a bonny maide.
4 ' God's crosse,' quoth William, ' if I misse,
And may not of her speed,
I 'le make a thousand northern hearts
For very wo to bleed.'
5 Gone he is a wooing now,
Our Ladie well him guide !
To merry Mansfield, where I trow
A time he will abide.
6 ' Soone dop the dore, faire Cicelie bright,
I come with all the hast:
I come a wooing thee for loue,
Here am I come at last. '
7 'I know you not,' quoth Cicelie tho,
' From whence that yee bee come ;
My loue you may not haue, I trow,
I vow by this faire sonne.
8 ' For why, my loue is fixt so sure
Vpon another wight ;
I swere by sweet Saint Anne, I 'le neuer
Abuse him, out of sight.
9 ' This night I hope to see my loue,
In all his pride and glee ;
If there were thousands, none but him
My heart would ioy to see.'
10 ' God's curse vpon him,' yong William said,
' Before me that hath sped !
A foule ill on the carrion nurse
That first did binde his head I '
11 Gan William tho for to prepare
A medicine for that chaff e :
' His life,' quoth he, ' full hard may fare;
Hee 's best to keepe alaffe.'
12 He drew then out his bright brown sword,-
Which was so bright and keene ;
A stouter man and hardier
Nere handled sword, I weene.
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
35
13 ' Browne tempered, strong, and worthy blade,
Vnto thy maister show,
If now to triall thou bee put,
How thou canst bide a blow.'
14 Yong William till an oake gan hie,
Which was in compasse round
Well six and fifty inches nie,
And feld it to the ground.
15 ' So mot he fare,' quoth William tho,
' That for her loue hath laid
Which I haue loued, and nere did know
Him suter till that maide.
16 'And now, deare father, stout and strong,
William of Cloudesley,
How happie were thy troubled sonne
If here I mot thee see.
17 ' And thy too brethren, Adam Bell
And Clim of the Clough ;
Against a thousand men, and more,
We foure would be enough.
18 ' Growne it is full foure a clocke,
And night will come beliue ;
Come on, thou lurden, Cislei's loue,
This night must I thee shriue.
19 'Prepare thee strong, thou fow[l] black caufe 1
What ere thou be, I weene
I 'le giue thy coxcomb saick a gird
In Mansfield as neuer was scene.'
20 William a yong faune had slaine,
In Sherwood, merry forrest;
A fairer faune for man's meat
In Sherwood was neuer drest.
21 Hee hied then till a northerne lasse,
Not halfe a mile him fro ;
He said, Dop dore, thou good old nurse,
That in to thee I goe.
22 ' I faint with being in the wood ;
Lo heere I haue a kid,
Which I haue slo for thee and I ;
Come dresse it then, I bid.
23 ' Fetch bread and other iolly fare,
Whereof thou hast some store ;
A blither gest this hundred yeare
Came neuer here before.'
24 The good old nant gan hie a pace
To let yong William in ;
' A happie nurse,' quoth William then,
' As can be lightly seene.
25 ' Wend till that house hard by,' quoth he,
' That 'a made of lime and stone,
Where is a lasse, faire Cisse,' hee said ;
1 1 loue her as my owne.
26 ' If thou can fetch her vnto me,
That we may merry be,
I make a vow, in the forrest,
Of deare thou shalt haue fee.'
27 'Rest then, faire sir,' the woman said;
' I sweare by good Saint lohn,
I will bring to you that same maide
Full quickly and anon.'
28 'Meane time,' quoth William, 'I 'le be cooke
And see the faune i-drest;
A stouter cooke did neuer come
Within the faire forrest.'
29 Thick blith old lasse had wit enow
For to declare his minde ;
So fast she hi'd, and nere did stay,
But left William behind.
30 Where William, like a nimble cooke,
Is dressing of the fare,
And for this damsell doth he looke ;
4 1 would that she were here ! '
31 ' Good speed, blithe Cisse,' quoth that old lasse;
' God dild yee,' quoth Cisley againe ;
' How done you, nant lone ? ' she said,
' Tell me it, I am faine.'
32 The good old lone said weele she was,
' And common in an arrand till you ;
For you must to my cottage gone,
Full quick, I tell you true ;
83 ' Where we full merry meane to be,
All with my elder lad : '
When Cissley heard of it, truely,
She was exceeding glad.
84 ' God's curse light on me,' quoth Cissley tho,
' If with you I doe not hie ;
I neuer ioyed more forsooth
Then in your company. '
35 Happy the good-wife thought her selfe
That of her purpose she had sped,
And home with Cisley she doth come,
So lightly did they tread.
36 And comming in, here William soone
Had made ready his fare ;
The good old wife did wonder much
So soone as she came there.
36
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
37 Cisley to William now is come,
God send her mickle glee !
Yet was she in a maze, God wot,
When she saw it was hee.
38 ' Had I beene ware, good sir,' she said,
< Of that it had beene you,
I would haue staid at home in sooth,
I tell you very true.'
89 ' Faire Cisley,' then said William kind,
* Misdeeme thou not of mee ;
I sent not for thee to the end
To do thee iniury.
40 ' Sit downe, that we may talke a while,
And eate all of the best
And fattest kidde that euer was slaine
In merry Sirwood forrest.'
41 His louing words wan Cisley then
To keepe with him a while ;
But in the meane time Cislei's loue
Of her was tho beguile.
42 A stout and sturdie man he was
Of quality and kind,
And knowne through all the north country
To beare a noble minde.
43 « But what,' quoth William, « do I care?
If that he meane to weare,
First let him winne ; els neuer shall
He haue the maide, I sweare.'
44 Full softly is her louer come,
And knocked at the dore ;
But tho he mist of Cislei's roome,
Whereat he stampt and swore.
45 ' A mischief on his heart,' quoth he,
' That hath enlured the maide
To be with him in company ! '
He car'd not what he sayd.
46 He was so with anger mooued
He sware a well great oth,
' Deere should he pay, if I him knew,
Forsooth and by my troth ! '
47 Gone he is to finde her out,
Not knowing where she is ;
Still wandring in the weary wood,
His true-loue he doth misse.
48 William purchast hath the game,
Which he doth meane to hold :
' Come rescew her, and if you can,
And dare to be so bold ! '
49 At length when he had wandred long
About the forrest wide,
A candle-light a furlong off
Full quickly he espied.
50 Then to the house he hied him fast,
Where quickly he gan here
The voice of his owne deere true-loue,
A making bonny cheere.
51 Then gan he say to Cisley tho,
0 Cisley, come a way !
I haue beene wandring thee to finde
Since shutting in of day.
52 ' Who calls f aire Cisse ? ' quoth William then ;
' What carle dares bee so bold
Once to aduenture to her to speake
Whom I haue now in hold ? '
53 ' List thee, faire sir,' quoth Cislei's loue,
' Let quickly her from you part ;
For all your lordly words, I sweare
1 'le haue her, or make you smart.'
54 Yong William to his bright browne sword
Gan quickly then to take :
' Because thou so dost challenge me,
I 'le make thy kingdome quake.
55 ' Betake thee to thy weapon strong;
Faire time I giue to thee ;
And for my loue as well as thine
A combat fight will I.'
56 'Neuer let sonne,' quoth Cislei's loue,
' Shine more vpon my head,
If I doe flie, by heauen aboue,
Wert thou a giant bred.'
57 To bilbo-blade gat William tho,
And buckler stiffe and strong ;
A stout battaile then they fought,
Well nie two houres long.
58 Where many a grieuous wound was giue
To each on either part ;
Till both the champions then were droue
Almost quite out of heart.
59 Pitteous mone faire Cisley made,
That all the forrest rong ;
The grieuous shrikes made such a noise,
She had so shrill a tongue.
60 At last came in the keepers three,
With bowes and arrowes keene,
Where they let flie among these two,
An hundred as I weene.
116. ADAM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
37
61 William, stout and strong in heart,
When he had them espied,
Set on corrage for his part ;
Among the thickst he hied.
62 The chief e ranger of the woods
At first did William smite ;
Where, at on blow, he smot his head
Fro off his shoulders quite.
63 And being in so furious tcenc,
About him then he laid ;
He slew immediatly the wight
Was sutor to the maide.
64 Great moane was then made ;
The like was neuer heard ;
Which made the people all around
To crie, they were so feard.
65 ' Arme ! arme ! ' the country cried,
'For God's loue quickly hie !'
Neuer was such a slaughter seene
In all the north country.
66 Will[iam] still, though wounded sore,
Continued in his fight
Till he had slaine them all foure,
That very winter-night.
67 All the country then was raisd,
The traytor for to take
That for the loue of Cisley faire
Had all this slaughter make.
68 To the woods hied William tho —
'T was best of all his play —
Where in a caue with Cisley faire
He liued many a day.
69 Proclamation then was sent
The country all around,
The lord of Mansfield should he be
That first the traytor found.
70 Till the court these tydings came,
Where all men did bewaile
The yong and lusty William,
Which so had made them quaile.
71 Hied vp then William Cloudesley,
And lustie Adam Bell,
And famous Clim of the Clough,
Which three then did excell.
72 To the king they hied them fast,
Full quickly and anon ;
'Mercy I pray,' quoth old William,
' For William my sonne.'
73 ' No mercy, traitors,' quoth the king,
' Hangd shall yee be all foure ;
Vnder my nose this plot haue you laid
To bringe to passe before.'
74 ' In sooth,' bespake then Adam Bell,
4 111 signe Your Grace hath seene
Of any such comotion
Since with you we haue beene.
75 ' If then we can no mercy haue,
But leese both life and goods,
Of your good grace we take our leaue
And hie vs to the woods.'
76 'Arme, arme,' then quoth the king,
4 My merry men euerychone,
Full fast againe these rebbells now
Vnto the woods are gone.
77 ' A, wo is vs ! what shall we doo,
Or which way shall we worke,
To hunt them forth out of the woods,
So traytrouslie there that lurke ? '
78 ' List you,' quoth a counsellor graue,
A wise man he seemd ;
The[n] craued the king his pardon free
Vnto them to haue deemd.
79 ' God's forbod ! ' quoth the king,
' I neuer it will do 1
For they shall hang, each mother's sonne ;
Faire sir, I tell you true.'
80 Fifty thousand men were charged
After them for to take ;
Some of them, set in sundry townes,
In companies did waite.
81 To the woods gan some to goe,
In hope to find them out ;
And them perforce they thought to take,
If they might find them out.
82 To the woods still as they came
Dispatched still they were ;
Which made full many a trembling heart,
And many a man in feare.
83 Still the outlawes, Adam Bell
And Clim of the Clough,
Made iolly cheere with venison,
Strong drinke and wine enough.
84 ' Christ me blesse ! ' then said our king,
' Such men were neuer knowne ;
They are the stoutest-hearted men
That manhoode euer showne.
38
116. AT1AM BELL, CLIM OF THE CLOUGH, AND WILLIAM OF CLOUDESLY
85 ' Come, my secretary good,
And cause to be declared
A general! pardone to them all,
Which neuer shall be discared.
86 ' Lining plenty shall they haue,
Of gold and eke of fee,
If they will, as they did before,
Come Hue in court with me.'
87 Sodenly went forth the newes,
Declared by trumpets sound,
Whereof these three were well aduis'd,
In caue as they were in ground.
88 ' But list you, sirs,' quoth William yong,
' I dare not trust the king ;
It is some fetch is in his head,
Whereby to bring vs in.
89 ' Nay, stay we here : or first let me
A messenger be sent
Vnto the court, where I may know
His Maiestie's intent.'
90 This pleased Adam Bell :
' So may we Hue in peace,
We are at his most high command,
And neuer will we cease.
91 'But if that still we shall be vrged,
And called by traitrous name,
And threated hanging for euery thing,
His Highnesse is to blame.
92 ' Neare had His Grace subiects more true,
And sturdier then wee,
Which are at His Highnesse will ;
God send him well to bee ! '
93 So to the court is yong William gone,
To parley with the king,
Where all men to the king's presence
Did striue him for to bring.
94 When he before the king was come,
He kneeled down full low ;
He shewed quickly to the king
What duty they did owe ;
95 In such delightfull order blith,
The king was quickly wonne
To comfort them in their request,
As he before had done.
96 ' Fetch bread and drinke,' then said His Grace,
' And meat all of the best ;
And stay all night here at the court,
And soundly take thy rest.'
97 ' Gramercies to Your Grace,' said William,
' For pardon graunted I see : ' «.*
' For signe thereof, here take my scale,
And for more certainty.'
98 ' God's curse vpon me,' sayd William,
' For my part if I meane
Euer againe to stirre vp strife 1 '
It neuer shall bee scene.'
99 The nobles all to William came,
He was so stout and trimme,
And all the ladies, for very ioy,
Did come to welcome him.
100 ' Faire Cisley now I haue to wife,
In field I haue her wonne ; '
' Bring her here, for God's loue,' said they all,
' Full welcome shall she be [soone].'
101 Forth againe went William backe,
To wood that he did hie,
And to his father there he shewd
The king his pardone free.
102 ' Health to His Grace,' quoth Adam Bell,
' I beg it on my knee ! '
The like said Clim of the Clough,
And William of Cloudesley.
103 To the court they all prepare,
Euen as fast as they can hie,
Where graciously they were receiud,
With mirth and merry glee.
104 Cisley faire is wend alone
Vpon a gelding faire ;
A proprer damsell neuer came
In any courtly ayre.
105 ' Welcome, Cisley,' said the queene,
' A lady I thee make,
To wait vpon my owne person,
In all my chiefest state.'
106 So quickly was this matter done,
Which was so hardly doubted,
That all contentions after that
From court were quickly rowted.
107 Fauourable was the king ;
So pood they did him finde,
The[y] neuer after sought againe
To vex his royall minde.
108 Long time they liued in court,
So neare vnto the king
That neuer after was attempt
Offred for any thing.
117. A GBST OP ROBYN HODE
39
109 God aboue giue all men grace
In quiet for to Hue,
And not rebelliously abroad
Their princes for to grieue.
110 Let not the hope of pardon mooue
A subiect to attempt
His soueraigne's anger, or his loue
From him for to exempt.
Ill But that all men may ready be
With all their maine and mi^ht
o
To serue the Lord, and loue the King,
In honor, day and night !
a. I4. In mickle. 61. Some.
134. canst thou. 20s. man's y-meat.
212. he fro. 282. I drest.
352. That her purpose he had of sped.
354. they read. 374. amaze.
461. was yso. 641. ythen. 762. euery chone.
921. more subjects true. 938. Which for Where.
b. I4. In many. 52. will for well. 61. Soone.
68. to thee. IS1, sword for strong.
134. thou canst. 184. I must. 191. ffowle.
194. wasneuer. 208. man's meate. 2 12, him ff roe.
21s. dop the. 228. slaine ffor thee & mee.
282. To see : well drest.
311. God speed. 313. doe yee.
821. woman for lone. 322. in wanting : to you.
352. of her purpose shee had sped.
354. they did tread. 378. a maze.
408. The flattest. 448. mist Cisleys companye.
452. allured this. 461. soe.
524. in my for now in. 572. That was both stiffe.
574. Weer neere. 6 11, strong & stout.
661. William. 682. Itt was the best.
73a. You shall be hanged. 738. plott yee have.
762. euer-eche one. 788. The craued.
794. I tell you verry true. 861. Liuings.
921. subiects more true. 938. Where.
971. Gramercy.
1004. Welcome shee shall bee soone. 1041. is gone.
1054. cheefe estate. 1064. rooted.
1078. ff ought for sought.
117
A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
a. ' A Gest of Robyn Hode,' without printer's name,
date, or place ; the eleventh and last piece in a vol-
ume in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. Re-
printed by David Laing, 1827, with nine pieces
from the press of Walter Cheprnan and Androw
Myllar, Edinburgh, 1508, and one other, by a printer
unknown, under the title of The Knightly Tale of
Golagrus and Gawane, and other Ancient Poems.
b. 'A Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode,' etc., London,
Wynken de Worde, n. d.: Library of the University
of Cambridge.
c. Douce Fragment, No 16: Bodleian Library.
d. Douce Fragment, No 17: Bodleian Library.
e. Douce Fragment, No 16: Bodleian Library.*
f. ' A Mery Geste of Robyn Hoode,' etc., London,
Wyllyam Copland, n. d. : British Museum, C. 21. c.
g. ' A Merry lest of Robin Hood,' etc., London, printed
for Edward White, n. d. : Bodleian Library, Z. 3.
Art. Seld., and Mr Henry Huth's library.
THE best qualified judges are not agreed as
to the typographical origin of a: see Dick-
son, Introduction of the Art of Printing into
* a preserves stanzas 1-834, 118*-2083, 3142-3493 ; with
defects at & » 71, 1234-1278, 133-1363. It has therefore
about 200 stanzas out of 456.
Scotland, Aberdeen, 1885, pp 51 ff, 82 ff, 86 f.
Mr Laing had become convinced before his
death that he had been wrong in assigning
C preserves 264-603 ; d, 280-350, very much mutilated ;
e, 4354-4501, very much mutilated, e, inserted among the
Douce fragments, was presented by Mr Halliwell-PhilliYs.
40
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
this piece to the press of Chepman and Myl-
lar. The date of b may be anywhere from
1492 to 1534, the year of W. de Worde's
death. Of c Ritson says, in his corrected
preface to the Gest, 1832, I, 2 : By the favor
of the Reverend Dr Farmer, the editor had
in his hands, and gave to Mr Douce, a few
leaves of an old 4to black letter impression
by the above Wynken de Worde, probably
in 1489, and totally unknown to Ames and
Herbert. No reason is given for this date.*
I am not aware that any opinion has been
expressed as to the printer or the date of d, e.
W. Copland's edition, f, if his dates are fully
ascertained, is not earlier than 1548. Ritson
says that g is entered to Edward White in
the Stationers' books, 13 May, 1594. "A
pastorall plesant commedie of Robin Hood &
Little John, &c," is entered to White on the
14th of May of that year, Arber, II, 649:
this is more likely to have been a play of
Robin Hood.
a, b, f, g, are deficient at 71, 3391, and mis-
printed at 49, 50, repeating, it may be, the
faults of a prior impression, a appears, by
internal evidence, to be an older text than b.f
Some obsolete words of the earlier copies
have been modernized in f, g,J, and deficient
lines have been supplied. A considerable
number of Middle - English forms remain §
after those successive renovations of reciters
and printers which are presumable in such
cases. The Gest may have been compiled at
a time when such forms had gone out of use,
and these may be relics of the ballads from
which this little epic was made up; or the
whole poem may have been put together as
early as 1400, or before. There are no firm
grounds on which to base an opinion.
No notice of Robin Hood has been down
to this time recovered earlier than that which
was long ago pointed out by Percy as oc-
curring in Piers Plowman, and this, accord-
ing to Professor Skeat, cannot be older than
about 1377. || Sloth, in that poem, says in
his shrift that he knows "rymes of Robyn
Hood and Randolf, erle of Chestre," ^[ though
but imperfectly acquainted with his pater-
noster : B, passus v, 401 f, Skeat, ed. 1886,
I, 166. References to Robin Hood, or to his
story, are not infrequent in the following cen-
tury.
* Dr Farmer considered these leaves to be of Rastell's
printing, and older by some years than b; which is not
quite intelligible, since Rastell's work is put at 1517-38.
c is cited under Rastell's name in Ritson's second edition
as well as his first.
t 94, a, allther moste : b, all other moste. (f, g, of all
other ; b, 283s, all ther best ; 2841, all theyre best ; f , g, al
of the best.) 614, a, Muche in fere : b, Much also. 684, a,
By xxviii (eight and twenty) score : b (f, g), By eyghtene
score, which gives no meaning. 1388, a.'frembde bested :
b (f, g), frend. 1734, a, same nyght : b, same day. 1764, a,
wode hore : b (f, g), wode tre. 3332, a, on rode : b (f, g),
on a tre. 3432, a, The sherif : b (f , g), The knyght.
{ 133, a, b, husbonde : f, g, husbandeman. 2561, b, in
yonder other corser : f , on the other courser : g, in the other
coffer. 2744, 2862, 3874, 41 22, b, trystell-tre : f, g, trusty
tre. 3851, b, "tarpe": f, g, scale. 3714, b, blyve: f, g,
blythe, etc.
§ 1112, That all this worlde wrought; 1632, The while
that he wolde ; 31 64, To mete can they gone ; 724, But his
bowe tree ; 291, They brought hym to the lodge dore.
2554, To seke a monke's male ; 3603, He shall haue the
knyghtes londys ; 3691, And I wyll be your ledes man ;
3761, Robyn toke the kynges hors; 3663, 3672, 3684, etc.
3368, For our dere lady loue.
311, With wordes fayre and fre ; 344, Of all these weky's
thre; 2102, Or a man that myrthes can; 31 84, The walles
all abonte ; 602, 3314, 3322, 3712, etc. 4334, And all his
menne's fe.
212, By a derne strete ; 251, Welcome be thou to grene
wode ; 2981, But had I the in grene wode ; 3278, 3738, 3748.
564, Ouer the salte see; 1734, That ylke same nyght;
2132, By the hye way; 2352, Of all this longe day; 2411,
2924, 3032, 3051, 3932, 4554, etc. 252, Hende knyght & fre ;
1133, Out, he sayd, thou false knyght; 2423, Therfore I
cun the more thanke.
472, 1002, By God that made me; 804, To walke by his
sycle ; 2222, And that shall rewe the ; 2974, Other wyse
thou behote me ; 4261, So God me helpe, sayd our kynge.
d, 2822, 3172, herkeneth.
|| Ritson had seen, among Peck's collections for the his-
tory of Premonstratensian monasteries, a Latin poem with
the title Prioris Alnwicensis de bello Scotico apud Dun-
bar, tempore regis Edwardi I, dictamen, sive rithmus
Latinus, quo de Willielmo Wallace, Scotico illo Robin
Whood, plura sed invidiose canit, and in the margin the
date 22 Julii, 1304; whence he concluded that Robin Hood
was both mentioned, and compared with Wallace, in 1304.
The date refers to matters in the poem. The MS. (Sloane,
4934, pars 11, ff 103-106) is of the eighteenth century, Hardy,
Descriptive Catalogue, etc., Ill, 279, No 503. The title
was supplied by Peck, one of whose marks is the spelling
Whood.
1 Either Randle the second, earl from 1128 to 1153, or
Randle the third, earl from 1181 and for fifty years, would
be likely to be the subject of ballads, but especially the lat-
ter. He figures in the story of Fulk Fitz Warine : Wright,
p. 149.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
41
In Wyntoun's Chronicle of Scotland, put
at about 1420, there is this passage, standing
quite by itself , under the year 1283 :
Lytill Ihon and Robyne Hude
Waythmen ware commendyd gude ;
In Yngilwode and Barnysdale
Thai oysyd all this tyme thare trawale.
Laing, II, 263.
Disorderly persons undertook, it seems, to
imitate Robin Hood and his men. In the
year 1417, says Stowe, one, by his counterfeit
name called Fryer Tucke, with many other
malefactors, committed many robberies in the
counties of Surrey and Sussex, whereupon
the king sent out his writs for their appre-
hension : Annals, p. 352 b, ed. 1631.* A
petition to Parliament, in the year 1439, rep-
resents that one Piers Venables, of Derby-
shire, rescued a prisoner, " and after that
tyme, the same Piers Venables, havynge no
liflode ne sufficeante of goodes, gadered and
assembled unto him many misdoers, beynge of
his clothinge, . . . and, in manere of insur-
rection, wente into the wodes in that centre",
like as it hadde be Robyn - hode and his
meyne' : " Rotuli Parliamentorum, V, IG.f
Bower, writing 1441-47, describes the
lower orders of his time as entertaining them-
selves with ballads both merry and serious,
about Robin Hood, Little John, and their
mates, and preferring them to all others ;$
and Major, or Mair, who was born not long
after 1450, says in his book, printed in 1521,
that Robin Hood ballads were in vogue over
all Britain.§
Sir John Paston, in 1473, writes of a ser-
vant whom he had kept to play Robin Hood
and the Sheriff of Nottingham, and who was
gone into Bernysdale : Fenn, Original Let-
ters, etc., II, 134, cited by Ritson.
Gutch cites this allusion to Robin Hood
ballads " from MS. Porkington, No 10, f. 152,
written in the reign of Edward IV : "
Ther were tynkerris in tarlottus, the met was fulle
goode,
The " sowe sat one him benche " (sic), and harppyd
Robyn Hoode.
And again, the name simply, from " a song
on Woman, from MS. Lambeth, 306, fol. 135,
of the fifteenth century " :
He that made this songe full good
Came of the northe and of the sothern blode,
And somewhat kyne to Robyn Hode.
Gutch, Robin Hood, I, 55 f .
These passages show the popularity of
Robin Hood ballads for a century or more
* Cited by Ritson. I have not found the writs.
t Cited in the Edinburgh Review, 1847, LXXXVI, 134,
note; and by Hunter, 1852, The Ballad-Hero, Robin Hood,
p. 58 (where the year is wrongly given as 1432). It appears
from many cases that the name was very often pronounced
Rdbinhode.
J " Robertus Hode et Litill-Johanne, cum eorum com-
plicibus, de quibus stolidum vulgus hianter in comcediis et
in tragrediis prurienter festum faciunt, et prae ceteris ro-
manciis mimos et bardanos cantitare delectantur."
" Of whom the foolish vulgar in comedies and tragedies
make lewd entertainment, and are delighted to hear the
jesters and minstrels sing them above all other ballads : "
Ritson, whose translation may pass. Ritson rightly ob-
serves that comedies and tragedies here are not to be under-
stood as plays. Then follows this abstract of one of the
'tragedies.'
" De quo etiam quagdam commend abilia recitantur, sicut
patuit in hoc, quod cum ipse quondam in Barnisdale, iram
regis et fremitum principis declinans, missam, ut solitus
erat, devotissime audiret, nee aliqua necessitate volebat in-
terrumpere officium, quadam die, cum audiret missam, a
quodam vicecomite et ministris regis, eum saepius perprius
infestantibus, in illo secretissimo loco nemorali ubi misses
interfuit exploratus, venientes ad eum qui hoc de suis per-
VOL. III. 6
ceperunt ut omni annisu fugeret suggesserunt. Quod, ob
reverentiam sacramenti, quod tune devotissime venerabatur,
omnino facere recusavit. Sed, ceteris suis ob metum mortis
trepidantibus, Robertus, in tantum confisus in eum quern
coluit, inveritus, cum paucis qui tune forte ei affuerunt ini-
micos congressus eos de facili devicit, et, de eorum spoliis
ac redemptione ditatus, ministros ecclesiae et missas in ma-
jore veneratione semper et de post habere praeelegit, atten-
dens quod vulgariter dictum est :
Hunc deus exaudit qui missam saepius audit."
Scotichronicon, ed. Goodall, II, 104.
§ Major was in extreme old age in 1524 : see Moir's Wal-
lace, I, iv. " Robertus Hudus Anglus et Paruus loannes,
latrones famatissimi in nemoribus latuerunt, solum opulen-
torum virornm bona diripientes. Nullum nisi eos inuaden-
tem, vel resistentem pro suarum rerum tuitione, occiderunt
Centum sagittarios ad pugnam aptissimos Robertus latro-
ciniis aluit, quos 400 viri fortissimi inuadere non audebant.
Rebus huius Roberti gestis tola Britannia incantibus utitur.
Fceminam nullam opprimi permisit, nee pauperum bona
surripuit, verum eos ex abbatum bonis ablatis opipare
pauit." Historia Maioris Britannia?, fol. 55 b.
It will be observed that Wyntoun, Bower, and Mair are
Scots.
42
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
before the time when the Gest was printed, a
popularity which was fully established at the
beginning of this period, and unquestionably
extended back to a much earlier day. Of
these ballads, there have come down to us in
a comparatively ancient form the following :
those from which the Gest (printed, perhaps,
before 1500) was composed, being at least
four, Robin Hood, the Knight and the Monk,
Robin Hood, Little John and the Sheriff,
Robin Hood and the King, and Robin Hood's
Death (a fragment) ; Robin Hood and the
Monk, No 118, more properly Robin Hood
rescued by Little John, MS. of about 1450,
but not for that older than the ballads of the
Gest ; Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborn, No
119, Percy MS. c. 1650; Robin Hood's Death,
No 120, Percy MS. and late garlands ; Robin
Hood and the Potter, No 121, MS. of about
1500, later, perhaps, than any other of the
group.* Besides these there are thirty-two
ballads, Nos 122-153. For twenty-two of
these we have the texts of broadsides and
garlands of the seventeenth century, f four of
the same being also found in the Percy MS. ;
eight occur in garlands, etc., of the last cen-
tury, one of these same in the Percy MS., and
another in an eighteenth-century MS. ; one is
derived from a suspicious nineteenth-century
MS., and one from nineteenth-century tradi-
tion. About half a dozen of these thirty-two
have in them something of the old popular
quality ; as many more not the least smatch
of it. Fully a dozen are variations, some-
* Because comic and not heroic, and because Robin is
put at a disadvantage. In the other ballads Robin Hood is
" evermore the best." Though there is humor in the Gest,
it is kept well under, and never lowers Robin's dignity.
t The only one of these ballads entered in the Stationers'
Registers, or known to have been printed, at a date earlier
than the seventeenth century is No 124, 'Of Wakefylde
and a Grene,' 1557-58.
The earliest known copy of Robin Hood's Garland is one
in the Bodleian Library, Wood, 79, printed for W. Gilbert-
son, 1663. This contains seventeen ballads. An edition
of 1670, in the same library, Douce, H. 80, for Coles, Vere
and Wright, omits the first of these, a version of Robin Hood
and Queen Katherine which is found nowhere else. There
is an edition, printed by J. M. for J. Clarke, W. Thackeray,
and T. Passinger, among Pepys's Penny Merriments, vol.
iii, and Gutch had a copy, printed for the same, to which
he gives the date 1686. Garlands of the eighteenth century
increase the number of ballads to twenty-seven.
times wearisome, sometimes sickening, upon
the theme * Robin Hood met with his match.'
A considerable part of the Robin Hood poetry !
looks like char- work done for the petty press,
and should be judged as such. The earliest \
of these ballads, on the other hand, are among
the best of all ballads, and perhaps none in
English please so many and please so long.
That a considerable number of fine ballads
of this cycle have been lost will appear all
but certain when we remember that three of
the ver}r best are found each in only one
manuscript.^
Robin Hood is absolutely a creation of the /
ballad-muse. The earliest mention we have
of him is as the subject of ballads. The only
two early historians who speak of him as a
ballad-hero, pretend to have no information
about him except what they derive from bal-
lads, and show that they have none other
by the description they give of him ; this
description being in entire conformity with
ballads in our possession, one of which is
found in a MS. as old as the older of these
two writers.
Robin Hood is a yeoman, outlawed for rea-
sons not given but easily surmised, " courte-
ous and free," religious in sentiment, and
above all reverent of the Virgin, for the love
of whom he is respectful to all women. He
lives by the king's deer (though he loves no
man in the world so much as his king) and
by levies on the superfluity of the higher
orders, secular and spiritual, bishops and arch-
} In the Stationers' Registers, 1562-63, Arber, I, 204, 'a
ballett of Robyn Hod ' is licensed to John Aide. The best
one would expect of this would be a better copy of some later
broiidside. ' Robyn Hode in Barnysdale stode ' is the first
line of a mock-song introduced into the Morality of the Four
Elements (which alludes to the discovery of America " within
this xx. yere"): Halliwell, Percy Society, vol. xxii, p. 51.
It is mentioned ("As R. H.," etc.) in Detail's translation of
Erasmi Apothegmata, 1542: Hazlitt, Handbook, pp 513 f.
This line, Ritson observes, has been repeatedly cited, sin-
gularly enough, in law-cases (and always misquoted : in
Barnwood stood, in Barnwell stood, upon Greendale stood) :
Ritson 's Robin Hood, 1832, 1, Ixxxix ff. We find " Robyn
stode in Bernesdale," Gest, 31 ; also, "As Robin Hood in the
forest stood," No 138, 21 ; " When Robin Hood in the green-
wood stood," No 141, 11, both texts very much later than the
interlude. It is not strictly necessary to assume, as Ritson
does, that the line belongs to a lost ballad ; it may be from
some older text of one that we have.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODB
43
bishops, abbots, bold barons, and knights,*
but harms no husbandman or yeoman, and
is friendly to poor men generally, impart-
ing to them of what he takes from the rich.
Courtesy, good temper, liberality, and manli-
ness are his chief marks ; for courtesy and
good temper he is a popular Gawain. Yeo-
man as he is, he has a kind of royal dignity,
a princely grace, and a gentleman-like refine-
ment of humor. This is the Robin Hood of
the Gest especially ; the late ballads debase
this primary conception in various ways and
degrees.
This is what Robin Hood is, and it is
equally important to observe what he is not.
He has no sort of political character, in the
Gest or any other ballad. This takes the
ground from under the feet of those who seek
to assign him a place in history. Wyntoun,
who gives four lines to Robin Hood, is quite
precise. He is likely to have known of the
adventure of King Edward and the outlaw,
and he puts Robin under Edward I, at the
arbitrary date of 1283, a hundred and forty
years before his own time. Bower, without
any kind of ceremony, avouches our hero to
have been one of the proscribed followers of
Simon de Montfort, and this assertion of
Bower is adopted and maintained by a writer
in the London and Westminster Review,
1840, XXXIII, 424.f Major, whp probably
knew some ballad of Richard I and Robin
Hood, offers a simple conjecture that Robin
flourished about Richard's time, " circa hsec
tempora, ut auguror," and this is the repre-
sentation in Matthew Parker's 4 True Tale,'
which many have repeated, not always with
ut auguror ; as Scott, with whom no one can
quarrel, in the inexpressibly delightful Ivan-
* Knights and squires are exempted in the Gest, 14, in-
consistently with 7, and, as to knights, with the tenor of
what follows.
t Bower, as above. The writer in the L. & W. Keview
does not distinguish Fordun and Bower.
J Lieut.-Col. Prideaux states the resemblances between
the story of Fulk Fitz Warine and that of Robin Hood, in
an interesting article in Notes and Queries, 7th series, II,
421 ff, and suggests that the latter has borrowed from the
former. Undoubtedly this might be, but both may have
borrowed from the common stock of tradition.
§ The Finder of Wakefield became, according to hia bal-
hoe, and Thierry in his ConquSte de 1'Angle-
terre, Book xi, IV, 81 ff, ed. 1830, both of
whom depict Robin Hood as the chief of a
troop of Saxon bandits, Thierry making him
an imitator of Hereward. Hunter, again,
The Ballad-Hero, Robin Hood, p. 48, inter-
prets the King Edward of the Gest as Ed-
ward II, and makes Robin Hood an adherent
of the Earl of Lancaster in the fatal insurrec-
tion of 1322. No one of these theories has
anything besides ballads for a basis except
Hunter's. Hunter has an account-book in
which the name Robin Hood occurs ; as to
which see further on, under stanzas 414-450
of the Gest. Hereward the Saxon, Fulk Fitz
Warine, Eustace the Monk, Wallace, all out-
laws of one kind or another, are celebrated in
romantic tales or poems, largely fabulous,
which resemble in a general way, and some-
times in particulars, the traditional ballads
about Robin Hood ; J but these outlaws are
recognized by contemporary history.
The chief comrades of Robin Hood are :
Robin Hood and the Monk, Little John,
Scathlok (Scarlok. Scarlet), and Much ; to
these the Gest adds Gilbert of the White
Hand and Reynold, 292 f. A friar is not -
a member of his company in the older bal-
lads. A curtal, or cutted friar, called Friar
Tuck in the title, but not in the ballad, has
a fight with Robin Hood in No 123, and is
perhaps to be regarded as having accepted
Robin's invitation to join his company ; this,
however, is not said. Friar Tuck is simply
named as one of Robin's troop in two broad-
sides, No 145, No 147, but plays no part in
them. These two broadsides also name Maid
Marian, who appears elsewhere only in a late
and entirely insignificant ballad, No 150.§
lad, one of Robin Hood's men, but is not heard of in any
other. Will Stutly is also one in No 141 ; Clifton, No
145; David of Doncaster, No 152. Robin Hood assumes
the name Locksley in No 145, and by a blunder Locksley is
made one of his men in 147 and 153. Scarlet aad Scath-
lock are made two in the Earl of Huntington plays. Graf-
ton says that the name of William of Goldesborough was
graven, among others, with that of Robin Hood on Robin's
tombstone: Chronicle, I, 222, ed. 1809. Ritson says that
Munday makes Right-hitting Brand one of the band : I
have not observed this.
44
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
Friar Tuck is a character in each of two
Robin Hood plays, both of which we have,
unluckily, only in a fragmentary state. One
of these plays, dating as far back as 1475,
presents scenes from Robin Hood and Guy
of Gisborn, followed, without any link, by
others from some ballad of a rescue of Robin
Hood from the sheriff ; to which extracts from
still other ballads may have been annexed. In
this play the friar has no special mark; he
simply makes good use of his bow. The other
play, printed by Copland with the Gest, not
much before 1550, treats more at length the
story of Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar, and
then that of Robin Hood and the Potter,
again, and naturally, without connection.
The conclusion is wanting, and the play may
have embraced still other ballads. The Friar
in this is a loose and jovial fellow, and gave
the hint for Scott's Clerk of Copmanhurst.*
The second of the Robin Hood plays is
described in the title as "very proper to be
played in May-games." These games were
in the sixteenth century, and, it would seem,
before, often a medley of many things. They
were not limited to the first day of May, or
even to the month of May ; they might occur
in June as well. They were not uniform, and
might include any kind of performance or
spectacle which suited the popular taste. " I
find," says Stow, "that in the moneth of
May, the citizens of London, of all estates,
lightlie in every parish, or sometimes two or
three parishes joyning together, had their
several Mayinges, and did fetch in Maypoles,
with divers warlike shewes, with good archers,
morrice-dancers, and other devices for pastime
all the day long; and towards the evening
they had stage-playes and bonefires in the
streetes." f In the Diary of Henry Machyn
we read that on the twenty-sixth of May,
1555, there was a goodly May-game at St
Martins in the Field, with giant and hobby-
horses, morris-dance and other minstrels ;
and on the third day of June following, a
goodly May-game at Westminster, with giants
and devils, and three morris-dancers, and many
disguised, and the Lord and Lady of the May
rode gorgeously, with divers minstrels play-
ing. On the thirtieth of May, 1557, there was
a goodly May-game in Fenchurch Street, in
which the Nine Worthies rode, and they had
speeches, and the morris-dance, and the Sow-
dan, and the Lord and Lady of the May, and
more besides. And again, on the twenty-
fourth of June, 1559, there was a May-game,
with a giant, the Nine Worthies, with
speeches, a goodly pageant with a queen, St
George and the Dragon, the morris-dance, and
afterwards Robin Hood and Little John, and
Maid Marian and Friar Tuck, and they had
speeches round about London. (Pp 89, 137,
201.)*
In the rural districts the May-game was
naturally a much simpler affair. The accounts
of the chamberlains and churchwardens of
Kingston upon Thames for Mayday, 23 Henry
VII-28 Henry VIII, 1507-36, contain charges
for the morris, the Lady, Little John, Robin
Hood, and, Maid Marian ; the accounts for 21
Henry VII-1 Henry VIII relate to expenses
for the Kyngham, and a king and queen are
mentioned, presumably king and queen of
May ; under 24 Henry VII the "cost of the
Kyngham and Robyn Hode are entered to-
gether." §
" A simple northern man " is made to say
in Albion's England, 1586 :
* Robin Hood presents the friar with a " lady free," not
named, who may be meant for a degraded Maid Marian,
such as Falstaff refers to in 1 Henry IV, III, iii, 129.
t Stow, Survay of London, 1598, p. 72, in Ritson's excel-
lent note EE, Robin Hood, I, cix ff, ed. 1832, which con-
tains almost all the important information relative to the
subject. Stow adds that in consequence of a riot on May-
day, 1517, the great Mayings and May-games were not after
that time " so freely used as afore."
} These are the people's sports. Hall, fol. Ivi, b, cited
by Ritson, gives an account of a Maying devised by the
guards for the entertainment of Henry VIII and his queen,
in 1516. The king and queen, while riding with a great
company, come upon a troop of two hundred yeomen in
green. One of these, calling himself Robin Hood, invites
the king to see his men shoot, and then to an outlaws-break-
fast of venison. The royal party, on their return home,
were met by a chariot drawn by five horses, in which sat
" the Lady May accompanied with Lady Flora," who saluted
the king with divers songs.
§ Lysons, The Environs of London, I, 225-32.
117. A GEST OF BOBYN HODE
45
At Paske began our Morris, and ere Penticost our
May;
Tho Robin Hood, Liell John, Frier Tucke and
Marian deftly play,
And Lard and Ladie gang till kirk, with lads and
lasses gay.*
Toilet's painted window (which is assigned
by Douce to about 1460-70, and, if rightly
dated, furnishes the oldest known representa-
tion of a May-game with the morris) has,
besides a fool, a piper and six dancers, a May-
pole, a hobby-horse, a friar, and a lady, and
the lady, being crowned, is to be taken as
Queen of May.
What concerns us is the part borne by
Robin Hood, John, and the Friar in these
games, and Robin's relation to Maid Marian.
In Ellis's edition of Brand's Antiquities, I,
214, note h, we are told that Robin Hood is
styled King of May in The Book of the Uni-
versal Kirk of Scotland. This is a mistake,
and an important mistake. In April, 1577,
the General Assembly requested the king to
" discharge [prohibit] playes of Robin Hood,
King of May, and sick others, on the Sabboth
day." In April, 1578, the fourth session, the
king and council were supplicated to discharge
" all kynd of insolent play is, as King of May,
Robin Hood, and sick others, in the moneth of
May, played either be bairnes at the schools,
or others"; and the subject was returned to
in the eighth session. We know from various
sources that plays, founded on the ballads,
were sometimes performed in the course of
the games. We know that archers sometimes
personated Robin Hood and his men in the
May-game. f The relation of Robin Hood,
John, and the Friar to the May-game morris
is obscure. " It plainly appears," says Rit-
son, " that Robin Hood, Little John, the
Friar, and Maid Marian were fitted out at
the same time with the morris-dancers, and
consequently, it would seem, united with
them in one and the same exhibition," mean-
ing the morris. But he adds, with entire
truth, in a note : "it must be confessed that
no other direct authority has been met with for
constituting Robin Hood and Little John in-
tegral characters of the morris-dance."J And
further, with less truth so far as the Friar is
concerned : " that Maid Marian and the Friar
were almost constantly such is proved beyond
the possibility of a doubt." The Friar is found
in Toilet's window, which Douce speaks of,
cautiously, as a representation of an English
May-game and morris-dance. The only "di-
rect authority," so far as I am aware, for the
Friar's being a party in the morris-dance (un-
connected with the May-game) is the late
authority of Ben Jonson's Masque of the
Metamorphosed Gipsies, 1621, cited by Toilet
in his Memoir ; where it is said that the ab-
sence of a Maid Marian and a friar is a surer
mark than the lack of a hobby-horse that a
certain company cannot be morris-dancers.§
The lady is an essential personage in the mor-
ris. || How and when she came to receive the
appellation of Maid Marian in the English
* The last two lines are to be understood, I apprehend,
exclusively of the May, and the lord and lady mean Lord
and Lady of the May. The Lord of Misrule, " with his
hobby-horses, dragons, and other antiques," used to go to
church : Stubbes, Anatomy of Abuses, ed. Furnivall, p. 147.
t Myself e remembreth of a childe, in contreye native
mine,
A May game was of Robyn Hood, and of his traine, that
time,
To traine up young men, stripplings, and eche other
younger childe,
In shooting; yearely this with solempne feast was by
the guylde
Or brotherhood of townsmen don, etc.
Richard Robinson, 1553, in Ritson, p. cxii f, ed. 1832.
J A Christmas game of very modern date is described in
The Mirror, XXVI, 42, in which there was a troop of morris-
dnncerswith Robin Hood and Maid Marian; and also Beel-
zebub and his wife. Cited by Kuhn, Haupt's Zeitschrift, V,
481.
§ The entries in the Kingston accounts for 28 and 29
Henry VIII, if they refer to the morris-dance only, would
show the morris to be constituted as follows :
(28 Henry VIII.) Four dancers, fool, Maid Marian, friar,
and piper. A minstrel is also mentioned.
(29 Henry VIII.) Friar, Maid Marian, Morian (Moor?),
four dancers, fool. This entry refers to the costume of the
characters, which may account for the omission of the piper.
Lysons, Environs of London, I, 228 f.
|| It need hardly be remarked that the morris was neither
an exclusively English dance nor exclusively a May-game
dance. A Flemish morris, delineated in an engraving dated
1460-70, has for personages a lady, fool, piper, and six
dancers : Douce, p. 446 f. In Robert Laneham's description
of a bride-ale at Kenilworth, 1575, there is a morris-dance,
" according to the ancient manner," in the which the parties
46
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
morris is unknown. The earliest occurrence
of the name seems to be in Barclay's fourth
Eclogue,* "subjoined to the last edition of
The Ship of Foles, but originally printed
soon after 1500 : " Ritson, I, Ixxxvii, ed. 1832.
Warton suggested a derivation from the
French Marion, and the idea is extremely
plausible. Robin and Marion were the sub-
ject of innumerable motets and pastourelles of
the thirteenth century, and the hero and
heroine of a very pretty and lively play, more
properly comic opera, composed by Adam de
la Halle not far from 1280. We know from
a document of 1392 that this play was annu-
ally performed at Angers, at Whitsuntide,
and we cannot doubt that it was a stock-piece
in many places, as from its merits it deserved
to be. There are as many proverbs about
Robin and Marion as there are about Robin
Hood, and the first verse of the play, derived
from an earlier song, is still (or was fifty years
ago) in the mouths of the peasant girls of
Hainault.f In the May-game of June, 1559,
described by Machyn, after many other things,
they had " Robin Hood and Little John," and
" Maid Marian and Friar Tuck," some dramatic
scene, pantomime, or pageant, probably two ;
but there is nothing of Maid Marian in the
two (fragmentary) Robin Hood plays which
are Maid Marian, the fool, and six dancers : Furnivall,
Captain Cox, p. 22 f. A painting of about 1625 has a morris-
dance of seven figures, a Maid Marian, fool, piper, hobby-
horse, and three dancers. A tract, of Elizabeth's time, speaks
of " a quintessence, beside the fool and the Maid Marian,
of all the picked youth, footing the morris about a Maypole,"
to the pipe and tabor, and other music; and a poem of 1614
describes a country morris-dance of a fool, Maid Marian,
hobby-horse, and piper : Ellis's Brand, p. 206 f.
* The well-to-do Codrus says to the starving Menalcas,
who has been venting his spleen against " rascokle " rivals,
' Yet would I gladly heare some mery fit
Of Maide Marian, or els of Robin Hood.'
Codrns is here only suggesting themes which would be
agreeable to him. We are not to deduce from his words
that there were ballads about Maid Marian. But if there
had been, they would have been distinct from ballads about
Robin Hood.
t See Monmerque et Michel, Theatre Fra^ais au Moyen
Age, 1 842, Notice snr Adam de la Halle, pp 27 ff, the songs,
pp 31 ff, the play, pp 102 ff ; Ducange, Robinetns. Henrv-
, son's Robin and Ma'kyne was undoubtedly suggested by
the French pastorals.
J I must invoke the spirit of Ritson to pardon the taking
of no verv serious notice of Robin Hood's noble extraction.
are preserved, both of which, so far as they
go, are based on ballads. Anthony Munday,
towards the end of the sixteenth century,
made a play, full of his own inventions, in
which Robert, Earl of Huntington, being out-
lawed, takes refuge in Sherwood, with his
chaste love Matilda, daughter of Lord Fitz-
waters, and changes his name to Robin Hoo«l,
hers to Maid Marian.J One S. S., a good
deal later, wrote a very bad ballad about the
Earl of Huntington and his lass, the only
ballad in which Maid Marian is more than a
name. Neglecting these perversions, Maid
Marian is a personage in the May-game and
morris who is not infrequently paired with a
friar, and sometimes with Robin Hood, under
what relation, in either case, we cannot pre-
cisely say. Percy had no occasion to speak
of her as Robin's concubine, and Douce none
to call her Robin's paramour.
That ballads about Robin Hood were famil-
iar throughout England and Scotland we know
from early testimony. Additional evidence
of his celebrity is afforded by the connection
of his name with a variety of natural objects
and archaic remains over a wide extent of
country.
" Cairns on Blackdown in Somersetshire,
and barrows near to Whitby in Yorkshire
The first mention of this seems to be in Graf ton's Chronicle,
1569. Grafton says: In an olde and auncient pamphlet I
finde this written of the sayd Robert Hood. This man,
sayth he, discended of a noble parentage ; or rather, beyng
of a base stocke and linage, was for his manhoode and chiu-
alry aduaunced to the noble dignitie of an erle. . . . Butafter-
wardes he so prodigally exceeded in charges and expences
that he fell into great debt, by reason whereof so many
actions and sutes were commenced against him, wherevnto
he aunswered not, that by order of lawe he was outlawed,
etc.: I, 221, ed. 1809. (Some such account furnished a
starting-point for Munday.) Leland also, Ritson adds, has
expressly termed him " nobilis " (Ro: Hood, nobilis ille
exlex), Collectanea, I, 54, ed. 1770, and Warner, in Albion's
England (1586), p. 132, ed. 1612, calls him a "county":
Those dales begot some mal-contents, the principal! of whom
A countie was, that with a troop of yeomandry did roam.
Ritson also cites the Sloaue MS., 780, "written, as it
seems, toward the end of the sixteenth century ; " and Har-
leian MS., 1233, which he does not date, but which is of the
middle of the seventeenth century. Against the sixteenth-
century testimony, so to call it, we put in that of the early
ballads, all of which describe Robin as a yeoman, the Gest
emphasizing the point.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
47
and Ludlow in Shropshire, are termed Robin
Hood's pricks or butts ; lofty natural emi-
nences in Gloucestershire and Derbyshire are
Robin Hood's hills ; a huge rock near Matlock
is Robin Hood's Tor; an ancient boundary
stone in Lincolnshire is Robin Hood's cross ; a
presumed loggan, or rocking-stone, in York-
shire is Robin Hood's penny-stone ; a foun-
tain near Nottingham, another between Don-
caster and Wakefield, and one in Lancashire
are Robin Hood's wells ; a cave in Notting-
hamshire is his stable ; a rude natural rock in
Hope Dale is his chair ; a chasm at Chats-
worth is his leap; Blackstone Edge, in Lan-
cashire, is his bed ; ancient oaks, in various
parts of the country, are his trees." * All
sorts of traditions are fitted to the localities
where they are known. It would be an ex-
ception to ordinary rules if we did not find
Robin Hood trees and Robin Hood wells and
Robin Hood hills. But, says Wright, in his
essay on the Robin Hood ballads (p. 208),
the connection of Robin Hood's name with
mounds and stones is perhaps one of the
strongest proofs of his mythic character, as
* The Edinburgh Review, LXXXVI, 1 23 (with a slight
correction in one instance), mostly from Ritson, I, cix,
cxxvi £E, 1832, and from Wright's Essays, etc., II, 209 f,
1846. Of course the list might be extended : there are some
additions in The Academy, XXIV, 231, 1883, and four Robin
Hood's wells in Yorkshire alone are there noted.
t A Robin Hood's Stone, near Barnsdale, of what descrip-
tion we are not told, is mentioned in an account of a prog-
ress made by Henry VII, and Robin Hood's Well, in the
same region, in an account of a tour made in 1634 : Hun-
ter's Robin Hood, p. 61. The well is also mentioned by
Drunken Barnaby. A Robin Hood's Hill is referred to in
Vicars' account of the siege of Gloucester in 1 643 : The
Academy, XXIV, 231.
t Gough, in the Gentleman's Magazine, March 8, 1793,
cited by Gutch. Wright has, somewhat naively, furnished
his own refutation : " A large tumulus we know well in our
own county, near Ludlow in Shropshire, which is also called
Robin Hood's But, and which affords us a curious instance
how new stories were often invented to account for a name
whose original import was forgotten. The circumstances,
too, in this case, prove that the story was of late invention.
The barrow, as regarded superstitiously, had borne the name
of Robin Hood. On the roof of one of the chancels of the
church of Ludlow, which is called Fletchers' chancel, as hav-
ing been, when ' the strength of England stood upon arch-
ery,' the place where the fletchers held their meetings, and
which is distant from the aforesaid barrow two miles, or two
miles and a half, there stands an iron arrow, as the sign of
their craft. The imagination of the people of the place,
if Robin Hood were conceived of as a giant.
The fact in question is rather a proof that those
names were conferred at a time when the real
character of Robin Hood was dimly remem-
bered. In the oldest ballads Robin Hood is
simply a stout yeoman, one of the best that
ever bare bow ; in the later ballads he is re-
peatedly foiled in contests with shepherds and
beggars. Is it supposable that those who
knew of him even at his best estate, could give
him a loggan for a penny-stone ? No one has as
yet undertaken to prove that the ballads are
later than the names. f Mounds and stones
bear his name for the same idle reason that
" so many others have that of King Arthur,
King John, and, for want of a better, that of
the devil." $
Kuhn, starting with the assumption that
the mythical character of Robin Hood is fully
established (by traditions posterior to the bal-
lads and contradictory to their tenor), has
sought to show that our courteous outlaw is in
particular one of the manifestations of Woden.
The hobby-horse, which, be it borne in mind,
though now and then found in the May-game
after archery and fletchers had been forgotten, and when
Robin Hood was known only as an outlaw and a bowman,
made a connection between the barrow (from its name) and
the chancel (from the arrow on its roof), and a tale was in-
vented how the outlaw once stood upon the former and took
aim at the weathercock on the church-steeple ; but the dis-
tance being a little too great, the arrow fell short of its
mark, and remained up to the present day on the roof of the
chancel." (Essays, I, 209 f.)
A correspondent of The Academy, XXIV, 181, remarks
that one of the Anglo-Saxon charters in Kemble's Codex
Diplomaticus mentions a " place " in Worcestershire called
Hddes ac (now Hodsoak), that there is a village in Notting-
hamshire called Hodsock, that it is improbable that two men
living in districts so widely apart should each have given
his name to an oak-tree, and that therefore we may safely
conclude Hod to be a mythical personage. Somebody's tree
is given as a boundary mark more than thirty times in these
charters, somebody's thorn at least ten times, somebody's oak
at least five times. How often such a mark might occur in
connection with any particular name would depend upon the
frequency of the name. Hod or Hdde is cited thirteen
times by Kemble, and few names occur oftener. The name,
we may infer, was relatively as common then as it is in
our century, which has seen three Admiral Hoods (who, by
virtue of being three, may be adjudged as mythical by and
by) and one poet Hood alive together. Why may not three
retired wirings and one scop, of the name, have been living
in Berks, Hants, Wilts, and Worcestershire in the tenth cen-
tury?
48
117. A GEST OP ROBYN HODE
or morris-dance, was never intimately associ-
ated, perhaps we may say never at all associ-
ated, with Robin Hood, represents, it is main-
tained, Woden. The fundamental grounds
are these. In a Christmas, New Year, or
Twelfth Day sport at Paget's Bromley, Staf-
fordshire, the rider of the hobby-horse held a
bow and arrow in his hands, with which he
made a snapping noise. In a modern Christ-
mas festivity in Kent, the young people would
affix the head of a horse to a pole about four
feet in length, and tie a cloth round the head
to conceal one of the party, who, by pulling a
string attached to the horse's lower jaw, pro-
duced a snapping noise as he moved along.
This ceremony, according to the reporter, was
called a hoodening, and the figure of the
horse a h o o d e n, " a wooden horse." * The
word hooden, according to Kuhn, we may un-
hesitatingly expound as Woden ; Hood is a
corruption of " Hooden," and this Hooden
again conducts us to Woden.
Glosyng is a ful glorious thing certayn.
The sport referred to is explained in Pegge's
Alphabet of Kenticisms (collected 1735-36),
under the name hooding, as a country
masquerade at Christmas time, which in Der-
byshire they call guising, and in other places
mumming ; and to the same effect in the Rev.
W. D. Parish's Dictionary of the Kentish
Dialect (soon to be published) under hood-
ening, which word is an obvious corruption,
or secondary form, of hooding. The word
hooding, applied to the sport, means just what
it does in the old English hoodirig-cloth, a
curtain ; that is, a covering, and so a disguise
by covering. It is true that wooden is pro-
nounced hooden,f or ooden, in Kent, and that
the hobby-horse had a wooden head, but it
is quite inconceivable that the sport should
receive its name from a circumstance so sub-
ordinate as the material of which the horse
was made. Such an interpretation would
hardly be thought of had not hooding in its
proper sense long been obsolete. That this
is the case is plain from two facts : the hood-
ing used to be accompanied with carol-singing,
and the Rev. Mr Parish informs us that carol-
singing on Christmas Eve is still called hood-
ening at Monckton, in East Ken$. The form
Hooden, from which Robin's name is asserted
by Kuhn to be corrupted, is invented for the
occasion. I suppose that no one will think
that the hobby-horse-rider's carrying a bow
and arrows, in the single instance of the Staf-
fordshire sport, conduces at all to the identi-
fying of Robin Hood with the hobby-horse.
Whether the Hobby-Horse represents Woden
is not material here. It is enough that the
Hobby-Horse cannot be shown to represent
Robin Hood.J
I cannot admit that even the shadow of a
case has been made out by those who would
attach a mythical character either to Robin
Hood or to the outlaws of Inglewood, Adam
Bell, Clim of the Clough, and William of
Cloudesly. §
* Plot's History of Staffordshire, p. 434, cited in Ellis's
Brand, 1, 383 ; The Mirror, XX, 419, cited by Kuhn, Haupt's
Zeitschrift, V, 474 f. The Kentish sport is also described
in the Rev. W. D. Parish's Dictionary of the Kentish Dia-
lect, p. 77, under Hoodening.
t In West Worcestershire h is put for w, "by an em-
phatic speaker," in such words as wood, wool : Mrs Cham-
berlain's Glossary. Hood for wood occurs in East Sussex ;
also in Somerset, according to Halliwell's Dictionary.
The derivation of Hood from wood has often been sug-
gested : as by Peele, in his Edward I, " Robin of the Wood,
alias Robin Hood," Works, Dyce, I, 162. The inventive
Peck was pleased always to write Robin Whood.
J The Hobby-Horse, Schimmel, Fastnachtspferd, Herbst-
pferd, Adventspferd, Chevalet, Cheval Mallet, is maintained
by Mannhardt to be figurative of the Corn-Sprite, Kornda-
mon ; nichts anderes als das Kornross, Vegetationsross, nicht
aber eine Darstellung Wodans, wie man nach Kuhiis Vor-
gang jetzt allgemein annimmt : Mannhardt, Mythologische
Forschungen, in Quellen u. Forschungen, LI, p. 165. " Man
sieht den Ungrund der bei deutschen Mythologen so belieb-
ten Identifizierung von Robin Hood und Wodan : " Mann-
hardt, Wald- u. Feldkulte, I, 546, note 3.
§ The reasoning, in the instance of Robin Hood, has been
signally loose and incautious ; still, the general conclusion
finds ready acceptance with mythologists, on one ground or
another, and deductions are made with the steadiness of a
geometer. Robin Hood, being one of the " solar heroes,"
" has his faint reflection in Little John, who stands to him
in the same relation as Patroclus to Achilles," etc. " Maid
Marian will therefore be the dawn-maiden, to be identified
with Briseis," etc. " Friar Tuck is one of the triumvirate
who appear also in the Cloudesly and Tell legends," etc.
And again, by an interpreter of somewhat different views:
" though a considerable portion of this story is ultimately
derived from the great Aryan sun-myth, there is the strong-
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
49
Ballads of other nations, relating to classes
of men living in revolt against authority and
society, may be expected to show some kind
of likeness to the English outlaw-ballads, and
such resemblances will be pointed out upon
occasion. Spanish broadside ballads dating
from the end of the sixteenth century com-
memorate the valientes and guapos of cities,
robbers and murderers of the most flaunting
and flagitious description : Duran, Roman-
cero, Nos 1331-36, 1339-43, II, 367 ff.* These
display towards corregidores, alcaldes, custom-
house officers, and all the ministers of gov-
ernment an hostility corresponding to that of
Robin Hood against the sheriff ; they empty
the jails and deliver culprits from the gallows ;
reminding us^very faintly of the Robin Hood
broadsides, as of the rescues in Nos 140, 141,
the Progress to Nottingham, No 139, in which
Robin Hood, at the age of fifteen, kills fifteen
foresters, or of Young Gamwell, in No 128, who
begins his career by killing his father's stew-
ard, f But Robin Hood and his men, in the
most degraded of the broadsides, are tame in-
nocents and law-abiding citizens beside the
guapos. The Klephts, whose songs are pre-
served in considerable numbers, mostly from
the last century and the present, have the
respectability of being engaged, at least in
part, in a war against the Turks, and the
romance of wild mountaineers. They, like
Robin Hood, had a marked animosity against
monks, and they put beys to ransom as he
would an abbot or a sheriff. There are
Magyar robber-ballads in great number ; $
some of these celebrate Shobri (a man of this
century), who spares the poor, relieves beg-
gars, pillages priests (but never burns or
kills), and fears God : Erdelyi's collection, I,
194-98, Nos 237-39; Arany-Gyulai, II, 56,
No 49; Kertbeny, Ausgewahlte Ungarische
Volkslieder, pp 246-251, Nos 136-38; Aig-
ner, pp 198-201. Russian robber-songs are
given by Sakharof, under the title Udaluiya,
Skazaniya, 1841, 1, iii, 224-32 ; Ralston, Songs
of the Russian People, pp 44-50. There are
a few Sicilian robber-ballads in PitreVCanti
pop. Siciliani, Nos 913-16, II, 125-37.
The Gest is a popular epic, composed from
several ballads by a poet of a thoroughly con-
genial spirit. No one of the ballads from
which it was made up is extant in a separate
shape, and some portions of the story may
have been of the compiler's own invention.
The decoying of the sheriff into the wood,
stanzas 181-204, is of the same derivation as
the last part of Robin Hood and the Pot-
ter, No 121, Little John and Robin Hood
exchanging parts ; the conclusion, 451-56, is
of the same source as Robin Hood's Death,
No 120. Though the tale, as to all important
considerations, is eminently original, abso-
lutely so as to the conception of Robin Hood,
some traits and incidents, as might be ex-
est reason for believing that the Anglian Hod was not origi-
nally a solar personage, but a degraded form of the God of
the Wind, Hermes-Woden. The thievish character of this
divinity explains at once why his name should have been
chosen as the popular appellation of an outlaw chief." (The
Academy, XXIV, 250, 384.)
The Potter in the later Play of Robin Hood (not in the
corresponding ballad) wears a rose garland on his head. So
does a messenger in the history of Fnlk Fitz Warine,
Wright, p. 78, not to mention other cases referred to by Rit-
son, Robin Hood, II, 200, ed. 1832. Fricke, Die Robin-Hood
Balladen, p. 55, surmises that the rose garland worn by the
Potter may be a relic of the strife between Summer and
Winter ; and this view, he suggests, would tend to confirm
" the otherwise well-grounded hypothesis " that Robin Hood
is a mythological personage.
* " Desde la liltima decada del siglo xvi hasta pocos anos
hace, no eran ya los heroes del pueblo ni los Bernardos, ni
los Cides, ni los Pulgares, ni los -Garcilasos, ni los Cespedes,
ni los Paredes, porque su pueblo estaba muerto 6 trasfor-
mado en vulgo, y este habia sustituido a aquellos los guapos
Francisco Esteban, los Correas, los Merinos, los Salinas, los
Pedrajas, los Montijos." (Duran, p. 389, note.)
t Bernardo del Montijo, Duran, No 1342, kills an alcalde
at the age of eighteen, " con bastante causa : " upon which
phrase Duran observes, " para el vulgo era bastante causa, sin
duda, el ser alcalde." Beginning with so much promise of
spirit, he afterwards, in carrying off his mistress, who was
about to be wedded against her will, kills six constables, a
corregidor, the bridegroom, and a captain of the guard. For
differences, compare the English broadside R. H. and Allen-
a-Dale, No 138.
J " Doch sind sie meist ohne grosseu poetischen Werth,
nur als Zeugniss fur die Denkweise des Volkes iiber die ' ar-
men Bursche,' die es lange nicht fur so grosse Verbrecher
halt als der Staat, und die es, ihre Vorurtheile theilend, im
Gegentheile oft als kiihne Freiheitshelden betrachtet, die
gegen grossere oder kleinere Tyrannen sich zu erheben und
denselben zu trotzen wagen, und als ungerecht verfolgte
Sb'hne seines Stammes in Schutz nimmt gegen die fremden
Gesetzvollstrecker." (Aigner, Ungarische Volksdichtungen,
p. xxvi f.)
50
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
pected, are taken from what we may call the
general stock of mediaeval fiction.
The story is a three-ply web of the adven-
tures of Robin Hood with a knight, with the
sheriff of Nottingham, and with the king
(the concluding stanzas, 451-56, being a mere
epilogue), and may be decomposed accord-
ingly. I. How Robin Hood relieved a knight,
who had fallen into poverty, by lending him
money on the security of Our Lady, the first
fit, 1-81; how the knight recovered his
lands, which had been pledged to Saint Mary
Abbey, and set forth to repay the loan, the
second fit, 82-143; how Robin Hood, hav-
ing taken twice the sum lent from a monk of
this abbey, declared that Our Lady had dis-
charged the debt, and would receive nothing
more from the knight, the fourth fit, 205-
280. II. How Little John insidiously took
service with Robin Hood's standing enemy,
the sheriff of Nottingham, and put the sheriff
into Robin Hood's hands, the third fit, 144—
204 ; how the sheriff, who had sworn an oath
to help and not to harm Robin Hood and his
men, treacherously set upon the outlaws at a
shooting-match, and they were fain to take
refuge in the knight's castle ; how, missing of
Robin Hood, the sheriff made prisoner of the
knight ; and how Robin Hood slew the sheriff
and rescued the knight, the fifth and sixth
fit, 281-353. III. How the king, coming in
person to apprehend Robin Hood and the
knight, disguised himself as an abbot, was
stopped by Robin Hood, feasted on his own
deer, and entertained with an exhibition of
archery, in the course of which he was
recognized by Robin Hood, who asked his
grace and received a promise thereof, on con-
dition that he and his men should enter into
the king's service ; and how the king, for .a
jest, disguised himself and his company in
the green of the outlaws, and going back to
Nottingham caused a general flight of the
people, which he stopped by making himself
known ; how he pardoned the knight ; and
how Robin Hood, after fifteen months in the
king's court, heart-sick and deserted by all
his men but John and Scathlock, obtained a
week's leave of the king to go on a pilgrim-
age to Saint Mary Magdalen of Barnsdale, and
would never come back in two-and-twenty
years, the seventh and eighth fit, 354—450.
A particular analysis may be spared, seeing
that many of the details will come out inci-
dentally in what follows.
Barnsdale, Robin Hood's haunt in the
Gest, 3, 21, 82, 134, 213, 262, 440, 442, is
a woodland region in the West Riding of
Yorkshire, a little to the south of Pontefract
and somewhat further to the north of Don-
caster. The river Went is its northern boun-
dary. " The traveller enters upon it [from
the south] a little beyond a well-known place
called Robin Hood's Well [some ten miles
north of Doncaster, near Skelbrook], and he
leaves it when he has descended to Went-
bridge." (For Wentbridge, see No 121, st.
6 ; the Gest, 1351.) A little to the west is
Wakefield, and beyond Wakefield, between
that town and Halifax, was the priory of
Kyrkesly or Kirklees. The Sayles, 18, was a
very small tenancy of the manor of Pontefract.
The great North Road, formerly so called,
and here, 18, denominated Watling Street
(as Roman roads often are), crosses Barns-
dale between Doncaster and Ferrybridge.*
Saint Mary Abbey, " here besyde," 54, was
at York, and must have been a good twenty
miles from Barnsdale. The knight, 1264, is
said to be " at home in Verysdale." Wyres-
dale (now Over and Nether Wyersdale) was
an extensive tract of wild country, part of
the old forest of Lancashire, a few miles to
the southeast of Lancaster. The knight's son
had slain a knight and a squire of Lancaster,
a, Lancashire, b, f, g, 53. It is very likely,
therefore, that the knight's castle, in the orig-
inal ballad, was in Lancashire. However this
may be, it is put in the Gest, 309 f, on the
way between Nottingham and Robin Hood's
* J. Hunter (Critical and Historical Tracts, No IV),
whom I follow here, shows that Barnsdale was peculiarly
unsafe for travellers in Edward the First's time. Three ec-
clesiastics, conveyed from Scotland to Winchester, had a
guard, sometimes of eight archers, sometimes of twelve, or,
further south, none at all ; but when they passed from
Pontefract to Tickhill, the number was increased to twenty,
propter Barnsdale: p. 14.
117. A GEST OP ROBYN HODB
51
retreat, which must be assumed to be Barns-
dale. From it, again, Barnsdale is easily
accessible to the knight's wife, 334 f.* Wher-
ever it lay or lies, the distance from Notting-
ham or from Barnsdale, as also the distance
from Nottingham to Barnsdale (actually
some fifty miles), is made nothing of in the
Gest.f The sheriff goes a-hunting ; John,
who is left behind, does not start from Not-
tingham till more than an hour after noon,
takes the sheriff's silver to Barnsdale, $ runs
five miles in the forest, and finds the sheriff
still at his sport: 155 f, 168, 176-82. We
must not be nice. Robin Hood has made a
vow to go from London to Barnsdale barefoot.
The distance thither and back would not be
much short of three hundred and fifty miles.
King Edward allows him a seven-night, and
no longer, 442 f. The compiler of the Gest
did not concern himself to adjust these mat-
ters. There was evidently at one time a
Barnsdale cycle and a Sherwood cycle of
Robin Hood ballads. The sheriff of Notting-
ham would belong to the Sherwood series
(to which Robin Hood and the Monk apper-
tains). He is now a capital character in all the
old Robin Hood ballads. If he was adopted
from the Sherwood into the Barnsdale set,
this was done without a rearrangement of the
topography.
5-7. Robin Hood will not dine until he has
some guest that can pay handsomely for his
entertainment, 18, 19, 206, 209 ; dinner, ac-
cordingly, is sometimes delayed a long time,
25, 30, 143, 220 ; to Little John's impatience,
5, 16, 206, 2li. This habit of Robin's seems
to be a humorous imitation of King Arthur,
who in numerous romances will not dine till
some adventure presents itself ; a custom
which, at least on one occasion, proves vexa-
tious to his court. Cf. I, 257 f.§
8-10. Robin's general piety and his special
devotion to the Virgin are again to be re-
marked in No 118. There is a tale of a knight
who had a castle near a public road, and
robbed everybody that went by, but said his •
Ave every day, and never allowed anything
to interfere with his so doing, in Legenda '/
Aurea, c. 51, Grasse, p. 221 ; Hagen, Ge-
sammtabenteuer, III, 563, No 86; Morlini
Novelise, Paris, 1855, p. 269, No 17, etc.
13—15. Robin's practice corresponds closely
with Gamelyn's :
Whil Gamelyn was outlawed hadde he no cors ;
There was no man that for him ferde the wors
But abbotes and priours, monk and chanoun ;
On hem left he no-thing, whan he mighte hem noin.
vv 779-82, ed. Skeat.
Fulk Fitz Warine, nor any of his, during
the time of his outlawry would ever do hurt
to any one except the king and his knights :
Wright, p. 77 f .
45. " Distraint of knighthood," or the prac-
tice of requiring military tenants who held
20 I. per annum to receive knighthood, or pay
a composition, began under Henry III, as early
as 1224, and was continued by Edward I.
This was regarded as a very serious oppres-
sion under James I and Charles I, and was
abolished in 1642. Stubbs, Constitutional
History, II, 281 f; Hallam, Constitutional
History, ed. 1854, I, 338, note x, II, 9, 99.
62-66. The knight has no security to offer
for a loan " but God that dyed on a tree,"
and such security, or that of the saints, is per-
emptorily rejected by Robin ; but when the
knight says that he can offer no other, unless
* Hunter suspects that the Nottinghamshire knight, Sir
Richard at the Lee, in the latter half of the Gest, was orig-
inally a different person from the knight in the former half,
" the knight of the Barnsdale ballads," p. 25. Fricke makes
the same suggestion, Die Robin-Hood Balladen, p. 19. This
may be, but the reasons offered are not quite conclusive.
t And so, as to Nottingham and Barnsdale, in No 118 ;
and perhaps No 121, for the reference to Wentbridge, st. 6,
would imply that Robin Hood is in Barnsdale rather than
Sherwood.
t I say Barnsdale, though the place is not specified, and
though Sherwood would remove or reduce the difficulty as
to distance. We have nothing to do with Sherwood in the
Gest : a rational topography is out of the question. In the
seventh fit the king starts from Nottingham, 365, walks
" down by yon abbey," 368, and ere he comes to Notting-
ham, 370, falls in with Kobin, 375.
§ This was a custom of Arthur's only upon certain holi-
days, according to the earlier representation, but in later
accounts is made general. For romances, besides these
mentioned at I, 257, in which this way of Arthur's is noted
(Rigomer, Jaufre, etc.), see Gaston Paris, Les Romans en
vers du Cycle de la Table Ronde (from Histoire Litt. de la
France, XXX), p. 49.
52
117- A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
it be Our Lady, the Virgin is instantly ac-
cepted as entirely satisfactory. In a well-
known miracle of Mary, found in most of the
larger collections, a Christian, who resorts to
a Jew to borrow money, tenders Jesus as se-
curity, and the Jew, who regards Jesus as a
just man and a prophet, though not divine, is
willing to lend on the terms proposed. The
Christian, not being able, as he says, to pro-
duce Jesus Christ in person, takes the Jew
to a church, and, standing before an image of
the Virgin and Child, causes him to take the
hand of the Child, saying, Lord Jesus Christ,
whose image I have given as pledge for this
money, and whom I have offered this Jew as
my surety, I beg and entreat that, if I shall
by any chance be prevented from returning
the money to this man upon the day fixed,
but shall give it to thee, thou wilt return it
to him in such manner and form as may please
thee. In the sequel this miraculous interpo-
sition becomes necessary, and the money is
punctually restored, the act of grace being im-
plicitly or distinctly attributed to Mary rather
than her Son ; distinctly in an English form
of the legend, where the Christian, especially
devoted to the Virgin, offers Saint Mary for
his borrow: Horstmann, Die altenglischen
Marienlegenden des MS. Vernon, in Archiv
f iir das Studium der neueren Sprachen, LVI,
232, No 6.*
107. The abbot had retained the chief jus-
tice " by robe and fee," to counsel and aid him
in the spoliation of the knight, 93. Taking
and giving of robes and fees for such purposes
is defined as conspiracy in a statute of Ed-
ward I, 1305-06 ; and by another statute, 20
Edward III, c. vi, 1346, justices are required
to swear that they will take robes and fees
from no man but the king: et que vos ne
prendrez fee, tant come vos serez justicz, ne
* Pothouis Liber de Miracnlis S. D. G. Marias, c. 33, p.
377 ; Vincentius B., Speculum Hist., vii. c. 82. Mussafia,
Sitzungsberichte der Wiener Akad., Phil.-Hist. Classe,
CXIII, 960-91, notes nine Latin copies, besides that attrib-
uted to Potho, in MSS mostly of the 13th century. Gautier
de Coincy, ed. Poqnet, cols. 543-52 ; Adgar's Marienlegen-
den, Neuhaus, p. 176, No 29 ; Miracles de Nostre Dame par
Personnages, G. Paris et U. Robert, VI, 171-223, No 35 ;
Romania, VIII, 16, No 3 (Proven9al). Berceo, in Sanchez,
II, 367, No 23. Unger, Mariu Saga, No 15, pp. 87-92, 1064-
robes, de nul horn me, graunt ne petit, sinoun
du roi meismes. Statutes of the" Realm, I,
145, 305 : cited by J. Lewelyn Curtis, in
Notes and Queries, S. I, VI, 479 f. All the
English judges, including the chief justice,
were convicted of bribery and were removed,
under Edward I, 1289.
121. The knight would have given some-
thing for the use of the four hundred pound
had the abbot been civil, though under no ob-
ligation to pay interest. In 270 the knight
proffers Robin twenty mark (3£ per cent) for
his courtesy, which seemingly small sum was
to be accompanied with the valuable gift of a
hundred bows and a hundred sheaf of peacock-
feathered, silver-nocked arrows. But though
the abbot had not lent for usury, still less had
he lent for charity. The knight's lands were to
be forfeited if the loan should not be punctu-
ally returned, 86 f, 94, 106 ; and of this the
knight was entirely aware, 85. " As for mort-
gaging or pawning," says Bacon, Of Usury,
" either men will not take pawns without use,
or, if they do, they will look precisely for the
forfeiture. I remember a cruel moneyed man
in the country that would say^ The devil take
this usury ; it keeps us from forfeitures of
mortgages and bonds." But troubles, legal
or other, might ensue upon this hard-dealing
unless the knight would give a quittance,
117 f.
135-37. A ram was the prize for an ordi-
nary wrestling-match ; but this is an occa-
sion which brings together all the best yeo-
men of the West Country, and the victor is to
have a bull, a horse saddled and bridled, a
pair of gloves, a ring, and a pipe of wine. In
Gamely n " there was set up a ram and a ring,"
v. 172.
181-204. The sheriff is decoyed into the
wood by Robin Hood in No 121, 56-69, No
67. Mone's Anzeiger, VIII, col. 355, No 8, as a broadside
ballad. Afanasief, Skazki, vii, No 49, as a popular tale,
the Jew changed to a Tartar, and the Cross taken as surety,
Ralston, Russian Folk-Tales, p. 27. " God-borg " in Al-
fred's Laws, c. 33, Schmid, Gesetze der Angelsachsen, p.
88 f., was perhaps only an asseveration with an invocation of
the Deity, like the Welsh " briduw." And so " Ich wil dir
got ze biirgen geben," " Got den wil ich ze biirgen ban,"
in the Ritter v. Staufenberg, vv 403, 405, Janicke, Alt-
deutsche Studien.
117. A GEST OF EOBYN HODE
53
122, A, 18-25, B, 20-27, as here by Little
John. Fulk Fitz Warine gets his enemy,
King John, into his power by a like stratagem.
Fulk, disguised as a collier, is asked by King
John if he has seen a stag or doe pass. He
has seen a horned beast ; it had long horns.
He offers to take the king to the place where
he saw it, and begs the king to wait while he
goes into the thicket to drive the beast that
way. Fulk's men are in the forest : he tells
them that he has brought the king with only
three knights ; they rush out and seize the
king. Fulk says he will have John's life, but
the king promises to restore Fulk's heritage
and all that had been taken from him and his
men, and to be his friend forever after. A
pledge of faith is exacted and given, and very
happy is the king so to escape. But the king
keeps the forced oath no better than the sheriff.
Wright, p. 145 ff. There js a passage which
has the same source, though differing in de-
tails, in Eustace the Monk, Michel, pp. 36-39,
vv 995-1070. The story is incomparably bet-
ter here than elsewhere.
213—33. The black monks are Benedictines.
There are two according to 213 f, 218, 2254,
but the high cellarer only (who in 91-93 is
exultant over the knight's forfeiture) is of con-
sequence, and the other is made no account of.
Seven score of wight young men, 2293, is the
right number for a band of outlaws ; so Gam-
elyn, v. 628. The sheriff has his seven score
in Guy of Gisborn, 13.
243-47. " What is in your coffers ? " So
Eustace the monk to the merchant, v. 938, p.
34, Michel : " Di-moi combien tu as d'ar-
gent." The merchant tells the exact truth,
and Eustace, having verified the answer by
counting, returns all the money, saying, If you
had lied in the least, you would not have car-
ried off a penny. When Eustace asks the
same question of the abbot, v. 1765, p. 64, the
abbot answers, after the fashion of our cel-
larer, Four silver marks. Eustace finds thirty
marks, and returns to the abbot the four which
he had confessed.
213-272. Nothing was ever more felici-
tously ^told, even in the best dit or fabliau, than
the " process " of Our Lady's repaying the
money which had been lent on her security.
Robin's slyly significant welcome to the monk
upon learning that he is of Saint Mary Ab-
bey, his professed anxiety that Our Lady is
wroth with him because she has not sent him
his pay, John's comfortable suggestion that
perhaps the monk has brought it, Robin's
incidental explanation of the little business in
which the Virgin was a party, and request to
see the silver in case the monk has come upon
her affair, are beautiful touches of humor,
and so delicate that it is all but brutal to
point them out. The story, however, is an
old one, and was known, perhaps, wherever
monks were known. A complete parallel is
afforded by Pauli's Schimpf und Ernst, No 59
(c. 1515). A nobleman took a burgess's son
prisoner in war, carried him home to his cas-
tle, and shut him up in a tower. After lying
there a considerable time, the prisoner asked
and obtained an interview with his captor, and
said : Dear lord, I am doing no good here to
you or myself, since my friends will not send
my ransom. If you would let me go home, I
would come back in eight weeks and bring you
the money. Whom will you give for surety ?
asked the nobleman. I have no one to offer,
replied the prisoner, but the Lord God, and
will swear you an oath by him to keep my
word. The nobleman was satisfied, made his
captive swear the oath, and let him go. The
hero sold all that he owned, and raised the
money, but was three weeks longer in so do-
ing than the time agreed upon. The noble-
man, one day, when he was riding out with a
couple of servants, fell in with an abbot or
friar who had two fine horses and a man.
See here, my good fellows, said the young
lord ; that monk is travelling with two horses,
as fine as any knight, when he ought to be
riding on an ass. Look out now, we will play
him a turn. So saying, he rode up to the
monk, seized the bridle of his horse, and
asked, Sir, who are you ? Who is your lord ?
The monk answered, I am a servant of God,
and he is my lord. You come in good time,
said the nobleman. I had a prisoner, and set
him free upon his leaving your lord with me
as a surety. But I can get nothing from this
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
lord of yours ; he is above my power ; so I will
lay hands on his servant; and accordingly
made the monk go with him afoot to the castle,
where he took from him all that he had.
Shortly after, his prisoner appeared, fell at
his feet, and wished to pay the ransom, beg-
ging that he would not be angry, for the
money could not be got sooner. But the no-
bleman said, Stand up, my good man. Keep
your money, and go whither you will, for your
surety has paid your ransom. Ed. Oester-
ley, p. 49. The gist of the story is in Jacques
de Vitry, Sermones Vulgares, fol. 62, MS.
17,509, Bibliothdque Nationale, Paris; Scala
Celi (1480), 159 b, " De Restitucione," and
elsewhere: see Oesterly's note, p. 480. A
very amusing variety is the fabliau Du povre
Mercier, Barbazan et Meon, III, 17 ; Mon-
taiglon et Raynaud, II, 114 ; Legrand, III, 93,
ed. 1829.*
2933. Reynolde. Possibly Little John bor-
rows this Reynolde's name in 149, but there
is no apparent reason why he should. In
the following very strange, and to me utterly
unintelligible, piece in Ravenscroft's Deuter-
omelia, which may have been meant to have
only enough sense" to sing, Renold, a miller's
son, mickle of might (was he rechristened
Much ?), becomes one of Robin Hood's men.
(Deuteromelia, p. 4 : London, for Tho. Ad-
ams, 1609.)
1 BY Lands-dale hey ho,
By mery Lands-dale hey ho,
There dwelt a jolly miller,
And a very good old man was he, hey ho.
2 He had, he had and a sonne a,
Men called him Renold,
And mickle of his might
Was he, was he, hey ho.
3 And from his father a wode a,
His fortune for to seeke,
From mery Lands-dale
Wode he, wode he, hey ho.
4 His father would him seeke a,
And found him fast a sleepe ;
Among the leaves greene
Was he, was he, hey ho.
5 He tooke, he tooke him up a,
All by the lilly-white hand,
And set him on his feet,
And bad him stand, hey ho.
6 He gave to him a benbow,
Made all of a trusty tree,
And arrowes in his hand,
And bad him let them flee.
7 And shoote was that that a did a,
Some say he shot a mile,
But halfe a mile and more
Was it, was it, hey ho.
8 And at the halfe miles end,
There stood An armed man ;
The childe he shot him through,
And through and through, hey ho.f
9 His beard was all on a white a,
As white as whale is bone,
His eyes they were as cleare
As christall stone, hey ho.
10 And there of him they made
Good yeoman, Robin Rood,
Scarlet, and Little John,
And Little John, hey ho.
302-05. The Klepht Giphtakis, wounded
in knee and hand, exclaims : Where are you,
my brother, my friend ? Come back and take
me off, or take off my head, lest the Turk
should do so, and carry it to that dog of an
AH Pacha. (1790. Fauriel, 1, 20 ; Zambelios,
p. 621, No 32 ; Passow, p. 52, No 61.)
357-59. The king traverses the whole
length of Lancashire and proceeds to Plump-
ton Park, missing many of his deer. Camden,
Britannia, II, 175, ed. 1772, places Plumpton
Park on the bank of the Petterel, in Cumber-
* Le Doctrinal de Sapience, fol. 67 b, cited by Legrand,
is not to the purpose. Scala Celi refers to a Speculum
Exemplorum.
In Peele's Edward I, the friar, having lost five nobles at
dice to St Francis, pays them to St Francis' receiver ; but
presently wins a hundred marks of the saint, and makes the
receiver pay. (The story has in one point a touch of the
French fabliau.) Peele's Works, ed. Dyce, I, 157-61.
t hey hoy.
117. A GEST OP ROBYN HODE
55
land, east of Inglewood. (Hunter, p. 30,
citing no authority, says it was part of the
forest of Knaresborough, in Yorkshire.) Since
this survey makes the king wroth with Robin
Hood, we must give a corresponding extent
to Robin's operations. And we remember
that Wyntouu says that he exercised his pro-
fession iu. Inglewood and Barnsdale.
371 ff. The story of the seventh fit has a
general similitude to the extensive class of
tales, mostly jocular, represented by ' The King
and the Miller ; ' as to which, see further on.
403-09. The sport of " pluck-buffet " (4243)
is a feature in the romance of Richard Coeur
de Lion, 762-98, Weber, II, 33 f. Richard
is betrayed to the king of Almayne by a min-
strel to whom he had given a cold reception,
and is put in prison. The king's son, held
the strongest man of the land, visits the pris-
oner, and proposes to him an exchange of this
sort. The prince gives Richard a clout which
makes fire spring from his eyes, and goes off
laughing, ordering Richard to be well fed, so
that he may have no excuse for returning a
feeble blow when he takes his turn. The
next day, when the prince conies for his pay-
ment, Richard, who has waxed his hand by
way of preparation, delivers a blow which
breaks the young champion's cheek-bone and
fells him dead. There is another instance in
« The Turke and Gowin,' Percy MS., Hales
and Furnivall, I, 91 ff.
414-450. Robin Hood is pardoned by King
Edward on condition of his leaving the green-
wood with all his company, and taking service
at court. In the course of a twelvemonth,*
keeping up his old profusion, Robin has spent
not only all his own money, but all his men's,
in treating knights and squires, and at the
end of the year all his band have deserted
him save John and Scathlock. About this
time, chancing to see young men shooting,
the recollection of his life in the woods comes
over him so powerfully that he feels that he
shall die if he stays longer with the king.
He therefore affects to have made a vow to
go to Barnsdale "barefoot and woolward."
* 435. The three in 433, as in 416, is for rhyme, and
need not be taken strictly.
Upon this plea he obtains from the king leave
of absence for a week, and, once more in the
forest, never reports for duty in two and
twenty years.
Hunter, who could have identified Pigro-
gromitus and Quinapalus, if he had given his
inind to it, sees in this passage, and in what
precedes it of King Edward's trip to Notting-
ham, a plausible semblance of historical real-
ity.f Edward II, as may be shown from
Ryiner's Foedera, made a progress in the
counties of York, Lancaster, and Nottingham,
in the latter part of the year 1323. He was
in Yorkshire in August and September, in
Lancashire in October, at Nottingham No-
vember 9—23, spending altogether five or six
weeks in that neighborhood, and leaving it a
little before Christmas. " Now it will scarcely
be believed, but it is, nevertheless, the plain
and simple truth, that in documents preserved
in the Exchequer, containing accounts of ex-
penses in the king's household, we find the
name of Robyn Hode, not once, but several
times occurring, receiving, with about eight
and twenty others, the pay of 3c?. a day, as
one of the ' vadlets, porteurs de la chambre ' of
the king ; " these entries running from March
24, 1324, to November 22 of the same year.
There are entries of payments to vadlets
during the year preceding, but unluckily the
accountant has put down the sums in gross,
without specifying the names of persons who
received regular wages. This, as Hunter re-
marks, does not quite prove that Robyn Hode
had not been among these persons before
Christmas, 1323, but, on the other hand, ac-
count-book evidence is lacking to show that
he had been. Hunter's interpretation of the
data is that Robyn Hode entered the king's
service at Nottingham a little before Christ-
mas, 1323. If this was so, his career as porter
was not only brief, but pitiably checkered.
His pay is docked for five days' absence in
May, again for eight days in August, then for
fifteen days in October. "He was growing
weary of his new mode of life." Seven days,
once more, are deducted in November, and
t Critical and Historical Tracts, No IV, Kobin Hood, p.
28 ff.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
under the 22d of that month we find this
entry: Robyn Hode, jadys un des porteurs,
poar cas qil ne poait pluis travailler, de donn
par comandement, v. s. After this his name
no longer appears.
A simple way of reading the Exchequer
documents is that one Robert Hood, some
time (and, for aught we know, a long time)
porter in the king's household, after repeat-
edly losing time, was finally discharged, with
a present of five shillings, because he could not
do his work. To detect " a remarkable coin-
cidence between the ballad and the record"
requires not only a theoretical prepossession,
but an uncommon insensibility to the ludi-
crous.* But taking things with entire seri-
ousness, there is no correspondence between
the ballad and the record other than this:
that Robin Hood, who is in the king's service,
leaves it; in the one instance deserting, and
in the other being displaced. Hunter himself
does not, as in the case of Adam Bell, insist
that the name Robin Hood is •*' peculiar."
He cites, p. 10, a Robert Hood, citizen of
London, who supplied the king's household
with beer, 28 Edward I, and a Robert Hood
of Wakefield, twice mentioned, 9, 10 Edward
H.f Another Robert Hood at Throckelawe,
North umbria, is thrice mentioned in the Ex-
chequer Rolls, Edward I, 19, 20, 30: Rot.
Orig. in Cur. Scac. Abbrev., I, 69, 73, 124.
A Robert Hood is manucaptor for a burgess
returned from Lostwithiel, Cornwall, 7 Edward
II, Parliamentary Writs, II, 1019, and an-
other, of Howden, York, 10 Edward III, is
noted in the Calendar of Patent Rolls, p. 125,
No 31, cited by Ritson. In all these we have
six Robin Hoods between 30 Edward I and 10
Edward III, a period of less than forty years.
433, 435-50 are translated by A. Griin,
p. 166.
a. 1 LTTHE and listin, gentilmen,
That be of frebore blode ;
I shall you tel of a gode yeman,
His name was Robyn Hode.
2 Robyn was a prude outlaw,
[Whyles he walked on grounde ;
So curteyse an outlawe] as he was one
Was never non founde.
3 Robyn stode in Bernesdale,
And lenyd hym to a tre ;
And bi hym stode Litell Johnn,
A gode yeman was he.
4 And alsoo dyd gode Scarlok,
And Much, the miller's son ;
* Think of Robin as light porter, — Robin who had been
giving and taking buffets that might fell an ox. Think of
him as worn oat with the work in eleven months, and
dropped for disability. Think of his being put on three-
pence a day, after paying his yeomen at thrice the rate, 171,
not to speak of such casual gratuities as we hear of in 382.
" There is in all this, perhaps, as much correspondency as
we can reasonably expect between the record and the bal-
lad," says Hunter, p. 38.
t Hunter asks if it is not possible to find in this Robert
Hood of Wakefield, near Barnsdale, " the identical person
whose name has been so strangely perpetuated." This Rob-
There was none ynch of his bodi
But it was worth a grome.
6 Than bespake Lytell Johnn
All vntoo Robyn Hode :
Maister, and ye wolde dyne betyme
It wolde doo you moche gode.
6 Than bespake hym gode Robyn :
To dyne haue I noo lust,
Till that I haue som bolde baron,
Or som vnkouth gest.
That may pay for the best,
Or som knyght or [som] squyer,
That dwelleth here bi west.
ert Hood would be a person of some consideration, and he
would thus be qualified " for his station among the vadlets
of the crown," — three-penny vadlets, Great Hob, Little
Coll, Robert Trash, and their fellows. The Wakefield
Robert's wife was named Matilda, "and the ballad testi-
mony is — not the Little Gest, but other ballads of uncer-
tain antiquity, — that the outlaw's wife was named Matilda,
which name she exchanged for Marian when she joined him
in the green-wood." (Pp 46-48.) Hunter has made a trivial
mistake about Matilda : she belongs to Munday's play, and
not to the ballads (ballad) he has in mind.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
57
8 A gode maner thaw had Robyn ;
In londe where that he were,
Euery day or he wold dyne
Thre messis wolde he here.
9 The one in the worship of the Fader,
And another of the Holy Gost,
The thirde of Our dere Lady,
That he loued allther moste.
10 Robyw loued Oure dere Lady ;
For dout of dydly synne,
Wolde he neuer do corapani harme
That any woman was in.
11 ' Maistar,' thaw sayde Lytil Johnw,
' And we our horde shal sprede,
Tell vs wheder that we shal go,
And what life that we shall lede.
12 ' Where we shall take, where we shall leue,
Where we shall ahide behywde ;
Where we shall robbe, where we shal reue,
Where we shal bete and bynde.'
13 ' Therof no force,' than sayde Robyn ;
' We shall do well inowe ;
But loke ye do no husbonde harme,
That tUleth with his ploughe.
14 ' No more ye shall no gode yeman
That walketh by grene-wode shawe ;
Ne no knyght ne no squyer
That wol be a gode f elawe.
15 ' These bisshoppes and these archebishoppes,
Ye shall them bete and bynde ;
The hye sherif of Notyingham,
Hym holde ye in your mynde.'
16 'This worde shalbe holde,' sayde Lytell Jolnm,
' And this lesson we shall lere ;
It is fer dayes ; God sende vs a gest,
That we were at oure dynere ! '
17 'Take thy gode bowe in thy honde,'
Rob[yn] ;
' Late Much wende wi'tA the ;
And so shal Willyara Scarlo[k],
And no man abyde with me.
18 ' And walke vp to the Saylis,
And so to Watlmge Stret[e],
And wayte after some vnkuth gest,
Vp chaunce ye may them mete.
19 ' Be he erle, or ani barow,
Abbot, or ani knyght,
Bringhe hym to lodge to me ;
His dyner shall be dight.'
20 They wente vp to the Saylis,
These yeman all thre ;
They loked est, they loke[d] weest ;
They myght no man see.
21 But as they loked in to Bernysdale,
Bi a derne strete,
Than came a knyght ridinghe ;
Full sone they gan hym mete.
22 All dreri was his semblaunce,
And lytell was his pryde ;
His one fote in the styrop stode,
That othere wauyd beside.
23 His hode hanged in his iyn two ;
He rode in symple aray ;
A soriar man than he was one
Rode neuer in somer day.
24 Litell Jobiw was full curteyes,
And sette hym on his kne :
' Welcom be ye, gentyll knyght,
Welcom ar ye to me.
25 ' Welcom be thou to grene wode,
Hende knyght and fre ;
My maister hath abides you fastinge,
Syr, al these oures thre.'
26 ' Who is thy maister ? ' sayde the knyght ;
Jobim sayde, Robyn Hode ;
' He is [a] gode yoman,' sayde the knyght,
' Of hym I haue herde moche gode.
27 ' I graunte,' he sayde, ' with you to wende,
My bretherne, all in fere ;
My purpos was to haue dyned to day
At Blith or Dancastere.'
28 Furth than went this gentyl knight,
With a carefull chere ;
The teris oute of his iyen ran,
And fell downe by his lere.
58
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
29 They brought hym to the lodge-dore ;
Whan Robyn hym gan see,
Full curtesly dyd of his hode
And sette hym on his knee.
30 ' Welcome, sir knight,' than sayde Robyn,
' Welcome art thou to me ;
I haue abyden you fastinge, sir,
All these ouris thre.'
31 Than answered the gentyll knight,
With worde's fayre and fre ;
God the saue, goode Robyn,
And all thy fayre meyne.
32 They wasshed togeder and wyped bothe,
And sette to theyr dynere ;
Brede and wyne they had right ynoughe,
And noumbles of the dere.
33 Swannes and fessauntes they had full gode,
And foules of the ryuere ;
There fayled none so litell a birde
That euer was bred on bryre.
34 ' Do gladly, sir knight,' sayde Robyn ;
* Gramarcy, sir,' sayde he ;
' Suche a dinere had I nat
Of all these wekys thre.
35 ' If I come ageyne, Robyn,
Here by thys contre,
As gode a dyner I shall the make
As that thou haest made to me.'
36 ' Gramarcy, knyght,' sayde Robyn ;
' My dyner whan that I it haue,
I was neuer so gredy, bi dere worthy God,
My dyner for to craue.
37 ' But pay or ye wende,' sayde Robyn ;
' Me thynketh it is gode ryght ;
It was neuer the maner, by dere worthi God,
A yoman to pay for a knyhht.'
38 'I haue nought in my coffers,' saide the
knyght,
1 That I may prefer for shame : '
' Litell Jolum, go loke,' sayde Robyn,
' Ne let nat for no blame.
39 ' Tel me truth,' than saide Robyn,
1 So God haue parte of the : '
' I haue no more but ten shelynges,' sayde the
knyght,
' So God haue parte of me.'
40 If thou hast no more,' sayde Robyn,
' I woll nat one peny ;
And yf thou haue nede of any more,
More shall I lend the.
41 ' Go nowe f urth, Littell Jolum,
The truth tell thou me ;
If there be no more but ten shelinges,
No peny that I se.'
42 Lyttell Jolum sprede downe hys man tell
Full fayre vpon the grounde,
And there he fonde in the knyghtes cofer
But euen halfe [a] pounde.
43 Littell Jolum let it lye full styll,
And went to hys maysteer [full] lowe ;
' What tidynge's, Jolum ? ' sayde Robyn ;
' Sir, the knyght is true inowe.'
44 ' Fyll of the best wine,' sayde Robyn,
4 The knyght shall begynne ;
Moche wowder thmketh me
Thy clot[h]ynge is so thin[n]e.
45 * Tell me [one] worde,' sayde Robyn,
' And counsel shal it be ;
I trowe thou warte made a knyght of force,
Or ellys of yemanry.
46 'Or ellys thou hast bene a sori husbande,
And lyued in stroke and stryfe ;
An okerer, or ellis a lechoure,' sayde Robyn,
* Wyth wronge hast led thy lyfe.'
47 ' I am none of those,' sayde the knyght,
' By God that made me ;
An hundred wynter here before
Myn auncetres knyghtes haue be.
48 < But oft it hath befal, Robyn,
A man hath be disgrate ;
But God that sitteth in heuen aboue
May amende his state.
49 ' Withyn this two yere, Robyne,' he sayde,
' My neghbours well it knowe,
Foure hundred pounde of gode money
Ful well than myght I spende.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
59
50 ' Nowe haue I no gode,' saide the knyght,
' God hath shaped such an ende,
But my chyldren and my wyfe,
Tyll God yt may amende.'
61 ' In what maner,' than sayde Robyn,
' Hast thou lorne thy rychesse ? '
' For my greats foly,' he sayde,
' And for my kynd[e]nesse.
52 ' I hade a sone, forsoth, Robyn,
That shulde hau[e] ben myn ayre,
Whanne he was twenty wynter olde,
In felde wolde iust full fayre.
53 ' He slewe a knyght of Lancaster,
And a squyer bolde ;
For to saue hym in his ryght
My godes both sette and solde.
54 ' My londes both sette to wedde, Robyn,
Vntyll a certayn day,
To a ryche abbot here besyde
Of Seynt Man Abbey.'
55 ' What is the som ? ' sayde Robyn ;
' Trouth than tell thou me ; '
' Sir,' he sayde, ' foure hundred pounde ;
The abbot told it to me.'
56 * Nowe and thou lese thy lond,' sayde Robyn,
« What woll f all of the ? '
' Hastely I wol me buske,' sayd the knyght,
' Ouer the salte see,
57 ' And se w[h]ere Criste was quyke and dede,
On the mount of Caluere ;
Fare wel, frende, and haue gode day ;
It may no better be.'
58 Tens fell out of hys iyen two ;
He wolde haue gone hys way :
1 Farewel, frende, and haue gode day ;
I ne haue no more to pay.'
59 ' Where be thy frendes ? ' sayde Robyn :
' Syr, neuer one wol me knowe ;
While I was ryche ynowe at home
Great boste than wolde they blowe.
60 ' And nowe they renne away fro me,
As bestis on a rowe ;
They take no more hede of me
Thanne they had me neuer sawe.'
61 For ruthe thanne wept Litell Jolum,
Scarlok and Muche in fere ;
' Fyl of the best wyne,' sayde Robyn,
' For here is a symple chere.
62 ' Hast thou any frende,' sayde Robyn,
' Thy borowe that wolde be ? '
' I haue none,' than sayde the knyght,
1 But God that dyed on tree.'
63 * Do away thy iapis,' than sayde Robyn,
* Thereof wol I right none ;
Wenest thou I wolde haue God to borowe,
Peter, Poule, or Jolum ?
64 ' Nay, by hym that me made,
And shope both sonne and mone,
Fynde me a better borowe,' sayde Robyn,
' Or money geteat thou none.'
65 ' I haue none other,' sayde the knyght,
* The sothe for to say,
But yf yt be Our dere Lady ;
She fayled me neuer or thys day.'
66 ' By dere worthy God,' sayde Robyn,
'To seche all Englonde thorowe,
Yet fonde I neuer to my pay
A moche better borowe.
67 ' Come nowe f urth, Litell Jolum,
And go to my tresoure,
And bringe me foure hundered pound,
And loke well tolde it be.'
68 Furth thaw went Litell Jolum,
And Scarlok went before ;
He tolde oute foure hundred pounde
By eight and twenty score.
69 < Is thys well tolde ? ' sayde [litell] Much ;
Johnw sayde, ' What gre[ue]th the ?
It is almus to helpe a gentyll knyght,
That is fal in pouerte.
70 ' Master,' than sayde Lityll John,
' His clothinge is full thynne ;
Ye must gyue the knight a lyueray,
To lappe his body therin.
60
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
71 ' For ye haue scarlet and grene, mayster,
And man[y] a riche aray ;
Ther is no marchauwt in mery Englond
So ryche, I dare well say.'
72 ' Take hym thre yerdes of euery colour,
And loke well mete that it be ; '
Lytell John/I toke none other mesure
But his bowe-tree.
73 And at euery handfull that he met
He leped footes three ;
' What deuylles drapar,' sayid litell Muche,
< Thynkest thou for to be ? '
74 Scarlok stode full stil and loughe,
And sayd, By God Almyght,
Jolum may gyue hym gode mesure,
For it costeth hym but lyght.
75 ' Mayster,' than said Litell Johrm
To gentill Robyn Hode,
* Ye must giue the knig[h]t a hors,
To lede home this gode.'
76 ' Take hym a gray coursar,' sayde Robyw,
' And a saydle newe ;
He is Oure Ladye's messangere ;
God graunt that he be true.'
77 ' And a gode palfray,' sayde lytell Much,
' To mayntene hym in his right ; '
' And a peyre of botes,' sayde Scarlock,
' For he is a gentyll knight.'
78 < What shalt thou gyue hym, Litell John ? '
said Robyw ;
* Sir, a peyre of gilt sporis clene,
To pray for all this company ;
God brmge hym oute of tene.'
79 ' Whan shal mi day be,' said the knight,
' Sir, and your wyll be ? '
' This day twelue moneth,' saide Robyn,
' Vnder this grene-wode tre.
80 ' It were greate shame,' sayde Robyn,
' A knight alone to ryde,
Without^ squyre, yoman, or page,
To walke by his syde.
81 ' I shall the lende Litell John, my man,
For he shalbe thy knaue ;
In a yema[n]'s stede he may the stande,
If thou greate nede haue.'
THE SECONDE FYTTE.
82 Now is the knight gone on his way ;
This game hym thought full gode ;
Wha/me he loked on Bernesdale
He blessyd Robyw Hode.
83 And wharaie he thought on Bernysdale,
On Scarlok, Much, and Johnw,
He blyssyd them for the best company
b. That euer he in come.
84 Then spake that gentyll knyght,
To Lytel Johan gan he saye,
To-morrowe I must to Yorke toune,
To Saynt Mary abbay.
85 And to the abbot of that place
Foure hondred pounde I must pay;
And but I be there vpon this nyght
My londe is lost for ay.
86 The abbot sayd to his couent,
There he stode on grounde,
This day twelfe moneth came there a knyght
And borowed foure hondred pounde.
87 [He borowed foure hondred pounde,]
Upon all his londe fre ;
But he come this ylke day
Dysheryte shall he be.
88 ' It is full erely,' sayd the pryoure,
' The day is not yet f erre gone ;
I had leuer to pay an hondred pounde,
And lay downe anone.
89 ' The knyght is f erre beyonde the see,
In Englonde is his ryght,
And suffreth honger and colde,
And many a sory nyght.
90 ' It were grete pyte,' said the pryoure,
' So to haue his londe ;
And ye be so lyght of your consyence,
Ye do to hym moch wronge.'
91 ' Thou arte euer in my berde,' sayd the abbot,
' By God and Saynt Rycharde ; '
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
61
With that cam in a fat-heded monke,
The heygh selerer.
92 ' He is dede or hanged,' sayd the monke,
' By God that bought me dere,
And we shall haue to spende in this place
Foure hondred pounde by yere.'
93 The abbot and the hy selerer
Sterte forthe full bolde,
The [hye] iustyce of Englonde
The abbot there dyde holde.
94 The hye' iustyce and many mo
Had take in to they[r3 honde
Holy all the knyghtes det,
To put that knyght to wronge.
95 They demed the knyght wonder sore,
The abbot and his meyne" :
* But he come this ylke day
Dysheryte shall he be.'
96 ' He wyll not come yet,' sayd the iustyce,
' I dare well vndertake ; '
But in sorowe tyme for them all
The knyght came to the gate.
97 Than bespake that gentyll knyght
Untyll his meyne :
Now put on your symple wedes
That ye brought fro the see.
98 [They put on their symple wedes,]
They came to the gates anone ;
The porter was redy hymselfe,
And welcomed them euerychone.
99 ' Welcome, syr knyght,' sayd the porter ;
' My lorde to mete is he,
And so is many a gentyll man,
For the loue of the/
100 The porter swore a full grete othe,
' By God that made me,
Here be the best coresed hors
That euer yet sawe I me.
101 ' Lede them in to the stable,' he sayd,
' That eased myght they be ; '
' They shall not come therin,' sayd the knyght,
' By God that dyed on a tre.'
102 Lordes were to mete isette
In that abbotes hall ;
The knyght went forth and kneled downe,
And salued them grete and small.
103 ' Do gladly, syr abbot,' sayd the knyght,
' I am come to holde my day : '
The fyrst word the abbot spake,
' Hast thou brought my pay ? '
104 ' Not one peny,' sayd the knyght,
' By God that maked me ; '
' Thou art a shrewed dettour,' sayd the abbot ;
' Syr iustyce, drynke to me.
105 ' What doost thou here,' sayd the abbot,
' But thou haddest brought thy pay ? '
' For God,' than sayd the knyght,
' To pray of a lenger daye.'
106 ' Thy daye is broke,' sayd the iustyce,
' Londe getest thou none : '
' Now, good syr iustyce, be my frende,
And f ende me of my f one ! '
107 ' I am holde with the abbot,' sayd the iustyce,
' Both with cloth and fee : '
' Now, good syr sheryf , be my frende ! '
' Nay, for God,' sayd he.
108 ' Now, good syr abbot, be my frende,
,-A For thy curteyse,
And holde my londes in thy honde
Tyll I haue made the gree !
109 ' And I wyll be thy true seruaunte,
And trewely serue the,
Tyl ye haue foure hondred pounde
Of money good and free.'
110 The abbot sware a full grete othe,
' By God that dyed on a tree,
Get the londe where thou may,
For thou getest none of me.'
111 ' By dere worthy God,' then sayd the knyght,
' That all this worlde wrought,
But I haue my londe agayne,
Full dere it shall be bought.
112 ' God, that was of a mayden borne,
Leue vs well to spede !
62
117. A GEST OF BOBYN HODE
For it is good to assay a frende
Or that a man haue nede.'
113 The abbot lothely on hym gan loke,
And vylaynesly hym gan call ;
' Out,' he sayd, ' thou false' knyght,
Spede the out of my hall ! '
114 ' Thou lyest,' then sayd the gentyll knyght,
' Abbot, in thy hal ;
False knyght was I neuer,
By God that made vs all.'
115 Vp then stode that gentyll knyght,
To the abbot sayd he,
To suffre a knyght to knele so longe,
Thou canst no curteysye.
116 In ioustes and in tournement
Full ferre than haue I be,
And put my selfe as ferre in prees
As ony that euer I se.
117 ' What wyll ye gyue more,' sayd the iustice,
* And the knyght shall make a releyse ?
And elles dare I safly swere
Ye holde neuer your londe in pees.'
118 ' An hondred pounde,' sayd the abbot ;
The justice sayd, Gyue hym two ;
' Nay, be God,' sayd the knyght,
a. ' Yit gete ye it not so. ^
119 ' Though ye wolde gyue a thousand more,
Yet were ye neuer the nere ;
Shall there neuer be myn heyre
Abbot, iustice, ne frere.'
120 He stert hym to a horde anone,
Tyll a table rounde,
And there he shoke oute of a bagge
Euew four hundred pound.
121 'Haue here thi golde, sir abbot,' saide the
knight,
' Which that thou lewtest me ;
Had thou ben curtes at my comynge,
Rewarded shuldest thou haue be.'
122 The abbot sat styll, and ete no more,
For all his ryall fare ;
He cast his hede on his shulder,
And fast began to stare.
123 'Take me my golde agayne,' saide the
abbot,
' Sir iustice, that I toke the : '
' Not a peni,' said the iustice,
' Bi Go[d, that dy]ed on tree.'
124 ' Sir [abbot, and ye me]n of lawe,
b. Now haue I holde my daye ;
Now shall I haue my londe agayne,
For ought that you can saye.'
125 The knyght stert out of the dore,
Awaye was all his care,
And on he put his good clothynge,
The other he lefte there.
126 He wente hym forth full mery syngynge,
As men haue tolde in tale ;
His lady met hym at the gate,
At home in Verysdale.
127 ' Welcome, my lorde,' sayd his lady ;
' Syr, lost is all your good ? '
' Be mery, dame,' sayd the knyght,
a. ' And pray for Robyn Hode,
128 ' That euer his soule be in blysse :
He holpe me out of tene ;
Ne had be his kyndenesse,
Beggers had we bene.
129 ' The abbot and I accorded ben,
He is serued of his pay ;
The god yomaw lent it me,
As I cam by the way.'
130 This knight than dwelled fayre at home,
The sothe for to saye,
Tyll he had gete four hundred pound,
Al redy for to pay.
131 He purueyed him an hundred bowes,
The strynges well ydyght,
An hundred shefe of arowes gode,
The hedys burneshed full bryght ;
132 And euery arowe an elle longe,
With pecok wel idyght,
Inocked all with whyte siluer ;
It was a semely syght.
133 He purueyed hym an [hondreth men],
Well harness[ed in that stede],
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
63
b. And hym selfe in that same sete,
And clothed in whyte and rede.
134 He bare a launsgay in his honde,
And a man ledde his male,
And reden with a lyght songe
Vnto Bernysdale.
135 But as he went at a brydge ther was a wraste-
And there taryed was he,
And there was all the best yemen
Of all the west countree.
136 A full fayre game there was vp set,
A whyte bulle vp i-pyght,
A grete courser, with sadle and brydil,
a. With golde burnyssht full bryght.
137 A payre of gloues, a rede golde rynge,-
A pype of wyne, in fay ;
What man that bereth hym best i-wys
The pryce shall here away.
138 There was a yoman in that place,
And best worthy was he,
And for he was ferre and frembde bested,
Slayne he shulde haue be.
139 The knight had ruthe of this yoman,
In place' where he stode ;
He sayde that yoman shulde haue no harnie,
For loue of Robyn Hode.
140 The knyght presed in to the place,
An hundreth folowed hym [free],
With bowe's bent and arowes sharpe,
For to shende that companye.
141 They shulderd all and made hym rome,
To wete what he wolde say ;
He toke the yeman bi the hawde,
And gaue hym al the play.
142 He gaue hym fyue marke for his wyne,
There it lay on the molde,
And bad it shulde be set a broche,
Drynke who so wolde.
143 Thus longe taried this gentyll knyght,
Tyll that play was done ;
So longe abode Robyn fastinge,
Thre houres after the none.
THE THIBDE KVTl'E.
144 Lyth and lystyn, gentilmen,
All that nowe be here ;
Of Litell Johnre, that was the knightes man,
Goode myrth ye shall here.
145 It was vpon a mery day
That yonge men wolde go shete ;
Lytell Jolum fet his bowe anone,
And sayde he wolde them mete.
146 Thre tymes Litell Jolum shet aboute,
And alwey he slet the wande ;
The proude sherif of Notingham
By the markes can stande.
147 The sherif swore a full greate othe :
' By hym that dyede on a tre,
This maw is the best arsche're
That euer yet sawe I [me.]
148 * Say me nowe, wight yonge man,
What is nowe thy name ?
In what countre were thou borne,
And where is thy wonynge wane ? *
149 ' In Holdernes, sir, I was borne,
I-wys al of my dame ;
Men cal me Reynolde Grenelef
Whan I am at home.'
150 ' Sey me, Reyno[l]de Grenelefe,
Wolde thou dwell with me ?
And euery yere I woll the gyue
Twenty marke to thy fee.'
151 * I haue a maister,' sayde Litell Jolum,
' A curteys knight is he ;
May ye leue gete of hym,
The better may it be.'
152 The sherif gate Litell John
Twelue monethes of the knight ;
Therfore he gaue him right anone
A gode hors and a wight.
153 Nowe is Litell John the sherifes man,
God lende vs well to spede !
But alwey thought Lytell John
To quyte hym wele his mede.
64 117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
154 ' Nowe so God me helpe,' sayde Litell John, In ani hous for to dwel,
' And by my true leutye, For to aske thus to dyne.'
I shall be the worst seruaunt to hym
That euer yet had he.' 165 And there he lent Litell John
God[e] strokis thre ;
155 It fell vjxw a Wednesday ' I make myn auowe to God,' sayde Lyte
The sherif on huntynge was gone, John,
And Litel lohn lay in liis bed, * These strokis lyked well me.
And was foriete at home.
166 ' Thou arte a bolde man and hardy,
156 Therfore he was f astmge And so thmketh me ;
Til it was past the none ; And or I pas fro this place
' Gode sir stuarde, I pray to the, Assayed better shalt thou be.'
Gyue me my dynere,' saicle Litell John.
167 Lytell Jolum drew a ful gode sworde,
157 ' It is longe for Grenelefe The coke toke another in hande ;
Fastmge thus for to be ; They thought no thynge for to fle,
Therfor I pray the, sir stuarde, But stifly for to stande.
Mi dyner gif me.'
168 There they faught sore togedere
158 ' Shalt thou neuer ete ne drynke,' saide the Two myle way and well more ;
stuarde, Myght neyther other harme done,
' Tyll my lorde be come to towne : ' The mountnaunce of an owre.
' I make myn auowe to God,' saide Litell John,
' I had leuer to crake thy crowne.' 169 ' I make myn auowe to God,' sayde Lite!
Johnw,
159 The boteler was full vncurteys, ' And by my true lewte,
There he stode on flore ; Thou art one of the best sworde-men
He start to the botery That euer yit sawe I [me.]
And shet fast the dore.
170 ' Cowdest thou shote as well in a bowe,
160 Lytell Jolum gaue the boteler suche a tap To grene wode thou shuldest with me,
His backe went nere in two ; And two times in the yere thy clothinge
Though he liued an hundred ier, Chaunged shulde be ;
The wors shuld he go.
171 ' And euery yere of Robyn Hode
161 He sporned the dore with his f ote ; Twewty merke to thy f e : '
It went open wel and fyne ; ( Put vp thy swerde,' saide the coke,
And there he made large lyueray, ' And felowes woll we be.'
Bothe of ale and of wyne.
172 Thanne he fet to Lytell Jolum
162 ' Sith ye wol nat dyne,' sayde Litell John, The nowmbles of a do,
' I shall gyue you to drinke ; Gode brede, and full gode wyne ;
And though ye lyue an hundred wynter, They ete and drank theretoo.
On Lytel Jolum ye shall thinke.'
173 And when they had dronkyn well,
163 Litell John ete, and Litel John drank, Theyre trouthes togeder they plight
The while that he wolde ; That they wo[l]de be with Robyn
The sherife had in his kechyn a coke, That ylke same nyght.
A stoute man and a bolde.
174 They dyd them to the tresoure-hows,
164 ' I make myn auowe to God,' saide the coke, As fast as they myght gone ;
' Thou arte a shrewde hynde
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
65
The lokkes, that were of full gode stele,
They brake them euerichone.
175 They toke away the siluer vessell,
And all that thei mig[h]t get ;
Pecis, masars, ne sponis,
Wolde thei not forget.
176 Also [they] toke the gode pens,
Thre hundred pounde and more,
And did them st[r]eyte to Robyn Hode,
Under the grene wode hore.
177 ' God the saue, my dere mayster,
And Criste the saue and se ! '
And thanne sayde Robyn to Litell Johnw,
Welcome myght thou be.
178 ' Also be that fayre yeman
Thou bryngest there with the ;
What tydynges fro Noty[n]gham ?
Lytill Johnn, tell thou me.'
179 ' Well the gretith the proude sheryf,
And sende[th] the here by me
His coke and his siluer vessell,
And thre hundred pounde and thre.'
180 ' I make myne avowe to God,' sayde Robyn,
' And to the Trenyte,
It was neuer by his gode wyll
This gode is come to me.'
181 Lytyll Johnw there hym bethought
On a shrewde wyle ;
Fyue myle in the forest he ran,
Hym happed all his wyll.
182 Than he met the proude sheref,
Huntynge with houndes and home ;
Lytell Johnw coude of curtesye,
And knelyd hym beforne.
183 ' God the saue, my dere mayster,
And Criste the saue and se ! '
' Reynolde Grenelef e,' sayde the shryef,
* Where hast thou nowe be ? '
184 ' I haue be in this forest ;
A fayre syght can I se ;
It was one of the fayrest syghtea
That euer yet sawe I me.
VOL. III. 9
185 ' Yonder I sawe a ryght fayre harte,
His coloure is of grene ;
Seuen score of dere vpon a herde
Be with hym all bydene.
186 ' Their tyndes are so sharpe, maister,
Of sexty, and well mo,
That I durst not shote for drede,
Lest they wolde me slo.'
187 ' I make myn auowe to God,' sayde the shyref,
' That syght wolde I fayne se : '
* Buske you thyderwarde, mi dere mayster,
Anone, and we^de with me.'
188 The sherif rode, and Litell Johim
Of fote he was full smerte,
And whane they came before Robyn,
1 Lo, sir, here is the mayster-herte.'
189 Still stode the proude sherief,
A sory man was he ;
' Wo the worthe, Raynolde Grenelef e,
Thou hast betrayed nowe me.'
190 'I make myn auowe to God,' sayde Litell
Johnw,
' Mayster, ye be to blame ;
I was mysserued of my dynere
Whan I was with you at home.'
191 Sone he was to souper sette,
And serued well with siluer white,
And whan the sherif sawe his vessell,
For sorowe he myght nat ete.
192 ' Make glad chere,' sayde Robyn Hode,
' Sherif, for charite,
And for the loue of Litill Jolum
Thy lyfe I graunt to the.'
193 Whaw they had souped well,
The day was al gone ;
Robyn commauwde[d] Litell Johnw.
To drawe of his hosen and his shone ;
194 His kirtell, and his cote of pie,
That was fured well and fine,
And to[ke] hym a grene mawtel,
To lap his body therin.
195 Robyn comraauwdyd his wight yonge men,
Vnder the grene-wode tree,
66
117. A GEST OF BOBYN HODE
They shulde lye in that same sute,
That the sherif myght them see.
196 All nyght lay the proude" sherif
In his breche and in his [sjchert ;
No wonder it was, in grene wode,
Though his syde's gan to smerte.
197 * Make glade chere,' sayde Robyn Hode,
' Sheref , for charite' ;
For this is our ordre i-wys,
Vnder the grene-wode tree.'
198 ' This is harder order,' sayde the sherief,
* Than any ankir or f rere ;
For all the golde in mery Englonde
I wolde nat longe dwell her.'
199 ' All this twelue monthes,' sayde Robin,
' Thou shalt dwell with me ;
I shall the teche, proude sherif,
An outlawe for to be.'
200 ' Or I be here another nyght,' sayde the sherif,
' Robyn, nowe pray I the,
Smyte of mijn hede rather to-morowe,
And I forgyue it the.
201 ' Lat me go,' tha?i sayde the sherif,
1 For saynte charite',
And I woll be the best[e] frende
That euer yet had ye.'
202 ' Thou shalt swere me an othe,' sayde Robyn,
f On my bright bronde ;
Shalt thou neuer awayte me scathe,
By water ne by lande.
203 ' And if thou fynde any of my men,
By nyght or [by] day,
Vpon thyn othe thou shalt swere
To helpe them tha[t] thou may.'
204 Nowe hathe the sherif sworne his othe,
And home he began to gone ;
He was as full of grene' wode
As euer was hepe of stone.
THE FOURTH FTTTE.
205 The sherif dwelled in Notingham ;•
He was fayne he was agone ;
And Robyn and his mery men
Went to wode anone.
206 ' Go we to dyner,' sayde Littell Jobjm ;
Robyn Hode sayde, Nay ;
For I drede Our Lady be wroth with me,
For she sent me nat my pay.
207 ' Haue no doute, maister,' sayde Litell Johnn ;
' Yet is nat the sonne at rest ;
For I dare say, and sauely swere,
The knight is true and truste.'
208 ' Take thy bowe in thy hande,' sayde Robyn,
' Late Much wende with the,
And so shal Wyllyam Scarlok,
b. And no man abyde with me.
209 ' And walke vp vnder the Sayles,
And to Watlynge-strete,
And way te after some vnketh gest ;
Vp-chaunce ye may them mete.
210 ' Whether he be messengere,
Or a man that myrthes can,
Of my good he shall haue some,
Yf he be a pore* man.'
211 Forth then stert Lytel Johan,
Half in tray and tene,
And gyrde hym with a full good swerde,
Under a mantel of grene.
212 They went vp to the Sayles,
These yemen all thre ;
They loked est, they loked west,
They myght no man se.
213 But as [t]he[y] loked in Bernysdale,
By the hye' waye,
Than were they ware of two blacke monkes,
Eche on a good palferay.
214 Then bespake Lytell Johan,
To Much he gan say,
I dare lay my lyfe to wedde,
That [these] monkes haue brought our pay.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
67
215 ' Make glad chere,' sayd Lytell Johan,
' And f rese your bowes of ewe,
And loke your herte's be seker and sad,
Your strynges trusty and trewe.
216 ' The monke hath two and fifty [men,]
And seuen somers full stronge ;
There rydeth no bysshop in this londe
So ryally, I vnderstond.
217 ' Brethern,' sayd Lytell Johan,
' Here are no more but we thre ;
But we brynge them to dyner,
Our mayster dare we not se.
218 ' Bende your bowes,' sayd Lytell Johan,
' Make all yon prese to stonde ;
The formost monke, his lyfe and his deth
Is closed in my honde.
219 ' Abyde, chorle monke,' sayd Lytell Johan,
' No ferther that thou gone ;
Yf thou doost, by dere worthy God,
Thy deth is in my honde.
220 ' And euyll thryfte on thy hede,' sayd Lytell
Johan,
' Ryght vnder thy hattes bonde ;
For thou hast made our mayster wroth,
He is fastynge so longe.'
221 ' Who is your mayster ? ' sayd the monke ;
Lytell Johan sayd, Robyn Hode ;
' He is a stronge thefe,' sayd the monke,
' Of hym herd I neuer good.'
222 ' Thou lyest,' than sayd Lytell Johaw,
'And that shall rewe' the ;
He is a yeman of the forest,
To dyne he hath bode the.'
223 Much was redy with a bolte,
Redly and anone,
He set the monke to-fore the brest,
To the grounde that he can gone.
224 Of two and fyfty wyght yonge yemen
There abode not one,
Saf a lytell page and a grome,
To lede the somers with Lytel Johan.
225 They brought the monke to the lodgS-dore,
Whether he were loth or lefe,
For to speke with Robyn Hode,
Maugre in theyr tethe.
226 Robyn dyde adowne his hode,
The monke whan that he se ;
The monke was not so curtgyse,
His hode then let he be.
227 'He is a chorle, mayster, by dere worthy
God,'
Than sayd Lytell Johan :
' Thereof no force,' sayd Robyn,
' For curteysy can he none.
228 ' How many men,' sayd Robyn,
' Had this monke, Johan ? '
' Fyfty and two whan that we met,
But many of them be gone.'
229 ' Let blowe a home,' sayd Robyn,
' That f elaushyp may vs knowe ; '
Seuen score of wyght yemen
Came pryckynge on a rowe.
230 And euerych of them a good mantell
Of scarlet and of raye ;
All they came to good Robyn,
To wyte what he wolde say.
231 They made the monke to wasshe and wype,
And syt at his denere,
Robyn Hode and Lytell Johaw
They serued him both in-fere.
232 ' Do gladly, monke,' sayd Robyn.
' Gramercy, syr,' sayd he.
' Where is your abbay, whan ye are at home,
And who is your avowe ? '
233 ' Saynt Mary abbay,' sayd the monke,
' Though I be symple here.'
' In what offyce ? ' sayd Robyn :
' Syr, the hye selerer.'
234 ' Ye be the more welcome,' sayd Robyn,
' So euer mote I the ;
Fyll of the best wyne,' sayd Robyn,
' This monke shall drynke to me.
235 ' But I haue grete meruayle,' sayd Robyn,
' Of all this longe day ;
I drede Our Lady be wroth with me,
She sent me not my pay.'
68
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
236 ' Haue no doute, mayster,' sayd Lytell Johan,
' Ye haue no nede, I saye ;
This monke it hath brought, I dare well swere,
For he is of her abbay.'
237 ' And she was a borowe,' sayd Robyn,
' Betwene a knyght and me,
Of a lytell money that I hym lent,
Under the grene-wode tree.
238 ' And yf thou hast that syluer ibrought,
I pray the let me se ;
And I shall helpe the eftsones,
Yf thou haue nede to me.'
239 The monke swore a full grete othe,
With a sory chere,
' Of the borowehode thou spekest to me,
Herde I neuer ere.'
240 ' I make myn avowe to God,' sayd Robyn,
* Monke, thou art to blame ;
For God is holde a ryghtwys man,
And so is his dame.
241 ' Thou toldest with thyn owne tonge,
Thou may not say nay,
How thou arte her seruaunt,
And seruest her euery day.
242 ' And thou art made her messengere,
My money for to pay ;
Therfore I cun the more thanke
Thou arte come at thy day.
243 ' What is in your cof ers ? ' sayd Robyn,
' Trewe than tell thou me : '
' Syr,' he sayd, ' twenty marke,
Al so mote I the.'
244 ' Yf there be no more,' sayd Robyn,
* I wyll not one peny ;
Yf thou hast myster of ony more,
Syr, more I shall lende to the.
245 ' And yf I fynde [more,' sayd] Robyn,
' I-wys thou shalte it for gone ;
For of thy spendynge-syluer, monke,
Thereof wyll I ryght none.
246 ' Go nowe f orthe, Lytell Johan,
And the trouth tell thou me ;
If there oe no more but twenty marke,
No peny that I se.'
247 Lytell Johan spred his mantell downe,
As he had done before,
And he tolde out of the monkes male
Eyght [hondred] pounde and more.
248 Lytell Johan let it lye f ull styll,
And went to his mayster in hast ;
' Syr,' he sayd, ' the monke is trewe ynowe,
Our Lady hath doubled your cast.'
249 ' I make myn avowe to God,' sayd Robyn —
' Monke, what tolde I the ? —
Our Lady is the trewest woman
That euer yet founde I me.
250 ' By dere worthy God,' sayd Robyn,
' To seche all Englond thorowe,
Yet founde I neuer to my pay
A moche better borowe.
251 ' Fyll of the best wyne, and do hym drynke,
sayd Robyn,
' And grete well thy lady hende,
And yf she haue nede to Robyn Hode,
A frende she shall hym fynde.
252 ' And yf she nedeth ony more syluer,
Come thou agayne to me,
And, by this token she hath me sent,
She shall haue such thre.'
253 The monke was goynge to London ward,
There to holde grete mote,
The knyght that rode so hye on hors,
To brynge hym vnder fote.
254 ' Whether be ye away ? ' sayd Robyn :
' Syr, to maners in this londe,
Too reken with our reues,
That haue done moch wronge.'
255 ' Come now forth, Lytell Johan,
And barken to my tale ;
A better yemen I knowe none,
To seke a monkes male.'
256 'How moch is in yonder other corser?' sayd
Robyn,
' The soth must we see : '
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
69
' By Our Lady,' than sayd the monke,
' That were no curteysye,
257 ' To bydde a man to dyner,
And syth hym hete and bynde.'
' It is our olde maner,' sayd Robyn,
* To leue but lytell behynde.'
258 The monke toke the hors with spore,
No lenger wolde he abyde :
* Aske to drynke,' than sayd Robyn,
' Or that ye f orther ryde.'
259 ' Nay, for God,' than sayd the monke,
( Me reweth I cam so nere ;
For better chepe I myght haue dyned
In Blythe or in Dankestere.'
260 ' Grete well your abbot,' sayd Robyn,
' And your pryour, I you pray,
And byd hym send me such a monke
To dyner euery day.'
261 Now lete we that monke be styll,
And speke we of that knyght :
Yet he came to holde his day,
Whyle that it was lyght.
262 He dyde him streyt to Bernysdale,
Under the grene-wode tre,
And he founde there Robyn Hode,
And all his mery meyne.
263 The knyght lyght doune of his good palfray ;
Robyn whan he gan see,
So curteysly he dyde adoune his hode,
And set hym on his knee.
264 ' God the saue, Robyn Hode,
And all this company : '
1 Welcome be thou, gentyll knyght,
And ryght welcome to me.'
265 Than bespake hym Robyn Hode,
To that knyght so fre :
What nede dryueth the to grene wode ?
I praye the, syr knyght, tell me.
266 ' And welcome be thou, ge[n]tyll knyght,
Why hast thou be so longe ? '
' For the abbot and the hye iustyce
Wolde haue had my londe.'
267 ' Hast thou thy londe [a]gayne ? ' sayd Robyn ;
' Treuth than tell thou me : '
' Ye, for God,' sayd the knyght,
' And that thanke I God and the.
268 ' But take not a gref e,' sayd the knyght, ' that
I haue be so longe ;
I came by a wrastelynge, ^
And there I holpe a pore yeman,
With wronge was put behynde.'
269 'Nay, for God,' sayd Robyn,
' Syr knyght, that thanke I the ;
What man that helpeth a good yeman,
His frende than wyll I be.'
270 ' Haue here foure howdred pounde,' thara
the knyght,
' The whiche ye lent to me ;
And here is also twenty marke
For your curteysy.'
271 'Nay, for God,' than sayd Robyn,
' Thou broke it well for ay ;
For Our Lady, by her [hye] selerer,
Hath sent to me my pay.
272 ' And yf I toke it i-twyse,
A shame it were to me ;
But trewely, gentyll knyght,
Welcom arte thou to me.'
273 Whan Robyn had tolde his tale,
He leugh and had good chere :
' By my trouthe,' then sayd the knyght,
' Your money is redy here.*'
274 ' Broke it well,' sayd Robyn,
' Thou gentyll knyght so fre ;
And welcome be thou, ge[n]tyll knyght,
Under my trystell-tre.
275 'But what shall these bowe's do?' sayd
Robyn,
' And these arowe's if edred fre ? '
' By God,' than sayd the knyght,
' A pore' present to the.'
276 ' Come now forth, Lytell Johan,
And go to my treasure,
And brynge me there foure hondred pounde ;
The monke ouer-tolde it me.
70
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
277 ' Haue here foure hondred pounde,
Thou gentyll knyght and trewe,
And bye hors and harnes good,
And gylte thy spores all newe.
278 ' And yf thou f ayle ony spendynge,
Com to Robyn Hode,
And by^my trouth thou shalt none fayle,
The whyles I haue any good.
279 ' And broke well thy foure hondred pound,
Whiche I lent to the,
And make thy selfe no more so bare,
By the counsell of me.'
280 Thus than holpe hym good Robyn,
The knyght all of his care :
God, that syt in heuen hye,
Graunte vs well to fare !
THE FYFTH KVTTE.
281 Now hath the knyght his leue i-take,
And wente hym on his way ;
Robyn Hode and his mery men
Dwelled styll full many a day.
282 Lyth and lysten, gentil men,
And herkon what I shall say,
How the proud[e] sheryfe of Notyngham
Dyde crye a full fayre play ;
283 That all the best archers of the north
Sholde come vpon a day,
And [he] that shoteth allther best
The game shall bere a way.
284 He that shoteth allther best,
Furthest fayre and lowe,
At a payre of fynly buttes,
Under the grene-wode shawe,
285 A ryght good arowe he shall haue,
The shaft of syluer whyte,
The hede and the feders of ryche rede golde,
In Englond is none lyke.
286 This than herde good Robyn,
Under his trystell-tre :
' Make you redy, ye wyght yonge men ;
That shotynge wyll I se.
287 ' Buske you, my mery yonge men,
Ye shall go with me ;
And I wyll wete the shryues fayth,
Trewe and yf he be.'
288 Whan they had theyr bowes i-bent,
Theyr takles fedred fre,
Seuen score of wyght yonge men
Stode by Robyns kne.
289 Whan they cam to Notyngham,
The buttes were fayre and longe ;
Many was the bolde archere
That shoted with bowes stronge.
290 ' There shall but syx shote with me ;
The other shal kepe my he[ue]de,
And stande with good bowes bent,
That I be not desceyued.'
291 The fourth outlawe his bowe gan bende,
And that was Robyn Hode,
And that behelde the proud[e] sheryfe,
All by the but [as] he stode.
292 Thrye's Robyn shot about,
And alway he slist the wand,
And so dyde good Gylberte
Wyth the whytS hande.
293 Lytell Johan and good Scatheloke
Were archers good and fre ;
Lytell Much and good Reynolde,
The worste wolde they not be.
294 Whan they had shot aboute,
These archours fayre and good,
Euermore was the best,
For soth, Robyn Hode.
295 Hym was delyuered the good arowe,
For best worthy was he ;
He toke the yeft so curteysly,
To grene wode wolde he.
296 They cryed out on Robyn Hode,
And grete homes gan they blowe :
' Wo worth the, treason ! ' sayd Robyn,
' Full euyl thou art to knowe.
297 ' And wo be thou ! thou proude sheryf ,
Thus gladdynge thy gest ;
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
71
Other wyse thou behotg me
In yonder wylde forest.
298 ' But had I the in grene wode,
Under my trystell-tre,
Thou sholdest leue me a better wedde
Than thy trewe lewte.'
299 Full many a bowe there was bent,
And arowes let they glyde ;
Many a kyrtell there was rent,
And hurt many a syde.
300 The outlawes shot was so stronge
That no man myght them dryue,
And the proud[e] sheryfes men,
They fled away full blyue.
301 Robyn sawe the busshement to-broke,
In grene' wode he wolde haue be ;
Many an arowe there was shot
Amonge that company.
302 Lytell Johan was hurte full sore,
With an arowe in his kne,
That he myght neyther go nor ryde ;
It was full grete pyte. 4
303 ' Mayster,' then sayd Lytell Johan,
' If euer thou loue[djst me,
And for that ylke lordes loue
That dyed vpon a tre,
304 ' And for the medes of my seruyce,
That I haue serued the,
Lete neuer the proude sheryf
Alyue now fynde' me.
305 ' But take out thy browne" swerde,
And smyte all of my hede,
And gyue me woundes depe and wyde ;
No lyfe on me be lefte.'
306 ' I wolde not that,' sayd Robyn,
f Johan, that thou were slawe,
For all the golde in mery Englonde,
Though it lay now on a rawe.'
307 « God forbede,' sayd Lytell Much,
' That dyed on a tre,
That thou sholdest, Lytell Johan,
Parte our company.'
308 Up he toke hym on his backe,
And bare hym well a myle ;
Many a tyme he layd hym downe,
And shot another whyle.
309 Then was there a fayre castell,
A lytell within the wode ;
Double-dyched it was about,
And walled, by the rode.
310 And there dwelled that gentyll knyght,
Syr Rychard at the Lee,
That Robyn had lent his good,
Under the grene- wode tree.
311 In he toke good Robyn,
And all his company:
'Welcome be thou, Robyn Hode,
Welcome arte thou to me ;
312 ' And moche [I] thanke the of thy confort,
And of thy curteysye,
And of thy grete kyndenesse,
Under the grene-wode tre.
313 ' I loue no man in all this worlde
So much as I do the ;
For all the proud[e] sheryf of Notyngham,
Ryght here shalt thou be.
314 ' Shyt the gates, and drawe the brydge,
a. And let no man come in,
And arme you well, and make you redy,
And to the walles ye wynne.
315 ' For one thynge, Robyn, I the behote ;
I swere by Saynt Quyntyne,
These forty dayes thou wonnest with me,
To soupe, ete, and dyne.'
316 Bordes were layde, and clothes were spredde,
Redely and anone ;
Robyw Hode and his mery men
To mete can they gone.
THE VI. FYTTJfi.
317 Lythe and lysten, gentylmen,
And herkyn to your songe ;
Howe the proude shyref of Notyngham,
And men of armys stronge,
72
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
318 Full fast cam to the hye shyref,
The centre vp to route,
And they besette the knyghtes castell,
The walles all aboute.
319 The proude' shyref loude gan crye,
And sayde, Thou traytour knight,
Thou kepest here the kynges enemys,
Agaynst the lawe and right.
320 ' Syr, I wyll auowe that I haue done,
The dedys that here be dyght,
Vpon all the landes that I haue,
As I am a trewe" knyght.
321 ' Wende f urth, sirs, on your way,
And do no more to me
Tyll ye wyt oure kynges wille,
What he wyll say to the.'
322 The shyref thus had his answere,
Without any lesynge ;
[Fu]rth he yede to London towne,
All for to tel our kiwge.
323 Ther he telde him of that knight,
And eke of Robyn Hode,
And also of the bolde archars,
That were soo noble and gode.
324 { He wyll auowe that he hath done,
To mayntene the outlawes stronge ;
He wyll be lorde, and set you at nought,
In all the northe londe.'
325 ' I wil be at Notyngham,' saide our kynge,
' Within this fourteenyght,
And take I wyll Robyn. Hode,
And so I wyll that knight.
326 ' Go nowe home, shyref,' sayde our kynge,
' And do as I byd the ;
And ordeyn gode archers ynowe,
Of all the wyde contre'.'
327 The shyref had his leue i-take,
And went hym on his way,
And Robyn Hode to grene wode,
Vpon a certen day.
328 And Lytel John was hole of the arowe
That shot was in his kne,
And dyd hym streyght to Robyn Hode,
Vnder the grene-wode tree.
329 Roby?i Hode walked in the forest,
Vnder the leuys grene ;
The proude shyref of Notyngham
Thereof he had grete tene.
330 The shyref there fayled of Robyn Hode,
He myght not haue his pray ;
Than he awayted this gentyll knyght,
Bothe by nyght and day.
331 Euer he wayted the gentyll knyght,
Syr Richarde at the Lee,
As he went on haukynge by the ryuer-syde,
And lete [his] hauke's flee.
332 Toke he there this gentyll knight,
With men of armys stronge,
And led hym to Notyngham warde,
Bounde bothe fote and hande.
333 The sheref sware a full grete othe,
Bi hym that dyed on rode,
He had leuer tint// an hundred pound
ThaJ he had Robyn Hode.
334 This harde the knyghtes wyfe,
A fayr lady and a free ;
She set hir on a gode palfrey,
To grene wode anone rode she.
335 Whanne she cam in the forest,
Vnder the grene-wode tree,
Fonde she there Robyw Hode,
And al his fayre mene.
336 ' God the saue', gode Robyn,
And all thy company ;
For Our dere Ladyes sake,
A bone graunte thou me.
337 ' Late neuer my wedded lorde
Shamefully slayne be ;
He is fast bowne to Notingham warde,
For the loue of the.'
338 Anone than saide goode Robyn
To that lady so fre,
What man hath your lorde [i-]take ?
117. A GEST OF BOBYN HODB
' For soth as I the say ;
He is nat yet thre myles
Passed on his way.'
340 Vp than sterte gode Robyn,
As man that had ben wode :
' Buske you, my mery men,
For hym that dyed on rode.
341 ' And he that this sorowe f orsaketh,
By hym that dyed on tre,
Shall he neuer in grene wode
No lenger dwel with me.'
342 Sone there were gode bowes bent,
Mo than seuen score ;
Hedge ne dyche spared they none
That was them before.
343 ' I make myn auowe to God,' sayde Robyn,
* The sherif wolde I fayne see ;
And if I may hym take,
I-quyte shall it be.'
344 And whan they came to Notingham,
They walked in the strete ;
And with the proude sherif i-wys
Sone can they mete.
345 ' Abyde, thou proude" sherif,' he sayde,
' Abyde, and speke with me ;
Of some tidiwges of cure kinge
I wolde fayne here of the.
346 ' This seuen yere, by dere worthy God,
Ne yede I this fast on fote ;
I make myn auowe to God, thou proude'
sherif,
It is nat for thy gode.'
347 Robyn bent a full goode bowe,
An arrowe he drowe at wyll ;
He hit so the proude sherife
Vpon the grounde he lay full still.
348 And or he myght vp aryse,
On his fete to stonde,
He smote of the sherifs hede
With his bright[e] bronde.
349 ' Lye thou there, thou proude sherife,
Euyll mote thou cheue !
VOL. IIL 10
There myght no man to the truste
b. The whyles thou were a lyue.'
350 His men drewe out theyr bryght swerdes,
That were so sharpe and kene,
And layde on the sheryues men,
And dryued them downe bydene.
351 Robyn stert to that knyght,
And cut a two his bonde,
And toke hym in his hand a bowe,
And bad hym by hym stonde.
352 ' Leue thy hors the behynde,
And lerne for to renne ;
Thou shalt with me to grene wode,
Through myre", mosse, and fenne.
353 ' Thou shalt with me to grene' wode,
Without ony leasynge,
Tyll that I haue gete vs grace
Of Edwarde, our comly kynge/
THE VII. FYTTE.
354 The kynge came to Notynghame,
With knyghte's in grete araye,
For to take that gentyll knyght
And Robyn Hode, and yf he may.
355 He asked men of that countrg
After Robyn Hode,
And after that gentyll knyght,
That was so bolde and stout.
356 Whan they had tolde hym the case
Our kynge vnderstode ther tale,
And seased in his honde
The knyghtes londe's all.
357 All the passe of Lancasshyre
He went both ferre and nere,
Tyll he came to Plomton Parke ;
He faylyd many of his dere.
358 There our kynge was wont to se
Herde's many one,
He coud vnneth fynde one dere,
That bare ony good home.
359 The kynge was wonder wroth withall,
And swore by the Trynyte,
74 117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
'I wolde I had Robyn Hode, 370 That ye shall mete with good Robyn,
With eyen I myght hym se. On lyue yf that he be ;
Or ye come to Notyngham,
360 ' And he that wolde smyte of the knyghtes With eyen ye shall hym se.
hede,
And brynge it to me, 371 Full hast[e]ly our kynge was dyght,
He shall haue the knyghtgs londes, So were his knyghtes fyue,
Syr Rycharde at the Le. Euerych of them in monkes wede,
And hasted them thyder blyve.
361 ' I gyue it hym with my charter,
And sele it [with] my honde, 372 Our kynge was grete aboue his cole,
To haue and holde for euer more, A brode hat on his crowue,
In all mery Englonde.' Ryght as he were abbot-lyke,
They rode up in-to the towne.
362 Than bespake a fayre olde knyght,
That was treue in his fay : 373 Styf bote's our kynge had on,
A, my leege' lorde the kynge, Forsoth as I you say ;
One worde I shall you say. He rode syngynge to grene wode,
The couent was clothed in graye.
363 There is no man in this countre
May haue the knyghtes londes, 374 His male-hors and his grete somers
Whyle Robyn Hode may ryde or gone, Folowed our kynge behynde,
And bere a bowe in his hondes, Tyll they came to greng wode,
A myle vnder the lynde.
364 That he ne shall lese his hede,
That is the best ball in his hode : 375 There they met with good Robyn,
Giue it no man, my lorde the kynge, Stondynge on the waye,
That ye wyll any good. And so dyde many a bolde archere,
For soth as I you say.
365 Half a yere dwelled our comly kynge
In Notyngham, and well more ; 376 Robyn toke the kynges hors,
Coude he not here of Robyn Hode, Hastely in that stede,
In what countre that he were. And sayd, Syr abbot, by your leue,
A whyle ye must abyde.
366 But alway went good Robyn
By halke and eke by hyll, 377 < We be yemen of this foreste,
And alway slewe the kynges dere, Vnder the grene-wode tre ;
And welt them at his wyll. We lyue by our kynges dere,
[Other shyft h&ue not wee.]
367 Than bespake a proude fostere,
That stode by our kynges kne : 378 ' And ye haue chyrches and rentes both,
Yf ye wyll se good Robyn, And gold full grete plente ;
Ye must do after me. Gyue vs some of your spendynge,
For saynt[e] charyte'.'
368 Take fyue of the best knyghtes
That be in your lede, 379 Than bespake our cumly kynge,
And walke downe by yon abbay, Anone than sayd he ;
And gete you monkes wede. I brought no more to greng wode
But forty pounde with me.
369 And I wyll be your ledes-man,
And lede you the way, 380 I haue layne at Notyngham
And or ye come to Notyngham, This fourtynyght with our kynge,
Myn hede then dare I lay,
117. A GEST OF ROBYN MODE
75
And spent I haue full moche good,
On many a grete lordynge.
381 And I haue but forty pounde,
No more than haue I me ;
But yf I had an hondred pounde,
I wolde vouch it safe on the.
382 Robyn toke the forty pounde,
And departed it in two partye ;
Halfendell he gaue his mery men,
And bad them mery to be.
383 Full curteysly Robyw gan say ;
Syr, haue this for your spendyng ;
We shall mete another day ;
' Gramercy,' than sayd our kynge.
384 ' But well the greteth Edwarde, our kynge,
And sent to the his seale,
And byddeth the com to Notyngham,
Both to mete and mele.'
385 He toke out the brode targe,
And sone he lete hym se ;
Robyn coud his courteysy,
And set hym on his kne.
386 ' I loue no man in all the worlde
So well as I do my kynge ;
Welcome is my lordes seale ;
And, monke, for thy tydynge,
387 ' Syr abbot, for thy tydynges,
To day thou shalt dyne with me,
For the loue of my kynge,
Under my trystell-tre.'
388 Forth he lad our comly kynge,
Full fayre by the honde ;
Many a dere there was slayne,
And full fast dyghtande.
389 Robyn toke a full grete home,
And loude he gan blowe ;
Seuen score of wyght yonge men
Came redy on a rowe.
390 All they kneled on theyr kne,
Full fayre before Robyn':
The kyrjge sayd hym selfe vntyll,
And swore by Saynt Austyn,
391 ' Here is a wonder semely syght ;
Me thynketh, by Goddes pyne,
His men are more at his byddynge
Then my men be at myn.'
392 Full hast[e]ly was theyr dyner idyght,
And therto gan they gone ;
They serued our kynge with al theyr myght,
Both Robyn and Lytell Johan.
393 Anone before our kynge was set
The fatte venyson,
The good whyte brede, the good rede wyne,
And therto the fyne ale and browne.
394 ' Make good cbere,' said Robyn,
' Abbot, for charyte ;
And for this ylke tydynge,
Blyssed mote thou be.
395 ' Now shalte thou se what lyf e we lede,
Or thou hens wende ;
Than thou may enf ourme our kynge,
Whan ye togyder lende.'
396 Up they sterte all in hast,
Theyr bowes were smartly bent ;
Our kynge was neuer so sore agast,
He wende to haue be shente.
397 Two yerde"s there were vp set,
Thereto gan they gange ;
By fyfty pase, our kynge sayd,
The merkes were to longe.
398 On euery syde a rose-garlonde,
They shot vnder the lyne :
' Who so fayleth of the rose-garlonde,' sayd
Robyn,
' His takyll he shall tyne,
399 ' And yelde it to his mayster,
Be it neuer so fyne ;
For no man wyll I spare,
So drynke I ale or wyne :
400 ' And bere a buffet on his hede,
I-wys ryght all bare : '
And all that fell in Robyns lote,
He smote them wonder sare.
401 Twyse Robyn shot aboute,
And euer he cleued the wande,
76
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
And so dyde good Gylberte
With the Whyte' Hande.
402 Lytell Johan and good Scathelocke,
For nothynge wolde they spare ;
When they fayled of the garlonde,
Robyn smote them full sore.
403 At the last shot that Rohyn shot,
For all his frendes fare,
Yet he fayled of the garlonde
Thre fyngers and mare.
404 Than bespake good Gylberte,
And thus he gan say ;
1 Mayster,' he sayd, ' your takyll is lost,
Stande forth and take your pay.'
405 ' If it be so,' sayd Robyn,
' That may no better be,
Syr abbot, I delyuer the myn arowe,
I pray the, syr, serue thou me.'
406 ' It falleth not for myn ordre,' sayd our kynge,
' Robyn, by thy leue,
For to smyte no good yeman,
For doute I sholde hym greue.'
407 ' Smyte on boldely,' sayd Robyn,
' I giue the large leue : '
Anone our kynge, with that worde,
He folde vp his sleue,
408 And sych a buffet he gaue Robyn,
To grounde he yede full nere :
' I make myn avowe to God,' sayd Rabyn,
' Thou arte a stalworthe f rere.
409 ' There is pith in thyn arme,' sayd Robyn,
' I trowe thou canst well shete : '
Thus our kynge and Robyn Hode
Togeder gan they mete.
410 Robyn behelde our comly kynge
Wystly in the face,
So dyde Syr Rycharde at the Le,
And kneled downe in that place.
411 And so dyde all the wylde outlawes,
Whan they se them knele :
1 My lorde the kynge of Englonde,
Now I knowe you well.
412 ' Mercy then, Robyn,' sayd our kynge,
1 Vnder your trystyll-tre,
Of thy goodnesse and thy grace,
For my men and me ! '
413 'Yes, for God,' sayd Robyn,
* And also God me saue,
I aske mercy, my lorde the kynge,
And for my men I craue.'
414 ' Yes, for God,' than sayd our kynge,
' And therto sent I me,
With that thou leue the grene wode,
And all thy company ;
415 ' And come home, syr, to my courte,
And there dwell with me.'
' I make myn avowe to God,' sayd Robyn,
' And ryght so shall it be.
416 ' I wyll come to your courte,
Your seruyse for to se,
And brynge with me of my men
Seuen score and thre.
417 ' But me lyke well your seruyse,
I [wyll] come agayne full soone,
And shote at the donne dere,
As I am wonte to done.'
THE VIII. FTTTE.
418 ' Haste thou ony grene cloth,' sayd our kynge,
' That thou wylte sell nowe to me ? '
' Ye, for God,' sayd Robyn,
' Thyrty yerdes and thre.'
419 ' Robyn,' sayd our kynge,
' Now pray I the,
Sell me some of that cloth,
To me and my meyne.' '
420 ' Yes, for God,' then sayd Robyn,
' Or elles I were a f ole ;
Another day ye wyll me clothe,
I trowe, ayenst the Yole.'
421 The kynge kest of his cole then,
A grene garment he dyde on,
And euery knyght also, i-wys,
Another had full sone.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
77
422 Whan they were clothed in Lyncolne grene,
They keste away theyr graye ;
' Now we shall to Notyngham,'
All thus our kynge gan say.
423 They bente theyr bowes, and forth they went,
Shotynge all in-fere,
Towarde the towne of Notyngham,
Outlawes as they were.
424 Our kynge and Robyn rode togyder,
For soth as I you say,
And they shote plucke-buffet,
As they went by the way.
425 And many a buffet our kynge wan
Of Robyn Hode that day,
And nothynge spared good Robyn
Our kynge in his pay.
426 ' So God me helpe,' sayd our kynge,
' Thy game is nought to lere ;
I sholde not get a shote of the,
Though I shote all this yere.'
427 All the people of Notyngham
They stode and behelde ;
They sawe nothynge but mantels of grene
That couered all the felde.
428 Than euery man to other gan say,
I drede our kynge be slone ;
Com6 Robyn Hode to the towne, i-wys
On lyue he lefte neuer one.'
429 Full hast[e]ly they began to fle,
Both yemen and knaues,
And olde wyues that myght euyll goo,
They hypped on theyr staues.
430 The kynge l[o]ughe full fast,
And commaunded theym agayue ;
When they se our comly kynge,
I-wys they were full fayne.
431 They ete and dranke, and made them glad,
And sange with note's hye ;
Than bespake our comly kynge
To Syr Rycharde at the Lee.
432 He gaue hym there his londe agayne,
A good man he bad hym be ;
Robyn thanked our comly kynge,
And set hym on his kne.
433 Had Robyn dwelled in the kynges courte
But twelue monethes and thre,
That [he had] spent an hondred pounde,
And all his mennes fe.
434 In euery place where Robyn came
Euer more he layde downe,
Both for knyghtes and for squyres,
To gete hym grete renowne.
435 By than the yere was all agone
He had no man but twayne,
Lytell Johan and good Scathelocke,
With hym all for to gone.
436 Robyn sawe yonge men shote
Full f ayre vpon a day ;
' Alas ! ' than sayd good Robyn,
' My welthe is went away.
437 l Somtyme I was an archere good,
A styffe and eke a stronge ;
I was compted the best archere
That was in mery Englonde.
438 ' Alas ! ' then sayd good Robyn,
' Alas and well a woo !
Yf I dwele lenger with the kynge,
Sorowe wyll me sloo.'
439 Forth than went Robyn Hode
Tyll he came to our kynge :
' My lorde the kynge of Englonde,
Graunte me myn askynge.
440 ' I made a chapell in Bernysdale,
That semely is to se,
It is of Mary Magdaleyne,
And thereto wolde I be.
441 ' I myght neuer in this seuen nyght
No tyme to slepe ue wynke,
Nother all these seuen dayes
Nother ete ne drynke.
442 ' Me longeth sore to Bernysdale,
I may not be therfro ;
Barefote and wolwarde I haue hyght
Thyder for to go.'
78
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
443 ' Yf it be so,' than sayd our kynge,
' It may no better be,
Seuen nyght I gyue the leue,
No lengre, to dwell fro me.'
444 ' Gramercy, lorde,' then sayd Robyn,
And set hym on his kne ;
He toke his leue full courteysly,
To grene wode then went he.
445 Whan he came to greng wode,
In a mery mornynge,
There he herde the notes small
Of byrde's mery syngynge.
446 ' It is ferre gone,' sayd Robyn,
' That I was last here ;
Me lyste a lytell for to sliote
At the donne dere.'
447 Robyn slewe a full grete harte ;
His home than gan he blow,
That all the outlawes of that forest
That home coud they knowe,
448 And gadred them togyder,
In a lytell throwe.
Seuen score of wyght yonge men
Came redy on a rowe,
449 And fayre dyde of theyr hodes,
And set them on theyr kne :
' Welcome,' they sayd, ' our [dere] mayster,
Under this grene-wode tre.'
450 Robyn dwelled in grene wode
Twenty yere and two ;
For all drede of Edwarde our kynge,
Agayne wolde he not goo.
451 Yet he was begyled, i-wys,
Through a wycked woman,
The pryoresse of Kyrkesly,
That nye was of hys kynne :
452 For the loue of a knyght,
Syr Roger of Donkesly,
That was her owne speciall ;
Full euyll mote they the !
453 They toke togyder theyr counsell
Robyn Hode for to sle,
And how they myght best do that dede,
His banis for to be.
454 Than bespake good Robyn,
In place where as he stode,
' To morow I muste to Kyrke[s]ly,
Craftely to be leten blode.'
455 Syr Roger of Donkestere,
By the pryoresse he lay,
And there they betrayed good Robyn Hode,
Through theyr false playe.
456 Cryst haue mercy on his soule,
That dyed on the rode !
For he was a good outlawe,
And dyde pore men moch god.
a. Here begynneth a gest of Robyn Hode.
1-12. Printed without division of stanzas or
verses.
22-3. Deficiency supplied from b.
41. gooe. 42. milsers. 48. yuch.
64. vnkoutg. 71. lacking in all.
8*. .iij. messis. 98. The .iij. 94. all ther.
134. tillet. 154. mynge. 188. vnknuth.
328. ynought. 33V felsauntes. 371. wened.
388. Late for Litell, which all the others have.
392. of for haue. 398. but .xx.: see 42*.
411. nowne. 418. .xx. felinges.
462. in strocte. 468. And.
478. And. 47*. haue bene.
502'3. The verses are transposed.
502. God had. 542. Vutyll. 668. to may.
68*. Bo .xxviij. 70*. To helpe : cf. 194*.
778. betes. 782. clere. 798. .xij. 821. ou.
828. bernedtale. 838. for he.
83*-1188. wanting; supplied from b.
1191. a .M. 120*. Euen, .cccc. 1212. thon.
1234. Bi god ... on tree. The tops of d
and of th, and a part of dy, remain.
1241. Sir ... n of lawe.
1242. Only the top ofN remains.
1242-1278. wanting, being torn away ; sup-
plied from b.
128s. Ha. 130s. .cccc. li. 1311-8. an .C.
131s. aros we. 1321. an ille.
1328. Worked all.
1331-2. He purneyed hym an. Only a part of
n in the last word remains. Well harness.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
79
Only a part of n and the tops of ess re-
maining.
1338-1368. wanting; supplied from b.
1382. End. 1431. louge. 1432. doue.
1504. tho thy. 1608. Thougt : an C.
1604. he be go. 1618. And therfore.
1622. gyne. 1632. he wol be.
1642. read hyne ? 1658. anowe.
1684. mountnauuce. 1758. wasars.
1792. sende the. Perhaps sent the, as in
3842 (b).
ISO1, abowe. 181s. v myle.
1822. Hnntynge. 1838. Rrynolde.
1858. vij. score. 1871. shyrel.
1991. this xij. 2018. thy best. 202". scade.
2061. Johu. 2064. pray.
2084-3141. wanting ; supplied from b.
3158. These xl. : with men. 321«. welle.
3301. fayles. 3318. ryner. 3338. an C. li.
3398. myeles. 3498. to thy.
From 349* wanting; supplied from b.
b. Title-page : Here begynneth a lytell geste of
Robyn hode. At the head of the poem :
Here begynneth a lytell geste of Robyn
hode and his meyne, And of the proude •
Sheryfe of Notyngham.
24. y-founde. 3s. lohan : and always.
41. Scathelock. 48. no. 51. be spake hym.
58. yf ye. 61. hym wanting. 62. I haue.
6*. that wanting. 64. vnketh.
71. wanting. 78. knygot or some squyere.
84. Thre. 92. The other.
9s. was of. 94. all other moste.
II8. that wanting : gone. II4. that wanting.
131. than wanting. 134. tylleth.
144. wolde. 154. ye wanting.
161. beholde : Ihoan. 162. shall we.
171. Robyn. 178. Scathelocke.
18«. vnketh. 20. vnto. 202. yemen.
211. to wanting. 218. came there.
221. then was all his semblaunte.
231. hangynge ouer. 234. somers.
241. full wanting. 244. you. 261. is your.
26*. is a. 272. all thre. 281. went that.
291. vnto. 292. gan hym. 302. thou arte.
308. abyde. 322. set tyll.
328. right wanting. 338. neuer so.
354. that wanting. 362. whan I haue.
388. Lytell lohan : Robyn hode.
391. than wanting. 392. god haue.
39s, 418. but .x. s. 401. thou haue.
404. len. 414. Not one. 424. halfe a.
432. full lowe. 438. tydynge. 434. inough.
444. clothynge : thynne. 451. one worde.
458. thou were. 462. in stroke.
464. hast thou. 47 '. of them.
47s. An .C. wynter. 474. haue be.
491. within two or thre. 49*. hondreth.
SO2-8. The verses are transposed.
50 2. hath shapen.
511. than wanting. 531. of Lancastshyre.
534. both. 541. beth. 562. What shall.
57*. may not. 588. frendes.
592. knowe me. 604. had wanting.
612. Scathelocke and Much also.
621. frendes. 622. borowes that wyll.
624. on a. 631. waye : than wanting.
63s. I wyll. 648. me wanting.
674. loke that it well tolde.
682, 741, 778, 832. Scathelocke.
684. By eyghtene. 691. lytell Much.
692. greueth. 704. To helpe. 712. many a.
722. it well mete it be. 731. And of.
732. lept ouer. 73s. deuylkyns.
734. for wanting. 74?. hym the better.
744. Bygod it cost him. 751. than wanting.
752. All vnto Robyn. 75". an hors.
754. al this. 764. God leue. 782. clere.
808. Without. 811. lene. 821. went on.
822. he thought. 831. bethought.
871. wanting. 888. hondrde.
892. he is ryght. 981. wanting.
1132. gan loke. 1184. grete ye.
1192. were thou. 1214. Rewarde.
1234. By god that dyed on a tree.
1241. Syr abbot, and ye men of lawe.
1282. of my. 1288. not be.
130s. got foure hondreth. 1312. dyght.
132s. I nocked.
1331'2. purueyed hym an hondreth men
Well harneysed in that stede.
1351. Qy ? But at Wentbrydge ther was.
1362. bulle I vp pyght. 1372. in good fay.
1378. that wanting. 1388. frend bestad.
1384. I-slayne. 1392. where that.
1402. hondred : fere for free. 1452. shote.
1461. shot. 1462. sleste. 1464. gan.
1474. euer wanting : I me. 1484. wan.
1491. sir wanting : bore. 1502. Wolte.
1518. gete leue. 1532. Ge gyue.
1551. befell. 1568. to wanting.
1564. me to dyne. 1572. so longe to be.
1578. sir wanting. 1574. gyue thou.
159s. the wanting. 1601. a rap.
1602. yede nygh on two. 1608. an .c. wynter.
1604. wors he sholde go. 1612. went vp.
80
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
161s. there : made a. 1614. and wyne.
1631. second John wanting.
1632. whyle he. 1648. an householde to.
165s. to God wanting.
165*. lyketh : me wanting. 1661. and an.
1671. ful wanting. 1682. well wanting.
1694. I me. 170*. I-chaunged.
173*. same day. 1748. of full wanting.
1758. and spones. 1754. they none.
1761. they toke. 1768. dyde hym.
176*. wode tre. 1781. And also.
1792. sende the : cf. 3842.
1811. hym there. 1812. whyle.
1814. at his. 1822. hounde. 1828. coud his.
1848. syght. 1851. I se. 1858. an herde.
1861. His tynde. 1888. afore.
1884. sir wanting. 189*. now be trayed.
1912. well wanting. 1918. se his.
1921. Make good. 1924. lyfe is graunted.
1932. a gone. 1938. commaunded.
1941. cote a pye. 1942. well fyne.
1948. toke. 195s. They shall lay : sote.
1961. laye that. 1964. sydes do smerte.
1991. All these.
2001. Or I here a nother nyght sayd.
2002. Ipraye. 2008. to-morne.
2018. the best. 2014. That yet had the.
2028. Thou shalt neuer a wayte me scathe.
2032. or by. 2041. haue : I-swore.
2052. that he was gone. 2058. had his.
2064. pay. 2074. trusty. 2088. Scathelock.
2098. after such.
2108'4. Or yf he be a pore man
Of my good he shall haue some.
2144. these wanting.
2152. frese our : leese your ? dress your ?
2161. .lii. : men wanting. 2182. you for yon.
2241. .lii. 2314. serued them.
2403. ryghtwysman. 2404. his name.
2421. artnade. 2434. Also.
2451. more sayd wanting.
2474. hondred wanting. 2671. gayne.
2721. I toke it I twyse : the second I is prob-
ably a misprint.
2791. thy .cccc. li. 2802. aU of this.
2838. all ther best. 2841. all theyre best.
292a. they slist. 2932. acchers. 2991. beut.
3058. dede, second d inverted.
3144. walle. 3158. These twelue : with me.
3161. were wanting. 3164. gan they.
3172. vnto. 3198. enemye.
3194. Agayne the lawes. 3202. dedes thou.
321'. doth. 3228. yode. 3231. tolde.
3234. That noble were.
3241. He wolde : had. 3248. He ^olde.
3251. wroll : sayd the.
3261. nowe wanting : thou proud sheryf :
sayde our kynge wanting.
3262. the bydde. 3294. Therfore.
3301. fayled. 3304. and by.
3311. a wayted that. 3314. let his.
332s. hym home. 3324. honde and fote.
3332. on a tre.
3341. harde wanting : This the lady, the.
3342. and fre. 3351. to the. 3352. tre tre.
3361. God the good : saue wanting.
3368. lady loue. 3371. Late thou neuer.
3372. Shamly I slayne be.
3378. fast I-bounde. 3382. lady fre.
338s. I take. 3384, 3391. wanting.
3394. on your. 3402. As a: be.
3403. yonge men. 3404. on a. 341 2. on a.
3418. wode be. 3414. Nor. 3421. i bent.
342". spare. 343s. The knyght.
3434. I-quyt than. 3444. gan. 3462. so fast.
3464. At is. 3471. full wanting.
3472. at his. 3492. thou thryue.
3498. to the. 3512. his hoode.
3562. vnder-stonde. 3632. hane.
3688. walked ; qy ? walketh : by your.
3714. blyth.
3774 repeats verse 2 : Other shyft haue not
we, Copland and Ed. White's copies.
3814. I vouch it halfe on the. f and g : I
would geue it to thee.
3851. brode tarpe. Copland and Ed. White's
copies : seale for tarpe.
4002. A wys. 4014. the good whyte.
4024. sore. 4092. shote.
4094. than they met. f , they gan : g, gan
they mete.
4121'3. Copland and Ed. White : sayd Robyn
to our king, Vnder this.
4172. Copland and Ed. White : I wyll come.
421s. had so I wys : so Copland and Ed.
White.
4231. Theyr bowes bente : cf. f , g.
4332. .xii.
4338. he had in Copland and Ed. White.
4362. ferre : fayre in C, Copland and Ed.
White.
4378. was commytted. Copland and Ed.
White : was commended for.
4401. bernysdade. 441 *. Qy ? No tymg slepe.
4431. he so. 4498. our dere in e.
4542. places.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
81
Explycit. kynge Edwarde and Robyn hode
and Lytell Johan Enprented at London
in fletestrete at the sygne of the sone By
Wynken de Worde.
a bode, a gast, a gone, a nother, a vowe, be
fore, be gan, be spake, for gone, i brought,
launs gay, out lawes, to gyder, vnder take,
etc., etc., are printed abode, etc., etc. ; I
wys, i-wys ; & and.
It will be understood that not all probable
cases of§ have been indicated.
c. 26*. myche. 284. ere for lere.
292. hym gan, as in a. 29*. he wanting.
308. a byde. 30*. cures. 321. wesshe.
322. sat tyll. 328. ryght inough, as in a.
338. non so lytell, as in a. 342. Garrnercy.
344. all this. 35*. that wanting, as in b.
362. it wanting. 372. Me thynkc.
38*. Lytell Johan, as in b.
391. then sayd, as in a.
392. haue parte of the. 398, 41". .x. s. .
401. haue, as in b. 404. len, as in b.
414. Not one, as in b. 424. half e a.
43a. full lowe, as in b.
43*. tydynge, as in b. 448. Myche, thyket.
451. one worde, as in b. 458. were, as in b.
461. haste be. 462. stroke.
468. And, as in a. 464. hast led, as in a.
471. nene of tho. 47s. An .c. wynter.
474. haue be. 48*. that syt.
491. this two yere, as in a. 492. well knowe.
502'8. order as in a, b.
502. hath shapen, as in b.
511. than wanting, as in b. 512. thou lose.
531. lancasesshyre. 534. bothe, as in a, b.
541. bothe, as in a.
562. shall fall, as in b. 571. wher.
574. noo better, as in a.
581. eyen has fallen into the next line (eyen
way).
58 8. frende, as in a.
584. I ne haue noo nother. 591. the frendes.
d. 2802. all of this, as in b. 2814. full styll.
2822. [her] keneth. 2838. all thee beste.
2841. all there beste. 286s. ye wanting.
2874, 2881-2'8. cut off. 2891-2. transposed.
2908. I bent. 2911. can bende.
291*. as he. 2921. shet. 2922. they clyft.
2931. Scathelocke. 2932. good in fere.
2954. then wolde. 2962. can they.
2968. the wanting.
297. cut off, except ylde forest in line 4.
3022. on his. 302". go ne. 3032. louest.
> in., in. 11
3051. all out. 3058. woundes depe.
3061-3. cutoff.
3064. now wanting: only the lower part of
the words of this line remains.
307*. vpon. 3108. Robyn hode lente.
3121. myche thanket he of the.
3128. the grete. 3144. walle, as in b.
315. nearly all cut away. 3172. herkeneth to.
3198. enmye, as in b. 3194. lawes, as in b.
3202. [tjhou here, as in b.
3238-4, 3241-2. wanting.
324s. He wolde, as in b.
3261. Goo home thou proude sheryf, as in b.
3262. the bydde, as in b.
3294. Therfore, as in b.
3311. wayted thys gentyll. 3314. his haukes.
3323'4, 3331-2. wanting.
3342. and a, as in a. 3348. a wanting.
336s. ladye loue, as in b.
3378. bounde, as in b.
3382. so wanting. 338'. I take.
3384, 3391. wanting, as in a, b.
3394. has only [y]our way. 3402. be wode.
3403. mery yonge men, as in b.
3404. on rode, as in a.
3412. only [thjat dyed on. preserved.
342. wanting. 3434. then shall, as in b.
3444. can they, as in a.
3462. so faste, as in b.
3464. It is not, as in a.
347 *. full godd, as in a.
3472. at wyll, as in a.
3492. thryue, as in b. 3498. to the struste.
350s. bothe sharp.
e. 4362. Full fayre. 4364. is gone.
4378. comitted. 4412. to slepe.
4418. Nor of all. 4414. Noutter ete nor.
4421. longeth so sore to be in.
4428'4, 4431'2. wanting. 4464. donde.
4472. can he. 4478. outlawes in.
449s. our dere.
f . Title : A mery geste of Robyn Hoode and of
hys lyf e, wyth a newe playe for to be played
in Maye games, very plesaunte and full of
pastyme. At the head of the poem : Here
begynneth a lyttell geste of Robyn hoode
and his mery men, and of the proude
Shyryfe of Notyngham.
Insignificant variations of spelling are not
noted.
I2, freborne. 24. yfounde.
32. lened vpon a. 3s. stode wanting.
41. Scathelocke : and always. 42. mylners.
82
117. A GEST OF BOBYN HODE
48.
6*.
78.
98.
II8.
II4.
13".
14*.
162.
181.
188.
191.
198.
211.
212.
21s.
221.
231.
241.
253.
263.
271.
272.
283.
294.
303.
333.
354.
361.
362.
363.
378.
383.
391.
408.
42*.
43*.
453.
462.
471.
482.
492.
502.
511.
52s.
562.
584.
59s.
604.
612.
622.
624.
638.
was no. 58. if ye. 61. hym wanting.
vnketh. 71. wanting.
or some squyer. 92. The other,
was of. 94. of all other.
that wanting : shall gone.
that wanting. 131. than wanting.
husbandeman. 134. with the.
That would. 154. ye wanting.
shall we. 168. farre.
Nowe walke ye vp vnto the Sayle.
vnketh. 184. By chaunce some may ye.
cearle misprinted for earle.
hym then to. 201. went anone vnto.
loked in B.
deme (for derne) strate.
there wanting.
drousli (droufli ?) than : semblaunt.
hanged ouer : eyes. 234. on sommers.
full wanting. 244. are you.
you wanting. 261. is your.
is a. 264. haue I harde.
graunt the : wynde.
brethren all three. 281. went that.
eyes. 291. vnto. 292. gan hym.
downe on. 302. thou art.
you wanting. 328. right wanting.
fayleth neuer so. 334. was spred.
that wanting.
I thank the, knyght, then said.
when I haue.
By god I was neuer so gredy.
dere wanting.
Lytell John : Robyn hoode.
than wanting. 401. thou haue.
I shall lende. 41 4. Not any penny.
halfe a. 432. full lowe.
inowe wanting. 451. me one.
thou were. 461. Or yls els : haste by.
stroke. 464. thou wanting.
of them. 478, 498, 558, etc. hundreth.
hat be. 491. two or three yerers.
wanting. 502-8. transposed.
hath shopen. 504. god it amende.
than wanting. 512. lost thy.
wenters. 531. Lancastshyre.
What shall. 581. eyes. 588. frendes.
ne wanting. 592. knowe mee.
Whyles. 594. boste that.
had wanting : neuer me.
Much also. 621. frendes.
borowes : wyll. 628. than wanting.
on a. 63 1. than wanting.
I haue. 641. made me.
648.
674.
691.
704.
722.
732.
734.
74».
751.
758.
764.
782.
794.
822.
841.
871.
874,
894.
933.
961.
981.
101»
1033,
1042,
1064,
1122
1131.
1154.
1192.
1218.
1214.
1222.
1234.
1288.
1294.
1312.
1328.
1338.
1351.
1362.
1372.
138s.
1401.
1411.
1422.
1434.
1462.
1472.
1474.
1488.
1491.
1518.
153a.
me wanting. 658. yf wanting.
it well tolde. 684. eyghten score,
lyttell Much. 692. greueth.
To wrappe. 712. muche ryche.
that well mete it. 731. And of.
lept ouer. 738. What the deuils.
for wanting. 741. lought.
hym the better. 744. By god it cost,
than wanting. 752. All unto R.
that knight an. 754. al this.
God lende that it. 781. shal.
clene. 784. out wanting.
Under the. 818. may stande.
he thought. 834. came,
spake the. 868. xij monethes.
wanting. 872. his lande and fee.
954. Disherited. 892. is his.
sore. 918. came. 924. poundes.
The highe. 942. taken,
not wanting. 963. teme to.
wanting. 1008. corese.
. The shal. 1024. saluted.
that the. 1034. me my.
hath made. 1054. To desyre you of.
defend me from. Ill1, then wanting.
Sende. 1128. a assaye.
on then gan. 1132. wanting.
canst not. 1184. Ye get ye it.
were thou. 1208. of wanting.
Haddest thou.
I would haue rewarded thee.
royall chere. 1224. fast gan.
on a. 1248. I shall.
not be. 1292. is wanting.
came. 1308. got.
stringes were well dyght.
And nocked ye were with.
sute. 1348. And rode.
But wanting : by a bridg was.
vp ypyght. 1364. burnisshed.
in good fay. 1378. that wanting.
fayre and frend. 1392. where ye he.
the wanting. 1402. him in fere.
sholdreth and : come for rome.
laye than. 1424. And drynke.
the wanting. 1452. shute.
alway cleft. 1464. gan.
a wanting.
That euer I dyd see. 1481. me thou.
thou wast. 1484. wining.
sir wanting. 1502. Wylt.
gete leue. 1528. gaue to him anone.
He geue vs. 1541. me wanting.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
83
1544. he had yete. 1568. to wanting. 214?.
1564. me meate. 157 l. to long. 2152.
1572. Fasting so long to. 157s. sir wanting. 2158.
1574. geue thou. 1584. had lere. 2182.
1601. rappe. 1602. backe yede nygh into. 2201.
1608. lyueth an hundreth wynter. 2211.
1604. worse he should go. 161 2. went vp. 2222.
1618. And there : a wanting. 2232.
1614. of wanting. 1628. liue this. 2241.
1624. shall ye. 1631. and also dronke. 2242.
1632. that he. 1642. hyne, perhaps rightly. 2291.
1648. an householde to. 1644. For wanting. 2314.
1658. to God wanting. 2342.
1654. do lyke wel me. 1661. a hardy. 2362.
1671. ful wanting. 1678. for wanting. 2368.
1682. wel wanting. 1694. I me. 2381.
1704. Chaunged it should. 2384.
1734. same day at nyght. 1741. The hyed. 2412.
1751. the wanting. 1758. masers and. 2428.
1754. they non. 1761. they toke. 2434.
1762. and three. 1768. And hyed. 2442.
1764. wode tree. 2444.
1774. Welcome thou art to me. 2451.
1781. And so is that good. 2454.
1782. That thou hast brought wyth the. 2471.
1792. And he hath send the. 2474.
1798. His cope. 1801. advow. 2492.
1811. there wanting. 1814. at his. 2521.
1828. coulde his. 1841. haue nowe. 2561.
1851. I se. 1858. of wanting : a. 2562.
1861. tyndes be. 1878. Buske the. 2594.
1888. afore. 1884. sir wanting. 2631.
1898. worthe the. 1894. now betrayed. 2638.
1912. weU wanting. 1921. good chere. 2664.
1924. lyfe is graunted. 1938. commaunded. 2673.
1941. cote a pye. 1948. toke. 2681.
1951. wight yemen. 2688.
1958. shall : in that sorte. 2691.
1961. that proude. 1964. sydes do smarte. 2692.
1971. chere wanting. 2701.
1984. dwel longe. 1991. these. 2708-4
2001. Or I here another nyght lye. 2711.
2018. the best. 2721.
202s. Thou shalt neuer wayte me skathe. 2724.
2024. nor by. 2032. by day. 2041. swore. 2732.
2042. he wanting. 2044. was any man. 2744.
2052. that he was gone. 2758.
2062. Hode wanting. 2064. pay. 2762.
2091. walke wanting : into the. 277*.
209s. And loke for some straunge. 2774.
2094. By chaunce you. 2102. a wanting. 2792.
2103'4. as in b. 2111. sterte. 2112. fraye. 2803.
2121. went than vnto. 2131. as he. 2838.
can. 2144. these monkes.
And bende we.
harte. 2161. but lii men.
Make you yonder preste.
An euell. 2202. vnder the.
What hyght your.
shall sore rewe. 2231. a bowe.
Redy. 2234. gan.
twoo and fifty wyght yemen.
abode but. 2262. whan he did se.
an. 2311. The made.
serued them.
mote I thryue or the.
Ye nede not so to saye.
hath brought it. 2371. And wanting.
broughte. 2388. the eft agayne.
of me. 2408. right wise.
mayest. 242 J. made wanting.
I do the thanke.
So mote I thryue or the.
not out one. 2448. hast nede.
shall I : to wanting.
fyne more sayd.
Thereof I wyll haue.
John layd. 2478. he wanting.
hundreth poundes. 2484. cost.
that tolde. 2498. the trust.
And she haue nede of ony.
And what is on the other courser.
sothe we must. 2568. than wanting.
second in wanting.
light fro his. 2632. can.
Right curteysly. 2651. good Robin.
They would. 2671. agayne.
than sayd. 267 4. that wanting.
no grefe : printed in two lines.
dyd helpe.
Now, by my treuthe than sayd.
For that, knight, thanke.
poundes. 2708. there.
, printed in one line.
than wanting. 2718. her high.
And I should take : twyse.
thou art. 2731. And whan.
laughed and made.
Under this trusty. 2752. fethered.
gentyl knyght.
My wyll done that it be.
bye the a hors.
the for thy (as me, be for my, by).
I dyd lende. 2802. of all his.
sytteth.
they that shote al of the best.
84
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODB
2834. The best 2841. al of the best.
284s. of goodly. 2858. fethers.
286J. his trusty. 2868, 288*. wyght yemen.
2871. mery yemen. 287*. I shall knowe.
288a. Their arowes fethere free.
289s. archers. 289*. shote.
2911. can. 292s. he clefte.
292*. the lylly white. 2941. Whan that.
294'. than was. 294*. good Robin.
2951. To him. 295*. gyft full.
295*. than would. 2962. gan the.
2972. Thus chering.
297*. Another promyse thou made to me.
297*. Within the wylde.
2981. And I had ye in the gr[e]ne forest.
2982. trusty tree. 298*. me leue.
300*. away belyue. 301*. Amonge the.
3021. John he was hort. 3022. in the.
3032. loues. 304*. nowe to.
3052. smite thou of.
305 8. woundes so wyde and longe.
305*. That I after eate no breade.
3061. that wanting. 3062. slayne.
306*. Though I had it all by me.
3071. forbyd that : Much then.
307*. Depart. 308*. another a whyle.
3121. I do the thankes for thy comfort.
3122-8. And for. 3131. all the. 3141. Shutte.
314*. wall. 3151. the hote.
3158. Thou shalt these xij dayes abide.
3162. Redye. 316*. gan. 3172. vnto the.
3178. Howe the proude shirife began.
3191. can. 319s. kepest there. 319*. lawes.
320*. am true. 3212. do ye no more vnto.
322s. he went. 323*. That noble were and.
3241. He wolde : had. 3248. He wold.
3251. the kynge.
3261. Go home, thou proude sheryfe.
3262. the bydde. 329*. Therfore.
3301. Ther he. 3308. that gentyl.
3304. and by. 3311. awayted that.
331*. his hauke. 3321. 'misprinted To be.
332s. him home to. 332*. Ybounde.
3332. on a tree. 333*. robin hode had he.
3341. Then the lady the. 3342. a wanting.
3351. to the. 335*. There she found.
3361. Robyn Hode. 3368. ladyes loue.
3371. Let thou. 3372. to be. 3378. bound.
3382. so wanting. 3388. ytake.
338*. The proude shirife than sayd she.
339. Only this : He is not yet passed thre
myles, You may them ouertake.
3402. a man : ben. 3408. mery yemen.
340*. on a tree. 341s. on a tree.
3418>*. And by him that al thinges maketh
No lenger shall dwell with me.
3421. ybent. 3432. The knight would.
343*. And yf ye he may him take.
343*. Yquyte than shall he bee.
344*. gan the. 3462. so fast. 346*. That is.
3471. full wanting. 347*. at his.
3492. may thou thryue. 3498. to the.
349*. thou wast 3511. start.
3512. cut into. 354*. and wanting.
3551. them for men. 3562. vnderstode.
3571. the compasse. 3572. He wend.
3582. a one. 3588. fyude any. 359*. eyes.
3608. He should. 3612. it with. 364*. to no.
3662. By halte. 366*. And vsed.
368*. That we be. 368*. walked : by your.
3692. on the. 369*. I saye. 370*. eyes.
3711. hastely. 3718. They were all in.
371*. thyther blythe. 3752. Standinge by.
3761. toke wanting. 376*. you.
377*. Other shyft haue not we.
3782. And good. 3808. full wanting.
3818. a. 381*. I would geve it to the.
3822. And deuyde it than did he.
3823. Half he gaue to. 3842. He hath sent
3848. to wanting. 384*. and to.
3851. brode seale. 3852. lete me.
387*. trusty tre. 3881. he had.
388*. fast was. 3892. he can it.
3898. wyght yemen. 389*. Came runnyng.
3912. pene. 3921. hastely : dyght. 3922. can.
394*. Blessed may. 3952. that thou.
3958. maiest. 395*. together by lente.
396*. ben. 3971. werd. 3972. can the.
3978. fifty space. 3982. The.
4001'2. A good buffet on his head bare, For
that shalbe his fyne.
4008. And those: fell to.
401*. the lilly white hande.
404*. And than he. 405*. syr wanting.
4061. the kyng. 4072. largely. 407*. folded.
4081. geue. 408*. a tall. 4092. can wel.
409*. Togeder they gan. 4101. Stedfastly in.
4112. they sawe. 411*. wele.
4121. than sayd Robin. 4122. this trusty.
412*. for me.
4131. And yet sayd good Robin.
4132. As good god do me. 4133. aske the.
413*. I it. 4141. than wanting.
4142. Thy peticion I graunt the.
4148. So y* thou wylt leue.
4151. syr wanting. 4152. There to.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
85
4171. But and I lyke not. 4172. I wyll.
417*. I was. 4182. now sell.
419". To sel to me. 4201. for good.
420". And other. 4211. his cote.
4218. had so ywys.
4214. They clothed them full soone.
4228. shal we. 422*. All this our kyng can.
4231. The bent their bowes. 4242. and as.
4248. And all they shot.
4254. kyng whan he did paye.
4261. the kyng. 4281. to the other can.
4291. hastely. 4302. them to come,
4308. sawe. 431*. of the. 4328. Robin hode.
4331. Robm hode : dwelleth.
4338. That he had. 4342. lay.
4348. and squyers. 435 1. all gone.
436*. wend. 437*. commended for.
4382. Alas what shall I do. 4394. my.
4404. And there would I faene be.
441 *. might no time this seuen nightes.
4418. Neyther all this. 441*. eate nor.
4428. wolward haue I. 4438. nyghtes.
4468. I haue a lyttell lust. 4472. can.
4488. wyght yemen. 448*. Came runnyng.
449*. Under the. 4501. dwelleth.
4502. yeres. 4503. Than for all.
4522. Donkester. 452". wanting.
4524. For euyll mot thou the.
Thus endeth the lyfe of Robyn hode.
Title and heading as in f .
I2, free borne. I4, yfound.
22. Whilst : on the. 32. leaned vpon a.
3s. stode wanting.
41. Scathlock, and always. 42. milners.
48. was no. 51. bespake him. 58. if you,
61. hym wanting : Robin hood. 62. I haue.
68. that wanting. 64. vnketh. 71. wanting.
78. or some squire. 92. The other.
98. was of. 94. of all other. 101. he loued.
II8. what way we : gone. II4. that wanting.
131. than wanting. 138. you : husbandman.
134. with the. 141. you. 144. That would.
151. These wanting. 154. ye wanting.
161. be wanting. 162. shall we.
172. goe with.
181. Now walke ye vp vnto the shore.
184. By chance some may ye meet.
198. him then. 201. went anon vnto.
211. looked in. 212. a deine.
218. came there.
221. All drouftye, perhaps (wrongly) drouslye :
semblant.
228. on the. 224. The other.
231. ouer his eyes. 234. on summers.
241. full wanting. 244. you.
258. you wanting. 261. is your. 268. is a.
264. haue I. 272. bretheren all three.
281. went that. 288. eyes. 291. vnto the.
292. gan him. 298. he did. 294. downe on.
302. thou art. 308. you wanting.
328. right wanting. 338. neuer so.
334. was spread. 354. that wanting.
361. I thanke thee knight then said.
362. when I haue.
368. By God I was neuer so greedy.
371. ere you. 372. Me thinke is.
378. dere wanting.
388. Little John : Robin hood.
39l. than wanting. 401. thou haue.
404. I shall. 414. Not any peny.
424. halfe a. 432. full lowe.
434. inowe wanting. 451. one word.
458. thou wert : a wanting. 461. hast be.
462. stroke. 464. With whores hast thou.
471. of these. 47*. An hundreth winters.
474. haue be. 48l. of it. 482. disgrast.
491. Within 2 or 3 yeares : said he.
492. wanting. 498, 558, 67s, etc. hundreth.
502-8. transposed. 502. hath shapen.
504. God it amend. 511. than wanting.
512. lost. 528. winters. 531. Lancashire.
541. landes be. 562. What shall. 581. eyes.
588. friends. 584. ne wanting.
592. a one : knowe me. 598. Whiles.
604. had wanting.
61 *. misprinted ruthe they went.
612. Much also. 621. friends.
622. borrowes : will. 628. than wanting.
624. on a. 631. thy iest : than wanting.
632. I wiU. 638. wiU God. 641. made me.
64s. doth misprinted for both.
648. me wanting. 653. yf wanting.
654. faileth. 674. it well tolde.
688. tolde forth. 684. eighteene score.
691. Uttle much. 692. grieued. 69*. fallen.
704. To wrap. 71s. much rich.
72a. that well ymet it. 731. And of.
73a. leped ouer. 734. for wanting.
741. full wanting: laught.
748. the better measure. 744. By God it cost
751. than wanting. 752. All vnto R.
758. an. 75*. all his good.
761. God lend that it be. 782. clene.
784. bring them. 798. months.
794. Vnder the. 818. the wanting.
86
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
88*.
90*.
931.
943.
822. he thought
834. came. 841. spake the.
858. vpon wanting.
868. months : there wanting. 871. wanting.
87s. land and fee. 874, 95*. Disherited.
a. 88*. lay it 892. is his. 894. sore.
You doe him. 924. pounds.
and high. 93a. Stert 938. The high.
taken. 95s. comes. 961. not wanting.
968. to them. 981. wanting.
1008. best corse. 100*. I wanting.
1011. them to. 1018. come there.
1024. saluted. 1034. me my.
1042. hath made. 1054. To desire of.
1064. defend me against 109a. wanting.
110s. thy lande. Ill1, then wanting.
1122. Send. 1131. on them. 1132. wanting.
1134. Step thee : of the. 1161. tournaments.
1162. farre that. 1172. a wanting.
117s. Or else : safely say.
1184. Ye get not my land so.
1191. thousand pound more.
1192. were thou. 1212. that wanting.
Hadst
I would haue rewarded thee.
121s.
1214.
1222. royall cheere. 1224. gan.
1232. to thee. 1234. on a.
1241.
1283.
1294.
and you. 1242. held.
had not. 1292. is wanting.
came on the. 1303. got.
1328. And nocked they were with.
133*. suite. 1348. And rode.
1351. As he went vp a bridge was.
1361>2. wanting. 1363. with a.
137 2. in good. 137s. that wanting.
138s. friend bested. 1384. Yslaine.
1392. where that. 1393. the yeoman.
1394. the loue. 1402. him in feare.
1411. all wanting. 1421. markes.
1424. And drinke. 1432. that the.
1434
1464
1481
1484
1492
the wanting. 1462. alway claue.
gan. 1474. euer I did see.
me thou. 1488. wast thou.
wonning. 1491. sir wanting.
al wanting. 1502. Wilt.
1518. ye get leave. 1528. to him anon.
1532. He giue vs. 1541. me wanting.
1544. he had yet 1551. befell. 1554. forgot.
1562. the wanting. 1568. to wanting.
1564. me meat. 1572. Fasting so long to.
1573. sir wanting. 1574. giue thou.
1581. Shalt neither eat nor drinke.
1591. was vncourteous. 1592. on the.
1601. a rappe. 1602. backe yede nigh.
1608. liueth : winters. 1604. he still shall goe.
161 2. ope. 1618. there : a large.
1614. and wine. 1621. you.
1628. you liue this. 1624. shall ye.
1631. eat and also drunke. 1638. in the.
1641. my. 1642. hine : perhaps rightly.
1648. an housholde for.
1658. to God wanting. 1654. doe like well.
1661. and a. 1671. ful wanting.
1672. toke wanting. 1678. for wanting .
1682. well wanting. 1694. euer I saw yet.
1704. changed it should. 1714. we will.
173s. ylke day at. 1741. They hied.
1742. they could. 174". full wanting.
1744. euery one. 1751. the wanting.
1758. niasers and. 1754. they none.
1761. Also they. 1762. and three.
1768. And hied them to. 1764. wood tree.
1778. And thou.
1774. Welcome thou art to me.
1781. And so is that good yeoman.
1782. That thou hast brought with.
1792. He hath sent thee here. 1798. His cup.
1802. And by. 1811. there wanting.
1818. he ran wanting. 1814. at his.
1822. hound. 1828. could his.
1831. saue thee. 1832. you saue.
1834. haue you. 1841. haue now be in the.
1851. I see. 1858. of wanting.
1861. tindes be. 1871. my.
187s. Buske thee. 1882. A foote.
188s. afore. 1884. sir wanting.
1898. worth thee. 1894. nowe wanting.
1901. Litell wanting. 1912. well wanting.
1921. Make good. 1922. of /or for.
1924. life is graunted. 1931. had all.
1938. commanded. 1934. hose and shoone.
1941. coate a pie. 1948. tooke.
1951. wight yeomen.
1958. That they shall lie in that sorte.
1961. lay that. 1964. sides doe smart.
1971. chere wanting. 1984. dwell long.
1991. All this.
2001. Or I heere an other night lie.
2002. I pray. 2008. my: to morne.
2004. wanting. 2018. the best.
202s. Thou shalt : wait : scath. 2024. nor by.
2032. or else by. 2042. home againe to.
2048. as wanting. 2044. was any man.
2052. that he was gon. 2062. But Robin said.
2064. pay. 207s. dare sweare.
2091. walke wanting : into the.
117. A GEST OP ROBYN HODE
87
2098. And looke for some strange.
2094. By chance you. 2102. a wanting.
2103-4. as in b, excepting goods for good.
2112. in a fray. 2121. went then vnto.
2131. as they. 2138. They were ware.
2144. These monkes. 2152. And bend we.
2158. looke our.
2161. hath but fifty and two man.
216*. royall. 2171. Bretheren.
2182. Make you yonder priest. 2201. An.
2211. What hight your. 2222. sore rue.
2231. abowe. 2232. Ready.
2234. ground he gan.
2241. two and fiftie wight yeomen.
2242. abode but. 2258. Hode wanting.
2261. downe. 2262. when he did.
2264. let it. 2291. blowe we.
231*. serued him. 232». you.
2342. So mote I thriue of thee.
2362. You neede not so to say.
236s. hath brought it. 2371. And wanting.
2381. hast the mony brought.
2388. eft againe. 2384. need of. 2401. my.
241 2. not denay. 2421. made wanting.
242*. I doe thee thanke. 2432. Truth.
2434. So mought I thriue and thee.
2442. not take one. 2448. hast need of.
2444. shall I : to wanting.
2451. finde more said. 2458. spending-money.
2454. Thereof I will haue.
2464. penny let me. 2471. John laid.
2472. he wanting. 2474. Eight hundreth.
2488. true now. 248*. cost.
2492. Monke that. 2511. and to.
2518. need of. 2521. haue need of any.
2561. And what is in ye other coffer.
2562. we must. 2568. than wanting.
2582. he wanting. 2594. or D.
2631. light from his. 2632. can.
2638. Right for So : down.
2651. bespake good Robin : Hode wanting.
2668. For wanting. 2664. They would.
2678. then said. 267*. And that.
2681. take no griefe. 2683. did I helpe.
2684. they put. 2691. Now by my truth then.
2692. For that knight thanke.
2701. than wanting.
2703. there is : also wanting.
2711. then said. 2718. her hie.
2721. And I should take it twice.
2722. forme. 2731. And when.
273a. He laughed and made. 2744. this trusty.
2751. do he said. 2752. fethered.
2758. the gentle.
2762. My will doone that it be.
2768. Go and fetch me foure : pounds.
2778. buye thee. 2788. shalt not.
2784. Whilste I. 2791. well for.
2792. I did send. 280a. of all his.
2808. sitteth. 2811. take. 2812. wend.
283s. And they that shoote all of the best.
2834. The best. 2841. all of the best.
2848. of goodly. 2851. he should.
285". and feathers. 2854. the like.
2862. his trusty.
2868. ye ready you wight yeomen.
2871. merry yeomen. 287s. I shall know.
2882. Their takles.
2888. of wanting : wight yeomen.
2898. were: archers. 2894. shot.
2911. The first. 2914. the buttes where.
2922. he claue. 2924. lilly-white.
they would. 2948. then was.
To him. 2958. guiit full.
then would. 2962. A great horn gan he.
be to thee. 2972. Thus cheering.
An other promise thou madest to me.
Within the greene.
But and I had thee there againe.
the trusty. 2988. giue me.
3004.
2934.
2951.
2954.
2971.
2978.
2974.
2981.
2982.
299s. was tome.
away beliue.
3011. broke. 3014. the for that.
3021. he was. 3022. on the knee.
3032. you loued. 3052. thou off.
305s. wounds so wide and long.
3054. That I after eat no bread.
3061. that wanting. 3062. wert slaine.
3064. Though I had it all by me.
3071. forbid that : Much then.
3074. Depart.
3088. he set. 3102. of the.
3118. be thou wanting.
3121. I do thee thanke for.
3122-8. And for. 3131. aU the.
3144. the wall. 3151. thee hite.
3152. And sweare.
3158. Thou shalt these twelue daies abide with
me.
3162. Ready and. 3164. gan.
3172. hearken vnto the. 317*. sheriffe began.
3198. there : enemie^. 3194. all law.
3201. what I. 3204. a wanting.
3212. doe ye. 3218. you wit your.
322s. he went. 3234. noble were and.
3241. He would : had. 324s. He would.
3251. said the. 3254. will I.
117. A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
3261. Goe home thou proude : sayde our kynge
wanting.
3262. I you bid. 3294. Therefore had.
3301. there he. 3308. that gentle.
3311. Euer awaited that 3312. of the.
331*. hishauke.
3321. To betray this gentle knight.
332«. him home. 3324. Ybound.
3332. on a tree. 333s. had rather then a.
333*. That Robin hood had hee.
3341. Then the lady the. 3342. a wanting.
3351. to the. 3358. There found she.
3354. merry menye. 336s. loue for sake.
3371. Let thou. 3378. bound.
3382. so wanting. 338». thy lord ytake.
338*. The proud sheriffe then said she.
339. he- is not yet passed three miles,
you may them ouertake :
340. Vp then start good Robin,
as a man that had been wake :
Buske ye, my merry yeomen,
for him that dyed on a tree.
341 2. on a tree.
3418. And by him that all things maketh.
341*. shall dwell. 3421. ybent. 3422. More.
342». they spared none. 3432. The knight.
3438. if ye may him ouertake.
3434. then shall he. 3444. gan.
3452. so fast. 345*. thy boote.
3471. full wanting. 3472. at his.
3491. the for thou. 3492. may thou.
3498. to thee.
350s. it on. 3504. driue. 3512. cut in.
3532. leasind. 354*. hode if.
3551. them for men. 356s. vnderstood.
3564. all the knights land.
357 l. The compasse of. 3572. wend.
3582. many a one. 3588. finde any.
3594. eyes. 3602. vnto. 3608. He should.
360*. of for at. 3612. it with. 3628. O my.
3642. his best. 3648. to no. 3662. halt.
3668. he slew. 3664. And vsed.
368a. now be. 3688. by your.
368*. a monks. 3691. lodesman.
3692. on the. 369*. come at.
370*. eyes. 3711. hastily.
3718. They were all : monks weeds.
3714. thither blithe. ., 3724. to wanting.
3741. soinmer. 3748. Vntill. 3752. by the.
3768. sayd wanting. 376*. you.
3774. Other shift haue not wee.
3782. good for gold. 3808. fuU wanting.
3811. I wanting. 3818. an.
381 4. I would giue it to thee.
3822. And deuided it then did he. '
3828. Halfe he gaue to. 3824. to wanting.
3832. Syr wanting. 3842. He hath sent
3851. broad scale. 3868. be my.
3871. tyding. 3874. the trusty.
3881. he had. 388*. full was fast.
3892. gan it. 389*. wight yeomen.
3894. running for redy. 3921. hastily: dight
3922. can. 393*. the good ale browne.
3944. may thou. 3951. I for we.
3952. Or that 3958. maist. 395*. be lend.
396*. beene. 3972. can.
4001'2. A good buffet on his head beare for
this shall be his fine.
4008. And those : fell in. 4012. claue.
4014. lilly white. 4032. Fore : freends faire.
4038. of wanting. 4042. then for thus.
4054. syr wanting. 4061. said ye.
4062. be for by, as often. 4072. largely.
4074. folded. 4084. a tall frier. 4092. can.
4094. gan they meet. 4102. Stedfast in.
4111. the said ! 4112. sawe.
4121. said Robin to. 4122. this trusty.
4124. and for mee.
4131. And yet said good R.
4132. As good God do me. 4138. aske thee.
4134. I it. 4141. than wanting.
4142. Thy petition I graunt thee.
4148. So that thou wilt leaue.
415 *. syr wanting. 4152. There to dwell.
4171. But and I like not. 4172. I wiU.
4174. I was. 4182. nowe wanting.
4198. To seU. 4211. his cote.
4218. had so ywis.
4214. They clothed them full. 4222. the gray.
4228. Now shall we. 4224. All this : can.
4231. They bent their. 4248. And all they.
4254. king when he did pay. 4261. said the.
4264. I shot. 4281. togither can.
4284. leaueth not one. 4291. hastely.
4302. to come againe. 4308. saw our.
4314. of the. 4328. Robin hood.
4331. Robin hood dwelled.
4338. That he had. 4348. and squires.
4344. a great. 4351. gone.
4354. hym wanting. 4362. faire.
4364. wend. 4378. was commended for the.
4382. Alas what shall I doe.
4404. there would I faine be.
4411. might no time this : nights.
4412. one for ne. 441 8. all this.
4414. nor for ne. 4428. haue I.
118. ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE
89
4438. nights. 446*. I haue a little lust for.
447a. can. 4488. wight yeomen.
4484. running for redy. 4494. Vnder the.
4502. yeeres. 4508. Then for dred.
4522. Dankastre. 452*. wanting.
452*.
455".
For euill : they thee.
good wanting.
Thus endeth the life of Robin hood
118
ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE
' Guye of Gisborne,' Percy MS., p. 262 ; Hales and Furnivall, II, 227.
FIRST printed in the Reliques of Ancient
English Poetry, 1765, I, 74, and, with less
deviation from the original, in the fourth edi-
tion, 1794, I, 81. Reprinted from the Re-
liques in Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795, I, 114.
Robin Hood has had a dream that he has
been beaten and bound by two yeomen, who
have taken away his bow. He vows that he
will have vengeance, and sets out in search
of them with Little John. Robin and John
shoot as they go, till they come to the green-
wood and see a yeoman leaning against a tree,
clad in a horse-hide, with head, tail, and mane.
John proposes to go to the yeoman to ask his
intentions. Robin considers this to be forward
of John, and speaks so roughly to him that
John parts company, and returns to Barns-
dale. Things are in a bad way there : the
sheriff of Nottingham has attacked Robin's
band ; two have been slain ; Scarlett is flying,
and the sheriff in pursuit with seven score
men. John sends an arrow at the pursuers,
which kills one of them ; but his bow breaks,
and John is made prisoner and tied to a tree.
Robin learns from the man in horse-hide
that he is seeking Robin Hood, but has lost
his way. Robin offers to be his guide, and as
they go through the wood proposes a shoot-
ing-match. Both shoot well, but Robin so
much the better that the other breaks out into
* The sheriff flees from Barnsdale "towards his house
in Nottingham," in stanza 57. In fact, though these places
VOL. III. 12
expressions of admiration, and asks his name.
Tell me thine first, says Robin. " I am Guy
of Gisborne ; " " and I Robin Hood, whom
thou long hast sought," They fight fiercely
for two hours ; Robin stumbles and is hit, but
invokes the Virgin's aid, leaps up and kills
Guy. He nicks Guy's face so that it cannot
be recognized, throws his own green gown
over the body, puts on the horse-hide, and
blows Guy's horn. The sheriff hears in the
sound tidings that Guy has slain Robin, and
thinks it is Guy that he sees coming in the
horse-hide. The supposed Guy is offered any-
thing that he will ask, but will take no re-
ward but the boon of serving the knave as
he has the master. Robin hies to Little John,
looses him, and gives him Sir Guy's bow.
The sheriff takes to flight, but cannot outrun
John's arrow, which cleaves his heart.
The beginning, and perhaps the develop-
ment, of the story might have been more lucid
but for. verses lost at the very start. Robin
Hood dreams of two yeomen that beat and
bind him, and goes to seek them, " in green-
wood where they be." Sir Guy being one, the
other person pointed at must of course be the
sheriff of Nottingham (who seems to be be-
yond his beat in Yorkshire,* but outlaws can
raise no questions of jurisdiction), in league
with Sir Guy (a Yorkshireman, who has done
are fifty miles apart, this ballad treats them as adjacent.
See p. 50 f .
90
118. ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE
many a curst turn) for the capture or slaying
of Robin. The dream simply foreshadows
danger from two quarters. But Robin Hood
is nowhere informed, as we are, that the
sheriff is out against him with seven score
men, has attacked his camp, and taken John
prisoner. He knows nothing of this so far
on as stanza 458, where, after killing Guy, he
says he will go to Barnsdale to see how his
men are faring. Why then does he make his
arrangements in stanzas 42-452, before he re-
turns to Barnsdale, to pass himself off for Sir
Guy ? Plainly this device is adopted with the
knowledge that John is a prisoner, and as a
means of delivering him ; which all that fol-
lows shows. Our embarrassment is the greater
because we cannot point out any place in the
story at which the necessary information could
have been conveyed ; there is no cranny where
it could have been thrust in. It will not be
enough, therefore, to suppose that verses have
dropped out ; there must also have been a con-
siderable derangement of the story.
The abrupt transition from the introductory
verses, 1, 21'2, is found in Adam Bell, and the
like occurs in other ballads.
A fragment of a dramatic piece founded on
the ballad of Guy of Gisborne has been pre-
served in manuscript of the date of 1475, or
earlier.* In this, a knight, not named, en-
gages to take Robin Hood for the sheriff, and
is promised gold and fee if he does. The
knight accosts Robin, and proposes that they
shoot together. They shoot, cast the stone,
cast the axle-tree, perhaps wrestle (for the
* Formerly among Sir John Fenn's papers (for the his-
tory of which see Gairdner, Paston Letters, I, vii. ff ) ; now
in the possession of Mr William Aldis Wright, of Trinity
College, Cambridge. The fragment, Mr Wright informs
me, is written on a paper which was evidently the last half-
leaf of a folio MS. On the back are various memoranda,
and among them this : Itm. Rd of Rechard Wytway, penter
[or penter], for hes hosse rent, in full payment, Ix [ix?] s',
the vij day of November, a° Ed. iiija xv [1475]. The gram-
matical forms of themselves warrant our putting the compo-
sition further back. This interesting relic has already been
printed in Notes and Queries, First Series, XII, 321, from
a very incorrect copy made by Dr Stukely. It is given here
from a transcript made for me by Henry Bradshaw, of hon-
ored memory. Mr Wright has compared this with the
knight has a fall), then fight to the utterance.
Robin has the mastery, cuts off the knight's
head, and dons his clothes, putting the head
into his hood. He hears from a man who
comes along that Robin Hood and his men
have been taken by the sheriff, and says, Let
us go kill the sheriff. Then follows, out of
the order of time, as is necessary in so brief a
piece, the capture of Friar Tuck and the
others by the sheriff. The variations from
the Percy MS. story may be arbitrary, or may
be those of another version of the ballad. The
friar is called Tuck, as in the other play : see
Robin Hood and the Potter.
* Syr sheryffe', for thy sake,
Robyn Hode wull Y take.'
' I wyll the gyffe golde and fee, .
This beheste ]>ou liolde me.'
' Robyn Hode, ffayre and fre,
Vndre this lynde shote we.'
' With the shote Y wyll,
Alle thy lustes to full fyll.'
4 Have at the pryke ! '
' And Y cleue the styke.'
4 Late vs caste the stone.'
' I graunte well, be Seynt John.'
4 Late vs caste the exaltre.'
' Have a foote be-fore the !
Syr knyght, ye haue a falle.'
1 And I the, Robyn, qwyte shall.'
' Owte on the ! I blowe myn home.'
' Hit ware better be vnborne.'
' Lat vs fyght at ottraunce.'
* He that fleth, God gyfe hym myschaunce" !
original, and given me the history of the paper, so far as
known.
This paper, as far as we can see, came into Sir John
Fenn's hands in company with the Paston Letters. In a let-
ter of the date 1473, Sir John Paston writes : W. Woode,
whyche promysed ... he wold never goo fro me, and ther
uppon I have kepyd hym thys iii yer to pleye Seynt Jorge,
and Robyn Hod and the Shryff off Nottyngham, and now,
when I wolde have good horse, he is gone into Bernysdale,
and I without a keeper. Fenn, Original Letters, etc., 1787,
II, 134, cited by Ritson ; Gairdner, Paston Letters, III, 89.
The play cited above might be called one of Robin Hood
and the Sheriff of Nottingham, and may possibly have been
the very one in which William Wood was used to perform,
before he went " into Barnysdale," that is, ran away from
service.
118. ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE
91
Now I haue the maystry here,
Off I smyte this sory swyre.
This knyghtys clothis wolle I were',
And in my hode his hede woll here.
Welle mete, felowg myn :
What herst ]>ou of gode Robyn ? '
' Robyn Hode and his menye
With the sheryff takyn be.'
' Sette on foote with gode wyll,
And the sheryffe wull we kyll.'
' Beholde wele Ffrere Tukg,
Howe he dothe his bowe pluke.
3eld yow, syrs, to the sheryff[e],
Or elles shall yowr bowgs clyffe.'
' Nowe we be bownden alle in same ;
Frere [T]uke, J>is is no game.'
* Co[m]e )wu forth, pou fals outlawe :
f)ou shall b[e] hangyde and ydrawe.'
' Now, alias ! what shall we doo !
We [m]oste to the prysone goo.'
' Opy[n] the yatis faste anon,
An[d] [d]oo theis thevys ynne gon.' *
Ritson pointed out that Guy of Gisborne is
named with " other worthies, it is conjectured
of a similar stamp," in a satirical piece of
William Dunbar, ' Of Sir Thomas Norray.'
Was never vyld Robeine wnder bewch,
Nor }et Roger of Clekkinsklewch,
So bauld a bairne as he ;
Gy of Gysburne, na Allan Bell,
Nor Simones sonnes of Quhynfell,
At schot war nevir so slie.t
Ed. John Small, Part II, p. 193.
Gisburne is in the West Riding of York-
shire, on the borders of Lancashire, seven
miles from Clitheroe.
He that had neither beene a kithe nor kin
Might haue scene a full fayre sight, 361'2,
anticipates Byron : —
By heaven, it is a splendid sight to see,
For one who hath no friend, no brother, there.
Childe Harold, I, 401-2.
Translated, after Percy's Reliques, by Bod-
mer, II, 128 ; La Motte Fouque", in Biisching's
Erzahlungen, p. 241 ; Doenniges, p. 174 ; An-
astasius Grim, p. 103 ; Cesare Cantu, Docu-
menti, etc., p. 799 (the first thirty-seven
stanzas).
1 WHEN shawes beene sheene, and shradds full
fayre,
And leeues both large and longe,
Itt is merrry, walking in the fayre fforrest,
To heare the small birds songe.
2 The woodweele sang, and wold not cease,
Amongst the leaues a lyne :
And it is by two wight yeomen,
By deare God, that I meane.
' Me thought they did mee beate and binde,
And tooke my bow mee froe ;
If I bee Robin a-liue in this lande,
I 'le be wrocken on both them to we.'
4 ' Sweauens are swift, master,' quoth John,
' As the wind that blowes ore a hill ;
Ffor if itt be neuer soe lowde this night,
To-morrow it may be still.'
5 * Buske yee, bowne yee, my merry men all,
Ffor lohn shall goe with mee ;
For I 'le goe seeke yond wight yeomen
In greenwood where the bee.'
6 The cast on their gowne of greene,
A shooting gone are they,
Vntill they came to the merry greenwood,
Where they had gladdest bee ;
There were the ware of [a] wight yeoman,
His body leaned to a tree.
* The [d]oo in the last line is not quite certain. I am
not sure that the parts are always rightly assigned in the
third dialogue.
t Norray should be Nornee, or Norny, the name of a
court fool. He is mentioned in James TVs Treasurer's Ac-
counts, 1503-12. See Laing's Dunbar, II, 307 f. Allan
Bell being sly at shot, it is probable that Allan is miswrit-
ten in the MS. for Adam.
92
118. ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OP GISBORNE
7 A sword and a dagger he wore by his side,
Had beene many a mans bane,
And he was cladd in his capull-hyde,
Topp, and tayle, and mayne.
8 ' Stand you still, master? quoth Litle lohn,
' Vnder this trusty tree,
And I will goe to yond wight yeoman,
To know his meaning truly e.'
9 ' A, lohn, by me thou setts noe store,
And that's a ffarley thinge ;
How offt send I my men beffore,
And tarry my-self e behinde ?
10 ' It is noe cunning a knaue to ken,
And a man but heare him speake ;
And itt were not for bursting of my bowe,
lohn, I wold thy head breake.'
11 But often words they breeden bale,
That parted Robin and lohn ;
lohn is gone to Barn[e]sdale,
The gates he knowes eche one.
12 And when hee came to Barnesdale,
Great heauinesse there hee hadd ;
He Sound two of his fellowes
Were slaine both in a slade,
13 And Scarlett a ffoote flyinge was,
Ouer stockes and stone,
For the sheriffe with seuen score men
Fast after him is gone.
14 ' Yett one shoote I 'le shoote,' sayes Litle lohn,
' With Crist his might and mayne ;
I 'le make yond fellow that flyes soe fast
To be both glad and ffaine.
15 lohn bent vp a good veiwe bow,
And ffetteled him to shoote ;
The bow was made of a tender boughe,
And fell downe to his foote.
16 'Woe worth thee, wicked wood,' sayd Litle
lohn,
' That ere thou grew on a tree !
Ffor this day thou art my bale,
My boote when thou shold bee ! '
And it mett one of the sheriff es men ;
Good William a Trent was slaine/
18 It had beene better for William a Trent
To hange vpon a gallowe
Then for to lye in the greenwoode,
There slaine with an arrowe.
19 And it is sayd, when men be mett,
Six can doe more then three :
And they haue tane Litle lohn,
And bound him ffast to a tree.
20 ' Thou shalt be drawen by dale and downe,'
quoth the sheriffe,
' And hanged hye on a hill : '
' But thou may ffayle,' quoth Litle lohn,
' If itt be Christs owne will.'
21 Let vs leaue talking of Litle lohn,
For hee is bound fast to a tree,
And talke of Guy and Robin Hood,
In the green woode where they bee.
22 How these two yeomen together they mett,
Vnder the leaues of lyne,
To see what marchandise they made
Euen at that same time.
23 ' Good morrow, good fellow,' quoth Sir Guy ;
' Good morrow, good ffellow,' quoth, hee ;
' Methinkes by this bow thou Scares in thy
hand,
A good archer thou seems to bee.'
24 ' I am wilfull of my way,' qwoth Sir Guye,
' And of my morning tyde : '
' I 'le lead thee through the wood,' qwoth Robin,
' Good ffellow, I 'le be thy guide.'
25 ' I seeke an outlaw,' qwoth Sir Guye,
' Men call him Robin Hood ;
I had rather meet with him vpon a day
Then forty pound of golde.'
26 ' If you tow mett, itt wold be scene whether
were better
Afore yee did part awaye ;
Let vs some other pastime find,
Good ffellow, I thee pray.
17 This shoote it was but looselye shott,
The arrowe flew in vaine,
27 ' Let vs some other masteryes make,
And wee will walke in the woods euen ;
118. ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE
93
Wee may chance mee[t] with Robin Hoode
Att some vnsett Steven.'
28 They cutt them downe the summer shroggs
Which grew both vnder a bryar,
And sett them three score rood in twinn,
To shoote the prickes full neare.
29 ' Leade on, good ffellow,' sayd Sir Guye,
' Lead on, I doe bidd thee : '
' Nay, by my faith,' qwoth Robin Hood,
' The leader thou shalt bee.'
30 The first good shoot that Robin ledd
Did not shoote an inch the pricke ffroe ;
Guy was an archer good enoughe,
But he cold neere shoote soe.
31 The second shoote Sir Guy shott,
He shott within the garlande ;
But Robin Hoode shott it better then hee,
For he cloue the good pricke-wande.
32 ' Gods blessing on thy heart ! ' sayes Guye,
' Goode ffellow, thy shooting is goode ;
For an thy hart be as good as thy hands,
Thou were better then Robin Hood.
33 ' Tell me thy name, good ffellow,' qwoth Guy,
' Vnder the leaues of lyne : '
' Nay, by my faith,' quoth good Robin,
' Till thou haue told me thine.'
34 ' I dwell by dale and downe,' qwoth Guye,
1 And I haue done many a curst turne ;
And he that calles me by my right name
Calles me Guye of good Gysborne.'
35 ' My dwelling is in the wood,' sayes Robin ;
' By thee I set right nought ;
My name is Robin Hood of Barnesdale,
A ffellow thou has long sought.'
36 He that had neither beene a kithe nor kin
Might haue scene a full fayre sight,
To see how together these yeomen went,
With blades both browne and bright.
37 To haue seene how these yeomen together
foug[ht],
Two howers of a summers day ;
Itt was neither Guy nor Robin Hood
That Settled them to flye away.
38 Robin was reacheles on a roote,
And stumbled at that tyde,
And Guy was quicke and nimble with-all,
And hitt him ore the left side.
39 ' Ah, deere Lady ! ' sayd Robin Hoode,
' Thou art both mother and may !
I thinke it was neuer mans destinye
To dye before his day.'
40 Robin thought on Our Lady deere,
Arid soone leapt vp againe,
And thus he came with an awkwarde stroke ;
Good Sir Guy hee has slayne.
41 He tooke Sir Guys head by the hayre,
And sticked itt on his bowes end :
' Thou hast beene traytor all thy liffe,
WAich thing must haue an ende.'
42 Robin pulled forth an Irish kniffe,
And nicked Sir Guy in the fface,
That hee was neuer on a woman borne
Cold tell who Sir Guye was.
43 Saies, Lye there, lye there, good Sir Guye,
And with me be not wrothe ;
If thou haue had the worse stroakes at my
hand,
Thou shalt haue the better cloathe.
44 Robin did off his gowne of greene,
Sir Guye hee did it throwe;
And hee put on that capull-hyde,
That cladd him topp to toe.
45 * The bowe, the arrowes, and litle home,
And with me now I 'le beare ;
Ffor now I will goe to Barn[e]sdale,
To see how my men doe ffare.'
46 Robin sett Guyes home to his mouth,
A lowd blast in it he did blow ;
That beheard the sheriffe of Nottingham,
As he leaned vnder a lowe.
47 ' Hearken ! hearken ! ' sayd the sheriffe,
' I heard noe tydings but good ;
For yonder I heare Sir Guyes home blowe,
For he hath slaine Robin Hoode.
48 ' For yonder I heare Sir Guyes home blow,
Itt blowes soe well in tyde,
94
119. ROBIN HOOD AND THE MONK
For yonder comes thai wighty yeoman,
Cladd in his capull-hyde.
49 ' Come hither, thou good Sir Guy,
Aske of mee what thou wilt haue : '
'I'le none of thy gold,' sayes Robin Hood,
' Nor I 'le none of itt haue.
50 ' But now I haue slaine the master,' he
* Let me goe strike the knaue ;
This is all the reward I aske,
Nor noe other will I haue.'
51 ' Thou art a madman,' said the shiriffe,
' Thou sholdest haue had a knights ffee ;
Seeing thy asking [hath] beene soe badd,
Well granted it shall be.'
52 But Litle lohn heard his master speake,
Well he knew that was his steuen ;
' Now shall I be loset,' qwoth Litle lohn,
' With Christs might in heauen.'
53 But Robin hee hyed him towards Litle lohn,
Hee thought hee wold loose him beliue ;
The sheriffe and all his company e
Fast after him did driue.
54 ' Stand abacke ! stand abacke ! ' sayd Robin ;
' Why draw you mee soe neere ? "
Itt was neuer the vse in our countrye
One's shrift another shold heere.'
55 But Robin pulled forth an Irysh kniffe,
And losed lohn hand and ffoote,
And gaue him Sir Guyes bow in his hand,
And bade it be his boote.
56 But lohn tooke Guyes bow in his hand —
His arrowes were rawstye by the roote — ;
The sherriffe saw Litle lohn draw a bow
And ffettle him to shoote.
57 Towards his house in Nottingam
He ffled full fast away,
And soe did all his companye,
Not one behind did stay.
58 But he cold neither soe fast goe,
Nor away soe fast runn,
But Litle lohn, with an arrow broade,
Did cleaue his heart in twinn.
I1. When shales beeene. I4, birds singe.
21. woodweete. 2s. by 2. II1. ball.
12". 2 of. 138. with 7.
151. veiwe. The word is partly pared away.
154. footee. 181. a william. 192. 6 can ... 3.
21*. in they green. 221. these 2.
23*. archer : an e has been added at the end.
Fumivatt.
254. 40?.
27 4. a stroke before the v of steven. FurnivaU.
28s. 3 score. 311. 2f. 32s. for on.
372. 2 howers. 441. did on. 551. kniffee.
119
ROBIN HOOD AND THE MONK
a. MS. of about 1450: Cambridge University Library, same age, containing stanzas 698-72, 772-802
Ff. 5. 48, fol. 128 b. b. One leaf of a MS. of the ford Ballads, vol. i, art. 6, British Museum.
a is printed from the manuscript in Ja- Hartshorne's Ancient Metrical Tales, p. 179,
mieson's Popular Ballads, II, 54, 1806; 1829; Ritson's Robin Hood, ed. 1832, II, 221,
119. ROBIN HOOD AND THE MONK
95
collated by Sir Frederic Madden. Here
printed from a fresh transcript, carefully re-
vised by Rev. Professor Skeat.
On a bright Whitsuntide morning, Robin
Hood, not having "seen his Savior " for more
than a fortnight, resolves to go to mass at
Nottingham. Much advises that he take
twelve yeomen with him for safety, but Robin
will have only Little John. They improve
the time, while on their way to church, by
shooting for a wager. Robin scornfully of-
fers John three to one ; but John neverthe-
less wins five shillings of his master, at which
Robin loses his temper, and strikes John.
John will be his man no more, and returns to
the wood. Robin, sorry for this consequence
of his bad humor, goes on to Nottingham
alone. A monk at Saint Mary's church rec-
ognizes Robin, and gives information to the
sheriff, who comes with a large force to arrest
the king's felon. Robin kills or wounds many
of the posse, but his sword breaks upon the
sheriff's head. In some way which we do not
learn, owing to verses lost,* Robin's men hear
that their master has been taken. They are
all out of their wits but Little John. Mild
Mary, he tells his comrades, will never forsake
one who has been so long devoted to her, and
he, with her help, will see to the monk. The
next day John and Much waylay the monk,
who is carrying letters to the king conveying
the tidings of Robin's capture ; they kill him,
take the letters, and carry them to the king
themselves. The king gives them twenty
pounds for their news, and makes them yeo-
men of the crown ; he sends his privy seal to
the sheriff by John, commanding that Robin
Hood shall be brought to him unhurt. The
sheriff, upon receiving the seal, makes John
good cheer, and goes to bed heavy with wine.
John and Much, while the sheriff is sleeping,
* The gap at 302 occurs between two pages, and is pecu-
liarly regrettable. The former reading of " Robyns men " in
301 made matters much worse, since there was no way of ac-
counting for the appearance of his men at this point. We
must suppose that some one of Robin's many friends carries
the news of his capture to his band, and not simply that;
with this there must have come information that their leader
was to be held to await knowledge of the king's pleasure,
otherwise delay would be dangerous, and summary measures
for hia deliverance be required.
make their way to the jail. John rouses the
porter, runs him through,! and takes his keys,
unbinds Robin Hood, and puts a good sword
in his hand ; they leap from the wall where it
is lowest. The sheriff finds the jailer dead in
the morning, and searches the town for his
captive; but Robin is in merry Sherwood.
Farewell now, says John ; I have done thee a
good turn for an ill. Nay, says Robin, I make
thee master of my men and me. So shall it
never be, answers John ; I care only to be a
comrade. The king hears that Robin has es-
caped, and that the sheriff is afraid to show
himself. Little John has beguiled us both,
says the king. I made them yeomen of the
crown, and gave them pay with my own hand !
Little John loves Robin Hood better than he
does us. Say no more. John has beguiled
us all.
Too much could not be said in praise of this
ballad, but nothing need be said. It is very
perfection in its kind ; and yet we have oth-
ers equally good, and beyond doubt should '
have had more, if they had been written down
early, as this was, and had not been left to
the chances of tradition. Even writing would
not have saved all, but writing has saved this
(in large part), and in excellent form.
The landscape background of the first two
stanzas has been often praised, and its beauty
will never pall. It may be called landscape
or prelude, for both eyes and ears are ad-
dressed, and several others of these woodland
ballads have a like symphony or setting :
Adam Bell, Robin Hood and the Potter, Guy
of Gisborne, even the much later ballad of
The Noble Fisherman. It is to be observed
that the story of the outlaw Fulk Fitz Warine,
which has other traits in common with Robin
Hood ballads, begins somewhat after the same
fashion. $
t The porter or warden, in such cases, may commonly
look to have his neck wrung, to be thrown over the wall,
into a well, etc. : compare Adam Bell, st. 65 ; Jock o the
Side, B 13, 14 ; the Tale of Gamelyn, Skeat, v. 303-05 ;
Fulk Fitz Warine, Wright, pp 44, 82 f ; King Horn, ed.
Wissmann, w 1097-99 ; Romance de don Gaiferos, F. Wolf,
Ueber eine Sammlung spanischer Romanzen, p. 76, Wolf y
Hofmann, Primavera, II, 148, No 174; etc.
| En le temps de Averyl e May, quant les prees e les
herbes reverdissent, et chescune chose vivaunte recovre ver-
96
119. ROBIN HOOD AND THE MONK
Robin Hood's devotion to the Virgin, st. 34,
is a feature which reappears in Robin Hood
and the Potter, Guy of Gisborne, Robin
Hood and the Curtal Friar, and above all in
The Gest. His profound piety, as evinced in
stanzas 6, 7, and again in 8, 9 of The Gest,
is commemorated by Bower in a passage in
the Scotichronicon, of about the same date as
the manuscript of the present ballad (1450),
which we have every reason to assume to be
derived from a lost ballad.* Robin Hood had
mass regularly sung at Barnsdale, nor would
he suffer the office to be interrupted for the
most pressing occasion. (We know from The
Gest, st. 440, that he had a pretty chapel
there, dedicated to Mary Magdalen.) One
day, while so engaged, he was informed that
the sheriff and his men, old foes of his, had
tracked him to the very retired part of the for-
est where the service was going on, and was
urged to fly with his best speed. This, for
reverence of the sacrament, which he was then
most devoutly adoring, he utterly refused to
do, and then, while the rest were fearing for
their lives, trusting in him whom he wor-
shipped, fell upon his enemies, with a few of
his followers who had rallied to him, and ea-
sily put them to rout. Enriched with their
spoil and ransom, he was led to hold the
ministers of the church (but apparently not
" bishops and archbishops," Gest, st. 15) and
masses in greater veneration than ever, mind-
ful of the common saw*, God hears the man
who often hears the mass.f
There is a general resemblance between the
rescue of Robin Hood in stanzas 61-81 and
that of William of Cloudesly in Adam Bell,
tue, beaute e force, les mountz e les valeys retentissent des
douce chauntz des oseylouns, e les cuers de chescune gent,
pur la beaute du temps e la sesone, mountent en haut e
s'enjolyvent, etc. : Wright, Warton Club, 1855, p. 1 ; Steven-
son, Radulphi de Coggeshall Chronicon Anglicanum, etc.,
p. 277.
* Already cited at p. 41. Bower wrote 1441-47, and died
1449 : Skene, Johannis de Fordun Chronica, pp xv, xli.
t Par cest exemple bien VRODB
Que li dous Deux en qui creons
Ame et chieriat et honneure
56-94, and the precaution suggested by Much
in the eighth stanza corresponds to the warn-
ing given by Adam in the eighth stanza of
the other ballad. There is a verbal agree-
ment in stanzas 71 of the first and 66 of the
second.^ Such agreements or repetitions are
numerous in the Robin Hood ballads, and in
other traditional ballads, where similar situa-
tions occur.
Robin Hood's rescue of Little John, in Guy
of Gisborne, after quarrelling with him on a
fanciful provocation, is a partial offset for Lit-
tle John's heart -stirring generosity in this
ballad. We have already had several cases of
ballads in which the principal actors exchange
parts.
That portion of * Robin Hood's Death ' in
which Robin Hood gets angry with Scarlet,
and shoots with Little John on his way to be
let blood, may have been transferred, at least
in part, from Robin Hood and the Monk.
It is hardly worth the while to ask whether
the monk in this ballad is the same who is
pillaged in The Gest. So rational a sugges-
tion as that more than one monk must have
fallen into Robin's hands, in the course of his
long and lucrative career, may not be conclu-
sive, but we may rest certain that there were
many Robin Hood ballads besides the few old
ones which have come down to us ; and if so,
there would be many variations upon so agree-
able a topic as the depleting of overstocked
friars.
Translated, after Jamieson, by Grundtvig,
Engelske og skotske Folkeviser, p. 148, No
24 ; by Anastasius Griin, p. 89.
Celui qui volentiers demeure
Pour oir messe en sainte eglise, etc.
' Du chevalier qui ooit la messe, et Notre-Dame estoit
pour lui au tournoiement,' Barbazan et Me"on, Fabliaux,
1808, I, 86.
t These resemblances are noted by Fricke, Die Robin
Hood Balladen, a dissertation, reprinted in Archiv fur das
Studium der neueren Sprachen (vol. 69), in which the rela-
tions of the ballads in question are discussed with sagacity
and vigilance.
119. ROBIN HOOD AND THE MONK
97
1 IN somer, when pe shawes be sheyne,
And leves be large and long,
Hit is full mery in feyre foreste
To here ]>e foulys song :
2 To se ]>e dere draw to pe dale,
And leve pe hilles hee,
And shadow hem in pe leves grene,
Vnder the grene-wode tre.
3 Hit befel on Whitsontide,
Erly in a 'May mornyng,
The son vp feyre can shyne,
And the briddis mery can syng.
4 'This is a mery mornyng,' seid Litull
John,
' Be hym pat dyed on tre ;
A more mery man pen I am one
Lyves not in Cristiante.
5 ' Pluk vp pi hert, my dere mayster,'
Litull John can sey,
' And thynk hit is a full fayre tyme
In a mornyng of May.'
6 ' 3e, on thyng greves me,' seid Robyn,
' And does my hert mych woo ;
Ipat I may not no solem day
To mas nor matyns goo.
7 ' Hit is a fourtnet and more,' seid he,
' Syn I my sauyowr see ;
To day wil I to Notyngham,' seid Robyn,
' With pe myght of mylde Marye.'
8 Than spake Moche, pe mylner sun,
Euer more wel hym betyde !
' Take twelue of J)i wyght jemen,
Well weppynd, be pi side.
Such on wolde pi selfe slon,
pat twelue dar not abyde.'
9 ' Of all my mery men,' seid Robyn,
* Be my f eith I wil non haue,
But Litull John shall beyre my bow,
Til pat me list to drawe.'
10 ' f>ou shall beyre J>in own,' seid Litull Jon,
* Maister, and I wyl beyre myne,
And we well shete a peny,' seid Litull Jon,
' Vnder pe grene-wode lyne.'
11 ' I wil not shete a peny,' seyd Robyn Hode,
' In feith, Litull John, with the,
But euer for on as pou shetis,' seide Robyn,
* ' In feith I holde pe thre.'
12 Thus shet pei forth, pese }emen too,
Bothe at buske and brome,
Til Litull John wan of his maister
Fiue shillings to hose and shone.
13 A ferly strife fel pern betwene,
As they went bi the wey ;
Litull John seid he had won flue shillings,
And Robyn Hode seid schortly nay.
14 With pat Robyn Hode lyed Litul Jon,
And smote hym with his hande ;
Litul Jon waxed wroth ]>eniAth,
And pulled out his bright bronde.
15 ' Were pou not my maister,' seid Litull John,
4 J>ou shuldis by hit ful sore ;
Get pe a man wher pou w[ilt],
For pou getis me no more.'
16 J>en Robyn goes to Notyngham,
Hym selfe mornyng allone,
And Litull John to mery Scherwode,
The pathes he knew ilkone.
17 Whan Robyn came to Notyngham,
Sertenly wttAouten layn,
He prayed to God and myld Mary
To bryng hym out saue agayn.
18 He gos in to Seynt Mary chirch,
And kneled down before the rode ;
Alle pat euer were pe church within.
Beheld wel Robyn Hode.
19 Beside hym stod a gret-hedid munke,
I pray to God woo he be !
Fful sone he knew gode Robyn,
As sone as he hym se.
20 Out at pe durre he ran,
Fful sone and anon;
Alle pe $atis of Notyngham
He made to be sparred euerychon.
21 * Rise vp,' he seid, ' pou prowde schereff,
Buske pe and make pe bowne ;
13
98
119. ROBIN HOOD AND THE MONK
I haue spyed pe kynggts felon,
Ffor sothe he is in pis town.
22 ' I haue spyed ]>e false felon, *
As he stondis at his masse ;
Hit is long of J>e,' seide pe munke,
4 And euer he fro vs passe.
23 ' J>is traytwr name is Robyn Hode,
Vnder pe grene-wode lynde ;
He robbyt me onys of a hundred pound,
Hit shalle neuer out of my mynde.'
24 Vp pen rose pis prowde shereff,
And radly made hym jare ;
Many was pe moder son
To pe kyrk with hym can fare.
25 In at pe durres pei throly thrast,
With staves ful gode wone ;
' Alas, alas ! ' seid Robyn Hode,
' Now mysse I Litull John.'
26 But Robyn toke out a too-hond sworde,
J>at hangit down be his kne ;
J?er as pe schereff and his men stode thyckust,
Thedurwarde wolde he.
27 Thryes thorowout pern he ran pen,
For sope as I yow sey,
And woundyt mony a moder son,
And twelue he slew pat day.
28 His sworde vpon pe schireff hed
Sertanly he brake in too ;
4 J>e smyth pat pe made,' seid Robyn,
' I pray to God wyrke hym woo !
29 ' Ffor now am I weppynlesse,' seid Robyn,
' Alasse ! agayn my wylle ;
But if I may fle pese traytors fro,
I wot pei wil me kyll.'
30 Robyn in to the churche ran,
Throout hem euerilkon,
31 Sum fel in swonyng as pei were dede,
And lay stil as any stone ;
Non of theym were \n her mynde
But only Litull Jon.
32 * Let be your rule,' seid Litull Jon,
' Ffor his luf pat dyed on tre,
3e pat shulde be dujty men ;
Het is gret shame to se.
33 ' Oure maister has bene hard bystode
And jet scapyd away ;
Pluk vp youv hertis, and leve pis mone,
And harkyn what I shal say.
34 ' He has seruyd Oure Lady many a day,
And jet wil, securly ;
J>erf!or I trust in hir specialy
No wyckud deth shal he dye.
35 * J>erfor be glad,' seid Litul John,
' And let pis mournyng be ;
And I shal be pe munkis gyde,
With pe myght of mylde Mary.
36
' We will go but we too ;
And I mete hym,' seid Litul John,
37 ' Loke pat je kepe wel owre tristil-tre,
Vnder pe levys smale,
And spare non of this venyson,
J>at gose in thys vale.'
38 Fforpe pen went these jemen too,
Litul John and Moche on fere,
And lokid on Moch emys hows,
J>e hye way lay full nere.
39 Litul John stode at a wyndow in pe mornyng,
And lokid forp at a stage ;
He was war wher pe munke came ridyng,
And -with hym a litul page.
40 ' Be my feith,' seid Litul John to Moch,
' I can pe tel tithyngus gode ;
I se wher pe munke cumys rydyng,
I know hym be his wyde hode.'
41 They went in to the way, pese jemew bope,
As curtes men and hende ;
J?ei spyrred tithyngus at pe munke,
As they hade bene his frende.
42 t Ffro whens come je ? ' seid Litull Jon,
' Tel vs tithyngus, I yow pray,
119. ROBIN HOOD AND THE MONK
99
Off a false owtlay, [callid Robyn Hode,]
Was takyn ^isterday.
43 ' He robbyt me and my f elowes hope
Of twenti marke in serten ;
If pat false owtlay be takyn,
Ffor sope we wolde be fayn.'
44 ' So did he me,' seid pe munke,
' Of a hundred pound and more ;
I layde furst hande hym apon,
3e may thonke me perfore.'
45 ' I pray God thanke you,' seid Litull John,
' And we wil when we may ;
We wil go with you, with yowr leve,
And bryng yow on your way.
46 ' Ffor Robyn Hode base many a wilde f elow,
I tell you in certen ;
If pei wist $e rode pts way,
In feith ^e shulde be slayn.'
47 As pei went talking be pe way,
The munke and Litull John,
John toke pe munkts horse be pe hede,
Fful sone and anon.
48 Johne toke pe munk^s horse be pe hed,
Ffor sope as I yow say ;
So did Much pe litull page,
Ffor he shulde not scape away.
49 Be pe golett of pe hode
John pulled pe munke down ;
John was nothyng of hym agast,
He lete hym falle on his crown.
50 Litull John was so[re] agrevyd,
And drew owt his swerde in hye ;
This munke saw he shulde be ded,
Lowd mercy can he crye.
51 ' He was my maister,' seid Litull John,
' f)at pou base brow^t in bale ;
Slialle pou neuer cum at our kyng,
Ffor to telle hym tale.'
52 John smote of pe munk*s hed,
No longer- wolde he dwell ;
So did Moch pe litull page,
Ffor ferd lest he wolde tell.
53 J?er pei beryed hem hope,
In nouper mosse nor lyng,
And Litull John and Much infere
Bare pe letturs to oure kyng.
54
He knelid down vpon his kne :
' God }ow saue, my lege lorde,
Ihesus yow saue and se !
55 ' God yow saue, my lege kyng ! '
To speke John was full bolde ;
He gaf hym pe letturs in his bond,
The kyng did hit vnfold.
56 f>e kyng red pe letturs anon,
And seid, So mot I the,
\>er was neuer ^oman in mery Inglond
I longut so sore to se.
57 'Wher is pe munke pat pese shuld haue
brou^t ? '
Oure kyng can say :
' Be my trouth,' seid Litull John,
' He dyed after pe way.'
58 J>e kyng gaf Moch and Litul Jon
Twenti pound in sertan,
And made peim ^emen of pe crown,
And bade peim go agayn.
59 He gaf John pe seel in hand,
The sheref for to bere,
To bryng Robyn hym to,
And no man do hym dere.
60 John toke his leve at oure kyng,
J>e sothe as I yow say ;
J>e next way to Notyngham
To take, he jede pe way.
61 Whan John came to Notyngham
The }atis were sparred ychon ;
John callid vp pe porter,
He answerid sone anon.
62 ( What is pe cause,' seid Litul Jon,
' J>ou sparris pe ^ates so fast ? '
' Because of Robyn Hode,' seid [pe] porter,
1 In depe prison is cast.
63 'John and Moch and Wyll Scathlok,
Ffor sothe as 1 yow say,
100
119. ROBIN HOOD AND THE MONK
J>ei slew oure men vpon our wallis,
And sawten vs euery day.'
64 Litull John spyrred after ]?e schereff,
And sone he hym fonde ;
He oppyned J)e kyngus priue seell,
And gaf hym in his honde.
65 Whan ]>e scheref saw ]>e kyngus seell,
He did of his hode anon :
* Wher is )>e munke J?at bare ]>e letturs ? '
He seid to Litull John.
66 ' He is so fayn of hym,' seid Litul John,
1 Ff or soj>e as I yow say,
He has made hym abot of Westmynster,
A lorde of ]?at abbay.'
67 The scheref made John gode chere,
And gaf hym wyne of the best ;
At ny^t )>ei went to her bedde,
And euery man to his rest.
68 When J>e scheref was on slepe,
Dronken of wyne and ale,
Litul John and Moch for soj>e
Toke J>e way vnto J)e jale.
69 Litul John callid vp J>e jayler,
And bade hym rise anon ;
He seyd Robyn Hode had brokyn prison,
And out of hit was gon.
70 The porter rose anon sertan,
As sone as he herd John calle ;
Litul John was redy with a swerd,
And bare hym to J?e walle.
71 ' Now wil I be porter,' seid Litul John,
' And take J>e keyes in honde : '
He toke ]>e way to Robyn Hode,
And sone he hym vnbonde.
72 He gaf hym a gode swerd \n his hond,
His hed [ther]wit& for to kepe,
And ther as J>e walle was lowyst
Anon down can )>ei lepe.
73 Be )>at ]>e cok began to crow,
The day began to spryng ;
The scheref fond ]>e jaylier ded,
The comyn bell made he ryng.
74 He made a crye thoroout al ]>e tow[n],
Wheder he be }oman or knave,
J?at cowj>e bryng hym Robyn Hode,
His warisou he shuld haue.
75 ' Ffor I dar neuer,' said )>e scheref,
' Cuw before oure kyng ;
Ffor if I do, I wot serten
Ffor soj>e he wil me heng.'
76 The scheref made to seke Notyngham,
Bothe be strete and stye,
And Robyn was in mery Scherwode,
As li^t as lef on lynde.
77 Then bespake gode Litull John,
To Robyn Hode can he say,
I haue done J?e a gode turne for an euyll,
Quyte ]>e whan ]>ou may.
78 'I haue done ]>e a gode turne,' seid Litull
John,
' Ffor sothe as I yow say ;
I haue brou^t J>e vnder grene-wode lyne ; «
Ffare wel, and haue gode day.'
79 < Nay, be my trouth,' seid Robyn Hode,
' So shall hit neuer be ;
I make J>e maister,' seid Robyn Hode,
' Off alle my men and me.'
80 ' Nay, be my trouth,' seid Litull John,
' So shalle hit neuer be ;
But lat me be a felow,' seid Litull John,
1 No noder kepe I be.'
81 Thus John gate Robyn Hod out of prison,
Sertan withoutyn layn ;
Whan his men saw hym hoi and sounde,
Ffor sothe they were full fayne.
82 They filled in wyne, and made hem glad,
Vnder pe levys smale,
And $ete pastes of venyson,
J>at gode was with ale.
83 Than worde came to oure kyng
How Robyn Hode was gon,
And how J>e scheref of Notyngham
Durst neuer loke hym vpon.
84 Then bespake oure cumly kyng,
In an angur hye :
119. ROBIN HOOD AND THE MONK
101
Litull John hase begyled ]>e schereff,
In faith so hase he me.
85 Litul John has begyled vs bothe,
And J><zt full wel I se ;
Or ellis J>e schereff of Notyngham
Hye hongut shulde he be.
86 ' I made hem jemen of ]>e crowne,
And gaf hem fee with my hond ;
I gaf hem grith,' seid oure kyng,
' Thorowout all mery Inglond.
87 ' I gaf theym grith,' ]>en seid oure kyng ;
' I say, so mot I the,
Ffor sothe soch a jeman as he is on
In all Inglond ar not thre.
88 ' He is trew to his maister,' seid our kyng ;
' I sey, be swete Seynt John,
He louys better Robyn Hode
Then he dose vs ychon.
89 ' Robyn Hode is euer bond to hym,
Bothe in strete and stalle ;
Speke no more of this mater,' seid oure kyng,
' But John has begyled vs alle.'
90 Thus ehdys the talkyng of the munke
And Robyn Hode i-wysse ;
God, J>at is euer a crowned kyng,
Bryng vs all to his blisse !
a. A curl over final n, as in Robyn, John, on,
sawten, etc. ; a crossed h, as in John, mych,
etc. ; crossed 11, as in full, litull, well, etc. ;
a hooked g, as in mornyng, kyng, etc., have
been treated as not significant. As to
Robyn, cf. 7s, II1'8, 134, 141, etc., where
there is simple n; as to John, 101*8, 148,
314, etc., where we have Jon ; as to Litull,
141-8, 391, 68", 691, 70", 711, where we have
Litul. And is printed for & ; be twene, be
fore, be side, be held, be spake, per with,
thorow out, with outen, etc., are joined.
31. tide no longer legible.
71. seid h . . . , illegible after h.
8s-6. xij. 101. y nown. 12*, 13". v s'.
141. lyed before Robyn struck through.
23». of a C li.
271. thorow at : but cf. 302. 274. xij.
301. Robyns men to the churche ran : Madden.
There are no men with Robin. " This line
is almost illegible. It certainly begins with
Robyn, and the second word is not men.
b.
I read it, Robyn into the churche ran."
Skeat.
302. A gap here between two pages, and there
are commonly six stanzas to a page. At
least six are required for the capture of
Robin Hood and the conveying of the tid-
ings to his men?
432. Of xx.
441. me me in my copy, probably by inadver-
tence.
442. Of a C li.
531. hym. 561. Y kyng. 58a. xx li.
774. b has Quit me, which is perhaps better.
782. perhaps saie ; nearly illegible.
902. I wysse.
698. }>e prison. 704. throw to. 711. be jayler.
712. toke. 722. hed ther with.
728. wallis were. 724. down ther they.
772. [t]hen/or can (?). 77*. Quit me.
782. the saye. 788. pe grene.
791'8. Hode wanting.
102
120. ROBIN HOOD'S DEATH
12O
ROBIN HOOD'S DEATH
A. ' Robin Hoode his Death,' Percy MS., p. 21; Hales
and Furnivall, I, 58.
B. ' Robin Hood's Death and Burial.' a. The Eng-
lish Archer, Paisley, John Neilson, 1786 : Bodleian
Library, Douce, F. F. 71 (6), p. 81. b. The Eng-
lish Archer, York, printed by N. Nickson, in Fease-
gate, n. d.: Bodleian Library, Douce, F. F. 71 (4),
p. 70.
B is given in Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795, II,
183, " from a collation of two different copies "
of a York garland, " containing numerous va-
riations, a few of which are retained in the
margin."
A. Robin Hood is ailing, and is convinced
that the only course for him is to go to Kirk-
lees priory for blooding. Will Scarlet cannot
counsel this, unless his master take fifty bow-
men with him ; for a yeoman lives there with
whom there is sure to 'be a quarrel. Robin
bids Scarlet stay at home, if he is afraid.
Scarlet, seeing that his master is wroth, will
say no more.* Robin Hood will have no one
go with him but Little John, who shall carry
his bow. John proposes that they shall shoot
for a penny along the way, and Robin as-
sents.
The opening of the ballad resembles that
of Robin Hood and the Monk. There Robin's
soul is ill at ease, as here his body, and he
resolves to go to Nottingham for mass ; Much,
the Miller's son, advises a guard of twelve
yeomen ; Robin will take none with him ex-
cept John, to bear his bow ; f and John sug-
gests that they shall shoot for a penny as
they go.
A very interesting passage of the story here
* " You shall never hear more of me " might mean some-
thing stronger, but it is unlikely that Will is so touchy as
to throw up fealty for a testy word from a sick man. A
stanza or more seems to be lost here. Arthur is equally
hasty with Gawain. He makes his vow to be the bane of
Cornwall King. It is an unadvised vow, says Gawain.
And then bespake him noble Arthur,
And these were the words said he:
followed, of which we can barely guess the
contents, owing to nine stanzas having been
torn away. Robin Hood and John keep up
their shooting all the way, until they come to
a black water, crossed by a plank. On the
plank an old woman is kneeling, and banning
Robin Hood. Robin Hood asks why, but the
answer is lost, and it is not probable that we
shall ever know : out of her proper malig-
nancy, surely, or because she is a hired witch,
for Robin is the friend of lowly folk. But if
this old woman is banning, others, no doubt
women, are weeping, for somehow they have
learned that he is to be let blood that day at
the priory, and foresee that ill will come of
it. Robin is disturbed by neither banning
nor weeping ; the prioress is his cousin, and
would not harm him for the world. So they
shoot on until they come to Kirklees.
Robin makes the prioress a present of
twenty pound, with a promise of more when
she wants, and she falls to work with her
bleeding-irons. The thick blood comes, and
then the thin, and Robin knows that there
has been treason. John asks, What cheer ?
Robin answers, Little good. Nine stanzas
are again wanting, and again in a place where
we are not helped by the other version. John
Why, if thou be afraid, Sir Gawaine the gay,
Goe home, and drink wine in thine own country.
I, 285, sts 33-35.
t John 'is again his sole companion when Robin goes in
search of Guy of Gisborne. The yeoman in stanza 3 should
be Red Roger; but a suspicion has more than once come
over me that the beginning of this ballad has been affected
by some version of Guy of Gisborne.
120. ROBIN HOOD'S DEATH
103
must call from the outside of the building,
judging by what follows. An altercation
seems to pass between Robin and some one ;
we should suppose between Robin and Red
Roger. Robin slips out of a shot-window,
and as he does so is thrust through the side
by Red Roger. Robin swoops off Red Roger's
head, and leaves him for dogs to eat. Then
Red Roger must be below, and John is cer-
tainly below. He would have seen to Red
Roger had they both been within. But John
must be under a window on a different side
of the building from that whence Robin issues,
for otherwise, again, he would have seen to
Red Roger. We are driven to suppose that
the words in st. 19 pass between Robin above
and Roger below.
Though Robin is near his last breath, he
has, he says, life enough to take his housel.
He must get it in a very irregular way, but
he trusts it will " bestand " him.* John asks
his master's leave to set fire to Kirklees, but
Robin will not incur God's blame by harming
any woman [" widow "] at his latter end. Let
John make his grave of gravel and greet, set
his sword at his head, his arrows at his feet,
and lay his bow by his side.f
B, though found only in late 'garlands, is
in the fine old strain. Robin Hood says to
Little John that he can no longer shoot
matches, his arrows will not flee ; he must
go to a cousin to be let blood. He goes,
alone, to Kirkley nunnery, and is received
with a show of cordiality. His cousin bloods
him, locks him up in the toom, and lets him
bleed all the livelong day, and until the next
day at noon. Robin bethinks himself of es-
caping through a casement, but is not strong
enough. He sets his horn to his mouth and
blows thrice, but so wearily that Little John,
hearing, thinks his master must be nigh to
death. John comes to Kirkley, breaks the
* I can make nothing of " give me mood," in 231'2 ' Give
me God,' or ' Give me my God,' may seem a bold sugges-
tion, but we have ' yeve me my savyour ' in Bom. of the
Hose, 6436.
t A few verses are wanting at the end. The " met-yard "
of the last line is one of the last things we should think
Kobin would care for.
t It seemed to me at one time that there was a direction
to shoot an arrow to determine the place of a grave also in
No 16, A 3. 1, 185.
locks, and makes his way to Robin's presence.
He begs the boon of setting fire to Kirkley,
but Robin has never hurt woman in all his
life, and will not at his end. He asks for his
bow to shoot his last shot, and where the
arrow lights there his grave shall be.J His
grave is to be of gravel and green, long
enough and broad enough, a sod under his
head, another at his feet, and his bow by
his side, that men may say, Here lies bold
Robin Hood.
The account of Robin Hood's death which
is given in The Gest, agrees as to the main
items with what we find in A. The prioress
of Kirkesly, his near kinswoman, betrayed
him when he went to the nunnery to be let
blood, and this she did upon counsel with Sir
Roger of Donkester, with whom she was in-
timate. The Life of Robin Hood in the Sloane
MS, which is mostly made up from The Gest,
naturally repeats this story.
Grafton, in his Chronicle, 1569, citing " an
olde and auncient pamphlet," says: For the
sayd Robert Hood, beyng afterwardes troubled
with sicknesse, came to a certain nonry in
Yorkshire, called Bircklies, where, desiryng
to be let blood, he was betrayed and bled to
death : edition of 1809, p. 221. So the Har-
leian MS, No 1233, article 199, of the middle
of the seventeenth century, and not worth cit-
ing, but cited by Ritson. According to Stani-
hurst, in Holinshed's Ireland (p. 28 of ed. of
1808), after Robin Hood had been betrayed at
a nunnery in Scotland called Bricklies, Little
John was fain to flee the realm, and went to
Ireland, where he executed an extraordinary
shot, by which he thought his safety compro-
mised, and so removed to Scotland, and died
there.
Martin Parker's True Tale of Robin Hood,
which professes to be collected from chroni-
cles, ascribes Robin Hood's death to a faith-
Now when that ye hear me gie a loud cry,
Shoot frae thy bow an arrow, and there let me lye.
But upon considering the corresponding passage in 16 B,
C, and in 15 B, the idea seems rather to he, that the arrow
is to leave the bow at the moment when the soul shoots
from the body.
104
120. ROBIN HOOD'S DEATH
less friar, who pretended " in love to let him
blood," when he had a fever, and allowed him
to bleed to death. Robin Hood and the Val-
iant Knight, a late and thoroughly worthless
broadside ballad, says simply, He sent for a
monk to let him blood, who took his life
away.
A Russian popular song has an interesting
likeness to the conclusion of Robin Hood's
Death. The last survivor of a band of brig-
ands, feeling death to be nigh, exclaims :
Bury me, brothers, between three roads,
The Kief, and the Moscow, and the Murom famed
in story.
At my feet fasten my horse,
At my head set a lif e-bestowing cross,
In my right hand place my keen sabre.
Whoever passes by will stop ;
Before my life-bestowing cross will he utter a
prayer,
At the sight of my black steed will he be startled,
At the sight of my keen sword will he be" terrified.
' Surely this is a brigand who is buried here,
A son of the brigand, the bold Stenka Razfn.'
Sakharof, Skazaniya Russkago Naroda, I, iii, 226.*
Dimos, twenty years a Klepht, tells his
comrades to make his tomb wide and high
enough for him to fight in it, standing up,
and to leave a window, so that the swallows
may tell him that spring has come and the
nightingales that it is May: Fauriel, I, 56;
Zambelios, p. 607, 13 ; Passow, p. 85. This
is a song of the beginning of the present
century.
B is translated in Le Magasin Pittoresque,
1838, p. 126 f; by Loeve-Veimars, p. 223;
by Cantu, Document! alia Storia Universale,
V, ni, p. 801; Anastasius Griin, p. 200;
Knortz, L. u. R. Alt-Englands, No 20.
Percy MS., p. 21 ; Hales and Fnrnivall, I, 53.
1 'I WILL neuer eate nor drinke,' Robin Hood
said,
' Nor meate will doo me noe good,
Till I haue beene att merry Churchlees,
My vaines for to let blood.'
2 ' That I reade not,' said Will ScarUett,
' Master, by the assente of me,
Without half e a hundred of yowr best bowmen
You take to goe with yee.
3 ' For there a good yeoman doth abide
Will be sure to quarrell with thee,
And if thou haue need of vs, roaster,
In faith we will not flee.'
4 ' And thou be f eard, thou William Scarlett,
Att home I read thee bee : '
' And you be wrothe, my deare master,
You shall neuer heare more of mee.'
* Ralston, Songs of the Russian People, p. 46, who cites
B 17, 18. Mr Ralston observes that most of the so-styled
Robber Songs of the Russians are reminiscences of the revolt
of the Don Cossacks against Tsar Alexis Mikhailovich.
5 ' For there shall noe man with me goe,
Nor man with mee ryde,
And Litle lohn shall be my man,
And beare my benbow by my side.'
6 ' You'st beare yowr bowe, master, your self e,
And shoote for a peny with mee : '
' To that I doe assent,' Robin Hood sayd,
' And soe, lohn, lett it bee.'
7 They two bolde children shorten together,
All day theire selfe in ranke,
Vntill they came to blacke water,
And over it laid a planke.
8 Vpon it there kneeled an old woman,
Was banning Robin Hoode ;
'Why dost thou bann ~Robin Hoode?' said
Robin,
Stenka Razm, the chief of the insurgents, after setting for
several years the forces of the Tsar at defiance, was put to a
cruel death in 1672 : p. 45, as above.
120. ROBIN HOOD'S
105
' To giue to Robin Hoode ;
Wee weepen for his deare body,
Thai this day must be lett bloode.'
10 ' The dame prior is my aunts daughter,
And nie vnto my kinne ;
I know shee wold me noe harme this day,
For all the world to winne.'
11 Forth then shotten these children two,
And they did neuer lin,
Vntill they came to merry Churchlees,
To merry Churchlee[s] with-in.
12 And when they came to merry Churchlees,
They knoced vpon a pin ;
Vpp then rose dame prioresse,
And lett good Robin in.
13 Then Robin gaue to dame prioresse
Twenty pound in gold,
And bad her spend while that wold last,
And shee shold haue more when shee wold.
14 And downe then came dame prioresse,
Downe she came in that ilke,
With a pair off blood-irons in her hands,
Were wrapped all in silke.
15 ' Sett a chaffing-dish to the fyer,' said dame
prioresse,
' And stripp thou vp thy sleeue : '
I hold him but an vnwise man
Thai will noe warning leeve.
16 Shee laid the blood-irons to Robin Hoods vaine,
Alacke, the more pitye !
And pearct the vaine, and let out the bloode,
That full red was to see.
17 And first it bled, the thicke, thicke bloode,
And afterwards the thinne,
And well then wist good Robin Hoode
Treason there was within.
18 ' What cheere my -master ? ' said Litle John ;
1 In faith, lohn, litle goode ; '
19 ' I haue upon a gowne of greene,
Is cut short by my knee,
And in my hand a bright browne brand
Thai will well bite of thee.'
20 But forth then of a shot-windowe
Good Robin Hood he could glide ;
Red Roger, with a grounden glaue,
Thrust him through the milke-white side.
21 But Robin was light and nimble of foote,
And thought to abate his pride,
Ffor betwixt his head and his shoulders
He made a wound full wide.
22 Says, Ly there, ly there, Red Roger,
v The doggs they must thee eate ;
* For I may haue my houzle,' he said,
' For I may both goe and speake.
23 'Now giue me mood,' Robin said to Litle
lohn,
' Giue me mood with thy hand ;
I trust to God in heauen soe hye
My houzle will me bestand.'
24 ' Now giue me leaue, giue me leaue, master,'
he said,
' For Christs loue giue leaue to me,
To set a fier within this hall,
And to burne vp all Churchlee.'
25 ' That I reade not,' said Robin Hoode then,
' Litle lohn, for it may not be ;
If I shold doe any widow hurt, at my latter
end,
God,' he said, ' wold blame me ;
26 ' But take me vpon thy backe, Litle lohn,
And beare me to yonder streete,
And there make me a full f ayre graue,
Of grauell and of greete.
27 ' And sett my bright sword at my head,
Mine arrowes at my feete,
And lay my vew-bow by my side,
My met-yard wi . . . .
VOL. III.
14
106
120. ROBIN HOOD'S DEATH
a. The English Archer, Paisley, printed by John Neilson
for George Caldwell, Bookseller, near the Cross, 1786, p. 81,
No 24. b. The English Archer, York, printed by N. Nick-
son, in Feasegate, n. d., p. 70.
1 WHEN Robin Hood and Little John
Down a down a down a down
Went oer yon bank of broom,
Said Robin Hood bold to Little John,
We have shot for many a pound.
Hey, etc.
2 But I am not able to shoot one shot more,
My broad arrows will not flee ;
But I have a cousin lives down below,
Please God, she will bleed me.
3 Now Robin he is to fair Kirkly gone,
As fast as he can win ;
But before he came there, as we do hear,
He was taken very ill.
4 And when he came to fair Kirkly-hall,
He knockd all at the ring,
But none was so ready as his cousin herself
For to let bold Robin in.
5 < Will you please to sit down, cousin Robin,'
she said,
1 And drink some beer with me ? '
4 No, I will neither eat nor drink,
Till I am blooded by thee.'
6 ' Well, I have a room, cousin Robin,' she said,
' Which you did never see,
And if you please to walk therein,
You blooded by me shall be.'
7 She took him by the lily-white hand,
And led him to a private room,
And there she blooded bold Robin Hood,
While one drop of blood would run down.
8 She blooded him in a vein of the arm,
And locked him up in the room ;
Then did he bleed all the live-long day,
Until the next day at noon.
9 He then bethought him of a casement there,
Thinking for to get down ;
But was so weak he could not leap,
He could not get him down.
10 He then bethought him of his bugle-horn,
Which hung low down to his knee ;
He set his horn unto his mouth,
And blew out weak blasts three.
11 Then Little John, when hearing him,
As he sat under a tree,
' I fear my master is now near dead,
He blows so wearily.'
12 Then Little John to fair Kirkly is gone,
As fast as he can dree ;
But when he came to Kirkly-hall,
He broke locks two or three :
13 Until he came bold Robin to see,
Then he fell on his knee ;
' A boon, a boon,' cries Little John,
' Master, I beg of thee.'
14 ' What is that boon,' said Robin Hood,
' Little John, [thou] begs of me ? '
( It is to burn fair Kirkly-hall,
And all their nunnery.'
15 ' Now nay, now nay,' quoth Robin Hood,
' That boon I '11 not grant thee ;
I never hurt woman in all my life,
Nor men in woman's company.
16 ' I never hurt fair maid in all my time,
Nor at mine end shall it be ;
But give me my bent bow in my hand,
And a broad arrow I '11 let flee ;
And where this arrow is taken up,
There shall my grave digged be.
17 ' Lay me a green sod under my head,
And another at my feet ;
And lay my bent bow by my side,
Which was my music sweet ;
And make my grave of gravel and green,
Which is most right and meet.
18 ' Let me have length and breadth enough,
With a green sod under my head ;
That they may say, when I am dead
Here lies bold Robin Hood.'
19 These words they readily granted him,
Which did bold Robin please :
And there they buried bold Robin Hood,
Within the fair Kirkleys.
120. ROBIN HOOD'S DEATH
107
A. I8, church Lees : ef. II8. 28. halfe 100d.
31. there is. 62. nor shoote. 71, II1. 2.
88, 182, 274. half a page gone.
121. church lees. 132. 20?.
20 *. shop for shot. 208. grounding.
244. church lee.
B. a. Robin Hood's death and burial : shewing
how he was taken ill, and how he went to
his cousin at Kirkly-hall, in Yorkshire, who
let him blood, which was the cause of his
death. Tune of Robin Hood's last fare-
wel, etc.
22. fly. 15". burnt for hurt. 19*. Kirkly.
The ballad, as Ritson says, " is made to con-
clude with some foolish lines (adopted from
the London copy " of B. H. and the Val-
iant Knight) in order to introduce the
epitaph.
20 Thus he that never feard bow nor spear
Was murderd by letting blood ;
And so, loving friends, the story it ends
Of valiant Robin Hood.
21 There 's nothing remains but his epitaph now,
Which, reader, here you have,
To this very day which read you may,
As it is upon his grave.
Hey down a derry derry down
The epitaph, however, does not follow.
b. Title as in a, omitting in Yorkshire and Tune
of, etc. Printed in stanzas of two long
lines. The burden is wanting.
I2, over. I8, bold wanting.
22. broad wanting : flee. 31. he wanting.
3*. coud wen. 41. when that.
42. knocked at. 5*. I blood letted be.
6*. You blood shall letted be.
72. let him into. 74. Whilst : down wanting.
81. in the vein. 82. in a. 88. There.
91. casement door. 92. to be gone.
94. Nor he : him wanting.
104. strong blasts. II2. under the.
II8. now wanting. 122. he could.
131. see wanting. 141. quoth for said.
142. thou begs. 15. wanting. 161. neer.
162. at my. 164. my broad arrows.
171'2. To go with 168'4.
With verdant sods most neatly put,
Sweet as the green wood tree.
191. promisd him. 194. Near to : Kirkleys.
201. that feard neither. 208. it wanting.
204. valiant bold. 211. There is.
214. it was upon the.
After 19.
Kirkleys was beautiful of old,
Like Winifrid's of Wales,
By whose fair well strange cures are told
In legendary tales.
Upon his grave was laid a stone,
Declaring that he dy'd,
And tho so many years ago,
Time can't his actions hide.
At the end is the epitaph, wanting in a.
Robin Hood's Epitaph, set on his tomb by the
Prioress of Kirkley Monastry, in Yorkshire.
Robert Earl of Huntington
Lies under this little stone.
No archer was like him so good,
His wildness nam'd him Robin Hood.
Full thirteen years and something more
These no[r]thern parts he vexed sore :
Such out-laws as he and his men
May England never know again.
108
121. ROBIN HOOD AND THE POTTER
121
ROBIN HOOD AND THE POTTER
Library of the University of Cambridge, MS. E e. 4. 85, fol. 14 b, of about 1500.
PRINTED from the manuscript in Ritson's
Robiu Hood, 1795, I, 81 ; here from a tran-
script of the original, carefully revised by Rev.
Professor Skeat.
Robin Hood sees a potter driving over the
lea ; the potter has been in the habit of pass-
ing that way, and never has paid toll. Little
John has had a brush with the potter, and
offers to lay forty shillings that no man can
make him leave a pledge. Robin accepts
the wager, stops the potter, and demands a
" pledge " ; the potter refuses to leave pledge
or pay toll, takes a staff from his cart, knocks
Robin's buckler out of his hand, and, ere
Robin can recover it, fells him with a blow
in the neck. Robin owns that he has lost.
The potter says it is no courtesy to stop a
poor yeoman thus ; Robin agrees heartily,
and proposes fellowship, also to change clothes
with the potter and sell his ware at Notting-
ham. The potter is willing ; John warns his
master to beware of the sheriff. Robin takes
his stand near the sheriff's gate, and offers his
pots so cheap that soon there are but five
left ; these he sends as a gift to the sheriff's
wife, who in return asks him to dinner.
While they are at their meal, two of the
sheriff's men talk of a shooting -match for
forty shillings : this the potter says he will
see, and after a good dinner goes with the
rest to the butts. All the archers come half
a bow's length short of the mark ; Robin, at
his wish, gets a bow from the sheriff, and his
first shot misses the mark by less than a foot,
his second cleaves the central pin in three.
The sheriff applauds ; Robin says there is a
bow in his cart which he had of Robin Hood.
The sheriff wishes he could see Robin Hood,
and the potter offers to gratify this wish on
the morrow. They go back to the sheriff's for
the night, and early the next day set forth ;
the sheriff riding, the potter in his cart.
When they come to the wood, the potter
blows his horn, for so they shall know if
Robin be near ; the horn brings all Robin's
men. The sheriff would now give a hundred
pound not to have had his wish ; had he
known his man at Nottingham, it would have
been a thousand year ere the potter had
come to the forest. I know that well, says
Robin, and therefore shall you leave your horse
with us, and your other gear. Were it not
for your wife you would not come off so lightly.
The sheriff goes home afoot, but with a white
palfrey, which Robin presents to his wife.
Have you brought Robin home? asks the
dame. Devil speed him, answers her spouse,
he has taken everything from me ; all but
this fair palfrey, which he has sent to thee.
The merry dame laughs, and swears that the
pots have been well paid for. Robin asks
the potter how much his pots were worth,
-gives him ten pounds instead of the two
nobles for which they could have been sold,
and a welcome to the wood whenever he shall
come that way.
The Play of Robin Hood, an imperfect
copy of which is printed at the end of Cop-
land's and of White's edition of The Gest, is
founded on the ballads of Robin Hood and
the Curtal Friar and of Robin Hood and the
Potter. The portion which is based on the
ballad of Robin and the Potter is given in an
appendix.
Robin Hood and the Butcher, No 122, re-
peats many of the incidents of the present
ballad. The sheriff is enticed into the forest
(by Little John instead of Robin Hood) in
121. ROBIN HOOD AND THE POTTER.
109
The Gest, 181 ff. This part of the story, in
Robin Hood and the Butcher, is much more
like that of The Gest than it is in Robin Hood
and the Potter. We shall have only too
many variations of the adventure in which
Robin Hood unexpectedly meets his match in
a hand-to-hand fight, now with a pinder, then
with a tanner, tinker, shepherd, beggar, etc.
His adversaries, after proving their mettle, are
sometimes invited and induced to join his com-
pany : not so here. In some broadside ballads
of this description, with an extravagance com-
mon enough in imitations, Robin Hood is
very badly mauled, and made all but con-
temptible.* In Robin Hood and the Pot-
ter, Little John is willing to wager on the
result of a trial, from his own experience.
Will Scadlock is equally confident in Robin
Hood and the Curtal Friar, perhaps for the
same reason, although this is not said. In
Robin Hood and the Shepherd, Little John
takes his turn after his master, and so with
three of Robin's men in Robin Hood and the
Beggar, No 133.
Hereward the Saxon introduces himself into
the Norman court as a potter, to obtain in-
formation of an attack which William the
Conqueror was thought to intend on his
stronghold at Ely: De Gestis Herwardi
Saxonis, 24, in Michel, Chroniques Anglo-
Normandes, II, 69, attributed to the twelfth
century. Wallace, in like manner, to scout
in the English camp: Blind Harry's poem,
ed. Moir, Book Six, v. 435 ff, p. 123 ff. This
is also one of the many artifices by which
Eustace the Monk deceives his enemy, the
Count of Boulogne : Roman d'Eustache le
Moine, ed. Michel, p. 39, v. 1071 ff, a poem
of the thirteenth century. See, for Here-
ward and Eustace, T. Wright's Essays on
Subjects connected with the Literature, etc.,
of England in the Middle Ages, II, 108 ff,
135.
Disguise is the wonted and simplest expe-
dient of an outlaw mixing among his foes,
" wherein the pregnant enemy does much."
Fulk Fitz Warine takes the disguise of an old
monk, a merchant, a charcoal-burner; Here-
ward, that of a potter, a fisherman ; Eustace
the Monk, of a potter, shepherd, pilgrim,
charcoal-burner, woman, leper, carpenter, min-
strel, etc. ; Wallace, of a potter, pilgrim,
woman (twice), etc., in Blind Harry's poem,
of a beggar in ballads ; Robin Hood, of a
potter, butcher, beggar, shepherd, an old
woman, a fisherman (?), Guy of Gisborne.
Translated by Anastasius Griin, p. 76.
1 IN schomer, when the leves spryng,
The bloschoms on euery bowe,
So merey doyt the berdys syng
Yn wodys merey now.
2 Herkens, god yemen,
Comley, corteys, and god,
On of the best pat yeuer bare bowe,
Hes name was Roben Hode.
3 Roben Hood was the yeman's name,
That was boyt corteys and ffre ;
Ffor the loffe of owre ladey,
All wemen werschepyd he.
* The personage may have been varied in the broadside
ballads to catch the pence of tanners, tinkers, and the
rest ; or possibly some member of the respective fraternities
might do this for the glory of his craft. A parallel case
seems to be afforded by the well-known German ballad,
4 Bot as the god yeman stod on a day,
Among hes mery maney,
He was ware of a prowd potter,
Cam dryfyng owyr the ley.
5 ' Yonder comet a prod potter,' seyde Roben,
' That long hayt hantyd ]>is wey ;
He was neuer so corteys a man
On peney of pawage to pay.'
6 ' Y met hem bot at Went-breg,' seyde Lytyll
John,
' And therefore yeff ell mot he the !
Seche thre strokes he me gafe,
Yet by my seydys cleffe ]>ey.
' Der Zimmergesell ttnd die junge Markgrafin,' which is
also sung of a journeyman shoemaker, tailor, locksmith,
etc. ; as remarked by A. Griin, Robin Hood, Ein Balladen-
kranz, p. 47 f.
110
121. ROBIN HOOD AND THE POTTER
7 ' Y ley forty shillings,' seyde Lytyll John,
' To pay het thes same day,
Ther ys nat a man among hus all
A wed schall make hem ley.'
8 * Here ys forty shillings,' seyde Roben,
* More, and thow dar say,
pat y schall make J>at prowde potter,
A wed to me schall he ley.'
9 There thes money they leyde,
They toke het a yeman to kepe ;
Roben beffore the potter he breyde,
A[nd] bad hem stond stell.
10 Handys apon hes hors he leyde,
And bad the potter stonde foil stell ;
The potter schorteley to hem seyde,
Ff elow, what ys they well ?
11 ' All thes thre yer, and more, potter,' he
seyde,
' Thow hast hantyd thes wey,
Yet were tow neuer so cortys a man
On peney of pauage to pay.'
12 ' What ys they name,' seyde J?e potter,
' Ffor pauage thow aske of me ? '
' Roben Hod ys mey name,
A wed schall thow leffe me.'
13 ' Wed well y non leffe,' seyde ]>e potter,
4 Nor pavag well y non pay ;
Awey they honde ffro mey hors !
Y well the tene eyls, be mey ffay.'
14 The potter to hes cart he went,
He was not to seke ;
A god to-hande staffe J>erowt he hent,
Beffore Roben he leppyd.
15 Roben howt with a swerd bent,
A bokeler en hes honde ;
The potter to Roben he went,
And seyde, Ffelow, let mey hors go.
16 Togeder then went thes to yemen,
Het was a god seyt to se ;
Thereof low Robyn hes men,
There they stod onder a tre.
The potter, with a acward stroke,
Smot the bokeler owt of hes honde.
18 A[nd] ar Roben meyt get het agen
Hes bokeler at hes ffette,
The potter yn the neke hem toke,
To the gronde sone he yede.
19 That saw Roben hes men,
As thay stod onder a bow ;
' Let vs helpe owre master,' seyde Lytell John,
' Yonder potter,' seyde he, ' els well hem
slo.'
20 Thes yemen went with a breyde,
To ther mast[er] they cam.
Leytell John to hes mast[er] seyde,
Ho haet the wager won ?
21 ' Schall y haffe yowre forty shillings,' seyde
Lytl John,
' Or ye, master, schall haffe myne ? '
' Yeff they were a hundred,' seyde Roben,
' Y ffeythe, they ben all theyne.'
22 * Het ys fol leytell cortesey,' seyde ]>e potter,
' As y haffe harde weyse men saye,
Yeffe a pore yeman com drywyng on the wey,
To let hem of hes gorney.'
23 ' Be mey trowet, thow seys soyt,' seyde Roben,
' Thow seys god yeme[n]rey ;
And thow dreyffe fforthe yeuery day,
"Thow schalt neuer be let ffor me.
24 . ' Y well prey the, god potter,
A ffelischepe well thow haffe ?
Geffe me they clothyng, and ]>ow schalt hafe
myne;
Y well go to Notynggam.'
25 ' Y gra[n]t thereto,' seyde the potter,
' Thow schalt ffeynde me a ffelow gode ;
Bot thow can sell mey -pottys well,
Com ayen as thow yode.'
26 ' Nay, be mey trowt,' seyde Roben,
' And then y bescro mey hede,
Yeffe y bryng eny pottys ayen,
And eney weyffe well hem chepe.'
17 Leytell John to hes ffelowhe[s] seyde,
' Yend potter well steffeley stonde : '
27 Than spake Leytell John,
And all hes ffelowhes heynd,
121. ROBIN HOOD AND THE POTTER
111
' Master, be well ware of the screffe of Not-
ynggam,
Ffor he ys leytell howr ffrende.'
28 ' Heyt war howte ! ' seyde Roben,
4 Ff elowhes, let me a lone ;
Thorow the helpe of Howr Ladey,
To Notynggam well y gon.'
29 Robyn went to Notynggam,
Thes pottys ffor to sell ;
The potter abode with Robens men,
There he ffered not eylle.
30 Tho Roben droffe on hes wey,
So merey ower the londe :
Her es more, and affter ys to saye,
The best ys beheynde.
31 When Roben cam to Notynggam,
The soyt yef y scholde saye,
He set op hes hors anon,
And gaffe hem hotys and haye.
32 Yn the medys of the towne,
There he schowed hes ware ;
1 Pottys ! pottys ! ' he gan crey foil sone,
' Haffe hansell ffor the mare ! '
33 Ffoll effen agenest the screffeys gate
Schowed he hes chaff are ;
Weyffes and wedowes abowt hem drow,
And chepyd ffast of hes ware.
34 Yet, ' Pottys, gret chepe ! ' creyed Robyn,
' Y loff e yeff ell thes to stonde ; '
And all that say hem sell
Seyde he had be no potter long.
35 The pottys that were werthe pens ffeyffe,
He solde tham ffor pens thre ;
Preveley seyde man and weyffe,
' Ywnder potter schall neuer the.'
36 Thos Roben solde ffoll ffast,
Tell he had pottys hot ffeyffe ;
Op he hem toke of hes care,
And sende hem to the screffeys weyffe.
37 Thereof sche was ffoll ffayne,
' Gereamarsey, ser,' than seyde sche ;
' When ye com to thes contre ayen,
Y schall bey of the[y] pottys, so mot y the.'
38 ' Ye schall haffe of the best,' seyde Roben,
And sware be the Treneyte ;
Ffoll corteysley [scjhe gan hem call,
' Com deyne with the screfe and me.'
39 ' God amarsey,' seyde Roben,
' Yowre bedyng schall be doyn ; '
A mayden yn the pottys gan here,
Roben and pe screffe weyffe ffolowed anon.
40 Whan Roben yn to the hall cam,
The screffe sone he met ;
The potter cowed of corteysey,
And sone the screffe he gret.
41 ' Lo, ser, what thes potter hayt geff e yow and
me;
Ffeyffe pottys smalle and grete ! '
' He ys ffoll wellcom,' seyd the screffe ;
' Let os was, and go to mete.'
42 As they sat at her methe,
With a nobell chere,
To of the screffes men gan
Off a gret wager ;
43 Off a schotyng, was god and ffeyne,
Was made the thother daye,
Off forty shillings, the soyt to saye,
Who scholde thes wager wen.
44 Styll than sat thes prowde potter,
Thos than thowt he ;
As y am a trow cerstyn man,
Thes schotyng well y se.
45 Whan they had ffared of the best,
With bred and ale and weyne,
To the bottys the made them prest,
With bowes and boltys ffoll ffeyne.
46 The screffes men schot ffoll ffast,
As archares pat weren godde ;
There cam non ner ney the marke
Bey halffe a god archares bowe.
47 Stell then stod the prowde potter,
Thos than seyde he ;
And y had a bow, be the rode,
On schot scholde yow se.
112
121. ROBIN HOOD AND THE POTTER
48 ' Thow schall haffe a bow,' seyde the screffe,
' The best 'pat thow well cheys of thre ;
Thou semyst a stalward and a stronge,
Asay schall thow be.'
49 The screffe commandyd a yeman J>at stod hem
bey
Affter bowhes to weynde ;
The best bow 'pat the yeman browthe
Roben set on a stryng.
50 ' Now schall y wet and thow be god,
And polle het op to they nere ; '
' So god me helpe,' seyde the prowde potter,
' Jty8 ys ^°^ Jy§>?' weke gere.'
51 To a quequer Roben went,
A god bolt owthe he toke ;
So ney on to the marke he went,
He ffayled not a fothe.
52 All they schot abowthe agen,
The screffes men and he ;
Off the marke he welde not ffayle,
He cleffed the preke on thre.
53 The screffes men thowt gret schame
The potter the mastry wan ;
The screffg lowe and made god game,
And seyde, Potter, thow art a man.
54
Thow art worthey to bere a bowe
Yn what plas that ]>ow goe.
55 ' Yn mey cart y haffe a bowe,
Ffor soyt,' he seyde, ' and that a godde ;
Yn mey cart ys the bow
That gaffe me Robyn Hode.'
56 'Knowest thow Robyn Hode?' seyde the
screffe,
' Potter, y prey, the tell thow me ; '
' A hundred torne y haffe schot with hem,
Vnder hes tortyll-tre.'
57 ' Y had leuer nar a hundred ponde,' seyde J>e
screffe,
' And sware be the Trenite",
"bat the ffals outelawe stod be me.'
58 ' And ye well do afftyr mey red,' seyde )>e
potter,
' And boldeley go with me,
And to morow, or we het bred,
Roben Hode well we se.'
59 ' Y wel queyt the,' kod the screffe,
' Y swere be God of meythe ; '
Schetyng thay left, and horn ]>ey went,
Her soper was reddy deythe.
60 Vpon the morow, when het was day,
He boskyd hem fforthe to reyde ;
The potter hes cart fforthe gan ray,
And wolde not leffe beheynde.
61 He toke leffe of the screffys wyffe,
And thankyd her of all thyng :
' Dam, ffor mey loffe and ye well pys were,
Y geffe yow here a golde ryng.'
62 ' Gramarsey,' seyde the weyffe,
' Ser, god eylde het the ; '
The screffes hart was neuer so leythe,
The ffeyre fforeyst to se.
63 And when he cam yn to the fforeyst,
Yonder the leffes grene,
Berdys there sange on bowhes prest,
Het was gret goy to se.
64 ' Here het ys merey to be,' seyde Roben,
' Ffor a man that had hawt to spende ;
Be mey home I schall awet
Yeff Roben Hode be here.'
65 Roben set hes home to hes mowthe,
And blow a blast pat was ffoll god ;
J>at herde hes men ]>at pere stode,
Ffer downe yn the wodde.
66 ' I her mey master blow,' seyde Leytell John,
They ran as thay were wode.
67 Whan thay to thar master cam,
Leytell John wold not spare ;
' Master, how haffe yow ffare yn Notynggam ?
How haffe yow solde yowre ware ? '
68 ' Ye, be mey trowthe, Leyty[ll] John,
Loke thow take no care ;
121. ROBIN HOOD AND THE POTTER
113
Y haffe browt the screffe of Notynggam,
Ffor all howre chaff are.'
69 ' He ys ffoll wellcom,' seyde Lytyll John,
' Thes tydyng ys ffoll godde ;
The screffe had leuer nar a hundred ponde
He had [neuer sene Koben Hode.]
70 ' [Had I] west pat befforen,
At Notynggam when we were,
Thow scholde not com yn ffeyre fforest
Of all thes thowsande eyre.'
71 ' That wot y well,' seyde Roben,
' Y thanke God that ye be here ;
Thereffore schall ye leffe yowre hors with hos,
And all yowre hother gere.'
72 « That ffend I Godys fforbod,' kod the screffe,
' So to lese mey godde ;
73 ' Hether ye cam on hors ffoll hey,
And horn schall ye go on ffote ;
And gret well they weyffe at home,
The woman ys ffoll godde.
74 ' Y schall her sende a wheyt palffrey,
Het ambellet be mey ffey,
75 ' Y schall her sende a wheyt palffrey,
Het hambellet as the weynde ;
Nere ffor the loffe of yowre weyffe,
Off more sorow scholde yow seyng.'
76 Thes parted Robyn Hode and the screffe ;
To Notynggam he toke the waye ;
Hes weyffe ffeyre welcomed hem horn,
And to hem gan sche saye :
77 Seyr, how haffe yow ffared yn grene fforeyst ?
Haffe ye browt Roben horn ?
' Dam, the deyell spede hem, bothe bodey and
bon;
Y haffe hade a ffoll gret skorne.
78 ' Of all the god that y haffe lade to grene wod,
He hayt take het ffro me ;
All bot thes ffeyre palffrey,
That he hayt sende to the.'
79 With pat sche toke op a lowde lawhyng,
And swhare be hem pat deyed on tre,
4 Now haffe yow payed ffor all pe pottys
That Roben gaffe to me.
80 ' Now ye be com horn to Notynggam,
Ye schall haffe god ynowe ; '
Now speke we of Roben Hode,
And of the pottyr ondyr the grene bowhe.
81 ' Potter, what was they pottys worthe
To Notynggam pat y ledde with me ? '
' They wer worthe to nobellys,' seyde he,
' So mot y treyffe or the ;
So cowde y [haffe] had ffor thani,
And y had there be.'
82 ' Thow schalt hafe ten ponde,' seyde Roben,
* Of money ffeyre and ffre ;
And yeuer whan thow comest to grene wod,
Wellcom, potter, to me.'
83 Thes partyd Robyn, the screffe, and the potter,
Ondernethe the grene-wod tre ;
God haffe mersey on Roben Hodys solle,
And saffe all god yemanrey !
22. cortessey. 34. werschep ye.
44. the lefe. 51, 61. syde. 6*. Seche iij.
64. pey cleffe by my seydys.
71, 81, 211, 438. xls'. 7s. hys all.
74. hem leffe. II1. thes iij. II4. I peney.
142. And teke at the beginning of the line
struck through.
161. thes ij. 171. ffelow he seyde.
178. a caward. 192. onder or ender.
194. hels : sclo. 201. went yemen.
31.. III. 15
202. To thes. 218, 56s, 571. a c.
25. st. 29 is wrongly put here.
25*. yede. 272. ffelow hes.
28. The order of the lines is 3, 2, 1, 4.
308. Heres. 351. pens v.
352. pens iij. d. 362. bot v.
372. Gere amarsey seyde sche than, with a
character after sche which is probably an
abbreviation for ser, as in 622.
114
121. ROBIN HOOD AND THE POTTER
414. to to. 421. methe. 42*. ij of.
43'. xl s. 45s. the pottys.
454. bolt yt. 48a. of iij. 48*. senyst.
48*. A say.
502. And [thow] ? The 11 in polle is crossed ;
potte may have been intended by the writer.
52*. on iij.
54H No blank here, and none at 57s, 6G2-8,
72s-4, 748-4.
55s-4. Yn mey cart ys the bow pat Robyn
gaffe me.
568. A c. 571, 69*. a c.
592. & swere : meythey. 594. scoper.
64*. he schall. 681. I leyty.
694, 701. He had west pat be fforen.
741-2. Ought perhaps to be dropped. The
writer, having got the second verse wrong,
may have begun the stanza again.
808. After this line is repeated, Ye schall
haffe god ynowhe.
804. bowhes. 81". worthe ij.
816. be there. 82. hafe x li.
Expleycyt Robynhode.
A bowt, a non, be heynde, etc. are joined.
And for & throughout. Some terminal curls
rendered with e were, perhaps, mere tricks
of writing ; as marks over final m, n, in
cam, on, yemen, etc., crossed double 1 in all,
etc., a curled n in Roben, have been assumed
to be.
APPENDIX
THE PLAYE OF ROBYN HODE (vv. 121 ff.)
As printed by Copland, at the end of his edition
of the Gest, with a few corrections from White's
edition, 1634 : Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795, II, 199.
I have not thought it necessary to collate Ritson's
reprint with Copland. The collations with White
here are made with the undated copy in the Bod-
leian Library, Z. 3. Art. Seld.
ROBYN HODE
v. 121
Lysten, to [me], my mery men all,
And harke what I shall say ;
Of an adventure I shall you tell,
That befell this other daye.
With a proude potter I met,
And a rose-garlande on his head,
The floures of it shone marvaylous freshe ;
This seven yere and more he hath used this waye,
Yet was he never so curteyse a potter
As one peny passage to paye. 130
Is there any of my mery men all
That dare be so bolde
To make the potter paie passage,
Either silver or golde ?
LYTELL JOHN
Not I master, for twenty pound redy tolde, 135
For there is not among us al one
That dare medle with that potter, man for man.
I felt his handes not long agone,
But I had lever have ben here by the ;
Therfore I knowe what he is. 140
Mete him when ye wil, or mete him whan ye shal,
He is as propre a man as ever you medle[d] withal.
ROBYN HODE
I will lai with the, Litel John, twenti pound so read,
If I wyth that potter mete,
I wil make him pay passage, maugre his head. 145
LYTTEL JOHN
I consente therto, so eate I bread;
If he pay passage, maugre his head,
Twenti pound shall ye hare of me for your mede.
THE POTTERS BOY JACKE
Out alas, that ever I sawe this daye !
For I am clene out of my waye 150
From Notyngham towne ;
If I hye me not the faster,
Or I come there the market wel be done.
ROBYN HODE
Let me se, are the pottes hole and sounde?
JACKE
Yea, meister, but they will not breake the ground. 155
ROBYN HODE
I wil them breke, for the cuckold thi maisters sake ;
And if they will breake the grounde,
Thou shall have thre pence for a pound.
JACKE
Out alas! what have ye done?
If my maister come, he will breke your crown. 160
THE POTTER
Why, thou horeson, art thou here yet?
Thou shouldest have bene at market.
122. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER
115
JACKE
THE POTTER
I met with Robin Hode, a good yeman ;
He hatR broken my pottes,
And called you kuckolde by your name.
165
THE POTTER
Thou mayst be a gentylman, so God me save,
But thou semest a noughty knave.
Thou callest me cuckolde by my name,
And I swere by God and Saynt John,
Wyfe had I never none : 1 70
This cannot I denye.
But if thou be a good felowe,
I wil sel mi horse, mi harneis, pottes and paniers to,
Thou shalt have the one halfe, and I will have the
other.
If thou be not so content, 1 75
Thou shalt have stripes, if thou were my brother.
ROBYN HODE
Harke, potter, what I shall say:
This seven yere and more thou hast used this way,
Yet were thou never so curteous to me
As one penny passage to paye. 180
THE POTTER
Why should I pay passage to thee ?
ROBYN HODE
For I am Robyn Hode, chiefe gouernoure
Under the grene-woode tree.
This seven yere have I used this way up and downe,
Yet payed I passage to no man, 135
Nor now I wyl not beginne, to do the worst thou can.
ROBYN HODE
Passage shalt thou pai here under the grene-wode tre,
Or els thou shalt leve a wedde with me.
THE POTTER
If thou be a good felowe, as men do the call,
Laye awaye thy bowe, 190
And take thy sword and buckeler in thy hande,
And se what shall befall.
ROBIN HODE
Lyttle John, where art thou?
LYTTEL [JOHN]
Here, mayster, I make God avowe.
I tolde you, mayster, so God me save, 195
That you shoulde fynde the potter a knave.
Holde your buckeler faste in your hande,
And I wyll styfly by you stande,
Ready for to fyghte ;
Be the knave never so stoute, 200
I shall rappe him on the snoute,
And put hym to flyghte.
The rest is wanting.
121. to [me], wanting in White.
142. medled, W. 153. maryet.
154. the, C.; thy, W.
186. to do: to wanting in W.
188. wedded, C.] wed, W.
196. your, C.; you, W.
122
ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER
A. 'Robin Hood and the Butcher,' Percy MS., p. 7;
Hales and Furnivall, I, 19.
B. ' Robin Hood and the Butcher.' a. Wood, 401,
19 b. b. Garland of 1663, No 6. c. Garland of
1670, No 5. d. Pepys, II, 102, No 89.
OTHER copies, of the second class, are in the
Roxburghe collection, III, 259, and the Douce
collection, III, 114. B a was printed, with
changes, by Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II,
23 ; a copy resembling the Douce by Evans,
Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, 1, 106.
The story is a variation of Robin Hood
and the Potter. According to A, the sheriff
116
122. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER
of Nottingham has resolved to have Robin's
head. A butcher is driving through the
forest, and his dog flies at Robin, for which
Robin kills the dog. The butcher under-
takes to let a little of the yeoman's blood for
this, and there is a bout between staff and
sword, in which we know that the butcher
must bear himself well, though just here
the first of three considerable gaps occurs.
Robin buys the butcher's stock, changes clothes
with him, and goes to Nottingham to mar-
ket his flesh. There he takes up his lodg-
ing at the sheriff's, having perhaps concili-
ated the sheriff's wife with the present of a
fine joint. He sells at so low a rate that
his stock is all gone before any one else has
sold a bit. The butchers ask him to drink,
and Robin makes an appointment with them
at the sheriff's. A second gap deprives us of
the knowledge of what passes here, but we
infer that, as in B, Robin is so reckless of his
money that the sheriff thinks he can make
a good bargain in horned beasts with him.
Robin is ready ; we see that he has come
with a well-formed plan. The next day the
sheriff goes to view the livestock, and is
taken into the depth of the forest ; it turns
out that the wild deer are the butcher's
horned beasts. Robin's men come in at the
sound of his horn ; the sheriff is lightened of
all his money, and is told that his head is
spared only for his wife's sake. All this the
sheriff tells his wife, on his return, and she
replies that he has been served rightly for not
tarrying at home, as she had begged him to
do. The sheriff says he has learned wisdom,
and will meddle no more with Robin Hood.
B a omits the brush between Robin and the
butcher, mostly wanting, indeed, in A also,
but only because of the damage which the
manuscript has suffered.
The passage in which the sheriff is in-
veigled into Robin's haunts has, as already
mentioned, close affinity with the Gest, 181 ff.
The first three stanzas of A would not be
missed, and apparently belong to some other
ballad.*
B a is signed T. R., as is also Robin Hood '
and the Beggar in two editions, and these
we may suppose to be the initials of the per-
son who wrote the story over with middle
rhyme in the third line of the stanza, a pecu-
liarity which distinguishes a group of ballads
which were sung to the tune of Robin Hood
and the Stranger: see Robin Hood and Lit-
tle John, No 125, and also No 128.
Percy MS., p. 7 ; Hales and Furnivall, I, 19.
1 BUT Robin he walkes in the g[reene] fforrest,
As merry as bird on boughe,
But he that f eitches good Robins head,
Hee 'le find him game enoughe.
2 But Robine he walkes in the greene fforrest,
Vnder his trusty-tree ;
Saves, Hearken, hearken, my merrymen all,
What tydings is come to me.
3 The sheriffe he hath made a cry,
Hee 'le have my head i-wis ;
* Fricke, Die Robin-Hood-Balladen, p. 20 f, suggests a
ballad of Robin Hood and the Sheriff (How Robin took re-
venge for the sheriff's setting a price on his head), which
may have been blended with another, of the Rescue of a
But ere a tweluemonth come to an end
I may chance to light on his.
4 Robin he marcht in the greene forrest,
Vnder the greenwood scray,
And there he was ware of a proud Lucher,
Came driuing flesh by the way.
5 The bucher he had a cut-taild dogg,
And at Robins face he flew ;
But Robin he was a good sword,
The bucher's dogg he slew.
6 ' Why slayes thou my dogg ? ' sayes the bucher,
' For he did none ill to thee ;
Knight, to form the sixth fit of The Gest ; and points to
st. 329 of the Gest, ' Robyn Hode walked in the forest,' etc.,
as the probable beginning of such a ballad.
122. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER
117
By all the saints that are in heaven
Thou shalt haue buffetts three.'
7 He tooke his staff e then in his hand,
And he turnd him round about :
' Thou hast a litle wild blood in thy head,
Good fellow, thou 'st haue it letten out.'
8 ' He that does that deed,' sayes Robin,
' I 'le count him for a man ;
But that while will I draw my sword,
And fend it if I can.'
9 But Robin he stroke att the bloudy bucher,
In place were he did stand,
10 ' I [am] a younge bucher,' sayes Robin,
' You fine dames am I come amonge ;
But euer I beseech you, good Mrs Sheriffe,
You must see me take noe wronge.'
11 ' Thou art verry welcome,' said blaster Sher-
riff's wiffe,
' Thy inne heere up [to] take ;
If any good ffellow come in thy companie,
Hee 'st be welcome for thy sake.'
12 Robin called ffor ale, soe did he for wine,
And for it he did pay :
' I must to my markett goe,' says Robin,
1 For I hold time itt of the day.'
13 But Robin is to the markett gone,
Soe quickly and beliue,
He sold more flesh for one peny
Then othe[r] buchers did for fiue.
14 The drew about the younge bucher,
Like sheepe into a fold ;
Yea neuer a bucher had sold a bitt
Till Robin he had all sold.
15 When Robin Hood had his markett made,
His flesh was sold and gone ;
Yea he had receiued but a litle mony,
But thirty pence and one.
16 Seaven buchers, the garded Robin Hood,
Ff ull many time and oft ;
Sayes, We must drinke with you, brother
bucher,
It 's custome of our crafte.
17 ' If that be the custome of your crafte,
As heere you tell to me,
Att four of the clocke in the afternoone
At the sheriffs hall I wilbe.'
18
' If thou doe like it well ;
Yea heere is more by three hundred pound
Then thou hast beasts to sell.'
19 Robyn sayd naught, the more he thought :
' Mony neere comes out of time ;
If once I catch thee in the greene fforest,
That mony it shall be mine.'
20 But on the next day seuen butchers
Came to guard the sheriff e that day ;
But Robin he was the whigh[t]est man,
He led them all the way.
21 He led them into the greene fforest,
Vnder the trusty tree ;
Yea, there were harts, and ther were hynda,
And staggs with heads full high.
22 Yea, there were harts and there were hynds,
And many a goodly ffawne ;
' Now praised be God,' says bold Robin,
' All these they be my owne.
23 ' These are my horned beasts,' says Robin,
' Master Sherriffe, which must make the
stake ; '
' But euer alacke, now,' said the sheriffe,
' That tydings comes to late ! '
24 Robin sett a shrill home to his mouth,
And a loud blast he did blow,
And then halfe a hundred bold archers
Came rakeing on a row.
25 But when the came befor bold Robin,
Even there the stood all bare :
' You are welcome, master, from Nottingham :
How haue you sold your ware ? '
26 .
It proues bold Robin Hood.
118
122. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER
27 * Tea, he hath robbed me of all my gold
And siluer that euer I had ;
But that I had a verry good wife at home,
I shold liaue lost my head.
28 ' Bat I had a verry good wife at home,
WAich made him gentle cheere,
And therfor, for my wifes sake,
I shold haue better favor heere.
29 ' But such favor as he shewed me
I might haue of the devills dam,
That will rob a man of all he hath,
And send him naked home.'
30 ' That is very well done,' then says his wiffe,
' Itt is well done, I say ;
You might haue tarryed att Nottingham,
Soe fayre as I did you pray.'
31 ' I haue learned wisdome,' sayes the sherriffe,
' And, wife, I haue learned of thee ;
But if Robin walke easte, or he walke west,
He shall neuer be sought for me.'
B
a. Wood, 401, leaf 19 b. b. Garland of 1663, No 6.
C. Garland of 1670, No 5. d. Pepys, II, 102, No 89.
1 COME, all you brave gallants, and listen a while,
With hey down, down, an a down
That are in the bowers within ;
For of Robin Hood, that archer good,
A song I intend for to sing.
2 Upon a time it chanced so
Bold Robin in forrest did spy
A jolly butcher, with a bonny fine mare,
With his flesh to the market did hye.
3 ' Good morrow, good fellow,' said jolly Robin,
' What food hast ? tell unto me ;
And thy trade to me tell, and where thou dost
dwell,
For I like well thy company.'
4 The butcher he answered jolly Robin :
No matter where I dwell ;
For a butcher I am, and to Notingham
I am going, my flesh to sell. ,
5 ' What is [the] price of thy flesh ? ' said jolly
Robin,
' Come, tell it soon unto me ;
And the price of thy mare, be she never so dear,
For a butcher fain would I be.'
6 ' 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.'
7 ' Four mark I will give thee,' saith jolly Robin,
' Four mark it shall be thy fee ;
Thy mony come count, and let me mount,
For a butcher I fain would be.'
8 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.
9 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.
10 When other butchers no meat could sell,
Robin got both gold and fee ;
For he sold more meat for one peny
Than others could do for three.
11 But when he sold his meat so fast,
No butcher by him could thrive ;
For he sold more meat for one peny
Than others could do for five.
12 Which made the butchers of Notingham
To study as they did stand,
Saying, surely he was some prodigal,
That had sold his father's land.
13 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 ? '
122. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER
119
14 ' Accurst of his heart,' said jolly Robin,
' That a butcher doth deny ;
I will go with you, my brethren true,
And as fast as I can hie.'
15 But when to the sheriff's house they came,
To dinner they hied apace,
And Robin he the man must be
Before them all to say grace.
16 ' Pray God bless us all,' said jolly Robin,
' And our meat within this place ;
A cup of sack so good will nourish our blood,
And so I do end my grace.
17 ' Come fill us more wine,' said jolly Robin,
' Let us merry be while we do stay ;
For wine and good cheer, be it never so dear,
I vow I the reckning will pay.
18 ' Come, brother[s], be merry,' said jolly Robin,
' Let us drink, and never give ore ;
For the shot I will pay, ere I go my way,
If it cost me five pounds and more.' „
19 ' This is a mad blade,' the butchers then said ;
Saies the sheriff, He is some prodigal,
That some land has sold, for silver and gold,
And now he doth mean to spend all.
20 ' Hast thou any horn-beasts,' the sheriff repli'd,
' Good fellow, to sell unto me ? '
' Yes, that I have, good Master Sheriff,
I have hundreds two or three.
21 ' And a hundred aker of good free land,
If you please it to see ;
And I 'le make you as good assurance of it
As ever my father made me.'
22 The sheriff he saddled a good palfrey,
With three hundred pound in gold,
And away he went with bold Robin Hood,
His horned beasts to behold.
23 Away then the sheriff and Robin did ride,
To the forrest of merry Sherwood ;
Then the sheriff did say, God bless us this
day
From a man they call Robin Hood !
24 But when that a little further they came,
Bold Robin he chance'd to spy
A hundred head of good red deer, *
Come tripping the sheriff full nigh.
25 ' How like you my hornd beasts, good Master
Sheriff ?
They be fat and fair for to see ; '
4 1 tell thee, good fellow, I would I were gone,
For I like not thy company.'
26 Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth,
And blew but blasts three ;
Then quickly anon there came Little John,
And all his company.
27 ' What is your will ? ' then said Little John,
' Good master come tell it to me ; '
' I have brought hither the sheriff of Noting-
ham,
This day to dine with thee.'
28 ' 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.'
29 Then Robin took his mantle from his back,
And laid it upon the ground,
And out of the sheriff e['s] portmantle
He told three hundred pound.
30 Then Robin he brought him thorow the wood,
And set him on his dapple gray :
<O have me commended to your wife at
home ; '
So Robin went laughing away.
I2, bughe.
I8, d in head has a tag to it : Fumivall.
6*. 3. After 92, 174, 254, half a page gone.
134. 5. 15*. 30*f. 178. 4. 188. 300?.
198. cacth : in thy. 201. 7. 248. 100?.
28s. pro for for.
B. a. Robin Hood and the Butcher. To the Tune
of Robin Hood and the Begger.
At the end, T. R.
Colophon. London. Fruited for F. Grove on
Snow Hill. F. Grove printed 1620-55:
Chappett.
120
123. ROBIN HOOD AND THE CURTAL FRIAR
12*. hath sold.
b. Robin Hood and the Butcher ; shewing how
he robbed the sheriff of Nottingham. To
the Tune of Robin Hood and the Begger.
4s. I do. 51. What is price. 104, II4. Then.
121. when misprinted for made.
124. had sold. 181. brother. 188. go on.
198. hath sold. 211. And an. 214. to me.
2.51. Sheriff wanting. 27*. with me.
293. sheriffs.
c. Title as in b.
2, 8, and after 8, burden : a hey.
51. is ye. 104, II4. Then. 124. had sold.
172. do wanting. 181. brother. 188. go on.
184. costs. 198. hath sold. 21A it please.
218. you wanting. 214. did me.
248. red wanting. 27 2. pray tell.
298. sheriffs.
d. Robin Hood and the Butcher. To the Tune
of Robin Hood and the Beggar.
Colophon. Printed for I. Clarke, W. Thack-
eray, and T. Passenger. 1670-86 (?).
Burden. From 21 on, With a hey (not With
hey). Also after the fourth line, With a
hey, &c.
I1, ye. I2, this bower. I4, for wanting.
2*. in the. 51. What's the. 5s. be it.
78. The. 88. a good. 91. butchers did open.
104. Then. 124. hath sold. 138. of a.
142. will deny. 158. Robin Hood.
164. do wanting. 172. be merry.
181. brothers. 184. pound or.
201. thou wanting : hornd : sheriff then said.
211. A hundred acres. 222. And with.
228. And wanting. 262. blew out.
271. will master said. 272. I pray you come.
27 8. hither wanting. 281. then wanting.
288. were it but.
294. five for three, wrongly, see 22*.
30l. he wanting : through.
123
EOBIN HOOD AND THE CURTAL FRIAR
A. ' Robine Hood and Ffryer Tucke,' Percy MS., p.
10 ; Hales and Furnivall, I, 26.
B. ' The Famous Battel between Robin Hood and the
Curtal Fryer.' a. Garland of 1663, No 11. b.»
Pepys, I, 78, No 37. c. Garland of 1670. d. Wood,
401, leaf 15 b. e. Pepys, H, 99, No 86. f. Douce,
II, 184.
B also in the Roxburghe collection, III, 16.
B d was printed in Ritson's Robin Hood,
1795, II, 58, corrected by b and compared
with e; and in Evans's Old Ballads, 1777-
1784, I, 136, probably from the Aldermary
garland.
The opening verses of A are of the same
description as those with which Nos 117, 118,
119, and others begin. 1 has been corrupted,
and 2 also, one would think, as there is no
apparent reason for maids weeping and young
men wringing hands in the merry month of
May. In the first stanza,
But how many merry monthes be in the yeere ?
There are 13 in May ;
The midsummer moone is the merryest of all,
Next to the merry month of May.
month, in the first and the fourth line
might be changed to moon, to justify thirteen
in the second, and to accord with moon in the
third. For in May, in the second line, we
may read, I say, or many say. The first
stanza of No 140, B, runs :
There are twelve months in all the year,
As I hear many say ;
But the merriest month in all the year
Is the merry month of May.
* b would have taken precedence of a, having heen
printed earlier (1607-41), but I am at liberty only to collate
Pepys copies. The Wood copies of Robin Hood ballads are
generally preferable to the Pepys.
123. ROBIN HOOD AND THE CURTAL FRIAR
121
Nearly, or quite, one half of A has been
torn from the manuscript, but there is no rea-
son to suppose that the story differed much
from that of B.
Upon Little John's killing a hart at five
hundred foot, Robin Hood exclaims that he
would ride a hundred mile to find John's
match. Scadlock, with a laugh, says that
there is a friar at Fountains Abbey who will
beat both John and Robin, or indeed Robin
and all his yeomen. Robin Hood takes an
oath never to eat or drink till he has seen that
friar. (Cf. No 30, I, 275, 279.) Robin goes
to Fountains Abbey, and ensconces his men
in a fern-brake. He finds the friar walking
by the water, well armed, and begs [orders, BJ
the friar to carry him over.* The friar takes
Robin on his back, and says no word till he is
over ; then draws his sword and bids Robin
carry him back, or he shall rue it. Robin
takes the friar on his back, and says no word
till he is over ; then bids the friar carry him
over once more. The friar, without a word,
takes Robin on his back, and when he comes
to the middle of the stream throws him in.
When both have swum to the shore, Robin
lets an arrow fly, which the friar puts by with
his buckler. The friar cares not for his ar-
rows, though Robin shoots till his arrows are
all gone. They take to swords, and fight with
them for six good hours, when Robin begs
the boon of blowing three blasts on his horn.
The friar gives him leave to blow his eyes out :
fifty bowmen come raking over the lea. The
friar in turn asks a boon, to whistle thrice in
his fist. Robin cares not how much he whis-
tles : fifty good bandogs come raking in a row.
Here there is a divergence. According to A,
the friar will match every man with a dog, and
himself with Robin. God forbid, says Robin ;
better be matched with three of the dogs than
with thee. Stay thy tikes, and let us be
friends. In B, two dogs go at Robin and tear
his mantle from his back ; all the arrows shot
* " A wet weary man," A 71, should probably be " wel
weary." Why should R. H. be wet ? And if wet, he may
as well be a little wetter.
t Like terms are assured the cook by John in the Gest,
sts 170, 171, and offered the Tanner by Robin Hood, R. H.
and the Tanner, st. 26. Cf. Adam Bell, sts 163-65.
VOL. III. 16
at them the dogs catch in their mouths. Lit-
tle John calls to the friar to call off his dogs,
and enforces his words by laying half a score
of them dead on the plain with his bow. The
friar cries, Hold ; he will make terms. Robin
Hood offers the friar clothes and fee to forsake
Fountains Abbey for the green-wood. We
must infer, as in the parallel case of the Pin-
der of Wakefield, that the offer is accepted-!
But the Curtal Friar, like the Finder again,
plays no part in Robin Hood story out of his
own ballad.
Robin Hood and the Friar, in both versions,
is in a genuinely popular strain, and was made
to sing, not to print. Verbal agreements show
that A and B have an earlier ballad as their
common source ; but of this, one or the other
has retained but little. I cannot think that
B 33, 34 are of the original matter. It is a
derogation from Robin Hood's prowess that he
should have his mantle torn from his back,
and we may ask why the dogs do not catch
Little John's arrows as well as others.
Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, in the West
Riding of Yorkshire, was a Cistercian monas-
tery, dating from the twelfth century. (It
is loosely called a nunnery in A 4.) The friar
is called " cutted " in A and " curtal " in B,
and these words have been held to mean short-
f rocked, and therefore to make the friar a Fran-
ciscan. Staveley, The Romish Horseleech,
speaking of the Franciscans, says at p. 214,
Experience shews that in some countrys,
where friers used to wear short habits, the or-
der was presently contemned and derided, and
men called them curtaild friers. Cited by
Douce, Illustrations of Shakspere, I, 61. So,
according to Douce, we may probably under-
stand the curtal friar to be a curtailed friar,
and in like manner of the curtal dogs. " Cut-
ted" in A can signify nothing but short-
frocked. In the title of that version, though
not in the text, the friar is called Tuck, which
means that he is "ytukked hye," like Chau-
The ' Life ' in the Sloane MS., which is put not much be-
fore 1600, says: He procurd the Pynner of Wakefeyld to
become one of his company, and a freyr called Muchel ;
though some say he was an other kynd of religious man, for
that the order of freyrs was not yet sprung up.
122
123. ROBIN HOOD AND THE CURTAL FRIAR
cer's Friar John, but not that he wears a short
frock. The friar in the play (see below) has
a " long cote," v. 46. But I apprehend that
B has the older word in curtal, and that cur-
tal is simply curtilarius, and applied to both
friar and dogs because they had the care and
keeping of the curtile, or vegetable garden, of
the monastery.*
The title of A in the MS. is Robin Hood
and Friar Tuck ; from which it follows that
the copyist, or some predecessor, considered
the stalwart friar of Fountains Abbey to be
one with the jocular friar of the May-games
and the morris dance. But Friar Tuck, the
wanton and the merry,- like Maid Marian,
owes his association with Robin Hood prima-
rily to these popular sports, and not in the
least to popular ballads. In the truly popular
ballads Friar Tuck is never heard of, and in
only two even of the broadsides, Robin Hood
and Queen Katherine and Robin Hood's
Golden Prize, is he so much as named ; in
both no more than named, and in both in con-
junction with Maid Marian.
' The Play of Robin Hood,' the first half of
which is based on the present ballad, calls the
friar Friar Tuck, and represents him accord-
ingly. See the Appendix. He is also called
Tuck in the play founded on Guy of Gis-
borne.
In Munday's Downfall of Robert, Earl of
Huntington, Friar Tuck is by implication
identified with the friar who fell into the well,
Dodsley's Old Plays, ed. Hazlitt, VIII, 185;
and Mr Chappell is consequently led to say,
at p. 390 of his 'Popular Music,' that the
ballad of the Friar in the Well was in all prob-
ability a tale of "Robin Hood's fat friar."
Cavilling at this phrase of Shakspere's only
so far as to observe that the friar of the tra-
ditional Robin Hood ballad is as little fat as
wanton, I need but say that the truth of the
case had been already accurately expressed by
Mr Chappell at p. 274 of his invaluable work :
* Curtilarius (Old English curtiler) qui curtile curat aut
incolit : Ducange.
t I suppose that it must already have been pointed out
that the story of King Bamiro, versified hy Southey from
" the story is a very old one, and one of the
many against monks and friars in which not
only England, but all Europe, delighted."
The boon to blow three blasts on his horn,
B 25, is also asked by Robin of the Shepherd,
No 135, st. 15. The reply made by the Shep-
herd, st. 16, is, If thou shouldst blow till to-
morrow morn, I scorn one foot to flee. In
R. H. Rescuing Three Squires, B 25, when
Robin, disguised as a beggar, intimates to the
sheriff that he may blow his horn, the answer
is nearly the same as here : Blow till both thy
eyes fall out. In No 127, st. 34 f, Robin asks
a boon of the Tinker, without specifying what
the boon is ; the Tinker refuses ; Robin blows
his horn while the Tinker is not looking. In
No 135, st. 16 f, Robin asks the three keepers
to let him blow one blast on his horn, and
they refuse. This boon of [three] blasts on
a horn is not an important matter in these
Robin Hood ballads, but it may be noticed as
a feature of other popular ballads in which an
actor is reduced to extremity : as in the Swedish
ballad Stolts Signild, Arwidsson, II, 128, No
97, and the corresponding Signild og hendes
Broder, Danske Viser, IV, 31, No 170, in both
of which the answer to the request is, Blow as
much as you will. So in a Russian bylina,
when Solomon is to be hanged, he obtains per-
mission three several times to blow his horn,
and is told to blow as much as he will, and
upon the third blast his army comes to the
rescue : Rybnikof , II, No 52, Jagid, in Archiv
fiir slavische Philologie, I, 104 ff ; Miss Hap-
good's Epic Songs of Russia, p. 287 f ; also F.
Vogt, Salman und Morolf, p. 104, sts 494 ff.f
Three cries take the place of three blasts,
upon occasion : as in the case of the unhappy
maid in the German forms of No 4, I, 32 ff,
where also the maid is sometimes told to cry
as much as she wants, and in Gesta Romano-
rum, Oesterley, cap. 108, p. 440.
B is translated by Anastasius Grim, p. 124.
the Portuguese, Poetical Works, 1838, VI, 122, is a variety
of that of Solomon. There are curious points of resem-
blance between ' R. H. rescuing Three Squires ' and the con-
clusion of the story of Solomon.
123. ROBIN HOOD AND THE CUBTAL FRIAR
123
Percy MS., p. 10 ; Hales and Furnivall, I, 26.
1 BUT how many merry monthes be in the
yeere ?
There are thirteen, I say;
The midsummer moone is the merryest of all,
Next to the merry month of May.
2 In May, when mayds beene fast weepand,
Young men their hands done wringe,
3 Tie . . pe
Over may noe man for villanie : '
Tie never eate nor drinke,' Robin Hood
sa[id],
' Till I that cutted friar see.'
4 He builded his men in a brake of fearne,
A litle from that nunery ;
Sayes, If you heare my litle home blow,
Then looke you come to me.
5 When Robin came to Fontaines Abey,
Wheras that fryer lay,
He was ware of the fryer where he stood,
And to him thus can he say.
6 A payre of blacke breeches the yeoman had on,
His coppe all shone of steele,
A fayre sword and a broad buckeler
Beseemed him very weell.
7 ' I am a wet weary man,' said Robin Hood,
' Good fellow, as thou may see ;
Wilt beare' [me] over this wild water,
Ffor sweete Saint Charity ? '
8 The fryer bethought him of a good deed ;
He had done none of long before ;
He hent up Robin Hood on his backe,
And over he did him beare.
9 But when he came over that wild water,
A longe sword there he drew :
' Beare me backe againe, bold outlawe,
Or of this thou shalt have enoughe.'
10 Then Robin Hood hent the fryar on his back,
And neither sayd good nor ill ;
Till he came ore that wild water,
The yeoman he walked still.
11 Then Robin Hood wett his fayre greene hoze,
A span aboue his knee ;
S[ay]s, Beare me ore againe, thou cutted
f[ryer]
12
good bowmen
[C]ame raking all on a rowe.
13 ' I beshrew thy head,' said the cutted ffriar,
' Thou thinkes I shall be shente ;
I thought thou had but a man or two,
And thou hast [a] whole conuent.
•
14 ' I lett thee haue a blast on thy home,
Now giue me leaue to whistle another ;
I cold not bidd thee noe better play
And thou wert my owne borne brother.'
15 ' Now f ute on, f ute on, thou cutted fryar,
I pray God thou neere be still ;
It is not the futing in a fryers fist
That can doe me any ill.'
16 The fryar sett his neave to his mouth,
A loud blast he did blow ;
Then halfe a hundred good bandoggs
Came raking all on a rowe.
17
' Euery dogg to a man,' said the cutted fryar,
' And I my selfe to Robin Hood.'
18 'Over God's forbott,' said Robin Hood,
' That euer that soe shold bee ;
I had rather be mached with three of the tikes
Ere I wold be matched on thee.
19 ' But stay thy tikes, thou fryar,' he said,
' And freindshipp I 'le haue with thee ;
But stay thy tikes, thou fryar,' he said,
' And saue good yeomanry.'
20 The fryar he sett his neave to his mouth,
A lowd blast he did blow ;
124
The doggs the coucht downe euery one,
They couched downe on a rowe.
21 ' What is thy will, thou yeoman ? ' he said,
* Ilaue done and tell it me ; '
123. ROBIN HOOD AND THE CURTAL FRIAR
4 If that thou will goe to merry greenwood,
B
a. Garland of 1663, No 11. b. Pepys, I, 78, No 37.
C. Garland of 1670, No 10. d. Wood, 401, leaf 15 b.
e. Pepys, II, 99, No 86. f. Douce, II, 184.
1 IN summer time, when leaves grow green,
And flowers are fresh and gay,
Robin Hood and his merry men
Were disposed to play.
2 Then some would leap, and some would run,
And some would use artillery :
' Which of you can a good bow draw,
A good archer to be ?
3 ' Which of you can kill a buck ?
Or who can kill a do ?
Or who can kill a hart of greece,
Five hundred foot him fro ? '
4 Will Scadlock he killd a buck,
And Midge he killd a do,
And Little John killd a hart of greece,
Five hundred foot him fro.
5 ' 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.'
6 That causd Will Scadlock to laugh,
He laughed full heartily :
' There lives a curtal frier in Fountains Abby
Will beat both him and thee.
7 ' That curtal frier in Fountains Abby
Well can a strong bow draw ;
He will beat you and your yeomen,
Set them all on a row.'
8 Robin Hood took a solemn oath,
It was by Mary free,
That he would neither eat nor drink
Till the frier he did see.
9 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.
10 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.
11 And comming unto Fountain[s] Dale,
No further would he ride ;
There was he aware of a curtal frier,
Walking by the water-side.
12 The fryer had on a harniss good,
And on his head a cap of steel,
Broad sword and buckler by his side,
And they became him weel.
13 Robin Hood lighted off his horse,
And tied him to a thorn :
' Carry me over the water, thou curtal frier,
Or else thy life 's forlorn.'
1.4 The frier 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.
15 Lightly leapt Robin Hood off the friers back ;
The frier said to him again,
Carry me over this water, fine fellow, '
Or it shall breed thy pain.
16 Robin Hood took the frier on 's back,
Deep water he did bestride,
And spake neither good word nor bad,
Till he came at the other side.
17 Lightly leapt the fryer off Robin Hoods back ;
Robin Hood said to him again,
Carry me over this water, thou curtal frier,
Or it shall breed thy pain.
123. ROBIN HOOD AND THE CURTAL FRIAR
125
18 The frier 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.
19 And coming to the middle stream,
There he threw Robin in :
' And chuse thee, chuse thee, fine fellow,
Whether thou wilt sink or swim.'
20 Robin Hood swam to a bush of broom,
The frier to a wicker wand ;
Bold Robin Hood is gone to shore,
And took his bow in hand.
21 One of his best arrows under his belt
To the frier he let flye ;
The curtal frier, with his steel buckler,
He put that arrow by.
22 ' Shoot on, shoot on, thou fine fellow,
Shoot on as thou hast begun ;
If thou shoot here a summers day,
Thy mark I will not shun.'
23 Robin Hood shot passing well,
Till his arrows all were gone ;
They took their swords and steel bucklers,
And fought with might and maine ;
24 From ten oth' clock that day,
Till four ith' afternoon ;
Then Robin Hood came to his knees,
Of the frier to beg a boon.
25 ' A boon, a boon, thou curtal frier,
I beg it on my knee ;
Give me leave to set my horn to my
mouth,
And to blow blasts three.'
26 « That will I do,' said the curtal frier,
' Of thy blasts I have no doubt ;
I hope thou 'It blow so passing well
Till both thy eyes fall out.'
27 Robin Hood set his horn to his mouth,
He blew but blasts three ;
Half a hundred yeomen, with bows bent,
Came raking over the lee.
28 ' Whose men are these,' said the frier,
' That come so hastily ? '
' These men are mine,' said Robin Hood ;
' Frier, what is that to thee ? '
29 ' A boon, a boon,' said the curtal frier,
' The like I gave to thee ;
Give me leave to set my fist to my mouth,
And to whute whutes three.'
30 'That will I do,' said Robin Hood,
' Or else I were to blame ;
Three whutes in a friers fist
Would make me glad and fain.'
31 The frier he set his fist to his mouth,
And whuted whutes three ;
Half a hundred good ban-dogs
Came running the frier unto.
32 ' Here 's for every man of thine a dog,
And I my self for thee : '
'Nay, by my faith,' quoth Robin Hood,
' Frier, that may not be.'
33 Two dogs at once to Robin Hood did go,
The one behind, the other before ;
Robin Hoods mantle of Lincoln green
Off from his back they tore.
34 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.
35 * Take up thy dogs,' said Little John,
* Frier, at my bidding be ; '
' Whose man art thou,' said the curtal frier,
' Comes here to prate with me ? '
36 ' I am Little John, Robin Hoods man,
Frier, I will not lie ;
If thou take not up thy dogs soon,
I 'le take up them and thee.'
37 Little John had a bow in his hand,
He shot with might and main ;
Soon half a score of the friers dogs
Lay dead upon the plain.
38 l Hold thy hand, good fellow,' said the curtal
frier,
' Thy master and I will agree ;
And we will have new orders taken,
With all the haste that may be.'
126
123. ROBIN HOOD AND THE CUBTAL FRIAR
39 ' If thou wilt forsake fair Fountains Dale,
And Fountains Abby free,
Every Sunday throughout the year,
A noble shall be thy fee.
40 ' And every holy day throughout the year,
Changed shall thy garment be,
If thou wilt go to fair Nottingham,
And there remain with me.'
41 This curtal frier had kept Fountains Dale
Seven long years or more ;
There was neither knight, lord, nor earl
Could make him yield before.
A. Half a page is gone after 22, 11s, 21s.
II, moones ? I2. 13 in May.
1*. month may pass, though moone is expected.
21'2. might perhaps be intelligible with the
other half of the stanza.
104, 203. They. II1. eze.
134. courtent ? comment ? F. 151. Now fate.
168. 100?. 178-4. bis -j
181. Ever. 188. 3.
B. a. The famous battel between Robin Hood and
the Curtal Fryer, near Fountain Dale.
To a new northern tune.
41, 61. Sadlock : Scadlock elsewhere.
151. stept. Cf. 171 : leapt in b, e.
19*. sing.
248. his wanting, and in all but b, e.
24*. the wanting, and in all but b, e.
27*. ranking : in d, e, f, ranging.
321. of thine wanting : found only in b.
344. catcht : kept in b, d. 358. thon.
b. Title as in Si, omitting near Fountain Dale.
Printed at London for H. Gosson. (1607-41.)
24. for to. 34, 44, 58, 278, 31s. hundreth.
58. a for an. 54. with wanting. 78. and all.
74. all a on a. 81. Hood he.
92, 122. And wanting. 104. Fountaine.
III. into. II2. he would.
II8. he was : of the. 121. a wanting.
144, 164. th' other. 151. leapt for stept.
161. on his. 181. Hood wanting.
182. in for up. 202. wigger. 20*. in his.
221. Scot : a misprint. 232. gane.
23*. They for And. 241. of clock of that.
242. four of th'. 248. to his. 244. of the.
254. But to. 261. I will. 274. raking.
282. comes.
294, 308, 312. whues, unobjectionable: in all
the rest whutes.
311. he set. 318. of good band-dogs.
321. man of thine. 328. said for quoth.
344. kept the. 384. that wanting.
401. through the. 41 2. and more.
o. Title as in a, except Dales.
52. hath wanting. 68, 71. Fountain.
84. he the frier did. 151. stept. 201. sworn.
231. shot so. 288. men wanting.
318. band-dogs. 344. catcht. 354. to me.
402. garments.
d. Title as in b.
Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, W. Gilbertson.
(1640-80 ?)
53. a. 54. with wanting. 74. all in.
II1. Fountains. II2. farther. 151. stept.
161. on his. 202. wigger. 231. shot so.
234. They for And. 248. his wanting.
244. the wanting. 27*. ranging.
288. men wanting. 311. he wanting.
321. of thine wanting. 332. and the other.
344. They kept. 39s. through the.
402. garments.
e. Title as in b.
Printed for W. Thackeray, J. Millet, and A.
MUbourn. (1680-97 ?)
24. for wanting. 3*, 44. hundreth.
52. That shot such a shoot. 58. a for an.
54. with wanting. 68. Fountain.
7, 8. wanting. 102. made wanting.
II1. Fountain's. II2. farther. 11s. he was.
121. on wanting. 151. leapt for stept.
15*. thou fine. 161. on his. 168. speak.
17s. over the. 202. wigger. 20*. to the.
222. on wanting. 231. shot so.
232. were all gane. 234. They for And.
248. to his. 244. Of the. 261. I will.
272. blew out. 274. ranging.
318. bay dogs. 321. Here is.
348. The cutrtles. 344. caught the.
381. Hold thy hand, hold thy hand, said.
391-2, 411. Fountain. 40l. through the.
402. garments. 412. and for or.
f. Title as in b.
London, printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and
J. Wright. (1655-80.)
22. some wanting. 52. shot such a shoot.
58. a. 54. with wanting. II1. Fountains.
123. ROBIN HOOD AND THE CURTAL FRIAR
127
II2. farther. II8. ware. 151. step'd.
158. thou fine. 161. on his.
202. wigger. 208. to the. 218, 348. curtle.
222. on wanting. 231. shot so.
232. Till all his arrows were.
234. They for And. 24s. his wanting.
24*. the wanting. 27*. ranging.
28s. men wanting. 303. fryer.
311. he wanting. 318. bay-dogs.
321. Here is : of thine wanting.
332. and the other. 344. caught the.
392, 411. Fountain. 393, 401. through the.
402. garments. 412. and more.
APPENDIX
THE PLAY OF ROBIN HOOD
(1-110)
a. Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795, II, 192, as printed
by William Copland, at the end of his edition
of the Gest.
b. As printed by Edward White, at the end of his
edition of the Gest: Bodleian Library, Z. 3.
Art. Seld.
ROBYN HODE
Now stand ye forth, my mery men all,
And harke what I shall say;
Of an adventure I shal you tell,
The which befell this other day.
5 As I went by the hygh way,
With a stout frere I met,
And a quarter-staffe in his hande.
Lyghtely to me he lept,
And styll he bade me stande.
10 There were strypes two or three,
But I cannot tell who had the worse,
But well I wote the horeson lept within me,
And fro me he toke my purse.
Is there any of my mery men all
15. That to that frere wyll go,
And bryng hym to me forth withall,
Whether he wyll or no ?
LYTELL JOHN
Yes, mayster, I make God avowe,
To that frere wyll I go,
20 And bring him to you,
Whether he wyl or no.
FRYER TUCKE
Deus hie ! deus Me ! God be here !
Is not this a holy worde for a frere?
God save all this company !
25 But am not I a jolly fryer ?
For I can shote both farre and nere,
And handle the sworde and buckler,
And this quarter-staffe also.
If I mete with a gentylman or yeman,
30 I am not afrayde to loke hym upon,
Nor boldly with him to carpe ;
If he speake any wordes to me,
He shall have strypes two or thre,
That shal make his body smarte.
35 But, maisters, to shew you the matter
Wherfore and why I am come hither,
In fayth I wyll not spare.
I am come to seke a good yeman,
In Bernisdale men sai is his habitacion,
40 His name is Robyn Hode.
And if that he be better man than I,
His servaunt wyll I be, and serve him truely;
But if that I be better man than he,
By my truth my knave shall he be,
e dogges all thr
ROBYN HODE
Yelde the, fryer, in thy long cote.
FRYER TUCKE
I beshrew thy hart, knave, thou hurtest my throt[e].
ROBYN HODE
I trowe, fryer, thou beginnest to dote ;
Who made the so malapert and so bolde
50 To come into this forest here,
Amonge my f alowe dere ?
FRYER
Go louse the, ragged knave.
If thou make mani wordes, I will geve the on the
eare,
Though I be but a poore fryer.
55 To seke Robyn Hode I am com here,
And to him my hart to breke.
ROBYN HODE
Thou lousy frer, what wouldest thou with hym ?
He never loved fryer, nor none of freiers kyn.
FRYER
Avaunt, ye ragged knave !
60 Or ye shall have on the skynne.
128
123.
ROBYN HODE
Of all the men in the morning thou art the worst,
To mete with the I have no lust ;
For he that meteth a frere or a fox in the morning,
To spede ill that day he standeth in jeoperdy.
65 Therfore I had lever mete with the devil of hell,
(Fryer, I tell the as I thinke,)
Then mete with a fryer or a fox
In a mornyng, or I drynk.
FRYER
Avaunt, thou ragged knave ! this is but a mock ;
70 If thou make mani words thou shal have a
knock.
ROBYN HODE
Harke, frere, what I say here :
Over this water thou shalt me here,
The brydge is borne away.
To say naye I wyll not;
75 To let the of thine oth it were great pitie and sin ;
But up on a fryers backe, and have even in !
ROBYN HODE
Nay, have over.
FRYER
Now am I, frere, within, and thou, Robin, without,
To lay the here I have no great doubt.
80 Now art thou, Robyn, without, and I, frere, within,
Lye ther, knave ; chose whether thou wilte sinke
or swym.
FRYER
Mary, set a knave over the shone.
ROBYN HODE
Therfore thou shalt abye.
ROBYN HODE
And God send me good lucke.
FRYER
Than have a stroke for fryer Tucke.
ROBYN HODE
Holde thy hande, frere, and here me speke.
FRYER
Say on, ragged knave,
90 Me semeth ye begyn to swete.
ROBYN HODE
In this forest I have a hounde,
I wyl not give him for an hundreth pound.
Geve me leve my home to blowe,
That my hounde may knowe.
FRYER
95 Blowe on, ragged knave, without any doubte,
Untyll bothe thyne eyes starte out.
Here be a sorte of ragged knaves come in,
Clothed all in Kendale grene,
And to the they take their way nowe.
ROBYN HODE
100 Perad venture they do so.
FRYER
I gave the leve to blowe at thy wyll,
Now give me leve to whistell my fyll.
ROBYN HODE
Whystell, frere, evyl mote thou fare !
Untyll bothe thyne eyes stare.
FRYER
105 Now Cut and Bause !
Breng forth the clubbes and staves,
ROBYN HODE
How sayest thou, frere, wylt thou be my man,
To do me the best servyse thou can ?
110 Thou shalt have both golde and fee.
After ten lines of ribaldry, which have no per-
tinency to the traditional Robin Hood and Friar,
the play abruptly passes to the adventure of Robin
Hood and the Potter.
a. Ritson has been followed, without collation with
Copland.
35. maister. 64. spede ell.
70. you, you for thou, thou. 82. donee.
104. starte.
b. 13. he wanting. 15. to the. 23. word of.
31. Not. 35. maister. 41. if he. 43. be a.
59. ye wanting. 61. in a.
65. had rather : of hell wanting. 70. y": y" shalt.
81. choose either sinke. 97. Here is.
103. might thou. 104.* stare.
124. THE JOLLY FINDER OF WAKEFIELD
129
124
THE JOLLY FINDER OF WAKEFIELD
A. a. Wood, 402, leaf 43. b. Garland of 1663, No 4.
c. Garland of 1670, No 3. d. Pepys, II, 100, No
87 a. e. Wood, 401, leaf 61 b.
B. Percy MS., p. 15 ; Hales and Furnivall, I, 32.
FEINTED in Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795, II,
16, from one of Wood's copies, " compared
with two other copies in the British Museum,
one in black letter : " Evans, Old Ballads,
177T, 1784, 1, 99.
There is another copy in the Roxburghe
collection, III, 24, and there are two in the
Bagford.
'A ballett of Wakefylde and a grene' is
entered to Master John Wallye and Mistress
Toye, 19 July, 1557-9 July, 1558 : Station-
ers' Registers, Arber, I, 76.
The ballad is one of four, besides the Gest,
that were known to the author of the Life
of Robin Hood in Sloane MS. 780, which
dates from early in the seventeenth century.
It is thoroughly lyrical, and therein " like the
old age," and was pretty well sung to pieces
before it ever was printed. A snatch of it is
sung, as Ritson has observed, in each of the
Robin Hood plays, The Downfall of Robert,
Earl of Huntington, by Anthony Munday,
and The Death of Robert, Earl of Hunting-
ton, by A. Munday and Henry Chettle, both
printed in 1601.
At Michaelmas cometh my covenant out,
My master gives me my fee ;
Then, Robin, I '11 wear thy Kendall green,
And wend to the greenwood with thee.
O there dwelleth a jolly pinder
At Wakefield all on a green.*
Silence sings the line ' And Robin Hood,
Scarlet, and John,' 32, in the Second Part of
* Dodsley's Old Plays, 4th ed., by W. C. Hazlitt, VIII,
195, 232.
VOL. ni. 17
King Henry Fourth, V, 3, and Falstaff ad-
dresses Bardolph as Scarlet and John in the
first scene of The Merry Wives of Windsor.
In Beaumont and Fletcher's Philaster, V, 4,
Dyce, I, 295, we have : " Let not . . . your
Robinhoods, Scarlets, and Johns tie your affec-
tions in darkness to your shops." Scarlet and
John, comrades of Robin Hood from the be-
ginning, are prominent in many ballads.
Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John have left
the highway and made a path over the corn,f
apparently in defiance of the Pinder of Wake-
field, who has the fame of being able to exact
a penalty of trespassers, whatever their rank.
The Pinder bids them turn again ; they, being
three to one, scorn to comply. The Pinder
fights with them till their swords are broken.
Robin cries Hold! and asks the Pinder to
join his company in the greenwood. This
the Pinder is ready to do at Michaelmas,
when his engagement to his present master
will be terminated. Robin asks for meat and
drink, and the Pinder offers him bread, beef,
and ale.
The adventure of the ballad is naturally
introduced into the play of George a Greene,
the Pinner of Wakefield, printed in 1599,
reprinted in Dodsley's Old Plays (the third
volume of the edition of 1825), and by Dyce
among the works of Robert Greene. George
a Greene fights with Scarlet, and beats him ;
then with Much (not John), and beats him ;
then with Robin Hood. Robin protests he is
the stoutest champion that ever he laid hands
on, and says :
t A very serious offence : see E. Peacock, Hales and
Furnivall, Percy Folio Manuscript, I, Ixii, note to p. 34.
130
124. THE JOLLY FINDER OF WAKEFIELD
George, wilt thou forsake "Wakefield
Ahd go with me ?
Two liveries will I give thee every year,
And forty crowns shall be thy fee.
George welcomes Robin to his house, offer-
ing him wafer-cakes, beef, mutton, and veal.
(Dyce, II, 196 f.)
The scene in the play is found in the prose
history of George a Green, London, 1706, of
which a copy is known, no doubt substantially
the same, of the date 1632. The Pinner here
fells ' Slathbatch,' Little John, and the Friar,
before his bout with Robin. See Thorns, A
Collection of Early Prose Romances, II, 44-
47, and the prefaces, p. viii ff, p. xviii f, for
more about the popularity of the Pinner's
story.
Wakefield is in the West Riding of the
county of York.
Richard Brathwayte, in a poetical epistle
" to all true-bred northerne sparks of the gen-
erous society of the Cottoneers," Strappado
for the Divell, 1615 (cited by Ritson, Robin
Hood, ed. 1795, I, xxvii-ix), speaks of
The Pindar's valour, and how firme he stfcod
In th' townes defence gainst th' rebel Robin Hood ;
How stoutly he behav'd himselfe, and would,
In spite of Robin, bring his horse to th' fold :
from which we might infer that according
to one account the Pinder had impounded
Robin's horse. But as Robin Hood, in this
passage, is confounded with<the rebel Earl of
Kendal, or some one of his adherents, it is
safe to suppose that Brathwayte has been
twice inaccurate.*
The ballad is so imperfect that one might
be in doubt whether the Pinder fights with
Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John all together
or successively. But to suppose the Pinder
capable of dealing with all three at once
would be monstrous, and we see from the
History and from Greene's play that the Pin-
der must take them one after the other, and
Robin the last of the three.
There are seven other ballads, besides The
Pinder of Wakefield, in which Robin Hood,
after trying his strength with a stout fellow,
and coming off somewhat or very much the
worse, induces his antagonist to enlist in his
company. Several of these are very late,
and most of them imitations, we may say, of
the Pinder, or one of the other. These bal-
lads are : Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar ;
Robin Hood and Little John; Robin Hood
and the Tanner ; Robin Hood and the Tinker,
28 ff; Robin Hood Revived; Robin Hood
and the Ranger ; Robin Hood and the Scotch-
man. We might add Robin Hood and Maid
Marian. The episode of Little John and the
Cook, in the Gest, 165-171, is after the same
pattern. There is another set in which a
contest of a like description does not result in
an accession to the outlaw-band. These are
Robin Hood and the Potter ; Robin Hood and
the Butcher ; Robin Hood and the Beggar, I ;
Robin Hood and the Beggar, II (Robin Hood
first beaten, then three of his men severely
handled) ; Robin Hood and the Shepherd
(Robin Hood overmastered, Little John on
the point of being beaten, etc.) ; The Bold
Pedlar and Robin Hood (John outmatched
first, then his master) ; Robin Hood's De-
light (combat between Robin Hood, Little
John, and Scadlock and three Keepers) ;
Robin Hood and the Pedlars (again three to
three).
There are, as might be expected, frequent
verbal agreements in these ballads, and many
of them are collected by Fricke, Die Robin-
Hood-Balladen, pp 91-95.
The fights in these ballads last from an
hour, Gest, st. 168, to a long summer's day,
in this ballad, st. 6. In Robin Hood and
Maid Marian, st. 11, the time is at least an
hour, or more ; in Robin Hood and the Tanner,
* Further on, Brathwayte alludes to a difference between
Robin Hood and the Shoemaker of Bradford, which had
been treated of by stage-poets. This refers to the fight
that Robin Hood and George a Green have with the shoe-
makers, in chap, xii of the History (Thorns, p. 52 f), which
is introduced into Robert Greene's play (Dyce, p. 199 f),
but only George does the fighting th'ere. It is mere care-
lessness when Munday, ' Downfall,' etc., applies the name
of George a Greene to the Shoemaker of Bradford (Hazlitt,
as above, p. 151). In the same play and the same scene
he makes Scathlock and Scarlet two persons.
124. THE JOLLY FINDER OF WAKEFIELD
131
st. 20, two hours and more ; in Robin Hood Hood and the Shepherd, st. 11, from ten
and the Ranger, st. 12, three hours ; in Robin o'clock till four; in Robin Hood's Delight, st.
Hood and the Curtal Friar, B 24, and Robin 11, from eight o'clock till two, and past.
a. Wood, 402, leaf 43. b. Garland of 1663, No 4.
C. Garland of 1670, No 3. d. Pepys, II, 100, No 87 a.
e. Wood, 401, leaf 61 b.
1 IN Wakefield there lives a jolly pinder,
In Wakefield, all on a green ; (bis)
2 'There is neither knight nor squire,' said the
pinder,
' Nor baron that is so bold, (bis)
Dare make a trespasse to the town of Wake-
field,
But his pledge goes to the pinfold.' (bis)
3 All this beheard three witty young men,
'T was Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John ;
With that they spyed the jolly pinder,
As he sate under a thorn.
4 ' Now turn again, turn again,' said the pinder,
' For a wrong way have you gone ;
For you have forsaken the king his highway,
And made a path over the corn.'
5 ' O that were great shame,' said jolly Robin,
' We being three, and thou but one : '
The pinder leapt back then thirty good foot,
'T was thirty good foot and one.
6 He leaned his back fast unto a thorn,
And his foot unto a stone,
And there he fought a long summer's day,
A summer's day so long,
Till that their swords, on their broad bucklers,
Were broken fast unto their hands.
7 ' Hold thy hand, hold thy hand,' said Robin
Hood,
' And my merry men euery one ;
For this is one of the best pinders
That ever I try'd with sword.
8 ' And wilt thou forsake thy pinder his craft,
And live in [the] green wood with me ?
9 ' At Michaelmas next my covnant comes out,
When every man gathers his fee.;
I 'le take my blew blade all in my hand,
And plod to the green wood with thee.'
10 ' Hast thou either meat or drink,' said Robin
Hood,
' For my merry men and me ?
11 ' I have both bread and beef,' said the pinder,
' And good ale of the best ; '
'And that is meat good enough,' said Robin
Hood,
' For such unbidden guest.
12 ' 0 wilt thou'fbrsake the pinder his craft,
And go to the green wood with me ?
Thou shalt have a livery twice in the year,
The one green, the other brown [shall be].'
13 ' If Michaelmas day were once come and gone
And my master had paid me my fee,
Then would I set as little by him
As my master doth set by me.'
Percy MS., p. 15 ; Hales and Furnivall, I, 32.
*******
' BUT hold y . . hold y . . . ' says Robin,
' My merrymen, I bid yee,
For this [is] one of the best pindars
That euer I saw with mine eye.
132
124. THE JOLLY FINDER OF WAKEFIELD
2 ' But hast thou any meat, thou iolly pindar,
For my merrymen and me ? '
3 'But I haue bread and cheese,' sayes the
pindar,
' And ale all on the best : '
' That 's cheere good enoughe,' said Robin,
' For any such vnbidden guest.
4 « But wilt be my man ? ' said good Robin,
' And come and dwell with me ?
And twise in a yeere thy clothing [shall] be
changed
If my man thou wilt bee,
The tone shall be of light Lincolne greene,
The tother of Picklory.'
' Att Michallmas comes a well good tune,
When men haue gotten in their ffee ;
I 'le sett as litle by my master
As he now setts by me,
I 'le take my benbowe in my hande,
And come into the grenwoode to thee.'
A. The second and fourth lines were repeated in
singing.
a The lolly Finder of Wakefield.
Printed for F. Coles. T. Vere, and W. G[i]l-
ber[t]son. (F. Coles, 1646-1674 ; T. Vere,
1648-1680; W. Gilbertson, 1640-1663.
Chappell.)
I1, their.
31. witty, which all have, is a corruption of
wight.
101. laid. 134. by my.
b, o. Robin Hood and the jolly Finder of Wake-
field, shewing how he fought with Robin
Hood, Scarlet, and John a long summer's
day. To a Northern tune.
b. I1, there dwels. 24. it goes. 41. saith.
61. a for great: saith. II2. all. II8. that's.
121. thy for the.
c. 48. king's high. 62. fast unto.
6*. And a. 6s. that wanting.
91. covenants. 101. thou wanting.
d. The Jolly Finder of Wakefield with Robin
Hood, Scarlet, and John.
Printed by and for Alex. Milbourn, in Green-
Arbor Court, in the Little Old-Baily. (A.
Milbourn, 1670-1697. Chappell.)
3*. espy'd. 34. sat. 42. you have.
4s. the kings. 51. a for great.
62. foot against. 68. they for he.
6*. broke. 81. pinders craft.
82. in the. 131. was come.
134. set wanting.
e. The Jolly Finder of Wakefield : with Robin
Hood, Scarlet and John.
No printer's name.
38. espyed. 34. sat. 42. you have.
4*. kings. 61. foot against. 68. broke.
81. pinders craft. 131. was come.
134. set wanting.
Pepys Penny Merriments Garland : according
to Hales and Furnivall.
6*. And a. 66. that wanting.
101. thou wanting. 121. thy pinder.
Gutch, Robin Hood, II, 144 f, says that the
Roxburghe copy has in 31 wight yeomen.
He prints 7M :
And my merry men stand aside ;
For this is one of the best pinders
That with sword ever I tryed.
88'4. Thou shalt have a livery twice in the year,
Th' one greene, tither brown shall be.
These parts of stanzas 7, 8 he gives as from
a black-letter copy, which he does not de-
scribe.
B. I1'2 make half a stanza in the MS., and 1M
are joined with 21'2. 4M and 51>2 make a
stanza. It is not supposed that 4 and 5
were originally stanzas of six lines, but
rather that, one half of each of two stanzas
having been forgotten, the other has at-
tached itself to a complete stanza which
chanced to have the same rhyme. Stanzas
of six lines, formed in this way, are com-
mon in traditional ballads.
3*. guests. 48. 2?. in.
125. BOBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN
133
125
ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN
a. A Collection of Old Ballads, 1723, 1, 75. b. Aldermary Garland, by R. Marshall, n. d., No 22.
RITSON, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 138 ; Evans,
Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 204. There is a
bad copy in a Robin Hood's Garland of 1749.
" This ballad," says Ritson, "is named in a
schedule of such things under an agreement
between W. Thackeray and others in 1689,
Col. Pepys, vol. 5." It occurs in a list of bal-
lads printed for and sold by William Thack-
eray at the Angel in Duck-Lane (see The
Ballad Society's reprint of the Roxburghe
Ballads, W. Chappell, I, xxiv, from a copy in
the Bagford collection), but by some caprice
of fortune has not, so far as is known, come
down in the broadside form, neither is it found
in the older garlands.
Robin Hood and Little John belongs to a
set of ballads which have middle rhyme in the
third line of the stanza, and are directed to be
sung to one and the same tune. These are :
R. H. and the Bishop, R. H. and the Beggar,
R. H. and the Tanner, to the tune of R. H. and
the Stranger ; R. H. and the Butcher, R. H.'s
Chase, Little John and the Four Beggars, to
the tune of R. H. and the Beggar ; R. H. and
Little John, R. H. and the Ranger, to the
tune of Arthur a Bland (that is, R. H. and
the Tanner). There is no ballad with the
* Robin Hood Newly Revived (which, by the way, is in the
same bad style as Robin Hood and Little John) is directed
to be sung 'to a delightful new Tune.' The tune, as is seen
from the burden, was that of Arthur a Eland, etc., called in
Robin Hood and the Prince of Aragon (the Second Part of
Robin Hood Newly Revived) Robin Hood, or Hey down,
down a down. The earliest printed copy of the air is pre-
served in the ballad-opera of The Jovial Crew, 1731 (Rim-
bault, in Gutch's Robin Hood, II, 433, Chappell's Popu-
lar Music, p. 391), and the song which is there sung to it
has middle rhyme in the first line as well as the third, which
is the case with no Robin Hood ballad except Robin Hood
and the Peddlers.
Robin Hood and Maid Marian, which has the middle
title Robin Hood and the Stranger. Ritson
thought it proper to give this title to a ballad
which uniformly bears the title of Robin Hood
Newly Revived, No 128, because Robin's an-
tagonist is repeatedly called "the stranger " in
it. But Robin's antagonist is equally often
called "the stranger" in the present ballad
(eleven times in each), and Robin Hood and
Little John has the middle rhyme in the third
line, which Robin Hood Newly Revived has
not (excepting in seven stanzas at the end,
-which are a portion of a different ballad, Robin
Hood and the Scotchman). Robin Hood and
Little John (and Robin Hood Newly Revived
as well) would naturally be referred to as
Robin Hood and the Stranger, for the same
reason that Robin Hood and the Tanner is re-
ferred to as Arthur a Bland. The fact that
the middle rhyme in the third line is found
in Robin Hood and Little John, but is lacking
in Robin Hood Newly Revived, gives a slightly
superior probability to the supposition that the
former, or rather some older version of it (for
the one we have is in a rank seventeenth-cen-
tury style), had the secondary title of Robin
Hood and the Stranger.*
Like Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham,
rhyme in the third line, is directed to be sung to Robin Hood
Revived. Robin Hood and the Scotchman, as already said,
has middle rhyme in the third line; so have The King's
Disguise, etc., R. H. and the Golden Arrow, R. H. and the
Valiant Knight ; but the tune assigned to the last is Robin
Hood and the Fifteen Foresters, that is, Robin Hood's Pro-
gress to Nottingham.
It ought to be added that Robin Hood Newly Revived is
found in the Garland of 1663, in company with R. H. and
the Bishop, R. H. and the Butcher, etc., and that Robin
Hood and Little John is not there ; but I do not consider
this circumstance sufficient to offset the probability in favor
of the supposition, that by Robin Hood and the Stranger
is meant Robin Hood and Little John.
134
125. ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN
this ballad affects, in the right apocryphal
way, to know an adventure of Robin's early
life. Though but twenty years old, Robin
has a company of threescore and nine bow-
men. With all these he shakes hands one
morning, and goes through the forest alone,
prudently enjoining on the band to come to
his help if he should blow his horn. He
meets a stranger on a narrow bridge, and
neither will give way. Robin threatens the
stranger with an arrow, which, as he requires
to be reminded, is cowardly enough, seeing
that the other man has nothing but a staff.
Recalled to ordinary manliness, Robin Hood,
laying down his bow, provides himself with
an oaken stick, and proposes a battle on the
bridge, which he shall be held to win who
knocks the other into the water in the end.
In the end the stranger tumbles Robin into the
brook, and is owned to have won the day. The
band are now summoned by the horn, and
when they hear what the stranger has done are
about to seize and duck him, but are ordered
to forbear. Robin Hood proposes to his an-
tagonist that he shall join his men, and John
Little, as he declares his name to be, accedes.
John Little is seven foot tall.* Will Stutely
says his name must be changed, and they re-
baptize the " infant " as Little John.
' A pastorall plesant commedie of Robin
Hood and Little John, etc.,' is entered to Ed-
ward White in the Stationers' Registers, May
14, 1594, and ' Robin Hood and Litle John '
to Master Oulton, April 22, 1640. (Arber, II,
649, IV, 507.)
Translated by Anastasius Griin, p. 65.
1 WHEN Robin Hood was about twenty years
old,
With a hey down down and a down
He happend to meet Little John,
A jolly brisk blade, right fit for the trade,
For he was a lusty young man.
2 Tho he was calld Little, bis limbs they were
large,
And his stature was seven foot high ;
Where-ever he came, they quak'd at his name,
For soon he would make them to fly.
3 How they came acquainted, I'll tell you in
brief,
If you will but listen a while ;
For this very jest, amongst all the rest,
I think it may cause you to smile.
4 Bold Robin Hood said to his jolly bowmen,
Pray tarry you here in this grove ;
And see that you all observe well my call,
While thorough tbe forest I rove.
5 We have had no sport for these fourteen long
days,
Therefore now abroad will I go ;
Now should I be beat, and cannot retreat,
My horn I will presently blow.
6 Then did he shake hands with his merry men all,
And bid them at present good b'w'ye ;
Then, as near a brook his journey he took,
A stranger he chancd to espy.
7 They happend to meet on a long narrow bridge,
And neither of them would give way ;
Quoth bold Robin Hood, and sturdily stood,
I '11 show you right Nottingham play.
8 With that from his quiver an arrow he drew,
A broad arrow with a goose-wing :
The stranger reply'd, I '11 liquor thy hide,
If thou offerst to touch the string.
9 Quoth bold Robin Hood, Thou dost prate like
an ass,
For were I to bend but my bow,
I could send a dart quite thro thy proud heart,
Before thou couldst strike me one blow.
10 ' Thou talkst like a coward,' the stranger re-
ply'd;
' Well armd with a long bow you stand,
* Fourteen foot, as proved by his bones, preserved, accord-
ing to Hector Boece, in the kirk of Pette, in Murrayland.
See Ritson's Robin Hood, 1832, I, cxxxiif; and Gutch,
II, 112, note*.
125. ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN
135
To shoot at my breast, while I, I protest,
Have nought but a staff in my hand.'
11 ' The name of a coward,' quoth Robin, ' I scorn,
Wherefore my long bow I '11 lay by ;
And now, for thy sake, a staff will I take,
The truth of thy manhood to try.'
12 Then Robin Hood stept to a thicket of trees,
And chose him a staff of ground-oak ;
Now this being done, away he did run
To the stranger, and merrily spoke :
13 Lo ! see my staff, it is lusty and tough,
Now here on the bridge we will play ;
Whoever falls in, the other shall win
The battel, and so we '11 away.
14 ' With all my whole heart,' the stranger re-
ply'd;
' I scorn in the least to give out ; '
This said, they fell to 't without more dispute,
And their staffs they did flourish about.
15 And first Robin he gave the stranger a bang,
So hard that it made his bones ring :
The stranger he said, This must be repaid,
I '11 give you as good as you bring.
16 So long as I 'm able to handle my staff,
To die in your debt, friend, I scorn :
Then to it each goes, and followd their blows,
As if they had been threshing of corn.
17 The stranger gave Robin a crack on the crown,
Which caused the blood to appear ;
Then Robin, enrag'd, more fiercely engag'd,
And followd his blows more severe.
18 So thick and so fast did he lay it on him,
With a passionate fury and ire,
At every stroke, he made him to smoke,
As if he had been all on fire.
19 0 then into fury the stranger he grew,
And gave him a damnable look,
And with it a blow that laid him full low,
And tumbld him into the brook.
20 'I prithee, good fellow, 0 where art thou
now?'
The stranger, in laughter, he cry'd ;
Quoth bold Robin Hood, Good faith, in the
flood,
And floating along with the tide.
21 I needs must acknowledge thou art a brave
soul;
With thee I '11 no longer contend ;
For needs must I say, thou hast got the day,
Our battel shall be at an end.
22 Then unto the bank he did presently wade,
And pulld himself out by a thorn ;
Which done, at the last, he blowd a loud blast
Straitway on his fine bugle-horn.
23 The eccho of which through the vallies did fly,
At which his stout bowmen appeard,
All cloathed in green, most gay to be seen ;
So up to their master they steerd.
24 ' O what 's the matter ? ' quoth William Stutely ;
1 Good master, you are wet to the skin : '
' No matter,' quoth he ; ' the lad which you see,
In fighting, hath tumbld me in.'
25 ' He shall not go scot-free,' the others reply'd ;
So strait they were seizing him there,
To duck him likewise ; but Robin Hood cries,
He is a stout fellow, forbear.
26 There 's no one shall wrong thee, friend, be
not afraid ;
These bowmen upon me do wait ;
There 's threescore and nine ; if thou wilt be
mine,
Thou shalt have my livery strait.
27 And other accoutrements fit for a man ;
Speak up, jolly blade, never fear ;
I '11 teach you also the use of the bow,
To shoot at the fat fallow-deer.
28 ' 0 here is my hand,' the stranger reply'd,
' I '11 serve you with all my whole heart ;
My name is John Little, a man of good mettle ;
Nere doubt me, for I '11 play my part.'
29 His name shall be alterd,' quoth William
Stutely,
' And I will his godfather be ;
Prepare then a feast, and none of the least,
For we will be merry,' quoth he.
136
125. ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN
30 They presently fetchd in a brace of fat does,
With humming strong liquor likewise ;
They lovd what was good ; so, in the green-
wood,
This pretty sweet babe they baptize.
31 He was, I must tell you, but seven foot high,
And, may be, an ell in the waste ;
A pretty sweet lad ; much feasting they had ;
Bold Robin the christning grac'd.
32 With all his bowmen, which stood in a ring,
And were of the Notti[n]gham breed ;
Brave Stutely comes then, with seven yeomen,
And did in this manner proceed.
33 ' This infant was called John Little,' quoth he,
' Which name shall be changed anon ;
The words we '11 transpose, so where-ever he
goes,
His name shall be calld Little John.'
34 They all with a shout made the elements ring,
So soon as the office was ore ;
To feasting they went, with true merriment,
And tippld strong liquor gillore.
35 Then Robin he took the pretty sweet babe,
And cloathd him from top to the toe
In garments of green, most gay to be seen,
And gave him a curious long bow.
36 ' Thou shalt be an archer as well as the best,
And range in the greenwood with us ;
Where we '11 not want gold nor silver, be-
hold,
While bishops have ought in their purse.
37 ' We live here like squires, or lords of renown,
Without ere a foot of free land ;
We feast on good cheer, with wine, ale, and
beer,
And evry thing at our command.'
38 Then musick and dancing did finish the day ;
At length, when the sun waxed low,
Then all the whole train the grove did refrain,
And unto their caves they did go.
39 And so ever after, as long as he livd,
Altho he was proper and tall,
Yet nevertheless, the truth to express,
Still Little John they did him call.
a. Title. Robin Hood and Little John. Being
an account of their first meeting, their fierce
encounter, and conquest. To which is
added, their friendly agreement, and how
he came to be calld Little John.
To the tune of Arthur a Bland.
b. Title as in a.
22. statue. 32. you would. 38. among.
3*. it wanting. 48. his for my, wrongly.
51. for wanting. 58. be wanting.
8*. offer. 92. where I do bend.
II2. Therefore. II8. I will.
131. it wanting. 132. on this.
151. And first : he wanting. 15s. he for it.
161. a for my. 168. both goes, and follow.
181. he did. 191. in a fury.
198. which for that. 201. O wanting.
228. blew. 231. did ring. 234. their matter.
248. that for which. 271. fitting also.
301. him for in. 30*. baptiz'd. 311. feet.
318. He was a sweet. 328. came.
344. liquors. 352. the wanting.
391. they for he. 392. he be.
126. ROBIN HOOD AND THE TANNER
137
126
ROBIN HOOD AND THE TANNER
a. Wood, 401, leaf 9 b.
b. Garland of 1663, No 10.
c. Garland of 1670, No 9.
d. Pepys, II, 111, No 98.
FEINTED in Old Ballads, 1723, 1, 83.
a was printed by Ritson, Robin Hood,
1795, II, 30. Evans has an indifferent copy,
probably edited, in his Old Ballads, 1777,
1784, 1, 112.
Arthur a Bland, a Nottingham tanner, goes
of a summer's morning into Sherwood forest
to see the red deer. Robin Hood pretends
to be a keeper and to see cause for staying
the Tanner. The Tanner says it will take
more than one such to make him stand.
They have a two hours' fight with staves,
when Robin cries Hold ! The Tanner hence-
forth shall be free of the forest, and if he
will come and live there with Robin Hood
shall have both gold and fee. Arthur a Bland
gives his hand never to part from Robin,
and asks for Little John, whom he declares
to be his kinsman. Robin Hood blows his
horn. Little John comes at the call, and,
learning what has been going on, would like
to try a bout with the Tanner, but after a
little explanation throws himself upon his
kinsman's neck. The three take hands for a
dance round the oak-tree.
The sturdy Arthur a Bland is well hit off,
and, bating the sixteenth and thirty - fifth
stanzas, the ballad has a good popular ring.
There is corruption at 83, 123, and perhaps 133.
Little John offers to fight with the Tinker
in No 127, and again with the Stranger in
No 128, as here with the Tanner, and is for-
bidden, as here, by his master. In R. H.
and the Shepherd, No 135, he undertakes
the Shepherd after Robin has owned himself
conquered, and the fight is stopped after John
has received some sturdy blows. In the Bold
Pedlar and Robin Hood, No 132, John begins
and Robin follows, and each in turn cries,
Pedlar, pray hold your hand. In R. H. and
the Potter, No 121, John is ready to bet
on the Potter, because he has already had
strokes from him which he has reason to re-
member.
As the Tanner is John's cousin, so, in
Robin Hood Revived, No 128, the Stranger
turns out to be Robin Hood's nephew, Young
Gamwell, thenceforward called Scathlock ;
and in No 132 the Bold Pedlar proves to
be Gamble Gold, Robin's cousin.
Translated by Anastasius Griin, p. 117.
1 IN Nottingham there lives a jolly tanner,
With a hey down down a down down
His name is Arthur a Bland ;
There is nere a squire in Nottinghamshire
Dare bid bold Arthur stand.
2 With a long pike-staff upon his shoulder,
So well he can clear his way ;
VOL. III. 18
By two and by three he makes them to flee,
For he hath no list to stay.
3 And as he went forth, in a summer's morning,
Into the forrest of merry Sherwood,
To view the red deer, that range here and
there,
There met he with bold Robin Hood.
138
126. ROBIN HOOD AND THE TANNER
4 As soon as bold Robin Hood did him espy,
He thought some sport he would make ;
Therefore out of hand he bid him to stand,
And thus to him he spake :
5 Why, what art thou, thou bold fellow,
That ranges so boldly here ?
In sooth, to be brief, thou lookst like a thief,
That comes to steal our king's deer.
6 For I am a keeper in this f orrest ;
The king puts me in trust
To look to his deer, that range here and
there,
Therefore stay thee I must.
7 ' If thou beest a keeper in this forrest,
And hast such a great command,
Yet thou must have more partakers in store,
Before thou make me to stand.'
v
8 ' Nay, I have no more partakers in store,
Or any that I do need ;
But I have a staff of another oke graff,
I know it will do the deed.'
9 'For thy sword and thy bow I care not a
straw,
Nor all thine arrows to boot ;
If I get a knop upon thy bare scop,
Thou canst as well shite as shoote.'
10 ' Speak cleanly, good fellow,' said jolly Robin,
' And give better terms to me ;
Else I 'le thee correct for thy neglect,
And make thee more mannerly.'
11 ' Marry gep with a wenion ! ' quoth Arthur a
Bland,
* Art thou such a goodly man ?
I care not a fig for thy looking so big ;
Mend thou thyself where thou can.'
12 Then Robin Hood he unbuckled his belt,
He laid down his bow so long ;
He took up a staff of another oke graff,
That was both stiff and strong.
13 ' I 'le yield to thy weapon,' said jolly Robin,
' Since thou wilt not yield to mine ;
For I have a staff of another oke graff,
Not half a foot longer then thine.
14 ' But let me measure,' said jolly Robin,
' Before we begin our fray ;
For I 'le not have mine to be longer then thine,
For that will be called foul play.'
15 ' I pass not for length,' bold Arthur reply'd,
' My staff is of oke so free ;
Eight foot and a half, it will knock down a
calf,
And I hope it will knock down thee.'
16 Then Robin Hood could no longer forbear ;
He gave him such a knock,
Quickly and soon the blood came down,
Before it was ten a clock.
17 Then Arthur he soon recovered himself,
And gave him such a knock on the crown,
That on every hair of bold Robin Hoods
head,
The blood came trickling down.
18 Then Robin Hood raged like a wild bore,
As soon as he saw his own blood ;
Then Bland was in hast, he laid on so fast,
As though he had been staking of wood.
19 And about, and about, and about they went,
Like two wild bores in a chase ;
Striving to aim each other to maim,
Leg, arm, or any other place.
20 And knock for knock they lustily dealt,
Which held for two hours and more ;
That all the wood rang at every bang,
They ply'd their work so sore.
21 ' Hold thy hand, hold thy hand,' said Robin
Hood,
' And let our quarrel fall ;
For here we may thresh our bones into mesh,
And get no coyn at all.
22 ' And in the forrest of merry Sherwood
Hereafter thou shalt be free : *
' God-a-mercy for naught, my freedom I bought,
I may thank my good staff, and not thee.'
23 ' What tradesman art thou ? ' said jolly Robin,
'Good fellow, I prethee me show :
And also me tell in what place thou dost dwel,
For both these fain would I know.'
126. ROBIN HOOD AND THE TANNER
139
24 ' I am a tanner,' bold Arthur reply'd,
' In Nottingham long have I wrought ;
And if thou 'It come there, I vow and do swear
I will tan thy hide for naught.'
25 ' God a mercy, good fellow,' said jolly Robin,
' Since thou art so kind to me ;
And if thou wilt tan my hide for naught,
I will do as much for thee.
26 ' But if thou 'It forsake thy tanners trade,
And live in green wood with me,
My name 's Robin Hood, I swear by the rood
I will give thee both gold and fee.'
27 ' If thou be Robin Hood,' bold Arthur reply'd,
' As I think well thou art,
Then here 's my hand, my name 's Arthur a
Bland,
We two will never depart.
28 ' But tell me, O tell me, where is Little John ?
Of him fain would I hear ;
For we are alide by the mothers side,
And he is my kinsman near.'
29 Then Robin Hood blew on the beaugle horn,
He blew full lowd and shrill,
But quickly anon appeard Little John,
Come tripping down a green hill.
30 ' O what is the matter ? ' then said Little John,
' Master, I pray you tell ;
Why do you stand with your staff in your hand ?
I fear all is not well.'
31 ' 0 man, I do stand, and he makes me to stand,
The tanner that stands thee beside ;
He is a bonny blade, and master of his trade,
For soundly he hath tand my hide.'
32 ' He is to be commended,' then said Little John,
' If such a feat he can do ;
If he be so stout, we will have a bout,
And he shall tan my hide too.'
33 « Hold thy hand, hold thy hand,' said Robin
Hood,
' For as I do understand,
He 's a yeoman good, and of thine own blood,
For his name is Arthur a Bland.'
34 Then Little John threw his staff away,
As far as he could it fling,
And ran out of hand to Arthur a Bland,
And about his neck did cling.
35 With loving respect, there was no neglect,
They were neither nice nor coy,
Each other did face, with a lovely grace,
And both did weep for joy.
36 Then Robin Hood took them both by the hand,
And danc'd round about the oke tree ;
' For three merry men, and three merry men,
And three merry men we be.
37 ' And ever hereafter, as long as I live,
We three will be all one ;
The wood shall ring, and the old wife sing,
Of Robin Hood, Arthur, and John.'
a. Robin Hood and the Tanner, or, Robin Hood
met with his match : A merry and pleasant
song relating the gallant and fierce combate
fought between Arthur Bland, a Tanner of
Nottingham, and Robin Hood, the greatest
and most noblest archer of England. The
tune is, Robin and the Stranger.
Printed f or W. Gilbertson. (1640-63: Chap-
pell.)
38. merry Forrest of. 72. hath. 78. But.
98. the bare. II1. qd. . 138. straff.
144. Wanting in my copy, probably by acci-
dental omission : supplied from b.
178. That from every side : Old Ballads,
1713, to restore the middle rhyme.
21 2. let your Quiver : cf. b, c, d.
21 8. thrash : to : cf. b. 224. good wanting.
268. the wood : cf. d. 352. noice.
361. took him by: cf. d. 374. Kobin.
b. Title as in a. By the same printer as a.
Burden sometimes With hey, etc.
I1, lives there. I2, II1, 278. Arthur Bland.
32. merry Forrest of. 62. he puts.
72. hath. 78. Yet. 74. Before that.
83, 128, 138. graft.
9s. thy bare. II1. quoth.
131. I yield. 134. than. 14s. to wanting.
144. For that will be called foul play.
I7a. He gave. 178. Hoods wanting.
212. let our quarrel. 21*. thresh : into.
140
127. ROBIN HOOD AND THE TINKER
22*. my good. 23a. pray thee.
24s. thou come. '25'-. kinde and free.
263. the wood.
281. where's. 29a. both/orfulL
301. then wanting.
338. thy. 34*. he did. 361. took him by.
36a. round wanting. B7\ so long.
c. Title as in a. Burden after 21, With
hey, etc.
1«, II1, 27». Arthur Bland.
2*. not. 3a. merry Forrest of. 48. them to.
7a. hath. 78. Yet you. 7*. Before that
88, 12«, 138. graft.
9*. thy bare. II1. qd. .
131. I yield. 148. to wanting.
14*. For that will be called foul play.
168. blood ran. 17a. He gave.
178. hair on Robins.
17*. blood ran. 18*. been cleaving wood.
201. deal. 204. so fast.
21a. let our quarrel.
21*. thresh : into. 22*. my good.
248. thou come. 25a. kind and free.
261. thou wilt. 26s. the wood.
288. mother. 291. he blew.
292. both for full.
298. and anon. 308. your wanting.
31 2. me for thee. 331. Hood wanting.
338. thy blood. 344. he did. 35*. they both.
361. took him by. 362. round wanting.
371. And we : so long as we.
d. Title as in a, except : the greatest archer in.
London. Printed for J. Wright, J- Clarke,
W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger. (1670-
1682 ?) Burden sometimes, With hey, etc.
I4, to stand. 31. on a. 32. forrest of merry.
41. Robin he did him. 44. he did spake.
54. the kings.
61. If thou beest a, caught from 71.
72. hast 78. Then thou. 74. makst.
8a. Nor any : do not 92. thy.
98. thou get a knock upon thy.
II1. gip : wernion qd. II4. if thou.
122. And threw it upon the ground.
128. Says, I have a.
124. That is both strong and sound.
131. But let me measure, said.
148. I 'le have mine no longer.
144. For that will be counted foul play.
161. Hood wanting. 171. he wanting.
178. from every hair of.
181. raved for raged. 18s. he was.
184. stacking. 194. other wanting.
202. for wanting. . 212. let our quarrel.
218. thrash our bones to. 228. I've.
224. my good.
248. thou come. 261. thou wilt. 262. in the.
268. name is : rood. 291. on his.
292. both /or full. 294. tripping over the hill.
302. you me. 308. the staff. 318. and a.
323. about. 33s. thy. 352. They was.
371. we live. 372. all as (printed sa).
127
ROBIN HOOD AND THE TINKER
a. Wood, 401, leaf 17 b.
b. Pepys, II, 107, No 94.
c. Douce, HI, 118 b.
IN the Roxburghe collection, HI, 22. Not
in the Garland of 1663 or that of 1670.
a is printed in Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795,
II, 38; in Gutch's Robin Hood, II, 264,
44 compared with " the Roxburghe copy. The
ballad was printed by Evans, Old Ballads,
1777, 1784, 1, 118.
The fewest words will best befit this con-
temptible imitation of imitations. Robin Hood
meets a Tinker, and they exchange scurrili-
ties. The Tinker has a warrant from the
king to arrest Robin, but will not show it when
asked. Robin Hood suggests that it will be
best to go to Nottingham, and there the two
127. ROBIN HOOD AND THE TINKER
141
take one inn and drink together till the
Tinker falls asleep ; when Robin makes off,
and leaves the Tinker to pay the shot. The
host informs the Tinker that it was Robin
Hood that he was drinking with, and recom-
mends him to seek his man in the parks.
The Tinker finds Robin, and they fall to it,
crab-tree staff against sword. Robin yields,
and begs a boon ; the Tinker will grant none.
A blast of the horn brings Little John and
Scadlock. Little John would fain see whether
the Tinker can do for him what he has done
for his master, but Robin proclaims a peace,
and offers the Tinker terms which induce him
to join the outlaws.
It is not necessary to suppose the warrant
to arrest Robin a souvenir of * Guy of Gis-
borne ' ; though that noble ballad is in a 17th
century MS., it does not appear to have been
known to the writers of broadsides.
1 IN summer time, when leaves grow green,
Down a down a down
And birds sing on every tree,
Hey down a down a down
Robin Hood went to Nottingham,
Down a down a down
As fast as hee could dree.
Hey down a down a down
2 And as hee came to Nottingham
A Tinker he did meet,
And seeing him a lusty blade,
He did him kindly greet.
3 ' Where dost thou live ? ' quoth Robin Hood,
* I pray thee now mee tell ;
Sad news I hear there is abroad,
I fear all is not well.'
4 ' What is that news ? ' the Tinker said ;
' Tell mee without delay ;
I am a tinker by my trade,
And do Ijve at Banbura.'
5 ' As for the news/ quoth Robin Hood,
' It is but as I hear ;
Two tinkers they were set ith' stocks,
For drinking ale and bear.'
6 ' If that be all,' the Tinker said,
; As I may say to you,
Your news it is not worth a fart,
Since that they all bee true.
7 ' For drinking of good ale and bear,
You wil not lose your part : '
' No, by my faith,' quoth Robin Hood,
' I love it with all my heart.
8 ' What news abroad ? ' quoth Robin Hood ;
' Tell mee what thou dost hear ;
Being thou goest from town to town,
Some news thou need not fear.'
9 ' All the news,' the Tinker said,
1 1 hear, it is for good ;
It is to seek a bold outlaw,
Which they call Robin Hood.
10 ' I have a warrant from the king,
To take him where I can ;
If you can tell me where hee is,
I will make you a man.
11 ' The king will give a hundred pound
That hee could but him see ;
And if wee can but now him get,
It will serve you and mee.'
12 ' Let me see that warrant,' said Robin Hood
' I 'le see if it bee right ;
And I will do the best I can
For to take him this night.'
13 < That will I not,' the Tinker said ;
' None with it I will trust ;
And where hee is if you '1 not tell,
Take him by force I must.'
14 But Robin Hood perceiving well
How then the game would go,
' If you will go to Nottingham,
Wee shall find him I know.'
15 The Tinker had a crab-tree staff,
Which was both good and strong ;
Robin hee had a good strong blade,
So they went both along.
142
127. ROBIN HOOD AND THE TINKER
16 And when they came to Nottingham,
There they both tooke one inn ;
And they calld for ale and wine,
To drink it was no sin.
17 But ale and wine they drank so fast
That the Tinker hee forgot
What thing he was about to do ;
It fell so to his lot
18 That while the Tinker fell asleep,
Hee made then haste away,
And left the Tinker in the lurch,
For the great shot to pay.
19 But when the Tinker wakened,
And saw that he was gone,
He calld then even for his host,
And thus hee made his moan.
20 ' I had a warrant from the king,
Which might have done me good,
That is to take a bold outlaw,
Some call him Robin Hood.
21 ' But now my warrant and mony 's gone,
Nothing I have to pay ;
And he that promisd to be my friend,
He is gone and fled away.'
22 ' That friend you tell on,' said the host,
* They call him Robin Hood ;
And when that first hee met with you,
He ment you little good.'
23 ' Had I known it had been hee,
When that I had him here,
Th' one of us should have tri'd our strength
Which should have paid full dear.
24 ' In the mean time I must away ;
No longer here I 'le bide ;
But I will go and seek him out,
What ever do me betide.
25 * But one thing I would gladly know,
What here I have to pay ; '
' Ten shillings just,' then said the host ;
* I 'le pay without delay.
26 ' Or elce take here my working-bag,
And my good hammer too ;
And if that I light but on the knave,
I will then soon pay you.'
27 ' The onely way,' then said the host,
4 And not to stand in fear,
Is to seek him among the parks,
Killing of the kings deer.'
28 The Tinker hee then went with speed,
And made then no delay,
Till he had found then Robin Hood,
That they might have a fray.
29 At last hee spy'd him in a park,
Hunting then of the deer ;
' What knave is that,' quoth Robin Hood,
' That doth come mee so near ? '
30 'No knave, no knave,' the Tinker said,
' And that you soon shall know ;
Whether of us hath done most wrong,
My crab-tree staff shall show.'
31 Then Robin drew his gallant blade,
Made then of trusty steel ;
But the Tinker laid on him so fast
That he made Robin reel.
32 Then Robins anger did arise ;
He fought full manfully,
Vntil hee had made the Tinker
Almost then fit to fly.
33 With that they had a bout again,
They ply'd their weapons fast ;
The Tinker threshed his bones so sore
He made him yeeld at last.
34 ' A boon, a boon,' Robin hee cryes,
' If thou wilt grant it mee ; '
' Before I do it,' the Tinker said,
' I 'le hang thee on this tree.'
35 But the Tinker looking him about,
Robin his horn did blow ;
Then came unto him Little John,
And William Scadlock too.
36 ' What is the matter,' quoth Little John,
' You sit in th' highway side ? '
' Here is a Tinker that stands by,
That hath paid well my hide.'
127. ROBIN HOOD AND THE TINKER.
143
37 ' That Tinker,' then said Little John,
' Fain that blade I would see,
And I would try what I could do,
If hee '1 do as much for raee.'
38 But Robin hee then wishd them both
They should the quarrel cease,
' That henceforth wee may bee as one,
And ever live in peace.
39 ' And for the jovial Tinker's part,
A hundred pound I 'le give,
In th' year to maintain him on,
As long as he doth live.
40 ' In manhood hee is a mettle man,
And a mettle man by trade ;
I never thought that any man
Should have made me so fraid.
41 ' And if hee will bee one of us,
Wee will take all one fare,
And whatsoever wee do get,
He shall have his full share.'
42 So the Tinker was content
With them to go along,
And with them a part to take,
And so I end my song.
a. A new song, to drive away cold winter,
Between Robin Hood and the Jovial Tinker ;
How Robin by a wile
The Tinker he did cheat,
But at the length, as you shall hear,
The Tinker did him beat ;
Whereby the same they then did so agree
They after livd in love and unity.
To the tune of In Summer Time.
London, Printed for F. Grove, dwelling on
SnowhiU. (1620-55.)
I8. Nottingam. 8s. here. 101. warrand.
b. Title as in a : except that he is wanting in
the fourth line, and so in the last line but
one.
Printed for I. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T.
Passenger. (1670-86 ?)
31. qd. 4*. Banburay. 68. it wanting.
II1. king would : an. 148. you would.
162. they took up their.
221. speak for tell. 241. was for will.
24*. me wanting.
258. Ten shillings just I have to pay.
268. if I : on that. 28'. then found.
318. Tinker he laid on so fast.
322. right for full. S31, laid about.
33*. That he. 354. Will.
392. pounds : I for He.
401. mettled. 40*. afraid. 411. with us.
c. Robin Hood and the Jolly Tinker : Shewing
how they fiercely encountered, and after the
victorious conquest lovingly agreed. Tune
of In Summer Time.
London, Printed by J. Hodges, at the Looking
Glass, on London Bridge. Not in black
letter.
31. doth. 41. the news. 4*. Bullbury.
58. they are. 68. it wanting. 84. needs.
II1. would give an. II4. thee for you.
151. A crab-tree staff the Tinker had.
16a. they took up at their inn.
182. Robin made haste away.
191. did awake. 198. even wanting.
20s. to seek. 211. the for my.
214. He wanting. 221. speak for tell.
231. I but. 238. might for strength.
241. I will. 244. should betide.
251. But wanting. 258. just I have to pay.
261. bags. 268. that wanting. 278. amongst.
291. in the. 312. Made of a.
318. he laid : him wanting. 32s. that he.
324. Then almost. 331. they laid about.
33». full for so. 334. That he. 342. grant to.
354. also for too. 368. There.
372. would I. 37s. And would.'
382. They would. 39s. In a.
401. mettle. 404. afraid.
144
128. ROBIN HOOD NEWLY REVIVED
128
ROBIN HOOD NEWLY REVIVED
Robin Hood Newly Reviv'd.' a. Wood, 401, leaf
27 b. b. Roxburghe, III, 18, in the Ballad Society's
reprint, II, 426. c. Garland of 1663, No 3. d. Gar-
land of 1670, No 2. e. Pepys, II, 101, No 88.
ALSO Douce, III, 120 b, London, by L.
How, and Roxburghe, III, 408 : both of these
are of the eighteenth century.
a is printed, with not a few changes, in
Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795, II, 66. Evans,
Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, 1, 143, agrees nearly
with the Aldermary garland. ^
Robin Hood, walking the forest, meets
a gaily-dressed young fellow, who presently
brings down a deer at forty yards with his bow.
Robin commends the shot, and offers the
youngster a place as one of his yeomen. The
offer is rudely received ; each bends his bow
at the other. Robin suggests that one of them
may be slain, if they shoot : swords and buck-
lers would be better. Robin strikes the first
blow, and is so stoutly answered that he is fain
to know who the young man is. His name is
Gamwell, and, having killed his father's stew-
ard, he has fled to the forest to join his uncle,
Robin Hood. The kinsmen embrace, and
walk on till they meet Little John. Robin
Hood tells John that the stranger has beaten
him. Little John would like a bout, to see if
the stranger can beat him. This Robin for-
bids, for this stranger is his own sister's son ;
he shall be next in rank to Little John among
his yeomen, and be called Scarlet.
The story seems to have been built up on a
portion of the ruins, so to speak, of the fine
tale of Gamelyn. There the king of the out-
laws, sitting at meat with his seven score
young men, sees Gamelyn wandering in the
* The Bold Pedlar and Kobin Hood, No 132, is a tradi-
tional variation of Robin Hood Revived.
t Though Mr W. C. Hazlitt, in his Handbook to the Pop-
ular, Poetical, and Dramatic Literature of Great Britain, p.
514, No 25, has: "Robin Hood and the Stranger. In two
parts. [Col.] London : printed by and for W. O., and to be
wood with Adam, and tells some of his young
men to fetch them in. Seven start up to exe-
cute the order, and when they come to Game-
lyn and his comrade bid the twain hand over
their bows and arrows. Gamelyn replies,
Not though ye fetch five men, and so be
twelve ; but no violence being attempted, the
pair go to the king, who asks them what they
seek in the woods. Gamelyn answers, No
harm ; but to shoot a deer, if we meet one,
like hungry men. The king gives them to
eat and drink of the best, and, upon learning
that the spokesman is Gamelyn, makes him
master, under himself, over all the outlaws.
Little John having long had the place of first
man under Robin, the best that the ballad-
maker could do for Gamwell was to make
him chief yeoman after John.* (The Tale of
Gamelyn, ed. Skeat, vv 625-686. The re-
semblance of the ballad is remarked upon at
p. x.)
Ritson gives this ballad the title of Robin
Hood and the Stranger, remarking : The title
now given to this ballad is that which it seems
to have originally borne ; having been fool-
ishly altered to Robin Hood newly Revived.
R. H. and the Bishop, R. H. and the Beggar,
R. H. and the Tanner, are directed to be sung
to the tune of Robin Hood and the Stranger,
but no ballad bears such a title in any gar-
land or broadside.f The ballad referred to
as Robin Hood and the Stranger may pos-
sibly have been this, but, for reasons given at
sold at the booksellers. Roxb. and Wood Colls." This
colophon belongs only to Robin Hood, Will Scadlock, and
Little John, otherwise Robin Hood and the Prince of Ara-
gon, which see. The title Robin Hood and the Stranger
is adopted from Ritson.
128. ROBIN HOOD NEWLY REVIVED
145
p. 133, Robin Hood and Little John is, as I
think, more likely to be the one meant.
Robin Hood and the Stranger was one
name for the most popular of Robin Hood
tunes, and this particular tune was sometimes
called ' Robin Hood ' absolutely (see the note
at the end of the next ballad). If the bal-
lad denoted by Robin Hood and the Stranger
was also sometimes known as ' Robin Hood '
simply, and especially if this ballad was Robin
Hood and Little John, an explanation pre-
sents itself of the title ' Robin Hood newly
Revived.' What is revived is the favorite
topic of the process by which Robin Hood
enlarged and strengthened his company. The
earlier ballad had shown how Little John
came to join the band ; the second undertakes
to tell us how Scarlet was enlisted, the next
most important man after John.
The second part, referred to in the last
stanza, was separated, Mr Chappell thought,
when the present ballad was " newly revived,"
because the whole was found too long for a
penny (one would say that both parts to-
gether were "dear enough a leek"), and seven
stanzas (incoherent in themselves and not co-
hering with what lies before us) added to fill
up the sheet. These stanzas will be given
under No 130, as Robin Hood and the Scotch-
man ; and the " second part," ' R. H. and the
Prince of Aragon,' or ' R. H., Will. Scadlock
and Little John,' follows immediately.
1 COME listen a while, you gentlemen all,
With a hey down down a down down
That are in this bower within,
For a story of gallant bold Robin Hood
I purpose now to begin.
2 ' What time of the day ? ' quoth Robin Hood
then;
Quoth Little John, 'T is in the prime ;
* Why then we will to the green wood gang,
For we have no vitties to dine.'
3 As Robin Hood walkt the f orrest along —
It was in the mid of the day —
There was he met of a deft young man
As ever walkt on the way.
4 His doublet it was of silk, he said,
His stockings like scarlet shone,
And he walkt on along the way,
To Robin Hood then unknown.
6 A herd of deer was in the bend,
All feeding before his face :
* Now the best of ye I 'le have to my dinner,
And that in a little space.'
6 Now the stranger he made no mickle adoe,
But he bends and a right good bow,
And the best buck in the herd he slew,
Forty good yards him full froe.
VOL. in. 19
7 ' Well shot, well shot,' quoth Robin Hood then,
' That shot it was shot in time ;
And if thou wilt accept of the place,
Thou shalt be a bold yeoman of mine.'
8 'Go play the chiven,' the stranger said,
' Make haste and quickly go ;
Or with my fist, be sure of this,
I 'le give thee buffets store.'
9 ' Thou hadst not best buffet me,' quofli Robin
Hood,
' For though I seem forlorn,
Yet I can have those that will take my part,
If I but blow my horn.'
10 ' Thoii wast not best wind thy horn,' the stran-
ger said,
' Beest thou never so much in hast,
For I can draw out a good broad sword,
And quickly cut the blast.'
11 Then Robin Hood bent a very good bow,
To shoot, and that he would fain ;
The stranger he bent a very good bow,
To shoot at bold Robin again.
12 ' O hold thy hand, hold thy hand,' quoth Robin
Hood,
' To shoot it would be in vain ;
For if we should shoot the one at the other,
The one of us may be slain.
146
128. ROBIN HOOD NEWLY REVIVED
13 ' But let 's take our swords and our broad
bucklers,
And gang under yonder tree : '
' As I hope to be sav'd,' the stranger said,
4 One foot I will not flee.'
14 Then Robin Hood lent the stranger a blow
Most scar'd him out of his wit ;
' Thou never delt blow,' the stranger he said,
' That shall be better quit.'
15 The stranger he drew out a good broad sword,
And hit Robin on the crown,
That from every haire of bold Robins head
The blood ran trickling down.
16 ' God a mercy, good fellow ! ' quoth Robin
Hood then,
' And for this that thou hast done ;
Tell me, good fellow, what thou art,
Tell me where thou doest woon.'
17 The stranger then answered bold Robin Hood,
I 'le tell thee where I did dwell ;
In Maxfield was I bred and born,
My name is Young Gamwell.
18 For killing of my own fathers steward,
I am forc'd to this English wood,
And for to seek an vncle of mine ;
Some call him Robin Hood.
19 ' But thou art a cousin of Robin Hoods then ?
The sooner we should have done : '
' As I hope to be sav'd,' the stranger then said,
' I am his own sisters son.'
20 But, Lord ! what kissing and courting was there,
When these two cousins did greet !
And they went all that summers day,
And Little John did meet.
21 But when they met with Little John,
He there unto [him] did say,
0 master, where have you been,
You have tarried so long away ?
22 'I met with a stranger,' quoth Robin Hood
then,
' Full sore he hath beaten me : '
1 Then I 'le have a bout with him,' quoth Little
John,
' And try if he can beat me.'
23 ' Oh [no], oh no,' quoth Robin Hood then,
' Little John, it may [not] be so ;
For he 's my own dear sisters son,
And cousins I have no mo.
24 ' But he shall be a bold yeoman of mine,
My chief man next to thee ;
And I Robin Hood, and thou Little John,
And Scarlet he shall be :
25 ' And wee '1 be three of the bravest outlaws
That is in the North Country.'
If you will have any more of bold Robin Hood,
In bis second part it will be.
a, b, e. Robin Hood newly reviv'd. To a de-
lightful new tune.
c, d. Robin Hood newly revived : Or his meeting
and fighting with his cousin Scarlet. To a
delightful new tune.
a. Printed for Richard Burton. (1641-74.)
21, 71, 91, 121, 161, 221, 22", qd. 68. in th.
II2. To that shoot and. 14*. felt ; also in b-e.
212. him supplied from c, d.
b. London, Printed for Richard Burton, at the
Sign of the Horshooe in West Smithfield.
32. midst. 41. it wanting. 64. full wanting.
II2. To shot and that. 124. must be.
212. him wanting. 231. Oh no.
233. may not.
O. 3*. ware for met.
71, 91, 121, 161, 221, 22", 231, qd. 98. can I.
101. blow for wind. II2. To shoot and that.
13«. he said. 161, 184. bold Robin.
19l. art thou. 212. unto him. 231. Oh no.
232. may not. 254. In this.
d. 21, 71, 91, 121, 161, 221, qd.
38. ware for met.
6*. good wanting. 72. was in.
92. am for seem. II1. he bent.
II2. To shoot and that. 12*. must be.
138. he said. 162. that wanting.
181. own wanting. 191. art thou.
212. unto him. 231. Oh no. 232. may not
258. If thou wilt. 25*. In this.
129. ROBIN HOOD AND THE PRINCE OF ARAGON
147
e. Printed for J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T.
Passenger. (1670-82 ?)
I2, in wanting.
21, 71, 91, 121, 161, 221, 22s. quod.
32. midst. 3*. with for of. 41. it wanting.
6a. and wanting. 6*. full wanting.
78. except. 98. can wanting.
II2. To that shot and he.
11*. bent up a noble. 121. 0 wanting.
12*. must be. 191. art thou.
212. him wanting. 221, 231. then wanting.
231. Oh no. 232. may not.
258. If you '1 have more. 254. In this.
Followed in all the copies by seven stanzas which
belong to a different ballad. See No 130.
129
ROBIN HOOD AND THE PRINCE OF ARAGON
Robin Hood, Will. Scadlock and Little John.'
a. Roxburghe, I, 358, in the Ballad Society's reprint,
II, 431. b. Pepys, II, 120, No 106.
ALSO Roxburghe, III, 582, without a print-
er's name.
Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 71, from a,
with changes ; Evans, Old Ballads, 1777,
1784, I, 186.
This is only a pseudo-chivalrous romance,
tagged to Robin Hood Newly Revived as a
Second Part, with eight introductory stanzas.
Both parts are as vapid as possible, and no
piquancy is communicated by the matter of
the two being as alien as oil and water. The
Prince of Aragon, a Turk and an infidel,
has beleaguered London, and will have the
princess to his spouse, unless three champions
can vanquish him and his two giants. Robin
Hood, Scadlock, and John undertake the case,
and disguise themselves as pilgrims, so as not
to be stopped on their way. Robin kills the
prince, and John and Scadlock each a giant.
The king demands to know who his deliverers
are, and Robin Hood avails himself of the op-
portunity to get the king's pardon for himself
and his men. The princess was to be the
victor's prize, but cannot marry all three, as
might perhaps have been foreseen. She is
allowed to pick, and chooses Will Scadlock.
The Earl of Maxfield is present, and weeps
bitterly at the sight of Scadlock, because, he
says, he had a son like Will, of the name of
Young Gamwell. Scadlock, whom we know
from the First Part to be Gamwell, falls at
his father's feet, and the wedding follows.
1 Now Robin Hood, Will Scadlock and Little John
Are walking over the plain,
With a good fat buck which Will Scadlock
With his strong bow had slain.
2 ' Jog on, jog on,' cries Robin Hood,
' The day it runs full fast;
For though my nephew me a breakfast gave,
I have not yet broke my fast.
* ' Robin Hood and the Prince of Aragon,' in Thack-
eray's list, Ballad Society, I, xxiv, and in the late Gar-
lands, 1 749, etc.
3 ' Then to yonder lodge let us take our way,
I tbink it wondrous good,
Where my nephew by my bold yeomen
Shall be welcomd unto the green wood.'
4 With that he took the bugle-horn,
Full well be could it blow;
Streight from the woods came marching down
One hundred tall fellows and mo.
5 ' Stand, stand to your arms ! ' crys Will Scadlock,
' Lo ! the enemies are within ken : '
148
129. ROBIN HOOD AND THE PRINCE OF ARAGON
With that Robin Hood he laughd aloud,
Crys, They are my bold yeomen.
6 Who, when they arriv'd and Robin espy'd,
Cry'd, Master, what is your will?
We thought you had in danger been,
Your horn did sound so shrill.
7 ' Now nay, now nay,' quoth Robin Hood,
' The danger is past and gone ;
I would have you to welcome my nephew
here,
That hath paid me two for one.'
8 In feasting and sporting they passed the day,
Till Phoebus sunk into the deep ;
Then each one to his quarters hy'd,
His guard there for to keep.
9 Long had they not walked within the green wood,
But Robin he was espy'd
Of a beautiful damsel all alone,
That on a black palfrey did ride.
10 Her riding- suit was of sable hew black,
Sy press over her face,
Through which her rose-like cheeks did blush,
All with a comely grace.
11 'Come, tell me the cause, thou pritty one,'
Quoth Robin, ' and tell me aright,
From whence thou comest, and whither thou
goest,
All in this mournful plight ? '
12 ' From London I came,' the damsel reply 'd,
' From London upon the Thames,
Which circled is, O grief to tell !
Besieg'd with forraign arms.
13 'By the proud Prince of Aragon,
Who swears by his martial hand
To have the princess for his spouse,
Or else to waste this land :
14 ' Except that champions can be found
That dare fight three to three,
Against the prince and giants twain,
Most horrid for to see :
15 ' Whose grisly looks, and eyes like brands,
Strike terrour where they come,
With serpents hissing on their helms,
Instead of feathered plume.
16 ' The princess shall be the victors prize,
The king hath vowd and said,
And he that shall the conquest win
Shall have her to his bride.
1 7 ' Now we are four damsels sent abroad,
To the east, west, north, and south, -
To try whose fortune is so good
To find these champions forth.
18 ' But all in vaine we have sought about ;
Yet none so bold there are
That dare adventure life and blood,
To free a lady fair.'
19 < When is the day?' quoth Robin Hood,
' Tell me this and no more : '
' On Midsummer next,' the damsel said,
' Which is June the twenty-four.'
20 With that the teares trickled down her cheeks,
And silent was her tongue ;
With sighs and sobs she took her leave,
Away her palfrey sprung.
21 This news struck Robin to the heart,
He fell down on the grass ;
His actions and his troubled mind
Shewd he perplexed was.
22 ' Where lies your grief? ' quoth Will Scadlock,
' O master, tell to me ;
If the damsels eyes have piercd your heart,
I '11 fetch her back to thee.'
23 ' Now nay, now nay,' quoth Robin Hood,
' She doth not cause my smart ;
But it is the poor distressed princess
That wounds me to the heart.
24 ' I will go fight the giants all
To set the lady free : '
' The devil take my soul,' quoth Little John,
4 If I part with thy company.'
25 ' Must I stay behind ? ' quoth Will Scadlock ;
' No, no, that must not be ;
I 'le make the third man in the fight,
So we shall be three to three.'
26 These words cheerd Robin at the heart,
Joy shone within his face ;
Within his arms he huggd them both,
And kindly did imbrace.
27 Quoth he, We '11 put on mothly gray,
With long staves in our hands,
A scrip and bottle by our sides,
As come from the Holy Land.
28 So may we pass along the high-way ;
None will ask from whence we came,
But take us pilgrims for to be,
Or else some holy men.
129. ROBIN HOOD AND THE PRINCE OF ARAGON
149
29 Now they are on their journey gone,
As fast as they may speed,
Yet for all haste, ere they arriv'd,
The princess forth was led :
30 To be deliverd to the prince,
Who in the list did stand,
Prepar'd to fight, or else receive
His lady by the hand.
31 With that he walkt about the lists,
With giants by his side :
* Bring forth,' said he, ' your champions,
Or bring me forth my bride.
32 ' This is the four and twentieth day,
The day prefixt upon ;
Bring forth my bride, or London burns,
I swear by Acaron.'
33 Then cries the king, and queen likewise,
Both weeping as they speak,
Lo ! we have brought our daughter dear,
Whom we are forcd to forsake.
34 With that stept out bold Robin Hood,
Crys, My liege, it must not be so ;
Such beauty as the fair princess
Is not for a tyrants mow.
35 The prince he then began to storm ;
Crys, Fool, fanatick, baboon !
How dares thou stop my valours prize?
I '11 kill thee with a frown.
36 « Thou tyrant Turk, thou infidel,'
Thus Robin began to reply,
' Thy frowns I scorn ; lo ! here 's my gage,
And thus I thee defie.
37 'And for these two Goliahs there,
That stand on either side,
Here are two little Davids by,
That soon can tame their pride.'
38 Then did the king for armour send,
For lances, swords, and shields :
And thus all three in armour bright
o
Came marching to the field.
39 The trumpets began to sound a charge,
Each singled out his man ;
Their arms in pieces soon were hewd,
Blood sprang from every vain.
40 The prince he reacht Robin a blow —
He struck with might and main —
Which forcd him to reel about the field,
As though he had been slain.
41 ' God-a-mercy,' quoth Robin, ' for that blow !
The quarrel shall soon be try'd ;
This stroke shall shew a full divorce
Betwixt thee and thy bride.'
42 So from his shoulders he 's cut his head,
Which on the ground did fall,
And grumbling sore at Robin Hood,
To be so dealt withal.
43 The giants then began to rage,
To see their prince lie dead :
' Thou 's be the next,' quoth Little John,
' Unless thou well guard thy head.'
44 With that his faulchion he whirld about —
It was both keen and sharp —
He clove the giant to the belt,
And cut in twain his heart.
45 Will Scadlock well had playd his part,
The giant he had brought to his knee ;
Quoth he, The devil cannot break his fast,
Unless he have you all three.
46 So with his faulchion he run him through,
A deep and gashly wound ;
Who damd and foamd, cursd and blasphemd,
And then fell to the ground.
47 Now all the lists with cheers were filld,
The skies they did resound,
Which brought the princess to herself,
Who was fain in a swound.
48 The king and queen and princess fair
Came walking to the place,
And gave the champions many thanks,
And did them further grace.
49 ' Tell me,' quoth the king, ' whence you are,
That thus disguised came,
Whose valour speaks that noble blood
Doth run through every vain.'
50 ' A boon, a boon,' quoth Robin Hood,
' On my knees I beg and crave : '
' By my crown,' quoth the king, ' I grant;
Ask what, and thou shalt have. '
51 ' Then pardon I beg for my merry men,
Which are within the green wood,
For Little John, and Will Scadlock,
And for me, bold Robin Hood.'
52 ' Art thou Robin Hood ? ' then quoth the king ;
' For the valour you have shewn,
Your pardons I doe freely grant,
And welcome every one.
150
130. ROBIN HOOD AND THE SCOTCHMAN
53 ' The princess I promised the victors prize ;
She cannot have you all three : '
' She shall chuse,' quoth Robin ; saith Little John,
Then little share falls to me.
54 Then did the princess view all three,
With a comely lovely grace,
Who tock Will Scadlock by the hand,
Quoth, Here I make my choice.
55 With that a noble lord slept forth,
Of Maxfield earl was he,
Who lookt Will Scadlock in the face,
Then wept most bitterly.
56 Quoth he, I had a son like thee,
Whom I lovd wondrous well;
But he is gone, or rather dead ;
His name is Young Gamwell.
57 Then did Will Scadlock fall on his knees,
Cries, Father 1 father ! here,
Here kneels your son, your Young Gamwell
You said you lovd so dear.
58 But, lord ! what imbracing and kissing was there,
When all these friends were met !
They are gone to the wedding, and so to bedding,
And so I bid you good night.
a. Robin Hood, Will. Scadlock, and Little John, or,
A narrative of their victory obtained against
the Prince of Aragon and the two Giants : and
how Will. Scadlock married the Princess.
Tune of Robin Hood, or, Hey down, down a down.
London, Printed by and for W. O[nley], and are
to be sold by the booksellers. (1650-1 702.)
I1. Will., and always, except 558. 271. moth-ly.
322. perfixt. 471. sheers.
b. A new ballad of Robin Hood, etc., as in a. To
the tune of, etc. London : Printed for A. M[il-
bourne], W. O[nley], and T. Thackeray in Duck
Lane. (1670-89?)
I8. William. 78. I should. 74. has.
102. Cypress. II8. whether. 138. to his.
271. mothly. 321. twenty day. 322. prefixt.
328. or wanting. 371. those.
381. the king did. 408. him rell. 428. grumbled.
468. ramb'd/or dam'd. 471. with sheets.
564. it is. 588. and so the bedding.
130
ROBIN HOOD AND THE SCOTCHMAN
A. a. Wood, 401, leaf 27 b. b. Roxburghe, III, 18, in
the Ballad Society's reprint, II, 426. c. Garland of
1663, No 3. d. Garland of 1670, No 2. e. Pepys,
H, 101, No 88.
B. Gutch's Robin Hood, II, 392, from an Irish gar-
land, printed at Monaghan, 1 796.
A is simply the conclusion given to Robin
Hood Newly Revived in the broadsides, and
has neither connection with that ballad nor
coherence in itself, being on the face of it the
beginning and the end of an independent bal-
lad, with the break after the third stanza. 3
may possibly refer to the Scots giving up
Charles I to the parliamentary commissioners,
in 1647. In B, four stanzas appear to have
been added to the first three of A in order
to make out a story, — the too familiar one of
Robin being beaten in a fight with a fellow
whom he chances to meet, and consequently
enlisting the man as a recruit.
130. ROBIN HOOD AND THE SCOTCHMAN
151
a. Wood, 401, leaf 27 b. b. Koxburghe, III, 18, in the
Ballad Society's reprint, II, 426. c. Garland of 1663, No 3.
d. Garland of 1670, No 2. e. Pepys, II, 101, No 88.
1 THEN bold Robin Hood to the north he would
go,
With a hey down down a down down
With valour and mickle might,
With sword by his side, which oft had been
tri'd,
To fight and recover his right.
2 The first that he met was a bony bold Scot,
His servant he said he would be ;
' No,' quoth Robin Hood, ' it cannot be good,
For thou wilt prove false unto me.
3 ' Thou hast not bin true to sire nor cuz : '
' Nay, marry,' the Scot he said,
' As true as your heart, I 'le never part,
Gude master, be not afraid.'
4 Then Robin Hood turnd his face to the east ;
' Fight on my merry men stout,
Our cause is good,' quoth brave Robin Hood,
' And we shall not be beaten out.'
5 The battel grows hot on every side,
The Scotchman made great moan ;
Quoth Jockey, Gude faith, they fight on each
side ;
Would I were with my wife lone !
6 The enemy compast brave Robin about,
'T is long ere the battel ends ;
Ther 's neither will yeeld nor give up the field,
For both are supplied with friends.
7 This song it was made in Robin Hoods dayes ;
Let 's pray unto love above
To give us true peace, that mischief may cease,
And war may give place unto love.
B
Gutch's Robin Hood, II, 392, from an Irish garland,
printed at Monaghan, 1796.
1 Now bold Robin Hood to the north would go,
With valour and mickle might,
With sword by his side, which oft had been
try'd,
To fight and recover his right.
2 The first that he met was a jolly stout Scot,
His servant he said he would be ;
'No,' quoth Robin Hood, 'it cannot be good,
For thou wilt prove false unto me.
3 ' Thou hast not been true to sire or cuz ; '
' Nay, marry,' the Scot he said,
' As true as your heart, I never will part ;
Good master, be not afraid.'
4 l But eer I employ you,' said bold Robin Hood,
' With you I must have a bout ; '
The Scotchman reply'd, Let the battle be try'd,
For I know I will beat you out.
5 Thus saying, the contest did quickly begin,
Which lasted two hours and more ;
The blows Sawney gave bold Robin so brave
The battle soon made him give oer.
6 'Have mercy, thou Scotchman,' bold Robin
Hood cry'd,
' Full dearly this boon have I bought ;
We will both agree, and my man you shall be,
For a stouter I never have fought.'
7 Then Sawny consented with Robin to go,
To be of his bowmen so gay ;
Thus ended the fight, and with mickle delight
To Sherwood they hasted away.
A. For the printer, etc., see No 128, Robin Hood
newly Revived.
a. 1s. trid. I4, rigth. 48, 58. qd.
b. 1*. tri'd. 31. or for nor. 4s. case.
c. 4", 5". qd.
d. 4s. case.
e. 21. met with was a bold.
48. case : quod.
28. qd.
152
131. ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER
131
ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER
'Robin Hood and the Ranger.' a. Robin Hood's Gar-
land, London, C. Dicey, in Bow Church- Yard, n. d.,
but before 1741, p. 78. b. R. H.'s Garland, London,
W. & C. Dicey, n. d. c. R. H.'s Garland, London,
L. How, in Peticoat Lane, n. d. d. The English
Archer, etc., York, N. Nickson, in Feasegate, n. d.
e. The English Archer, etc., Paisley, John Neilson,
1786. f. R. H.'s Garland, York, T. Wilson & R.
Spence, n. d. (All in the Bodleian Library.)
IN Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795, II, 133, from
a York edition of Robin Hood's Garland. Ev-
ans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 200, appar-
ently from an Aldermary garland.
Mr Halliwell, in Notices of Fugitive Tracts,
etc., Percy Society, vol. xxix. p. 19, refers to
an edition of Robin Hood's Garland printed
for James Hodges, at the Looking-glass, Lon-
don-bridge, n. d., as containing " the earliest
copy yet known " of Robin Hood and the
Ranger, but does not indicate how the alleged
fact was ascertained. Inside of the cover of
a is written, William Stukely, 1741. b ap-
pears in advertisements as early as 1753.
Robin Hood, while about to kill deer, is
forbidden by a forester, and claiming the for-
est as his own, the cause has to be tried with
weapons. They break their swords on one
another, and take to quarter-staves. Robin
Hood is so sorely cudgelled that he gives up
the fight, declaring that he has never met with
so good a man. He summons his yeomen
with his horn ; the forester is induced to join
them.
1 WHEN Phoebus had melted the sickles of ice,
With a hey down, &c.
And likewise the mountains of snow,
Bold Robin Hood he would ramble to see,
To frolick abroad with his bow.
2 He left all his merry men waiting behind,
Whilst through the green vallies he passd ;
There did he behold a forester bold,
Who cry'd out, Friend, whither so fast ?
3 * I 'm going,' quoth Robin, ' to kill a fat buck,
For me and my merry men all ;
Besides, eer I go, I '11 have a fat doe,
Or else it shall cost me a fall.'
4 ' You 'd best have a care,' said the forester
then,
1 For these are his majesty's deer ;
Before you shall shoot, the thing I '11 dispute,
For I am head-forester here.'
5 'These thirteen long summers,' quoth Robin,
' I 'm sure,
My arrows I here have let fly,
Where freely I range ; methinks it is strange,
You should have more power than I.
6 'This forest,' quoth Robin, 'I think is my
own,
And so are the nimble deer too ;
Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear,
I wont be affronted by you.'
7 The forester he had a long quarter-staff,
Likewise a broad sword by his side ;
Without more ado, he presently drew,
Declaring the truth should be try'd.
8 Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,
Thus, eer he would take any wrong,
His courage was flush, he 'd venture a brush,
And thus they fell to it ding dong.
131. ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER
153
9 The very first blow that the forester gave,
He made his broad weapon cry twang ;
'T was over the head, he fell down for dead,
0 that was a damnable bang !
10 But Robin he soon did recover himself,
And bravely fell to it again ;
The very next stroke their weapons were
broke,
"Yet never a man there was slain.
11 At quarter-staff then they resolved to play,
Because they would have t'other bout ;
And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood,
Unwilling he was to give out.
12 Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows,
The other returnd them as fast ;
At every stroke their jackets did smoke,
Three hours the combat did last.
13 At length in a rage the bold forester grew,
And cudgeld bold Robin so sore
That he could not stand, so shaking his hand,
He said, Let us freely give oer.
H
14 Thou art a brave fellow, I needs must con-
fess
1 never knew any so good ;
Thou 'rt fitting to be a yeoman for me,
And range in the merry green wood.
15 I '11 give thee this ring as a token of love,
For bravely thou 'st acted thy part ;
That man that can fight, in him I delight,
And love him with all my whole heart.
16 Then Robin Hood setting his horn to his
mouth,
A blast he merrily blows ;
His yeomen did hear, and strait did appear,
A hundred, with trusty long bows.
17 Now Little John came at the head of them all,
Cloathd in a rich mantle of green ;
And likewise the rest were gloriously drest,
A delicate sight to be seen.
18 ' Lo, these are my yeomen,' said Robin Hood,
' And thou shalt be one of the train ;
A mantle and bow, a quiver also,
I give them whom I entertain.'
19 The forester willingly enterd the list,
They were such a beautiful sight ;
Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe,
And made a rich supper that night.
20 What singing and dancing was in the green
wood,
For joy of another new mate !
With mirth and delight they spent the long
night,
And liv'd at a plentiful rate.
21 The forester neer was so merry before
As then he was with these brave souls,
Who never would fail, in wine, beer or ale,
To take off their cherishing bowls.
22 Then Robin Hood gave him a mantle of green,
Broad arrows, and a curious long bow ;
This done, the next day, so gallant and gay,
He marched them all on a row.
23 Quoth he, My brave yeomen, be true to your
trust,
And then we may range the woods wide :
They all did declare, and solemnly swear,
They 'd conquer, or die by his side.
a. Robin Hood and the Ranger, or True Friend-
ship after a fierce Fight. Tune of Arthur
a Bland.
24. whether. 88. he '11. 121. a very hard blow.
b. 2*. whither. 62. are all. II2. the other.
121. very hard blows. 14 2. any one.
152. thou hast. 182. And wanting.
234. They would.
c. Burden : With a hey down down down and a
down.
VOL. in. 20
24. whither. 58. methink'. 62. deers.
88. he 'd. 101. soon recoverd.
102. to wanting. 108. they broke.
121. very hard blows. 124. this combat.
134. Hecry'd. 144. And live. 162. blast then.
192. a wanting. 212. with the.
d. Tune of, etc. wanting. Burden wanting.
I1, the circles. 1s. he wanting : ramble away.
24. whither. 52. arrows here I 've. 54. then I.
62. so is. 71. he wanting. 81. he had.
154
132. THE BOLD PEDLAR AND ROBIN HOOD
8*. he 'd. 91. that wanting. 98. his head.
101. soon recoverd. 108. they broke.
121. he wanting : many hard blows.
134. He cry'd.
161. Then wanting : Hood set his bugle horn.
162. blast then. 168. and soon. 164. An.
178. rest was. 181. said bold. 184. I '11.
20s. the whole. 21s. with the. 21*. beer and.
21*. take of the. 222. a wanting.
234. They would.
e. Burden : With a hey down down deny down :
or Hey down derry derry down.
I1, circle. 1s. he wanting : ramble away.
28. he did. 24. whither.
31. quoth Robin wanting. 3*. ere.
53. here wanting. 62. so is. 71. he wanting.
82. neer. 88. he 'd. 84. thus wanting.
9*. his head. 101. soon recovered.
10*. they broke. II1. then wanting.
121. many hard blows. 134. He cry'd.
154. whole wanting. 161. set his brave.
162. blast then. 16'. and soon. 164. An.
181. said bold. 188. and a bow. 184. I '11.
201. were in. 208. the whole. 21*. with the.
222. a wanting.
f. I1, ickles of ice. I8, would frolicksome be.
I4. And ramble about with his bow.
24. whither. 81. Hood wanting. 8*. he 'd.
101. recovered. 108. they broke.
104. Yet neither of them were slain.
II2. the other. 121. very hard blows.
124. this combat. 134. He cry'd.
141. And live. 181. said bold. 194. a good.
212. As when. 21*. beer and.
132
THE BOLD PEDLAR AND ROBIN* HOOD
J. H. Dixon, Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England, p. 71, Percy Society, vol. xvii, 1846.
" AN aged female in Bermondsey, Surrey,
from whose oral recitation the editor took
down the present version, informed him, that
she had often beard her grandmother sing it,
and that it was never in print ; but he has of
late met witb several common stall copies."
Robin Hood and Little Jobn fall in with a
pedlar. Little Jobn asks what goods he car-
ries, and says be will have half his pack.
The pedlar says he shall have tbe whole if be
can make him give a perch of ground. They
figbt, and John cries Hold. Robin Hood un-
dertakes the pedlar, and in turn cries Hold.
Robin asks tbe pedlar's name. He will not
give it till tbey have told tbeirs, and when
they have so done says it still lies with him
to tell or not. However, he is Gamble Gold,
forced to flee bis country for killing a man.
If you are Gamble Gold, says Robin, you are
my own cousin. They go to a tavern and
dine and drink.
Stanzas 11, 12, 15 recall Robin Hood's De-
light, No 136, 19, 20, 24 ; 13, 14 Robin Hood
Revived, No 128, 17, 18. As remarked under
No 128, this is a traditional variation of Robin N/
Hood Revived.
THERE chanced to be a pedlar bold,
A pedlar bold he chanced to be ;
He rolled his pack all on his back,
And he came tripping oer the lee.
Down a down a down a down,
Down a down a down
2 By chance he met two troublesome blades,
Two troublesome blades they chanced to be ;
The one of them was bold Robin Hood,
And the other was Little John so free.
133. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, I
155
3 ' O pedlar, pedlar, what is in thy pack ?
Come speedilie and tell to me : '
' I 've several suits of the gay green silks,
And silken bow-strings two or three.'
4 'If you have several suits of the gay green
silk,
And silken bow-strings two or three,
Then it 's by my body,' cries Little John,
' One half your pack shall belong to me.'
5 ' O nay, o nay,' says the pedlar bold,
' O nay, o nay, that never can be ;
For there 's never a man from fair Nottingham
Can take one half my pack from me.'
6 Then the pedlar he pulled off his pack,
And put it a little below his knee,
Saying, If you do move me one perch from
this,
My pack and all shall gang with thee.
7 Then Little John he drew his sword,
The pedlar by his pack did stand ;
They fought until they both did sweat,
Till he cried, Pedlar, pray hold your hand !
8 Then Robin Hood he was standing by,
And he did laugh most heartilie ;
Saying, I could find a man, of a smaller scale,
Could thrash the pedlar and also thee.
9 ' Go you try, master,' says Little John,
' Go you try, master, most speedilie,
Or by my body,' says Little John,
1 1 am sure this night you will not know me.'
10 Then Robin Hood he drew his sword,
And the pedlar by his pack did stand ;
They fought till the blood in streams did flow,
Till he cried, Pedlar, pray hold your hand !
11 Pedlar, pedlar, what is thy name ?
Come speedilie and tell to me :
' My name ! my name I neer will tell,
Till both your names you have told to me.'
12 ' The one of us is bold Robin Hood,
And the other Little John so free : '
' Now,' says the pedlar, ' it lays to my good will,
Whether my name I chuse to tell to thee.
13 ' I am Gamble Gold of the gay green woods,
And travelled far beyond the sea ;
For killing a man in my father's land
From my country I was forced to flee.'
14 'If you are Gamble Gold of the gay green
woods,
And travelled far beyond the sea,
You are my mother's own sister's son ;
What nearer cousins then can we be ? '
15 They sheathed their swords with friendly
words,
So merrilie they did agree ;
They went to a tavern, and there they dined,
And bottles cracked most merrilie.
31, 51, 5a. Oh.
133
HOBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, I
a. Wood, 401, leaf 23 b.
b. Garland of 1663, No 8.
c. Garland of 1670, No 7.
d. Pepys, H, 116, No 100.
a is printed, with changes, by Ritson, Robin 1777, 1784, 1, 180, agrees with the Aldermary
Hood, 1795, II, 122. Evans, Old BaUads, garland.
156
133. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, I
There is a copy in the Roxburghe Collec-
tion, III, 20.
Robin Hood, riding towards Nottingham,
comes upon a beggar, who asks charity.
Robin says he has no money, but must have
a bout with him. The beggar with his staff
gives three blows for every stroke of Robin's
with his sword. Robin cries truce, and at the
suggestion, we might almost say upon the
requisition, of the beggar, exchanges his horse
and finery for the beggar's bags and rags.
Thus equipped, he proceeds to Nottingham,
and has the adventure with the sheriff and
three yeomen which is the subject of No 140.
The copy in the Wood and in the Rox-
burghe collections is signed T. R., like Robin
Hood and the Butcher, B, and, like the latter
ballad, this is a rifacimento, with middle
rhyme in the third line. It is perhaps made
up from two distinct stories ; the Second Part,
beginning at stanza 20, from Robin Hood
rescuing Three Squires, and what precedes
from a ballad resembling Robin Hood and the
Beggar, II.
But no seventeenth-century version of Robin
Hood and the Beggar, II, is known, -and it is
more likely that we owe the fight between
Robin Hood and the Beggar to the folly and
bad taste of T. R. Robin has no sort of
provocation to fight with the beggar, and no
motive for changing clothes, the proposition
actually coming from the beggar, st. 15, and
it is an accident that his disguise proves use-
ful (cf. Guy of Gisborne). The beggar should
have reported that three men were to be
hanged, but instead of this is forced into a
fight, in order that one more ignominious de-
feat may be scored against Robin.
The verses,
9M, I am an outlaw, as many do know,
My name it is Robin Hood,
occur also in Robin Hood and the Bishop, No
143, 63>*. 'And this mantle of mine I'le to
thee resign,' 163, looks very like a reminis-
cence of Robin Hood and the Bishop, 103,
4 Thy spindle and twine unto me resign.' *
1 COME light and listen, you gentlemen all,
Hey down, down, and a down
That mirth do love for fo hear,
And a story true I 'le tell unto you,
If that you will but draw near.
2 In elder times, when merriment was,
And archery was holden good,
There was an outlaw, as many did know,
Which men called Robin Hood.
3 Vpon a time it chanced so
Bold Robin was merry disposed,
His time to spend he did intend,
Either with friends or foes.
4 Then he got vp on a gallant brave steed,
The which was worth angels ten ;
With a mantle of green, most brave to be seen,
He left all his merry men.
5 And riding towards fair Nottingham,
Some pastime for to spy,
There was he aware of a jolly beggar
As ere he beheld with bis eye.
6 An old patent coat tbe beggar had on,
Which he daily did vse for to wear ;
And many a bag about him did wag,
Which made Robin Hood to him repair.
7 ' God speed, God speed,' said Robin Hood,
' What countryman ? tell to me : '
* I am Yorkeshire, sir ; but, ere you go far,
Some charity give vnto me.'
8 ' Why, what wouldst thou have ? ' said Robin
Hood,
' I pray thee tell vnto me : '
' No lands nor livings,' the beggar he said,
' But a penny for charitie.'
9 ' I have no money,' said Robin Hood then,
' But, a ranger within the wood,
I am an outlaw, as many do know,
My name it is Robin Hood.
10 ' But yet I must tell thee, bonny beggar,
That a bout with [thee] I must try ;
* Remarked by Fricke, p. 88 f.
133. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, I
157
Thy coat of gray, lay down I say,
And my mantle of green shall lye by.'
11 ' Content, content,' the beggar he cry'd,
' Thy part it will be the worse ;
For I hope this bout to give thee the rout,
And then have at thy purse.'
12 The beggar he had a mickle long staffe,
And Robin had a nut-brown sword ;
So the beggar drew nigh, and at Robin let fly,
But gave him never a word.
13 ' Fight on, fight on,' said Robin Hood then,
* This game well pleaseth me ; '
For every blow that Robin did give,
The beggar gave buffets three.
14 And fighting there full hard and sore,
Not far from Nottingham town,
They never fled, till from Robin ['s] head
The blood came trickling down.
15 ' O hold thy hand,' said Robin Hood then,
' And thou and I will agree ; '
' If that be true,' the beggar he said,
' Thy mantle come give vnto me.'
16 ' Nay a change, a change,' cri'd Robin Hood ;
' Thy bags and coat give me,
And this mantle of mine I 'le to thee resign,
My horse and my braverie.'
17 When Robin Hood had got the beggars clothes,
He looked round about ;
' Methinks,' said he, ' I seem to be
A beggar brave and stout.
18 * For now I have a bag for my bread,
So have I another for corn ;
I have one for salt, and another for malt,
And one for my little horn.
19 ' And now I will a begging goe,
Some charitie for to find : '
And if any more of Robin you '1 know,
In this second part it 's behind.
20 Now Robin he is to Nottingham bound,
With his bags hanging down to his knee,
His staff, and his coat, scarce worth a groat,
Yet merrilie passed he.
21 As Robin he passed the streets along,
He heard a pittifull cry ;
Three brethren deer, as he did hear,
Condemned were to dye.
22 Then Robin he highed to the sheriffs [house],
Some reliefe for to seek ;
He skipt, and leapt, and capored full high,
As he went along the street.
23 But when to the sheriffs doore he came,
There a gentleman fine and brave,
' Thou beggar,' said he, ' come tell vnto me
What is it that thou wouldest have ? '
24 ' No meat, nor drink,' said Robin Hood then,
' That I come here to crave ;
But to beg the lives of yeomen three,
And that I fain would have.'
25 ' That cannot be, thou bold beggar,
Their fact it is so deer ;
I tell to thee, hangd they must be,
For stealing of our kings deer.'
26 But when to the gallows they did come,
There was many a weeping eye :
' O hold your peace,' said Robin then,
' For certainly they shall not dye.'
27 Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth,
And he blew but blastes three,
Till a hundred bold archers brave
Came kneeling down to his knee.
28 ' What is your will, master ? ' they said,
' We are here at your command : '
' Shoot east, shoot west,' said Robin Hood then,
' And look that you spare no man.'
29 Then they shot east, and they shot west ;
Their arrows were so keen
The sheriffe he, and his companie,
No longer must be seen.
30 Then he stept to these brethren three,
And away he had them tane ;
But the sheriff was crost, and many a man lost,
That dead lay on the plain.
31 And away they went into the merry green wood,
And sung with a merry glee,
And Robin took these brethren good
To be of his yeomandrie.
158
134. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, II
a. Robin Hood and the Beggar : Shewing how
Robin Hood and the Beggar fought, and
how he changed clothes with the Beggar,
and how he went a begging to Nottingham,
and how he saved three brethren from being
hangd for stealing of deer. To the tune of
Robin Hood and the Stranger. Signed
T. R.
London, Printed for Francis Grove, on Snow-
hill. (1620-55.)
Burden : an a.
I1, light in all : a corruption of lyth.
22. archrey. 34. friend or foe : cf. b, C.
42. angell. 61. had one. 101. tell the.
121. saffe. 218. brethred. 274. dow.
314. yeomandriee.
b, c. Title as in a. Not signed. Burden some-
times, With hey, etc., or, With a hey, etc. ;
once, in C, Hey derry derry down.
b. 34. friends or foes. 42. angels.
71. Hood then. 72. unto. 88. he wanting.
9s. doth know. 102. with thee. 10*. lay.
161. said /or cri'd. 201. he wanting.
21*. was for to. 221. sheriffs house.
27 2. he wanting. 302. them had.
O. 3*. friends or foes. 42. angels.
71. Hood then. 72. unto. 88. living:
102. with thee. 194. known for behind.
214. for to. 221. sheriffs house.
258. they hanged. 272. he wanting.
302. them had.
d. Title as in &: except of the king's deer. Not
signed.
Printed for I. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T.
Passinger. (1670-86.)
Burden : With a hey down down and a down.
32. merrily. 34. friend or foe. 42. angels.
51. brave for fair. 71. Hood then.
72. unto. 102. with thee. II1. he said.
121. muckle. 124. But he. 138. Robin gave.
148. Robin Hood's head. 158. If it.
171. Hood wanting. 178. Methink.
18 8. for mault : for salt.
194. In the. house wanting, as in a.
228. and he leapt. 23*. is 't : would'st.
254. of the. 268. O wanting : Robin Hood.
274. down on their. 282. here wanting.
291. east then. 302. has. 308. many men.
31 l. And wanting.
318. Then Robin Hood.
134
ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, II
a. ' The History of Robin Hood and the Beggar, '
Aberdeen, Printed by and for A. Keith : Bodleian
Library, Douce, HH 88. pasted between pp 68, 69 of
Robin Hood's Garland, London, C. Dicey. A. Keith
of Aberdeen printed from 1810 to 1835.
b. ' A pretty dialogue betwixt Robin Hood and a
Beggar,' Newcastle, in Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795,
I, 97.
a is printed by Gutch, Robin Hood, II,
230, with deviations. Of b Ritson says : The
corruptions of the press being equally numer-
ous and minute, some of the most trifling
have been corrected without notice. Despite
the corruptions, b is, in some readings, prefer-
able to a. Motherwell, Minstrelsy, p. xliii,
says that pretty early stall copies were printed
both at Aberdeen and Glasgow.
Robin Hood attempts to stop a beggar,
from whom he thinks he may get some
money. The beggar gives no heed to his
summons, but hies on. Robin, getting a
surly answer upon a second essay, says that
if there be but a farthing he will have it,
orders the beggar to loose the strings of his
pocks, and threatens him with an arrow. The
beggar defies him, and upon Robin's drawing
his bow, reaches him such a stroke with a
staff that bow and arrow are broken to bits.
134. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, II
159
Robin takes to his sword ; the beggar lights
on his hand with his staff and disables him
completely, then follows in with lusty blows,
till Robin falls in a swoon. The beggar moves
on with entire unconcern. Three of Robin's
men come by and revive him with water.
Their master tells them of his disgrace; he
had never been in so hard a place in forty
year. He bids them bring the beggar back
or slay him. Two of the three will be enough
for that, they say, and one shall stay with
him. Two set forth, accordingly, with a cau-
tion to be wary, take a short cut, which
brings them out ahead of the beggar, and
leap on him from a hiding, one gripping his
staff and the other putting a dagger to his
breast. The beggar sues for his life in vain ;
they will bind him and will take him h*ick to
their master, to be slain or hanged. He offers
them a hundred pound and more for his lib-
erty. They decide together to take the
money, and say nothing about it, simply re-
porting that they have killed the old carl.
The beggar spreads his cloak on the ground
and many a pock on it ; then, standing be-
tween them and the wind, takes a great bag
of meal from his neck and flings the meal
into their eyes. Having thus blinded them,
he seizes his staff, which they had stuck in
the ground, and gives each of them a dozen.
The young men take to their heels, the beg-
gar calling after them to stop for their pay.
Robin, after a jest at the meal on their
cloaths, makes them tell how they have fared.
We are shamed, forever, he cries ; but smiles
to see that they have had their taste of the
beggar's tree.
This tale is rightly called by Ritson a
North Country composition of some antiquity,
" perhaps Scottish." Fragments of Robin
Hood ballads, Motherwell informs us, were
traditionally extant in his day which had not
(and have not) found their way into printed
collections, and we know from very early
testimony that such ballads were current in
Scotland. This is by far the best of the
Robin Hood ballads of the secondary, so to
speak cyclic, period. It has plenty of homely
humor, but the heroic sentiment is gone. It
does not belong to the iron, the cast-iron, age
of Robin Hood's Birth, Breeding, etc. ; but
neither does it belong to the golden age of
Robin Hood and the Monk, or the Gest. It
would be no gain to have Thersites drubbing
Odysseus. Robin finds his match, for the
nonce, in the Potter, but he does not for that
depute two of his men to be the death of the
Potter. It never occurred to Little John and
Much to get a hundred pound from a beggar,
kill him, and pocket the money.
A story resembling that of the second part
of this ballad occurs, as Ritson has observed,
in Le moyen de parvenir, " 1739, I, 304 ; "
II, 94, London, 1786; p. 171, Paris, 1841.
A friar encounters two footpads, who offer to
relieve him of the burden of his frock. He
asks them to let him take it off peaceably,
puts his staff under his foot, takes off the
frock and throws it before them. While one
of the pair stoops to get it, the friar picks up
the staff and hits the knave a blow which
sends him headlong ; the other runs off.
Translated by Anastasius Griin, p. 180.
1 LTTH and listen, gentlemen,
That 's come of high born blood ;
I '11 tell you of a brave booting
That befel Robin Hood.
2 Robin Hood upon a day,
He went forth him alone,
And as he came from Barnesdale
Into a fair evening,
3 He met a beggar on the way,
That sturdily could gang ;
He had a pike-staff in his hand,
That was baith stark and strang.
4 A clouted cloak about him was,
That held him from the cold ;
The thinnest bit of it, I guess,
Was more than twenty fold.
160
134. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, II
5 His meal-pock hang about his neck,
Into a leathern fang,
Well fastened with a broad buckle,
That was both stark and strang.
6 He had three hats upon his head,
Together sticked fast ;
He cared neither for wind nor weet,
In lands wherever he past.
7 Good Robin coost him in his way,
To see what he might be ;
If any beggar had money,
He thought some part had he.
8 ' Tarry, tarry,' good Robin says,
' Tarry, and speak with me ; '
He heard him as he heard [him] not,
And fast his way can hie.
9 ' It he's not so,' says good Robin,
' Nay, thou must tarry still ; '
' By my troth,' says the bold beggar,
' Of that I have no will.
10 ' It is far to my lodging-house,
And it is growing late ;
If they have supt ere I come in,
I will look wondrous blate.'
11 ' Now, by my troth,' says good Robin,
' I see well by thy fare,
If thou chear well to thy supper,
Of mine thou takes no care ;
12 ' Who wants my dinner all the day,
And wots not where to lie,
And should I to the tavern go,
I want money to buy.
13 ' Sir, thou must lend me some money,
Till we two meet again : '
The beggar answerd cankerdly,
I have no money to lend.
14 Thou art as young a man as I,
And seems to be as sweer ;
If thou fast till thou get from me,
Thou shalt eat none this year.
15 ' Now, by my troth,' says good Robin,
* Since we are sembled so,
If thou have but a small farthing,
I '11 have it ere thou go.
16 ' Therefore, lay down thy clouted cloak,
And do no longer stand,
And loose the strings of all thy pocks ;
I '11 ripe them with my hand.
17 ' And now to thee I make a vow,
If thou make any din,
I shall see if a broad arrow
Can pierce a beggar's skin.'
18 The beggar smil'd, and answer made :
Far better let me be ;
Think not that I will be afraid
For thy nip crooked tree.
19 Or that I fear thee any whit
"For thy curn nips of sticks ;
I know no use for them so meet
As to be pudding-pricks.
20 Here I defy thee to do me ill,
For all thy boistrous fare ;
Thou 's get nothing from me but ill,
Would thou seek it evermair.
21 Good Robin bent his noble bow —
He was an angry man —
And in it set a broad arrow ;
Yet er 't was drawn a span,
22 The beggar, with his noble tree,
Reacht him so round a rout
That his bow and his broad arrow
In flinders flew about.
23 Good Robin bound him to his brand,
But that provd likewise vain ;
The beggar lighted on his hand
With his pike-staff again.
24 I wot he might not draw a sword
For forty days and more ;
Good Robin could not speak a word,
His heart was never so sore.
25 He could not fight, he could not flee,
He wist not what to do ;
The beggar, with his noble tree,
Laid lusty flaps him to.
134. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, II
161
26 He paid, good Robin back and side,
And beft him up and down,
And with his pike-staff still on laid
Till he fell in a swoon.
27 ' Fy ! stand up, man,' the beggar said,
' 'T is shame to go to rest ;
Stay still till thou get thy mony [told],
I think it were the best.
28 ' And syne go to the tavern-house,
And buy both wine and ale ;
Hereat thy friends will crack full crouse,
Thou has been at a dale.'
29 Good Robin answerd never a word,
But lay still as a stane ;
His cheeks were white as any clay,
And closed were his eyne.
30 The beggar thought him dead but fail,
And boldly bownd away ;
I would you had been at the dale,
And gotten part of the play.
31 Now three of Robin's men, by chance,
Came walking on the way,
And found their master in a trance,
On ground where he did lie.
32 Up have they taken good Robin,
Making a piteous bier,
Yet saw they no man there at whom
They might the matter spear.
33 They looked him all round about,
But wounds on him saw none,
Yet at his mouth came booking out
The blood of a good vein.
34 Cold water they have taken syne,
And cast into his face ;
Then he began to lift his eyne,
And spake within short space.
35 ' Tell us, dear master,' says his men,
' How with you stands the case ? '
Good Robin sighd ere he began
To tell of his disgrace.
VOL. III. 21
36 ' I have been watchman in this wood
Near hand this forty year,
Yet I was never so hard bestead
As you have found me here.
37 ' A beggar with a clouted cloak,
In whom I feard no ill,
Hath with a pike-staff clawd my back ;
I fear 't shall never be well.
38 * See, where he goes out oer yon hill,
With hat upon his head ;
If ever you lovd your master well,
Go now revenge this deed.
39 ' And bring him back again to me,
If it lie in your might,
That I may see, before I die,
Him punisht in my sight.
40 ' And if you may not bring him back,
Let him not go loose on ;
For to us all it were great shame
If he escapt again.'
41 ' One of us shall with you remain,
Because you 're ill at ease ;
The other two shall bring him back,
To use him as you please.'
42 ' Now, by my troth,' says good Robin,
' I trow there 's enough said ;
If he get scouth to weild his tree,
I fear you '11 both be paid.'
43 ' Be ye not feard, our good master,
That we two can be dung
With any blutter base beggar,
That hath nought but a rung.
44 ' His staff shall stand him in no stead ;
That you shall shortly see ;
But back again he shall be led,
And fast bound shall he be,
To see if you will have him slain,
Or hanged on a tree.'
45 ' But cast you slily in his way,
Before he be aware,
And on his pike-staff first lay hands ;
You '11 speed the better far.'
162
134. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, II
46 Now leave we Robin with his man,
Again to play the child,
And learn himself to stand and gang
By haulcls, for all his eild.
47 Now pass we to the bold beggar,
That raked oer the hill,
Who never mended his pace no more
Nor he had done no ill.
48 The young men knew the country well,
So soon where he would be,
And they have taken another way,
Was nearer by miles three.
49 They rudely ran with all their might,
Spar'd neither dub nor mire,
They stirred neither at laigh nor hight,
No travel made them tire,
50 Till they before the beggar wan,
And coost them in his way ;
A little wood lay in a glen,
And there they both did stay.
51 They «tood up closely by a tree,
In ilk side of the gate,
Until the beggar came them to,
That thought not of such fate.
52 And as he was betwixt them past,
They leapt upon him baith ;
The one his pike-staff gripped fast,
They feared for its scaith.
53 The other he held in his sight
A drawn dirk to his breast,
And said, False carl, quit thy staff,
Or I shall be thy priest.
54 His pike-staff they have taken him frae,
And stuck it in the green ;
He was full leath to let [it] gae,
If better might have been.
55 The beggar was the feardest man
Of one that ever might be ;
To win away no way he can,
Nor help him with his tree.
56 He wist not wherefore he was tane,
Nor how many was there ;
He thought his lif e-days had been gone,
And grew into despair.
57 ' Grant me my life,' the beggar said,
' For him that died on tree,
And take away that ugly knife,
Or then for fear I '11 die.
58 ' I grievd you never in all my life,
By late nor yet by ayre ;
Ye have great sin, if ye should slay
A silly poor beggar.'
59 ' Thou lies, false lown,' they said again,
' By all that may be sworn ;
Thou hast near slain the gentlest man
That ever yet was born.
60 ' And back again thou shalt be led,
And fast bound shalt thou be,
To see if he will have thee slain,
Or hanged on a tree.'
61 The beggar then thought all was wrong ;
They were set for his wrack;
He saw nothing appearing then
But ill upon worse back.
62 Were he out of their hands, he thought,
And had again his tree,
He should not be had back for nought,
With such as he did see.
63 Then he bethought him on a wile,
If it could take effect,
How he the young men might beguile,
And give them a begeck.
64 Thus for to do them shame or ill
His beastly breast was bent ;
He found the wind grew something shril,
To further his intent.
65 He said, Brave gentlemen, be good,
And let the poor man be ;
When ye have taken a beggar's blood,
It helps you not a flee.
66 It was but in my own defence,
If he hath gotten skaith ;
But I will make a recompence,
Much better for you baith.
134. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, II
163
67 If ye will set me safe and free,
And do me no danger,
An hundred pounds I will you give,
And much more good silver,
68 That I have gathered these many years,
Under this clouted cloak,
And hid up wonder privately,
In bottom of my pock.
69 The young men to a council yeed,
And let the beggar gae ;
They wist how well he had no speed
From them to run away.
70 They thought they would the money take,
Come after what so may,
And then they would not bring him back,
But in that part him slay.
71 By that good Robin would not know
That they had gotten coin ;
It would content him for to show
That there they had him slain.
72 They said, False carl, soon have done
And tell forth that money ;
For the ill turn thou hast done
'T is but a simple fee.
73 And yet we will not have thee back,
Come after what so may,
If thou will do that which thou spake,
And make us present pay.
74 O then he loosd his clouted cloak,
And spread it on the ground,
And thereon laid he many a pock,
Betwixt them and the wind.
75 He took a great bag from his hase ;
It was near full of meal ;
Two pecks in it at least there was,
And more, I wot full well.
76 Upon his cloak he laid it down,
The mouth he opend wide,
To turn the same he made him bown,
The young men ready spy'd.
77 In every hand he took a nook
Of that great leathern meal,
And with a fling the meal he shook
Into their faces hail.
78 Wherewith he blinded them so close
A stime they could not see ;
And then in heart he did rejoice,
And clapt his lusty tree.
79 He thought, if he had done them wrong
In mealing of their cloaths,
For to strike off the meal again
With his pike-staff he goes.
80 Or any one of them could red their eyne,
Or yet a glimmering could see,
Hk ane of them a dozen had,
Well laid on with the tree.
81 The young men were right swift of foot,
And boldly ran away ;
The beggar could them no more hit,
For all the haste he may.
82 ' What ails this haste ? ' the beggar said,
' May ye not tarry still,
Until your money be receivd ?
I '11 pay you with good will.
83 ' The shaking of my pocks, I fear,
Hath blown into your eyne ;
But I have a good pike-staff here
Will ripe them out full clean.'
84 The young men answerd neer a word,
They were dumb as a stane ;
In the thick wood the beggar fled,
Eer they riped their eyne.
85 And syne the night became so late,
To seek him was but vain :
But judge ye, if they looked blate
When they came home again.
86 Good Robin speard how they had sped ;
They answerd him, Full ill ;
' That cannot be,' good Robin says ;
' Ye have been at the mill.
87 ' The mill it is a meatrif place,
They may lick what they please ;
Most like ye have been at that art,
Who would look to your cloaths.'
164
134. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, II
88 They hangd their heads, and droped down,
A word they could not speak :
Robin said, Because I fell a-swoon,
I think you '11 do the like.
89 Tell on the matter, less and more,
And tell me what and how
Ye have done with the bold beggar
I sent you for right now.
90 And then they told him to an end,
As I have said before,
How that the beggar did them blind,
What misters process more.
91 And how he lin'd their shoulders broad
With his great trenchen tree,
And how in the thick wood he fled,
Eer they a stime could see.
92 And how they scarcely could win home,
Their bones were bef t so sore :
Good Robin cry'd, Fy ! out, for shame !
We 're sham'd for evermore.
93 Altho good Robin would full fain
Of his wrong revenged be,
He smil'd to see his merry young men
Had gotten a taste of the tree.
a. The History of Robin Hood and the Beggar : 268.
in two Parts. Part I : Shewing how Robin 271.
Hood, in attempting to rob a Beggar near 284.
Barnesdale, was shamefully defeated, and 301.
left for dead, till taken up by three of his 312.
men. Part II : How the beggar blinded 332.
two of his men with a bag of meal, who 342.
were sent to kill him or bring him back. 351.
Title prefixed to the ballad : Robin Hood and 372.
the Beggar. 381.
In stanzas of two long lines. After 30 : The 404.
Second Part. 431.
22*. arrows. 301. but sail : that is, but fail. 458.
38s. you for your. 464.
412. ill a case : which perhaps should be re- 47 4.
tained. 491.
461. and for with. 464. the eild. 498.
488. a another. 502.
514. fate : b, late, that is, let. 53*. quite. 518.
654. fly: b, flee. 778. sling: that is, fling. 548.
79". strick. 89s. where and. 552.
b. In stanzas of two long lines. 564.
Some of these readings may be Ritson's cor- 578.
rections. 582.
I2. That be. 24. a wanting. 588.
32. Who for That. 42. frae the. 52. whang. 592.
5*. to a. 71. cast. 88. heard him not. 601.
84. on his. 91. 'Tisbe. 98. said. 638.
II8. snares well. II4. dost not care. 634.
121. all this. 128. would I. 131. you must. 641.
132. two wanting. 141. art a. 648.
152. asembled. 15". has. 161. Come lay. 662.
178. if wanting. 204. Wouldst : it wanting. 672.
21*. Lo eer. 228. arrow. 2444. mair, sair. 681.
258. flaps. 262. baift. 708.
laid on loud for still on laid.
Fy wanting. 278. still till : money told.
hast been at the. 298. pale for white.
but fail. 302. his way. 308. ye.
by the. 314. where that he lay.
wound. 341. gotten for taken.
unto. 348. to hitch his ear. 344. speak.
said. 362. this twenty. 364. ye.
Of whom. 378. with his. 374. 'twill.
out wanting. 388. eer ye. •
escape. 41 2. ill at ease. 428. And he.
ye, good wanting. 434. has. 446. ye.
hands lay. 454. Ye. 461. with his.
his eild. 47 8. no wanting.
Then he. 481>2. wanting.
They stoutly.
They started at neither how nor height.
cast them. 512. In each.
them nigh. 514. thought of no such late.
let it. 544. An better might it been.
any for one. 561. Nor wist he.
He for And. 572. on the.
And hold. 574. Or else.
Neither by late or air.
You have great sin if you would.
For all. 594. Of one that eer.
shall. 628. led back.
he might the young men.
gave them a begack.
for wanting : for ill.
blew for grew. 652. a poor. 654. flee.
has. 664. Is better. 67 1. fair and.
no more dear. 674. odd for good.
this. 691. to the. 698. full well.
And yet : not take. 704. that place.
135. ROBIN HOOD AND THE SHEPHERD
165
71*. for wanting. 72*. forth thy.
728. turn that. 72*. It's: plee/brfee.
748. lay he. 751. half, that is, half.
761. this cloak : set it. 76*. bound.
772. hag for meal. 77s. fling.
77*. face all hail. 792. cloath.
79". strike. 801. Eer any of.
80a. Or a glimmering might. 80*. with his.
81a. boldly bound. 821. What 's aU this.
822. May not thou. 834. Can ripe.
852. in vain. 871. meat rife part.
87s. at the. 87*. at your.
881. they drooped. 88s. a sound. 88*. ye.
891. less or. 892. what and.
901. And when. 904. presses for process.
911>2. wanting. 91s. woods.
922. were baste. 932. his wrath.
135
ROBIN HOOD AND THE SHEPHERD
a. Garland of 1663, No 13.
b. Garland of 1670, No 12.
c. Wood, 401, leaf 13 b.
d. Pepys, II, 115, No 102.
ROXBURGHE, II, 392, III, 284 ; Douce, III,
115 b, by L. How, of the eighteenth century.
A manuscript copy in the British Museum,
Add. 15072, fol. 59, is a, with omission of
122-154, and a few errors of carelessness.
Printed in Ritson's Robin Hood from c and
one of the Roxburghe broadsides. Evans, Old
Ballads, 1777, 1784, 1, 136, seems to have fol-
lowed the Aldermary garland, with slight de-
viation.
Robin Hood, walking in the forest, finds a
shepherd lying on the ground, and bids him
rise and show what he has in his bottle and
bag. The shepherd tells him that he shall
not see a drop of his bottle until his valor has
been tried. Robin stakes twenty pound on
the issue of a fight, and the shepherd his bag
and bottle. They fight from ten to four, hook
against sword. Robin Hood falls to the
ground, and the shepherd calls on him to own
himself beaten. Robin demands the boon of
three blasts on his horn. These bring Little
John, who undertakes the shepherd, and is so
roughly handled that Robin is fain to yield his
wager, to which Little John heartily agrees.
It is but the natural course of exaggeration
that the shepherd, having beaten Robin Hood,
should beat Little John. This is descending
low enough, but we do not see the bottom of
this kind of balladry here.
In King Alfred and the Shepherd, Old
Ballads, 1723, I, 43, stanzas 6-17, the king
plays Robin's part, fighting four hours with
the Shepherd and then craving a truce. Fur-
ther on Alfred blows his horn. There are
also verbal agreements.
ALL gentlemen and yeomen good,
Down a down a down a down *
I wish you to draw near ;'
For a story of gallant brave Robin Hood
Vnto you I wil declare.
Down, etc.
2 As Robin Hood walkt the forrest along,
Some pastime for to spie,
There was he aware of a jolly shepherd,
That on the ground did lie.
166
135. ROBIN HOOD ASD THE SHEPHERD
3 ' Arise, arise,' cryed jolly Robin,
* And now come let me see
What is in thy bag and bottle, I say ;
Come tell it unto me/
4 • What 's that to thee, thou proud fellow ?
Tell me as I do stand
What thou hast to do with my bag and bottle ?
Let me see thy command.'
5 ' My sword, which hangeth by my side,
Is my command I know ;
Come, and let me taste of thy bottle,
Or it may breed thee wo.'
6 ' Tut, the devil a drop, thou proud fellow,
Of my bottle thou shalt see,
Untill thy valour here be tried,
Whether thou wilt fight or flee.'
7 ' What shall we fight for ? ' cries bold Robin
Hood;
' Come tell it soon to me ;
Here is twenty pounds in good red gold ;
Win it, and take it thee.'
8 The Shepherd stood all in a maze,
And knew not what to say :
1 1 have no money, thou proud fellow,
But bag and bottle 1 'le lay.'
9 ' I am content, thou shepherd-swain,
Fling them down on the ground ;
But it will breed thee mickle pain,
To win my twenty pound.'
10 ' Come draw thy sword, thou proud fellow,
Thou stands too long to prate ;
This hook of mine shall let thee know
A coward I do hate.'
11 So they fell to it, full hardy and sore ;
It was on a summers day ;
From ten till four in the afternoon
The Shepherd held him play.
12 Robins buckler proved his chief defence,
And saved him many a bang,
For every blow the Shepherd gave
Made Robins sword cry twang.
13 Many a sturdy blow the Shepherd gave,
And that bold Robin found,
Till the blood ran trickling from his head ;
Then he fell to the ground.
14 ' Arise, arise, thou proud fellow,
And thou shalt have fair play,
If thou wilt yield, before thou go,
That I have won the day.'
15 ' A boon, a boon,' cried bold Robin ;
' If that a man thou be,
Then let me take my beaugle-horn,
And blow but blasts three.'
16 ' To blow three times three,' the Shepherd said,
' I will not thee deny ;
For if thou shouldst blow till to-morrow morn,
I scorn one foot to fly.'
17 Then Robin set his horn to his mouth,
And he blew with mickle main,
Until he espied Little John
Come tripping over the plain.
18 ' 0 who is yonder, thou proud fellow,
That comes down yonder hill ? '
'Yonder is Little John, bold Robin Hoods
man,
Shall fight with thee thy fill.'
19 ' What is the matter ? ' saies Little John,
' Master, come tell to me : '
' My case is great,' saies Robin Hood,
' For the Shepherd hath conquered me.'
20 ' I am glad of that,' cries Little John,
' Shepherd, turn thou to me ;
For a bout with thee I mean to have,
Either come fight or flee.'
21 ' With all my heart, thou proud fellow,
For it never shall be said
That a shepherds hook of thy sturdy look
Will one jot be dismaid.'
22 So they fell to it, full hardy and sore,
Striving for victory ;
' I will know,' saies John, ' ere we give ore,
Whether thou wilt fight or flye.'
23 The Shepherd gave John a sturdy blow,
With his hook under the chin ;
* Beshrew thy heart,' said Little John,
' Thou basely dost begin.'
135. ROBIN HOOD AND THE SHEPHERD
167
24 ' Nay, that 's nothing,' said the Shepherd ;
' Either yield to me the day,
Or I will hang thee back and sides,
Before thou goest thy way.
25 ' What ? dost thou think, thou proud fellow,
That thou canst conquer me ?
Nay, thou shalt know, before thou go,
I 'le fight before I 'le flee.'
26 With that to thrash Little John like mad
The Shepherd he begun ;
' Hold, hold,' cryed bold Robin Hood,
' And I 'le yield the wager won.'
27 * With all my heart,' said Little John,
4 To that I will agree ;
For he is the flower of shepherd-swains,
The like I never did see.'
28 Thus have you heard of Robin Hood,
Also of Little John,
How a shepherd-swain did conquer them ;
The like did never none.
a, b. Robin Hood and the Shepard : Shewing how
Robin Hood, Little John and the Shep-
heard fought a sore combate.
Tune is, Robin Hood and Queen Katherine.
a. Burden : a third a down is not printed after
the first line, but is after the last.
48. hast thou. 54. thy wo. 72. Gome.
204. Eihter. 262. Sheherd.
b. Burden : Down a down a down a down.
After 91, 214, With a, &c.
I8, bold for brave. 48. thou hast.
58. tast. 54. thee for thy.
71. bold wanting. 78. pound. 102. standst.
121. chiefest. 138. tickling.
161. Then said the Shepherd to bold Robin.
162. wanting. 171. Robin he.
188. Little wanting. 198. is very bad, cries.
261. Again the Shepherd laid on him.
264. And wanting : I will. 274. I did never.
284. was never known.
o. Robin Hood and the Shepheard : Shewing how
Robin Hood, Little John and the Shep-
heard fought a sore combat.
The Shepherd fought for twenty pound,
And Robin for bottle and bag,
But the Shepheard stout gave them the rout
So sore they could not wag.
The tune is Robin and Queen Katherine.
London, Printed for John Andrews, at the
White Lion, in Pie-Corner. (1660.)
Burden : Down a down a down a down.
I8, bold for brave. 4s. thou hast.
5*. my wo. 81. amaze. II8. four till ten.
121. chiefest. 134. And then. 161. wanting.
198. cries for saies. 19*. hath beaten.
22s. ile know saith. 22*. flee. 251. doest.
261. wanting. 262. began.
264. And wanting : I will. 278. Shepheards.
27*. I did never.
d. Title as in a, b.
Printed for William Thackeray, at the Angel
in Duck Lane. (1689.)
Burden : Down a down down.
I8, bold for brave. 2s. he was.
48. hast thou, as in a. 51. that for which.
5*. thy woe, as in a. 61. Tut wanting.
71. bold wanting. 7*. pound. 102. standest.
II1. hard. 121. chiefest. 153. beagle.
161. Then said the Shepherd to bold Robin.
162. To that will I agree. 164. flee.
171. he set. 172. with might and main.
18s. Little wanting. 198. bad cries.
212. shall never. 218. at thy. 224. flee.
248. thy for thee.
261. Again the Shepherd laid on him.
262. began. 268. Hood wanting.
264. And wanting : I will. 274. I did never.
284. The like was never known.
168
136. ROBIN HOOD'S DELIGHT
136
ROBIN HOOD'S DELIGHT
(ROBIN HOOD, JOHN, SCARLOCK AND THREE KEEPERS)
a. Wood, 401, leaf 41 b. c. Garland of 1670, No 16.
d. Pepysv II, 112, No 99.
b. Garland of 1663, No 17.
RITSON, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 116, from
a, with changes. Evans, Old Ballads, 1777,
1784, I, 176.
Robin Hood, Scarlock, and John, walking
in Sherwood, are charged to stand by three
of King Henry's keepers. There is a fight
from eight till two o'clock, in which the out-
laws are at some disadvantage. Robin asks
that he may blow his horn, then he will fight
again. The keepers refuse ; he must fall on
or yield. Robin owns them to be stout fel-
lows ; he will not fight it out there with
swords, but at Nottingham with sack. They
go to Nottingham accordingly, and drink
themselves good friends.
The Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood, No 132,
a late traditional copy, shows traces of st.
20 of this ballad in st. 12, where the Pedlar
says it lies with him whether he will tell his
name, and again at the end, where Robin
Hood, John, and the Pedlar drink friendship
at the tavern. Robin Hood's antagonists are
again foresters and keepers in the .Progress to
Nottingham, and in Robin Hood and the Ran-
ger. There are numerous verbal agreements
between Robin Hood's Delight and Robin
Hood and the Shepherd.
Translated by Loere-Veimars, p. 199.
1 THERE is some will talk of lords and knights,
Doun a doun a doun a doun
And some of yeoman good,
But I will tell you of Will Scarlock,
Little John and Robin Hood.
Doun a doun a doun a doun
2 They were outlaws, as 't is well known,
And men of a noble blood ;
And a many a time was their valour shown
In the forrest of merry Sheerwood.
3 Vpon a time it chanced so,
As Robin Hood would have it be,
They all three would a walking go,
Some pastime for to see.
4 And as they walked the forest along,
Upon a midsummer day,
There was they aware of three keepers,
Clade all in green aray.
5 With brave long faucheons by their sides,
And forest-bills in hand,
They calld aloud to those bold outlaws,
And charged them to stand.
6 ' Why, who are you,' cry'd bold Robin,
' That speaks so boldly here ? '
' We three belong to King Henry,
And are keepers of his deer.'
7 ' The devil thou art'! ' sayes Robin Hood
' I am sure that it is not so ;
136. ROBIN HOOD'S DELIGHT
169
We be the keepers of this forest,
And that you soon shall know.
8 ' Come, your coats of green lay on the ground,
And so will we all three,
And take your swords and bucklers round,
And try the victory.'
9 ' We be content,' the keepers said,
' We be three, and you no less ;
Then why should we be of you afraid,
And we never did transgress ? '
10 ' Why, if you be three keepers in this forest,
Then we be three rangers good,
And we will make you to know, before you do
go,
You meet with bold Robin Hood.'
11 ' We be content, thou bold outlaw,
Our valour here to try,
And we will make you know, before we do go,
We will fight before we will fly.
12 ' Then, come draw your swords, you bold out-
laws,
And no longer stand to prate,
But let us try it out with blows,
For cowards we do hate.
13 ' Here is one of us for Will Scarlock,
And another for Little John,
And I my self for Robin Hood,
Because he is stout and strong.'
14 So they fell to it full hard and sore ;
It was on a midsummers day ;
From eight a clock till two and past,
They all shewed gallant play.
15 There Robin, and Will, and Little John,
They fought most manfully,
Till all their winde was spent and gone,
Then Robin aloud did cry :
16 ' O hold, O hold,' cries bold Robin,
' I see you be stout men ;
Let me blow one blast on my bugle-horn,
Then I 'le fight with you again.'
17 ' That bargain 's to make, bold Robin Hood,
Therefore we it deny ;
Though a blast upon thy bugle-horn
Cannot make us fight nor fly.
18 ' Therefore fall on, or else be gone,
And yield to us the day :
It shall never be said that we were afraid
Of thee, nor thy yeomen gay.'
19 ' If that be so,' cries bold Robin,
' Let me but know your names,
And in the forest of merry Sheerwood
I shall extol your fames.'
20 * And with our names,' one of them said,
' What hast thou here to do ?
Except that you will fight it out,
Our names thou shalt not know.'
21 ' We will fight no more,' sayes bold Robin,
' You be men of valour stout ;
Come and go with me to Nottingham,
And there we will fight it out.
22 ' With a but of sack we will bang it out,
To see who wins the day ;
And for the cost, make you no doubt
I have gold and money to pay
23 ' And ever after, so long as we live,
We all will brethren be ;
For I love those men with heart and hand
That will fight, and never flee.'
24 So away they went to Nottingham,
With sack to make amends ;
For three dayes space they wine did chase,
And drank themselves good friends.
a. Robin Hood's Delight, or, A merry combat
fought between Robin Hood, Little John
and Will Scarelock and three stout Keepers
in Sheerwood Forrest.
VOL. in. 22
Robin was valiant and stout, so was Scarelock
and John, in the field,
But these keepers stout did give them the rout,
and made them all for to yield ;
170
137. ROBIN HOOD AND THE PEDLARS
But after the battel ended was, bold Robin did
make them amends,
For claret and sack they did not lack, so drank
themselves good friends.
To the time of Robin Hood and Quene Kath-
erine, or, Robin Hood and the Shepheard.
London, Printed for John Andrews, at the
White Lion, near Pye Corner. (1660.)
b, c. Title the same, without the verses : Scarlet
for Scarelock.
I3, b, yeomen. I8, 131. Scarlet.
21. it is. 2*. And many.
48. was he : o, f orresters for keepers.
51. side. 52. C, forrests bils.
5*. c, bold wanting.
71. b, bold Robin, Hood wanting: c, said
Robin Hood.
72. b, it wanting : c, that wanting.
104. met. II8. do wanting. II4, b. wee '1.
161. c. thy hand cryes. 171. is.
198. o. in that. 194. b. I will.
20s. thou wilt. 231. hereafter,
d. Title as in b, o, except : fought against.
Printed for William Thackeray, at the Angel
in Duck Lane. (1689.)
I1. There 's. la. yeomen. I8, 131. Scarlet
28. And many. 48. f orresters for keepers.
5*. bold wanting. 62. speak. 71. said.
7a. that wanting. 78. the wanting : in for of.
81. Come wanting. 9a. you wanting.
98. we of you be. 101. the for three.
108. we '1 : to wanting.
II8. first we, do wanting. 141. hardy.
158. spend. 168. with my beagle. 171. is.
178. Thy blast : beagle.
18s. never shall : we are. 208. thou wilt.
231. hereafter. 238. these.
137
ROBIN HOOD AND THE PEDLARS
Robinhood and the Peddlers,' the fourth ballad in a
MS. formerly in the possession of J. Payne Collier,
now in the British Museum ; previously printed in
Gutch's Robin Hood, II, 351.
THE manuscript in which this ballad occurs
contains a variety of matters, and, as the best
authority* has declared, may in part have
been written as early as 1650, but all the
ballads are in a nineteenth-century hand, and
some of them are maintained to be forgeries.
I see no sufficient reason for regarding this
particular piece as spurious, and therefore,
though I should be glad to be rid of it, accept
it for the present as perhaps a copy of a
broadside, or a copy of a copy.
The story resembles that of Robin Hood's
Delight, pedlars taking the place of keepers ;
but Robin is reduced to an ignominy paral-
leled only in the second ballad of Robin Hood
and the Beggar. Robin Hood, accompanied
by Scarlet and John, bids three pedlars stand.
They pay no heed, and he sends an arrow
through the pack of one of them. Hereupon
they throw down their packs and wait for
their assailants to come up. Robin's bow is
broken by a blow from a staff of one of the
pedlars. Robin calls a truce until he and his
men can get staves. There is then an equal
fight, the end of which is that Robin Hood is
knocked senseless and left in a swoon, tended
by Scarlet and John. But before the ped-
lars set forward, Kit o Thirsks, the best man
of the three, and the one who has fought with
Robin, administers a balsam to his fallen foe,
* Mr E. Maunde Thompson, Keeper of the Manuscripts
in the British Museum, in an obliging letter to Harvard Col-
lege Library, and in The Academy, 1885, March 7, p. 170.
No 8 C of this collection is in this manuscript.
137. ROBIN HOOD AND THE PEDLARS
171
which he says will heal his hurts, but which Thirsk is about twenty miles from York, in
operates unpleasantly. the North Riding.
1 WILL you heare a tale of Robin Hood,
Will Scarlett, and Little John ?
Now listen awhile, it will make you smile,
As before it hath many done.
2 They were archers three, of hie degree,
As good as ever drewe bowe ;
Their arrowes were long and their annes were
strong,
As most had cause to knowe.
3 But one sommers day, as they toke their way
Through the forrest of greene Sherwood,
To kill the kings deare, you shall presently
heare
What befell these archers good.
4 They were ware on the roade of three peddlers
with loade,
Ff or each had his packe,
Ffull of all wares for countrie faires,
Trusst up upon his backe.
5 A good oke staffe, a yard and a halfe,
Each one had in his hande ;
And they were all bound to Nottingham towne,
As you shall understand.
6 ' Yonder I see bolde peddlers three,'
Said Robin to Scarlett and John ;
' We 'le search their packes upon their backes
Before that they be gone.
7 .' Holla, good fellowes ! ' quod Robin Hood,
' Whither is it ye doe goe ?
Now stay and rest, for that is the best,
'T is well ye should doe soe.'
8 ' Noe rest we neede, on our roade we speede,
Till to Nottingham we get : '
' Thou tellst a lewde lye,' said Robin, ' for I
Can see that ye swinke and swet.'
9 The peddlers three crosst over the lee,
They did not list to fight :
' I charge you tarrie,' quod Robin, ' for marry,
This is my owne land by right.
10 ' This is my manner and this is my parke,
I would have ye for to knowe ;
Ye are bolde outlawes, I see by cause
Ye are so prest to goe.'
11 The peddlers three turned round to see
Who it might be they herd ;
Then agen went on as they list to he gone,
And never answered word.
12 Then toke Robin Hood an arrow so good,
Which he did never lacke,
And drew his bowe, and the swift arrowe
Went through the last peddlers packe.
13 Ffor him it was well on the packe it fell,
Or his life had found an ende ;
And it pierst the skin of his backe within,
Though the packe did stand his frend.
14 Then downe they flung their packes eche
one,
And stayde till Robin came :
Quod Robin, I saide ye had better stayde ;
Good sooth, ye were to blame.
15 ' And who art thou ? by S. Crispin, I vowe
I 'le quickly cracke thy head ! '
Cried Robin, Come on, all three, or one ;
It is not so soone done as said.
16 My name, by the roode, is Robin Hood,
And this is Scarlett and John ;
It is three to three, ye may plainelie see,
Soe now, brave fellowes, laye on.
17 The first peddlars blowe brake Robins bowe
That he had in his hand ;
And Scarlett and John, they eche had one
That they unneath could stand.
18 'Now holde your handes,' cride Robin
Hood,
' Ffor ye have got oken staves ;
But tarie till wee can get but three,
And a fig for all your braves.'
172
138. ROBIN HOOD AND ALLEN A DALE
19 Of the peddlers the first, his name Kit o
Thirske,
Said, We are all content ;
Soe eche tooke a stake for his weapon, to
make
The peddlers to repent.
20 Soe to it they fell, and their blowes did ring
well
Uppon the others backes ;
And gave the peddlers cause to wish
They had not cast their packes.
21 Yet the peddlers three of their blowes were so
free
That Robin began for to rue ;
And Scarlett and John had such loade laide on
It made the sunne looke blue.
22 At last Kits oke caught Robin a stroke
That made his head to sound ;
He staggerd, and reelde, till he fell on the
fielde,
And the trees with him went round.
23 ' Now holde your handes,' cride Little John,
And soe said Scarlett eke ;
' Our maister is slaine, I tell you plaine,
He never more will speake.'
24 ' Now, heaven forefend he come to that ende,'
Said Kit, ' I love him well ;
But lett him learne to be wise in turne,
And not with pore peddlers mell. "
25 ' In my packe, God wot, I a balsame have got
That soone his hurts will heale ; '
And into Robin Hoods gaping mouth
He presentlie powrde some deale.
26 ' Now fare ye well, tis best not to tell
How ye three peddlers met ;
Or if ye doe, prithee tell alsoe
How they made ye swinke and swett.'
27 Poore Robin in sound they left on the ground,
And hied them to Nottingham,
While Scarlett and John Robin tended on,
Till at length his senses came.
28 Noe soone [r], in haste, did Robin Hood taste
The balsame he had tane,
Than he gan to spewe, and up he threwe
The balsame all againe.
29 And Scarlett and John, who were looking on
Their maister as he did lie,
Had their faces besmeard, both eies and beard,
Therewith most piteously.
30 Thus ended that fray ; soe beware alwaye
How ye doe challenge foes ;
Looke well aboute they are not to stoute,
Or you may have worst of the blowes.
138
ROBIN HOOD AND ALLEN A DALE
a. ' Robin Hood and Allin of Dale,' Douce, II, leaf 185. c. ' Robin Hood and Allen a Dale,' Douce, IH, 119 b.
b. 'Robin Hood and Allin of Dale,' Pepys, II, 110,
No 97.
FEINTED in A Collection of Old Ballads, garlands of 1663, 1670 ; in a garland of 1749,
1723, II, 44, and Evans's Old Ballads, 1777, the Aldermary garland, R. Marshall, and the
1784, I, 126, after a copy very near to o. In Lichfield, M. Morgan, both not dated, No 8 ;
Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795, II, 46, probably in the York garland, 1811, No 9. In the
after Roxburghe II, 394. Not included in the Kinloch MSS, V, 183, there is a copy, derived
138. ROBIN HOOD AND ALLEN A DALE
173
from the broadside, but Scotticised, and im-
proved in the process.
A young man, Allen a Dale, whom Robin
Hood has seen passing, one day singing and
the next morning sighing, is stopped by Lit-
tle John and the Miller's Son, and brought
before their master, who asks him if he has
any money. He has five shillings and a ring,
and was to have been married the day before,
but his bride has been given to an old knight.
Robin asks what he will give to get his true-
love. All that he can give is his faithful ser-
vice. Robin goes to the church and declares
the match not fit: the bride shall choose for
herself. He blows his horn, and four-and-
twenty of his men appear, the foremost of
whom is Allen a Dale. Robin tells Allen
that he shall be married on the spot. The
bishop says no ; there must be three askings.
Robin puts the bishop's coat on Little John,
and Little John asks seven times. Robin
gives Allen the maid, and bids the man take
her away that dare.
The ballad, it will be observed, is first found
in broadside copies of the latter half of the
seventeenth century. The story is told of
Scarlock in the life of Robin Hood in Sloane
MS. 780, 7, fol. 157, of the beginning of the
seventeenth century ; Thorns, Early Prose
Romances, II, p. 39.
"Scarlock he induced [to become one of
his company] upon this occacion. One day
meting him as he walked solitary and lyke to
a man forlorne, because a mayd to whom he
was affyanced was taken from [him] by the
violence of her frends, and given to another,
that was auld and welthy ; whereupon Robin,
understandyng when the maryage-day should
be, came to the church as a beggar, and hav-
ing his company not far of, which came in so
sone as they hard the sound of his home, he
' took ' the bryde perforce from him that was
in hand to have maryed her, and caused the
preist to wed her and Scarlocke togeyther."
Translated by Anastasius Griin, p. 146.
1 COME listen to me, you gallants so free,
All you that loves mirth for to hear,
And I will you tell of a bold outlaw,
That lived in Nottinghamshire, (bis.)
2 As Robin Hood in the forrest stood,
All under the green-wood tree,
There was he ware of a brave young man,
As fine as fine might be.
3 The youngster was clothed in scarlet red,
In scarlet fine and gay,
And he did frisk it over the plain,
And chanted a roundelay.
4 As Robin Hood next morning stood,
Amongst the leaves so gay,
There did he espy the same young man
Come drooping along the way.
5 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 ! '
6 Then stepped forth brave Little John,
And Nick the millers son,
Which made the young man bend his bow,
When as he see them come.
7 ' Stand off, stand off,' the young man said,
' What is your will with me ? '
' You must come before our master straight,
Vnder yon green-wood tree.'
8 And when he came bold Robin before,
Robin askt him courteously,
O hast thou any money to spare
For my merry men and me ?
9 ' 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 wedding.
10 ' Yesterday I should have married a maid,
But she is now from me tane,
And chosen to be an old knights delight,
Whereby my poor heart is slain/
174
138. ROBIN HOOD AND ALLEN A DALE
11 ' 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 Allin a Dale.'
12 ' 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 ? '
13 ' I have no money,' then quoth the young man,
' No ready gold nor fee,
- But I will swear upon a book
Thy true servant for to be.'
14 ' How many miles is it 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.'
15 Then Robin he hasted over the plain,
He did neither stint nor lin,
Vntil he came unto the church
Where Allin should keep his wedding.
16 ' What dost thou do here ? ' the bishop he said,
' I prethee now tell to me : '
' I am a bold harper,' quoth Robin Hood,
' And the best in the north countrey.'
17 ' 0 welcome, 0 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.'
18 With that came in a wealthy knight,
Which was both grave and old,
And after him a finikin lass,
Did shine like glistering gold.
19 ' 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.'
20 Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth,
And blew blasts two or three ;
When four and twenty bowmen bold
Came leaping over the lee.
21 And when they came into the church-yard,
Marching all on a row,
The first man was Allin a Dale,
To give bold Robin his bow.
22 ' This is thy true-love,' Robin he said,
' Young Allin, as I hear say ;
And you shall be married at this same time,
Before we depart away.'
23 ' That shall not be,' the bishop he said,
' For thy word shall not stand ;
They shall be three times askt in the church,
As the law is of our land.'
24 Robin Hood pulld off the bishops coat,
And put it upon Little John ;
' By the faith of my body,' then Robin said,
' This death doth make thee a man.'
25 When Little John went into the quire,
The people began for to laugh ;
He askt them seven times in the church,
Least three times should not be enough.
26 'Who gives me this maid,' then said Little
John;
Quoth Robin, That do I,
And he that doth take her from Allin a Dale
Full dearly he shall her buy.
27 And thus having ended this merry wedding,
The bride lookt as fresh as a queen,
And so they returnd to the merry green wood,
Amongst the leaves so green.
a. Robin Hood and Allin of Dale : Or, a pleasant
relation how a young gentleman being in love
with a young damsel, which was taken from
him to be an old knight's bride, and how
Robin Hood, pittying the young mans case,
took her from the old knight, when they
were going to be marryed, and restored her
to her own true love again.
Bold Robin Hood he did the young man right,
And took the damsel from the doteiug knight.
139. ROBIN HOOD'S PROGRESS TO NOTTINGHAM
175
To a pleasant northern tune, or, Robin Hood
in the green wood stood.
With allowance. Printed for F. Cole, T.
Vere, J. Wright and J. Clarke. (Coles,
Vere and Wright, 1655-80, J. Clarke, 1650-
82: Chappell.)
II4. Alllin. 181. wealhty. 228. man-id.
b. Title, etc., as in a.
With allowance. Printed for Alex. Milbourn,
in Green-Arbor-Court, in the Little-Old-
Baily. (Alexander Melbourne 1670-97 :
Chappell.)
I8, tell you. 28. he was aware.
102. she was from me tane.
161. dost thou here. 162. unto. 18*. like the.
191. not a fit : qd. 252. for wanting.
261. then wanting. 268. And wanting.
271. having ende of. 272. lookt like a.
C. Robin Hood and Allen a Dale : Or, the man-
ner of Robin Hood's rescuing a young lady
from an old knight to whom she was going
to be married, and restoring her to Allen a
Dale, her former love.
To the tune of Robin Hood in the green wood.
No printer. Sold in Bow-Church-Yard, Lon-
don.
I8, tell you. 28. aware. 48. spy.
52. quite for clean. 62. Midge for Nick.
9s. these seven. 102. she was from me taen.
II2. any wanting. 13*. for wanting.
161. do wanting: then for he.
162. unto me. 171. then for he.
18*. Who shone like the glittering.
191. not a fit. 194. she wanting.
228. at the. 248. Robin he.
24*. This coat. 251. to for into.
252. for wanting. 261. me wanting : maid,
says. 272. bride she lookd like a.
139
ROBIN HOOD'S PROGRESS TO NOTTINGHAM
a. Wood, 402, leaf 14 b. b. Wood, 401, leaf 37 b. c. Garland of 1663, No 2. d. Garland of 1670, No 1.
e. Pepys, II, 104, No 92.
THIS piece occurs also in the Roxburghe
Ballads, III, 270, 845, the Douce, III, 120,
was among Heber's ballads (a copy by W.
Onley), and is probably in all collections of
broadsides.
a or b was printed by Ritson, Robin Hood,
1795, II, 12. A copy in Evans's Old Ballads,
1777, 1784, 1, 96, is later, and very like Douce,
III, 120.
When Robin Hood is but fifteen years of
age, he falls in with fifteen foresters who are
drinking together at Nottingham. They hear
with scorn that he intends to take part in a
shooting-match. He wagers with them that
he will kill a hart at a hundred rod, and does
this. They refuse to pay, and bid him begone
if he would save his sides from a basting.
Robin kills them all with his bow ; people
come out from Nottingham to take him, but
get very much hurt. Robin goes to the green
wood ; the townsmen bury the foresters.
This is evidently a comparatively late bal-
lad, but has not come down to us in its oldest
form. The story is told to the following effect
in the life of Robin Hood in Sloane MS. 780,
7, fol. 157, written, as it seems, says Ritson, to-
wards the end of the sixteenth century. Robin
Hood, going into a forest with a bow of ex-
traordinary strength, fell in with some rangers,
or woodmen, who gibed at him for pretending
to use a bow such as no man could shoot with.
Robin said that he had two better, and that
the one he had with him was only a " birding-
bow"; nevertheless he would lay his head
against a certain sum of money that he would
kill a deer with it at a great distance. When
176
139. ROBIN HOOD'S PROGRESS TO NOTTINGHAM
the chance offered, one of the rangers sought
to disconcert him by reminding him that he
would lose his head if he missed his mark.
Robin won the wager, and gave every man
his money back except the one who had tried
to fluster him. A quarrel followed, which
ended with Robin's killing them all, and con-
sequently betaking himself to life in the woods.
Thorns, Early Prose Romances, II, Robin
Hood, 37 ff.
Douce notes in his copy of Ritson's Robin
Hood (Bodleian Library) the second stanza
of this ballad as it is cited in the Duke of
Newcastle's play, ' The Varietie ' :
When Robin came to Nottingham,
His dinner all for to dine,
There met him fifteen jolly foresters,
Were drinking ale and wine.
Gutch's Robin Hood, II, 123.
Translated by A. Griin, p. 61 ; Doenniges,
p. 170.
1 ROBIN HOOD hee was and a tall young man,
Derry deny down
And fifteen winters old,
And Robin Hood he was a proper young man,
Of courage stout and bold.
Hey down derry derry down
2 Robin Hood he would and to fair Nottingham,
With the general for to dine ;
There was he ware of fifteen forresters,
And a drinking bear, ale, and wine.
3 ' What news ? What news ? ' said bold Robin
Hood;
' What news, fain wouldest thou know ?
Our king hath provided a shooting-match : '
* And I 'm ready with my bow.'
4 ' We hold it in scorn,' then said the forresters,
' That ever a boy so young
Should bear a bow before our king,
That 's not able to draw one string.'
5 ' I 'le hold you twenty marks,' said bold Robin
Hood,
' By the leave of Our Lady,
That I 'le hit a mark a hundred rod,
And I 'le cause a hart to dye.'
6 ' We '1 hold you twenty mark,' then said the
forresters,
* By the leave of Our Lady,
Thou hitst not the marke a hundred rod,
Nor causest a hart to dye.'
7 Robin Hood he bent up a noble bow,
And a broad arrow he let flye,
He bit the mark a hundred rod,
And he caused a hart to dy.
8 Some said hee brake ribs one or two,
And some said hee brake three ;
The arrow within the hart would not abide,
But it glanced in two or three.
9 The hart did skip, and the hart did leap,
And the hart lay on the ground ;
' The wager is mine,' said bold Robin Hood,
' If 't were for a thousand pound.'
10 ' The wager 's none of thine,' then said the for-
resters,
'Although thou beest in haste.;
Take up thy bow, and get thee hence,
Lest wee thy sides do baste.'
11 Robin Hood hee took up his noble bow,
And his broad arrows all amain,
And Robin Hood he laught, and begun to smile,
As hee went over the plain.
12 Then Robin Hood hee bent his noble bow,
And his broad arrows he let flye,
Till fourteen of these fifteen forresters
Vpon the ground did lye.
13 He that did this quarrel first begin
Went tripping over the plain ;
But Robin Hood he bent his noble bow,
And hee fetcht him back again.
14 ' You said I was no archer,' said Robin Hood,
' But say so now again ; '
With that he sent another arrow
That split his head in twain.
15 ' You have found mee an archer,' saith Robin
Hood,
* Which will make your wives for to wring,
140. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THREE SQUIRES
177
And wish that you had never spoke the word,
That I could not draw one string.'
16 The people that lived in fair Nottingham
Came runing out amain,
Supposing to have taken bold Robin Hood,
With the forresters that were slain.
17 Some lost legs, and some lost arms,
And some did lose their blood,
But Robin Hood hee took up his noble bow,
And is gone to the merry green wood.
18 They carryed these forresters into fair Not-
tingham,
As many there did know ;
They digd them graves in their church-yard,
And they buried them all a row.
a, b. Robin Hoods Progresse to Nottingham,
Where hee met with fifteen forresters, all on a
row,
And hee desired of them some news for to
know,
But with crosse graind words they did him
thwart,
For which at last hee made them smart.
To the tune of Bold Robin Hood. r\Jf
a. London, Printed for Fran. Grove. And en-
tred according to order. (1620-55 : Chap-
pell.)
b. London, Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and
J. Wright. (1655-80 : Chappell.)
3. Commonly punctuated as if spoken entirely
by Robin. There would certainly be an
antecedent probability against three speeches
in one stanza, in an older ballad.
C, d. Robin Hoods Progress to Notingham, where
he slew fifteen Forresters. To the tune of
Bold Robin Hood.
c. 68. an. 78. a mark. 158. spake.
d. 78. an hundred. II8. began. 128. of the.
142. say you so.
148. he another arrnw let fly. 181. to fair.
e. Title as in a, b, above, with these variations
in the verse :
2, news to. 3, And with. 4, them for to.
Printed for J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T.
Passenger. (1670-82 ?)
I1, and wanting. 21. would unto.
28. aware. 41. scorn said bold R. Hood.
58. the mark an. 54, 74. one hart.
61. marks. 68. That thou : an. 73. an.
82. some say. 88. in for within.
II2. all wanting. II8. began.
14*. Which split. 151. said.
152. for wanting. 158. wish you ne'r had.
178. R. Hood he bent. 188. yards.
184. all on a row.
140
ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THREE SQUIRES
A. Percy MS., p. 5; Hales and Furnivall, I, 13;
Jamieson's Popular Ballads, II, 49.
B. a. ' Robin Hood rescuing the Widow's Three Sons
from the Sheriff, when going to be executed,' The
English Archer, York, N. Nickson, n. d. b. The
English Archer, Paisley, John Neilson, 1786. c.
Adventures of ... Robin Hood, Falkirk, T. John-
ston, 1808. All in the Bodleian Library, Douce,
F.F. 71.
VOL. in. 23
C. « Robin Hood rescuing the Three Squires from Not-
tingham Gallows.' a. Robin Hood's Garland, Lon-
don, Printed by W. & C. Dicey, n. d. b. R. H.'s
Garland, London, L. How, in Peticoat Lane, n. d.
c. R. H.'s Garland, York, T. Wilson and R. Spence,
n. d. d. R. H.'s Garland, Preston, W. Sergent,
n. d. e. R. H.'s Garland, London, J. Marshall &
Co., n. d. f. R. H.'s Garland, Wolverhampton, J.
Smart, n. d. a-d, Douce, FF. 71, f, Douce, Add.
262, Bodleian Library.
178
140. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THREE SQUIRES
B is given by Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795,
II, 151, " from the York edition of Robin
Hood's garland ; " C, the same, II, 216, from
an Aldermary Churchyard garland, and by
Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 215.
B. Robin Hood, while on his way to Not-
tingham, meets an old woman who is weep-
ing for three squires condemned to die that
day, not for recognized crimes, but for killing
the king's deer. These seem to be his own
men : st. 6. Pursuing his way, he meets an
old " palmer," really a beggar, who confirms
the bad news. He changes clothes with the
palmer (who at first thinks the proposal a
mock), and at Nottingham comes upon the
sheriff, and asks what he will give an old fel-
low to be his hangman. The sheriff offers
suits and pence ; Robin says, hangmen be
cursed, he will never take to that business.
He has a horn in his pocket which would
blow the sheriff little good ; the sheriff bids
him blow his fill. The first blast brings a
hundred and fifty of Robin's men ; the sec-
ond brings three score more. They free their
own men and hang the sheriff.
In C the three squires are expressly said to
be the woman's sons ; * for the palmer we
have a beggar ; Robin asks it as a boon that
he may be hangman, and will have nothing
for his service but three blasts on his horn,
' that their souls to heaven may flee.' The
horn brings a hundred and ten men, and the
sheriff surrenders the three squires.
In the fragment A, Robin changes clothes
with an old man, who appears by stanza 11
to be a beggar. His men are with him mean-
while, and he orders them to conceal them-
selves in a wood until they hear his horn. A
blast brings three hundred of them ; Robin
casts off his beggar's gear and stands in his
red velvet doublet ; f his men bend their bows
and beset the gallows. The sheriff throws
up his hands and begs for terms ; Robin de-
mands the three squires. The sheriff objects,
for they are the king's felons ; Robin will
* A verse in the passage from Dray ton's Polyolbion,
Song xxvi, cited by Ritson, I, viii of Robin Hood, 1795,
may refer to this version of the ballad: "The widow in
distress he graciously relievd."
t In st. 2 Robin is in his proper Lincoln green. He wears
have them, or the sheriff shall be the first
man to flower the tree.
' Robin Hood and the Beggar,' No 133. ;
from stanza 16, is another version of this bal'
lad. Robin changes clothes with a beggar,
after a hard fight in which he has had the
worse, goes to Nottingham, and hears that
three brothers are condemned to die. He hies
to the sheriff to plead for them ; a gentleman
at the door tells him they must be hanged for
deer-stealing clearly proved. At the gallows
Robin blows his horn ; a hundred archers pre-
sent themselves, and ask his will. He com'
mands them to shoot east and west and spare
no man. The sheriff and his men, all that
are not laid low, fly, and the three brothers,
who have already shown their quality, are
added to Robin's company.
A Scottish version of B, derived from the
English, is given in an appendix. It occurs
in Kinloch MSS, V, 288, and may be as old
as the York garland used by Ritson, or older.
Ritson was informed by his friend Edward
Williams, the Welsh bard, that O and its
tune were well known in South Wales by the
name of Marchog Glas, or Green Knight. As
to the tune, says Dr Riinbault, it is not to be
found in the collections of Welsh airs, nor
was his friend John Parry, then representing
the Welsh bards, able to give any account of
it. Nothing further is said by Rimbault,
either way, of the ballad.
B 6, in which Robin reminds the old woman
that she had once given him to sup and dine,
implicitly as a reason for his exerting him-
self in behalf of the three squires (who, ac-
cording to the title of the ballad, but not the
text, are her three sons), looks like a reminis-
cence of st. 9 of R. H. and the Bishop, No 143,
where an old woman shows her gratitude to
Robin Hood for having given her shoes and hose,
and may not originally have belonged here.J
B 1, A 91-2, II3-4, B 25, 281'2 are almost re-
petitions of Robin Hood and the Curtal Friar,
A 1, A 43'4, 123-4, B 26, 28W4
scarlet red again in No. 141, st. 6 and in No 145, st. 18, his
men being in green.
J Fricke has observed this, pp 59, 69, and at p. 58 the
resemblance to Wallace.
140. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THREE SQUIRES
179
The rescue in the ballad is introduced into
Anthony Munday's play of The Downfall of
Robert Earl of Huntington, Act II, Scene 2.
Scarlet and Scathlock, sons of Widow Scarlet,
are to be hanged. Friar Tuck attends them
as confessor. Robin Hood, disguised as an
old man, pretends that they have killed his
son, and asks the sheriff that they may be
delivered to him for revenge. The sheriff
allows them to be unbound. Robin, for a
feigned reason, blows his horn ; Little John
and Much come in and begin a fight ; Friar
Tuck, pretending to help the sheriff, knocks
down his men ; the sheriff and his men run
away. (Dodsley's Old Plays, ed. Hazlitt,
VIII, 134-41.)
Ritson, Robin Hood, 1832, II, 155, suggests
that the circumstance of Robin's changing
clothes with the palmer may possibly be
taken from " the noble history of Ponthus of
Galyce," printed by Wynkyn de Worde, 1511,
and cites this passage, which resembles the
narrative in B 8, 10, 11 : "And as he [Pon-
thus] rode, he met with a poore palmer, beg-
gynge his brede, the whiche had his gowne
all to-clouted and an olde pylled hatte : so
he alyght, and sayd to the palmer, frende, we
shall make a chaunge of all our garmentes,
for ye shall have my gowne and I shall have
yours and your hatte. A, syr, sayd the palmer,
ye bourde you with me. In good fayth, sayd
Ponthus, I do not ; so he dyspoyled hym and
cladde hym with all his rayment, and he put
vpon hym the poore mannes gowne, his gyr-
dell, his hosyn, his shone, his hatte and his
bourden."
This noble history is taken from one in
French which is merely the romance of Horn
turned into prose, and it is also possible that
the passage in the English ballad may be de-
rived from some version of Hind Horn : see
No 17.
Wallace changes clothes with a beggar in
' Gude Wallace,' No 157, F, G, where there is
a general likeness to this ballad of Robin
Hood. It may be noted that Wulric the
Heron, one of the comrades of Hereward, res-
cues four brothers who were about to be
hanged, killing some of their common ene-
mies: Michel, Chroniques Anglo-Normandes,
II, 51.
B is translated by Anastasius Grim, p. 135,
Doenniges, p. 135, Knortz L. u. R. Alteng-
lands, No 19; combined with C, by Talvj,
Charakteristik, p. 489.
In faith thou shal[t] haue mine,
And twenty pound in thy purse,
To spend att ale and wine.'
2 ' Though yoMr clothes are of light Lincolne
green,
And mine gray russett and torne,
Yet it doth not you beseeme
To doe an old man scorne.'
3 * I scorne thee not, old man,' says Robin,
' By the faith of my body ;
Doe of thy clothes, thou shalt haue mine,
For it may noe better bee.'
* When I looke on my leggs,' said Robin,
' Then for to laugh I list.'
5 But Robin did on the old mans shooes,
And the were clutt full cleane ;
' Now, by my faith,' sayes Litle lohn,
' These are good for thornes keene.'
6 But Robin did on the old mans cloake,
And it was torne in the necke ;
' Now, by my faith,' said William Scarlett,
' Heere shold be set a specke.'
7 But Robin did on this old mans hood,
Itt gogled on his crowne ;
' When I come into Nottingham,' said Robin,
' My hood it will lightly downe.
4 But Robin did on this old mans hose,
The were torne in the wrist ;
8 ; But yonder is an outwood,' said Robin,
' An outwood all and a shade,
ISO
140. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THREE SQUIRES
And thither I reede you, my merrymen all,
The ready way to take.
9 ' And when you heare my litle home blow,
Come raking all on a rowte
10 But Robin he lope, and Robin he threw,
He lope over stocke and stone ;
But those that saw Ro6w Hood run
Said he was a liner old man.
11 [Then Robin set his] home to his mowth,
A loud blast cold h[e] blow ;
Ffull three hundred bold yeomen
Came rakinge all on a row. '
12 But Robin cast downe his baggs of bread,
Soe did he his staffe with a face,
And in a doublet of red veluett
This yeoman stood in his place.
13 ' But bend your bowes, and stroke yowr strings,
Set the gallow-tree aboute,
And Christs cursse on his heart,' said Robin,
' That spares the sheriff e and the sergiant ! '
14 When the sheriffe see gentle Robin wold
shoote,
He held vp both his hands ;
Sayes, Aske, good Robin, and thou shalt haue,
Whether it be house or land.
15 ' I will neither haue house nor land/ said
Robin,
1 Nor gold, nor none of thy ffee,
But I will haue those three squires
To the greene fforest with me.
16 ' Now marry. Gods forbott,' said the sheriffe,
* That euer that shold bee ;
For why, they be the kings ffelons,
They are all condemned to dye.'
17 ' But grant me my askinge,' said Robin,
* Or by the faith of my body
Thou shalt be the first man
Shall flower this gallow-tree.'
18 ' But I wi[ll haue tjhose three squires
B
a. The English Archer, Robin Hood's Garland, York,
N. Nickson, n. d., p. 65. b. The English Archer, etc., Pais-
ley, John Neilson, 1786. c. Adventures of Robin Hood,
Falkirk, T. Johnston, 1808.
1 THERE are twelve months in all the year,
As I hear many men say,
But the merriest month in all the year
Is the merry month of May.
2 Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
With a link a down and a day,
And there he met a silly old woman,
Was weeping on the way.
3 ' What news ? what news, thou silly old woman ?
What news hast thou for me ? '
Said she, There 's three squires in Nottingham
town
To-day is condemned to die.
4 ' 0 have they parishes burnt ? ' he said,
' Or have they ministers slain ?
Or have they robbed any virgin,
Or with other men's wives have lain ? '
5 ' They have no parishes burnt, good sir,
Nor yet have ministers slain,
Nor have they robbed any virgin,
Nor with other men's wives have lain.'
6 ' 0 what have they done ? ' said bold Robin
Hood,
' I pray thee tell to me : '
' It 's for slaying of the king's fallow deer,
Bearing their long bows with thee.'
7 ' Dost thou not mind, old woman,' he said,
' Since thou made me sup and dine ?
By the truth of my body,' quoth bold Robin
Hood,
' You could not tell it in better time.'
8 Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
With a link a down and a day,
And there he met with a silly old palmer,
Was walking along the highway.
140. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THREE SQUIRES
181
9 ' What news ? what news, thou silly old man ?
What news, I do thee pray ? '
Said he, Three squires in Nottingham town
Are condemnd to die this day.
10 ' Come change thy apparel with me, old man,
Come change thy apparel for mine ;
Here is forty shillings in good silver,
Go drink it in beer or wine.'
11 ' 0 thine apparel is good,' he said,
' And mine is ragged and torn ;
' Whereever you go, wherever you ride,
Laugh neer an old man to scorn.'
12 ' Come change thy apparel with me, old churl,
Come change thy apparel with mine ;
Here are twenty pieces of good broad gold,
Go feast thy brethren with wine.'
13 Then he put on the old man's hat,
It stood full high on the crown :
1 The first bold bargain that I come at,
It shall make thee come down.'
14 Then he put on the old man's cloak,
Was patchd black, blew, and red ;
He thought no shame all the day long
To wear the bags of bread.
15 Then he put on the old man's breeks,
Was patchd from ballup to side ;
' By the truth of my body,' bold Robin can say,
' This man lovd little pride.'
16 Then he put on the old man's hose,
Were patchd from knee to wrist ;
' By the truth of my body,' said bold Robin
Hood,
' I 'd laugh if I had any list.'
17 Then he put on the old man's shoes,
Were patchd both beneath and aboon ;
Then Robin Hood swore a solemn oath,
It 's good habit that makes a man.
18 Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
With a link a down and a down,
And there he met with the proud sheriff,
Was walking along the town.
19 ' O save, 0 save, O sheriff,' he said,
' O save, and you may see !
And what will you give to a silly old man
To-day will your hangman be ? '
20 ' Some suits, some suits,' the sheriff he said,
' Some suits I '11 give to thee ;
Some suits, some suits, and pence thirteen
To-day 's a hangman's fee.'
21 Then Robin he turns him round about,
And jumps from stock to stone ;
'By the truth of my body,' the sheriff he
said,
' That 's well jumpt, thou nimble old man.'
22 ' I was neer a hangman in all my life,
Nor yet intends to trade ;
But curst be he,' said bold Robin,
' That first a hangman was made.
23 ' I 've a bag for meal, and a bag for malt,
And a bag for barley and corn ;
A bag for bread, and a bag for beef,
And a bag for my little small horn.
24 ' I have a horn in my pocket,
I got it from Robin Hood,
And still when I set it to my mouth,
For thee it blows little good.'
25 ' 0 wind thy horn, thou proud fellow,
Of thee I have no doubt ;
I wish that thou give such a blast
Till both thy eyes fall out.'
26 The first loud blast that he did blow,
He blew both loud and shrill ;
A hundred and fifty of Robin Hood's men
Came riding over the hill.
27 The next loud blast that he did give,
He blew both loud and amain,
And quickly sixty of Robin Hood's men
Came shining over the plain.
28 ' O who are yon,' the sheriff he said,
' Come tripping over the lee ? '
' The 're my attendants,' brave Robin did say,
' They '11 pay a visit to thee.'
29 They took the gallows from the slack,
They set it in the glen,
They hangd the proud sheriff on that,
Releasd their own three men.
182
140. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THREE SQUIRES
Robin Hood's Garland, a. London, printed by W. & C.
Dicey, in St. Mary Aldermary Church Yard, Bow Lane,
Cheapside, and sold at the Warehouse at Northampton, n. d. :
p. 74, No 24. b. London, printed by L. How, in Peticoat
Lane, n. d. : p. 23. C. York, T. Wilson and R. Spence,
n. d. : p. 27. d. Preston, W. Sergent, n. d. : p. 62. e. Lon-
don, printed and sold by J. Marshall & Co., Aldermary
Church Yard, Bow Lane, n. d. : No 24. f. Wolverhamp-
ton, printed and sold by J. Smart, n. d.
1 BOLD Robin Hood ranging the forest all round,
The forest all round ranged he ;
O there did he meet with a gay lady,
She came weeping along the highway.
2 ' Why weep you, why weep you ? ' bold Robin
he said,
' What, weep you for gold or fee ?
Or do you weep for your maidenhead,
That is taken from your body ? '
3 ' I weep not for gold,' the lady replyed,
' Neither do I weep for fee ;
Nor do I weep for my maidenhead,
That is taken from my body.'
4 ' What weep you for then ? ' said jolly Robin,
' I prithee come tell unto me ; '
' Oh ! I do weep for my three sons,
For they are all condemned to die.'
5 ' What church have they robbed ? ' said jolly
Robin,
' Or parish-priest have they slain ?
What maids have they forced against their
will?
Or with other men's wives have lain ? '
6 ' No church have they robbd,' this lady replied,
' Nor parish-priest have they slain ;
No maids have they forc'd against their will,
Nor with other men's wives have lain.'
7 ' What have they done then ? ' said jolly Robin,
' Come tell me most speedily : '
' Oh ! it is for killing the king's fallow deer,
And they are all condemned to die.'
8 'Get you home, get you home,' said jolly
Robin,
' Get you home most speedily,
And I will unto fair Nottingham go,
For the sake of the squires all three.'
9 Then bold Robin Hood for Nottingham goes,
For Nottingham town goes he,
0 there did he meet with a poor beggar-man,
He came creeping along the highway.
10 ' What news, what news, thou old beggar-man ?
What news, come tell unto me : '
* O there is weeping and wailing in fair Not-
tingham,
For the death of the squires all three.'
11 This beggar-man had a coat on his back,
'T was neither green, yellow, nor red ;
Bold Robin Hood thought 'twas no disgrace
To be in a beggar-man's stead.
12 ' Come, pull off thy coat, you old beggar-man,
And you shall put on mine ;
And forty good shillings I '11 give thee to boot,
Besides brandy, good beer, ale and wine.'
13 Bold Robin Hood then unto Nottingham came,
Unto Nottingham town came he ;
O there did he meet with great master sheriff,
And likewise the squires all three.
14 ' One boon, one boon,' says jolly Robin,
' One boon I beg on my knee ;
That, as for the deaths of these three squires,
Their hangman I may be.'
15 ' Soon granted, soon granted,' says great mas-
ter sheriff,
* Soon granted unto thee ;
And you shall have all their gay cloathing,
Aye, and all their white money.'
16 ' O I will have none of their gay cloathing,
Nor none of their white money,
But I '11 have three blasts on my bugle-horn,
That their souls to heaven may flee.'
17 Then Robin Hood mounted the gallows so high,
Where he blew loud and shrill,
Till an hundred and ten of Robin Hood's
men
They came marching all down the green hill.
18 ' Whose men are they all these ? ' says great
master sheriff,
' Whose men are they ? tell unto me : '
' 0 they are mine, but none of thine,
And they 're come for the squires all three.'
140. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THREE SQUIRES
183
19 ' 0 take them, O take them,' says great master
sheriff,
' O take them along with thee ;
For there 's never a man in all Nottingham
Can do the like of thee.'
A. 1«. 20!.
52. Only one of the i's is dotted in cliit : Fur-
nivall ; clutt was no doubt intended.
6*. said wm. 92. half a page wanting.
10 follows 12. II8. 3001
15", 181. 3. 172. or be me.
181. half a page wanting.
B. a. 3s. Knews. 41, 61, II1, 191-2, 251, 281. Oh.
82. and a down a.
121. chur. 151. Teen. 162. Where.
174. Itts. 24*. For me. 281. are you.
b. Robin Hood rescu'd the Widow's three Sons
from the Sheriff when going to be hanged.
c. How Robin Hood rescued, etc., ... to be
hanged.
b, c. 21. Hood wanting. 22. a down down.
28. met with. 24. along the highway.
3». to rne.^ 3*. To-day are.
52. Nor have they.
68. 'T is for. 78. quoth wanting.
81. Robin he is. 82. a down down and. a day.
88. old wanting. 91. silly palmer.
102. with for for. 108. of for in.
104. beer and good wine.
121. churl. 148. not for no.
144. the poor bags. 151. Then.
152. Were for Was. 158. did say.
16s, 17 2. Were wanting. 172. both wanting.
17*. 'Tis. 181. Robin is unto.
182. a down down and a day.
184. the highway. 192. you may you [may
you ?].
194. That to-day. 204. day is.
212. stone to stone. 221. never : in wanting.
232. And wanting. 241. a small horn now in.
242. it, wanting. 244. For thee. 254. fly out.
268. An : Robin's men. 278. Robin's men.
281. are you. 282. Comes. 288. bold Robin.
294. And released.
b. 188. with wanting. 202. unto thee.
208. pence fourteen.
c. 62. unto me. 72. mad'st. 151. poor for old.
201. suits and pence fourteen. 202'3. wanting.
211. turnd. 212. jumpd. 222. the trade.
248. I put. 258. gave. 292. let for set
C. a. The Garland is not earlier, and probably not
much later, than 1753, " The Arguments . . .
in the . . . affair of Eliz. Canning . . . robbed
... in Jany, 1753," occurring in advertise-
ments printed therewith.
161. ofther.
b. 54. have they. 64. have they. II4. in the.
124. beside. 16". buglee. 172. blew both.
188. are all. 194. That can.
C. I1, ranged. 31. this lady. 44. all wanting.
54. have they. 68. they have. 64. have they.
78. it's aU. 74. they 're. 88. will then to.
91. bold wanting : to for for. II2. It was.
II2. or red. II8. it was. II4. in the.
121. thou old. 128. give you. 131. then to.
138. And there. 134. Aye and.
142. upon my. 14s. the three.
151. great wanting.
152. Soon grant it I will unto thee.
154. Aye wanting. 161. I '11. 168. of my.
17a. blew both. 17*. They wanting.
188. are all. 194. That can.
d. I8, he did. 32. I wanting. 62. No.
72. Come tell unto me speedily. 88. will for.
10s. there 's : fair wanting. II4. in the.
121. thou old. 12 2. thou shalt.
151. great wanting. 17 1. When.
178. Hood's wanting.
174. They wanting : all wanting.
181. all wanting : great wanting.
184. And are. 198. in fair.
e. 54. have they. 64. have they.
10s. there 's : fair wanting. II4. in the.
121. thou old. 122. thou shalt. 14«. death.
151. great wanting. 171. When.
174. They wanting : all wanting.
181. are they : great wanting. 182. come tell.
184. And are. 198. in fair.
f. 54. have they. 64. have they. 74. they 're.
108. there 's : fair wanting. II4. in the.
121. thou old. 122. thou shalt. 148. death.
151. great wanting. 171. When.
174. They wanting : all wanting.
IS1, are they: great wanting. 18s. come tell.
184. And are come. 198. in fair.
184
140. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING THREE SQUIRES
APPENDIX
ROBIN HOOD AND THE SHERIFF
Kinloch MSS, V, 288, in Kinloch's handwriting.
1 ROBIN HOOD 's to Nottinghame gane,
Wi a linkie down and a day,
And there he met wi an auld woman,
Coming weeping alang the highway.
2 ' Weep ye for any of my gold, auld woman?
Or weep ye for my fee ?
Or weep ye for any warld's gear
This day I can grant to thee ? '
3 ' I weep not for your gold, kind sir,
I weep not for your fee ;
But I weep for my three braw sons,
This day condemned to die.'
4 ' O have they parishes burned ? ' he said,
' Or have they ministers slain ?
Or have they forced maidens against their will ?
Or wi other men's wives hae they lain? '
5 ' They have not parishes burned, kind sir,
They have not ministers slain ;
They neer forced a maid against her will,
Nor wi no man's wife hae they lain.'
6 ' O what hae they done then ? ' quo Robin Hood,
' I pray thee tell unto me : '
' O they killed the king's fallow deer,
And this day are condemned to die.'
7 ' O have you mind, old mother,' he said,
* Since you made my merry men to dine ?
And for to repay it back unto thee
Is come in a very good time.'
8 Sae Robin Hood 's to Nottinghame gane,
With a linkie down and a day,
And there he met an old beggar man,
Coming creeping along the high way.
9 ' What news, what news, old father? ' he said,
' What news hast thou for me? '
' There 's three merry men,' quo the poor auld man,
' This day condemned to die.'
10 'Will you change your apparel wi me, old father?
Will you change your apparel for mine ?
And twenty broad shillings I '11 gie ye to the boot,
To drink gude beer or wine.'
1 1 ' Thine is of the scarlet
And mine is baith ragged and torn ;
Sae never let a young supple youth
Laugh a gude auld man to scorn.'
12 ' Change your apparel wi me, old churl,
And quickly change it for mine,
And thirty broad shillings I '11 gie to the boot,
To drink gude beer or wine.'
13 When Robin put on the auld man's hat,
It was weary high in the crown ;
' By the hand of my body,' quo Robin Hood,
' I am lang whan I loot down.'
14 Whan Robin put on the auld man's cloak,
There was mony a pock therein ;
A pock for meal, and a pock for maut,
And a pock for groats and corn,
And a little wee pockie that hung by his side
That he put in his bugle-horn.
15 Sae Robin Hood 's [to] Nottinghame gane,
Wi a linkie down and a day,
And there he met wi the high sheriff,
Coming riding alang the high way.
16 'O save you, O save you, high sheriff,' he
said,
' And weel saved mote you be !
And what will you gie to the silly auld man
Your hangman for to be ? '
17 ' Thirteen pence,' the sheriff replied,
' That is the hangman's fee,
But an the claiths of the three young men
This day condemned to die.'
18 ' I never hanged a man in a' my life,
And intend not to begin ;
But ever I hang a man in my life,
High sheriff, thou 's be the ane.
19 ' But I have a horn in my pocket,
I gat it frae Robin Hood,
And gif I tak out my little horn,
For thee it will no blaw gude.'
20 ' Blaw, blaw, bauld beggar,' he said,
' Blaw, and fear nae doubt ;
I wish you may gie sic a blast
Till your eyne loup out.'
21 Then Robin he gave a skip,
And he skipped frae a stick till a stane ;
' By the hand of my body,' quo the high sheriff,
' You are a supple auld man.'
141. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING WILL STUTLY
185
22 Then Robin set his horn to his mouth,
And he blew baith loud and shrill,
Till sixty- four of bold Robin's men
Cam marching down the green hill.
23 ' What men are these,' quo the high sheriff,
' That comes sae merrily? '
' They are my men,' quo Robin Hood,
' And they '11 pay a visit to thee.'
24 They tack the gallows out of the glen,
And they set it in a slap ;
They hanged the sheriff upon it,
And his best men at his back.
25 They took the gallows out o the slap,
And they set [it] back in the glen,
And they hanged the sheriff upon it,
Let the three young men gae hame.
141
ROBIN HOOD RESCUING WILL STUTLY
a. Wood, 401, leaf 35 b.
b. Garland of 1663, No 7.
c. Garland of 1670, No 6.
d. Pepys, n, 106, No 93.
THIS ballad probably occurs in all the
larger collections of broadsides. It was given
in Old Ballads, 1723, I, 90. a is printed by
Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 102. Evans,
Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 164, follows an
Aldermary copy.
Robin Hood learns that Will Stutly has
been captured and is to be hanged the next
day. Robin and his men go to the rescue,
and ask information of a palmer who is stand-
ing under the wall of the castle in which
Stutly is confined ; the palmer confirms the
news. Stutly is brought out by the sheriff,
of whom he asks to have a sword and die in
fight, not on the tree. This refused, he asks
only to have his hands loosed. The sheriff
again refuses ; he shall die on the gallows.
Little John comes out from behind a bush,
cuts Stutly's bonds, and gives him a sword
twitched by John from one of the sheriffs
men. An arrow shot by Robin Hood puts
the sheriff to flight, and his men follow.
Stutly rejoices that he may go back to the
woods.
This is a ballad made for print, with little
of the traditional in the matter and nothing
in the style. It may be considered as an
imitation of The Rescue of the Three Squires,
whence the ambush in st. 9 and the palmer
4 fair ' in 10.
1 WHEN Eobin Hood in the green-wood livd,
Derry deny down
Vnder the green-wood tree,
Tidings there came to him with speed,
Tidings for certainty,
Hey down deny derry down
2 That Will Stutly surprized was,
And eke in prison lay ;
Three varlets that the sheriff had hired
Did likely him betray.
VOL. ni. 24
3 I, and to-morrow hanged must be,
To-morrow as soon as it is day ;
But before they could this victory get,
Two of them did Stutly slay.
4 When Robin Hood he heard this news,
Lord ! he was grieved sore,
I, and unto his merry men [said],
Who altogether swore,
186
141. ROBIN HOOD RESCUING WILL STUTLY
5 That Will Stutly should rescued be,
And be brought safe again ;
Or else should many a gallant wight
For his sake there be slain.
6 He cloathed himself in scarlet then,
His men were all in green ;
A finer show, throughout the world,
In no place could be seen.
7 Good lord ! it was a gallant sight
To see them all on a row ;
"With every man a good broad sword,
And eke a good yew bow.
8 Forth of the green wood are they gone,
Yea, all couragiously,
Resolving to bring Stutly home,
Or every man to die.
9 And when they came the castle neer
Whereas Will Stutly lay,
' I hold it good,' saith Robin Hood,
' Wee here in ambush stay,
10 ' And send one forth some news to hear,
To yonder palmer fair,
That stands under the castle-wall ;
Some news he may declare.'
11 With that steps forth a brave young man,
Which was of courage bold ;
Thus hee did say to the old man :
I pray thee, palmer old,
12 Tell me, if that thou rightly ken,
When must Will Stutly die,
Who is one of bold Robins men,
And here doth prisoner lie ?
13 ' Alack, alass,' the palmer said,
1 And for ever wo is me !
Will Stutly hanged must be this day,
On yonder gallows-tree.
14 ' O had his noble master known,
Hee would some succour send ;
A few of his bold yeomandree
Full soon would fetch him hence.'
15 ' I, that is true,' the young man said ;
' I, that is true,' said hee ;
' Or, if they were neer to this place,
They soon would set him free.
16 ' But fare thou well, thou good old man,
Farewell, and thanks to thee ;
If Stutly hanged be this day,
Revengd his death will be.'
17 He was no sooner from the palmer gone,
But the gates was opened wide,
And out of the castle Will Stutly came,
Guarded on every side.
18 When hee was forth from the castle come,
And saw no help was nigh,
Thus he did say unto the sheriff,
Thus he said gallantly :
19 Now seeing that I needs must die,
Grant me one boon, says he ;
For my noble master nere had man
That yet was hangd on the tree.
20 Give me a sword all in my hand,
And let mee be unbound,
And with thee and thy men I 'le fight,
Vntill I lie dead on the ground.
21 But his desire he would not grant,
His wishes were in vain ;
For the sheriff had sworn he hanged should be5
And not by the sword be slain.
22 ' Do but unbind my hands,' he sales,
' I will no weapons crave,
And if I hanged be this day,
Damnation let me have.'
23 ' O no, 0 no,' the sheriff he said,
' Thou shalt on the gallows die,
I, and so shall thy master too,
If ever in me it lie.'
24 * O dastard coward ! ' Stutly cries,
' Thou fauit-heart pesant slave !
If ever my master do thee meet,
Thou shalt thy paiment have.
25 ' My noble master thee doth scorn,
And all thy cowardly crew ;
Such siUy imps unable are
Bold Robin to subdue.'
141. ROBIN HOOD RESCUED WILL STUTLY
187
26 But when he was to the gallows come,
And ready to bid adiew,
Out of a bush leaps Little John,
And steps Will Stutly to.
27 ' I pray thee, Will, before thou die,
Of thy dear friends take leave ;
I needs must borrow him a while,
How say you, master sheriff ? '
28 ' Now, as I live,' the sheriff he said,
1 That varlet will I know ;
Some sturdy rebell is that same,
Therefore let him not go.'
29 With that Little John so hastily
Away cut Stutly's bands,
And from one of the sheriff his men,
A sword twicht from his hands.
30 ' Here, Will, here, take thou this same,
Thou canst it better sway ;
And here defend thy self a while,
For aid will come straight way.'
31 And there they tiirnd them back to back,
In the middle of them that day,
Till Robin Hood approached neer,
With many an archer gay.
32 With that an arrow by them flew,
I wist from Robin Hood ;
' Make haste, make haste,' the sheriff he said,
' Make haste, for it is good.'
33 The sheriff is gone ; his doughty men
Thought it no boot to stay,
But, as their master had them taught,
They run full fast away.
34 « O stay, O stay,' Will Stutly said,
' Take leave ere you depart ;
You nere will catch bold Robin Hood
Vnless you dare him meet.'
35 « O ill betide you,' quoth Robin Hood,
' That you so soon are gone ;
My sword may in the scabbord rest,
For here our work is done.'
36 ' I little thought when I came here,
When I came to this place,
For to have met with Little John,
Or seen my masters face.'
37 Thus Stutly was at liberty set,
And safe brought from his foe ;
1 0 thanks, O thanks to my master,
Since here it was not so.'
38 'And once again, my fellows,
We shall in the green woods meet,
Where we will make our bow-strings twang,
Musick for us most sweet.'
a. Robin Hood his rescuing Will Stutly from the
sheriff and his men, who had taken him
prisoner, and was going to hang him.
, To the tune of Robin Hood and Queen Kathe-
. rine.
London, Printed for F. Grove, on Snow-hill.
Entred according to order. (1620-55 :
Chappell.)
251. thou dost. 264. too. 292. Stutli's.
331. doubtless.
b. Title as in a, except rescuing of : were going.
48. said wanting. 68. in all the.
II1. steps out. 131. Alas, alas.
134. yonders gallow. 142. would soon.
164. shall be. 194. the wanting.
251. thou dost. 264. too.
281. he wanting. 331. doubtless.
c. Title as in a, except were going.
I4. Tiding for certainly. 34. stay.
48. men said. 131. Alass, alass.
172. was wanting. 242. hearted.
251. thee dost. 264. too. 292. Stutli's.
331. doubtless. 362. came hereto,
d. Title as in a.
Printed for J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T.
Passenger. (1670-86 ?)
I1, livd wanting. 32. as 'tis.
48. and to : men said. 52. brought back.
81. they are. 98. said. 131. Alas, alas.
138. to day. 14s. yeomanry.
172. gates were. 192. said.
194. the wanting. 211. But this.
218. swore. 242. hearted. 251. thee doth.
261. gone for come. 281. he wanting.
291. And Little. 298. sheriffs.
331. doubtless. 351. said for quoth.
362. came here.
188
142. LITTLE JOHN A BEGGING
142
LITTLE JOHN A BEGGING
A. Percy MS., p. 20 ; Hales and Furnivall, I, 47.
B. 'Little John and the Four Beggers.' a. Wood,
401, leaf 88 b. b. Garland of 1668, No 16.
c. Garland of 1670, No 15. d. Pepys, II, 119,
No 105.
B is also in the Roxburghe collection, III,
10.
B a is printed in Ritson's Robin Hood,
1795, II, 128. Evans, Old Ballads, 1777,
1784, I, 196 follows the Aldermary garland.
A. Little John, meaning to go a begging,
induces an old mendicant to change clothes
with him and to give him some hints how to
conduct himself. Thus prepared he attempts
to attach himself to three palmers, who, how-
ever, do not covet his company. One of the
palmers gives John a whack on the head.
We may conjecture, from the course of the
story in B, that John serves them all accord-
ingly, and takes from them so much money
that, if he had kept on in this way, he might,
as he says, have bought churches.
The beginning of A is very like that of
Robin Hood rescuing Three Squires, A ; but
the disguise is for a different object. We
are reminded again of Hind Horn, and par-
ticularly of versions C, G, H, in which the
beggar, after change of clothes, is asked for
instructions.
B. John is deputed by Robin to go a beg-
ging, and asks to be provided with staff, coat,
and bags. He joins four sham beggars, one
of whom takes him a knock on the crown.
John makes the dumb to speak and the halt
to run, and bangs them against the wall, then
gets from one's cloak three hundred pound,
and from another's bag three hundred and
three, which he thinks is doing well enough
to warrant his return to Sherwood.
B is translated by Anastasius Griin, p. 155.
Percy MS., p. 20 ; Hales and Furnivall, 1, 47.
******
*
1 .
beggar,' he sayes,
' With none such fellows as thee.'
2 ' I am not in iest,' said Litle lohn,
' I sweare all by the roode ;
Change with mee,' said Little lohn,
' And I will giue thee some boote.'
3 But he has gotten on this old mans gowne,
It reacht not to his wrist ;
' Christ's curse on 's hart,' said Litle lohn,
' That thinkes my gowne amisse.'
4 But he has gotten on this old mans shoes,
Are clouted nine fold about ;
* Beshrew his hart,' says Litle lohn,
' That bryer or thorne does doubt.
5 ' Wilt teach me some phrase of thy begging ? '
says lohn ;
' I pray thee, tell it mee,
How I may be as beggar-like
As any in my companie.'
6 ' Thou must goe two foote on a staffe,
The third vpon a tree ;
Full loud that them must cry and fare,
When nothing ayleth thee.'
7 But lohn he walket the hills soe high,
Soe did [he] the hills soe browne ;
142. LITTLE JOHN A BEGGING
189
The ready way that he cold take
Was towards Nottingham towne.
8 But as he was on the hills soe high,
He mett with palmers three ;
Sayes, God you saue, my brethren all,
Now God you saue and see !
9 This seuen yeere I haue you sought ;
Before I cold neuer you see !
Said they, Wee had leuer such a cankred carle
Were neuer in our companie.
10 But one of them tooke Litle lohn on his head,
The blood ran over his eye ;
Little lohn turned him twise about
11 < If I
As I haue beene but one day,
I shold haue purcchased three of the best
churches
That stands by any highway.'
a. Wood, 401, leaf 33 b. b. Garland of 1663, No 16.
C. Garland of 1670, No 15. d. Pepys, II, 119, No 105.
1 ALL you that delight to spend some time
With a hey down down a down down
A merry song for to sing,
Vnto me draw neer, and you shall hear
How Little John went a begging.
2 As Robin Hood walked the forrest along,
And all his yeomandree,
Sayes Robin, Some of you must a begging go,
And, Little John, it must be thee.
3 Sayes John, If I must a begging go,
I will have a palmers weed,
With a staff and a coat, and bags of all sort,
The better then I shall speed.
4 Come, give me now a bag for my bread,
And another for my cheese,
And one for a peny, when as I get any,
That nothing I may leese.
5 Now Little John he is a begging gone,
Seeking for some relief ;
But of all the beggers he met on the way,
Little John he was the chief.
i
6 But as he was walking himself alone,
Four beggers he chanced to spy,
Some deaf, and some blind, and some came
behind ;
Says John, Here 's brave company !
7 ' Good-morrow,' said John, ' my brethren dear,
Good fortune I had you to see ;
Which way do you go ? pray let me know,
For I want some company.
8 ' O what is here to do ? ' then said Little John,
' Why rings all these bells ? ' said he ;
' What dog is a hanging ? come, let us be
ganging,
That we the truth may see.'
9 ' Here is no dog a hanging,' then one of them
said,
* Good fellow, we tell unto thee ;
But here is one dead wil give us cheese and
bred,
And it may be one single peny.'
10 ' We have brethren in London,' another he said,
' So have we in Coventry,
In Barwick and Dover, and all the world over,
But nere a crookt carril like thee.
11 ' Therefore stand thee back, thou crooked carel,
And take that knock on the crown ; '
* Nay,' said Little John, ' I 'le not yet be gone,
For a bout will I have with you round.
12 ' Now have at you all,' then said Little John,
' If you be so full of your blows ;
Fight on, all four, and nere give ore,
Whether you be friends or foes.'
13 John nipped the dumb, and made him to rore,
And the blind that could not see,
And he that a cripple had been seven years,
He made him run faster then he.
14 And flinging them all against the wall,
With many a sturdje bang,
190
142. LITTLE JOHN A BEGGING
It made John sing, to hear the gold ring,
Which against the walls cryed twang.
15 Then he got out of the beggers cloak
Three hundred pound in gold ;
' Good fortune had I,' then said Little John,
* Such a good sight to behold.'
16 But what found he in a beggers bag,
But three hundred pound and three ?
' If I drink water while this doth last,
Then an ill death may I dye !
17 ' And my begging-trade I will now give ore,
My fortune hath bin so good ;
Therefore I 'le not stay, but I will away
To the forrest of merry Sherwood.'
18 And when to the forrest of Sherwood he came,
He quickly there did see
His master good, bold Robin Hood,
And all his company.
19 ' What news ? What news ? ' then said Robin
Hood,
' Come, Little John, tell unto me ;
How hast thou sped with thy beggers trade ?
For that I fain would see.'
20 ' No news but good,' then said Little John,
( With begging ful wel I have sped ;
Six hundred and three I have here for thee,
In silver and gold so red.'
21 Then Robin took Little John by the hand,
And danced about the oak-tree :
' If we drink water while this doth last,
Then an il death may we die ! '
22 So to conclude my merry new song,
All you that delight it to sing,
'T is of Robin Hood, that archer good,
And how Little John went a begging.
A. Half a page wanting at the beginning, and
after 10*. 32. his crest.
42. 9. 61. 2. 62. 3f. 82, II8. 3. 91. 7.
98. had neuer. 102. him 2].
B. a. Little John and the Four Beggers : A new
merry song of Robin Hood and Little John,
shewing how Little John went a begging,
and how he fought with Four Beggers, and
what a prize he got of the Four Beggers.
The tune is, Robin Hood and the Begger.
Printed for William Gilber[t]son. (1640-63.)
13*. them for him. 144. Whih again.
22*. beggiug.
b. Title as in a.
II2. on thy. 11*. I will. 12«. never.
13*. made him. 144. again.
208. Three hundred.
c. Title as in a, except: from these four Beg-
gers. To the tune of Robin Hood and the
Begger.
Burden : last down wanting.
88. a wanting : let 's. 92. I for we.
101. he wanting. 128. never.
134. made him : than. 144. against.
19*. I fain would fain. 201. then wanting.
208. Three hundred. 222. it wanting.
d. Title as in a, except : Or, a new. To the
tune of Robin Hood, &c.
Printed for J. Wright, J. Clarke, W. Thack-
eray, and T. Passenger. (1670-86 ?)
I2, for wanting. 38. sorts. 3*. then shall I.
4s. as wanting. 51'4. he wanting.
71. my children. 102. in the Country.
134. made run then. 144. against.
161. in the. 172. it hath. 181. But when.
19'. with the. 222. And you.
143. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP
191
143
ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP
'Robin Hood and the Bishop.' a. Wood, 401, leaf d. Pepys, II, 109, No 96.
11 b. e. Roxburghe, I, 362, in the Ballad Societys reprint,
b. Garland of 1663, No 5. II, 448.
c. Garland of 1670, No 4.
ALSO Pepys, II, 122, No 107, by Alexander
Milbourne (1670-97): Old Ballads, 1723,
II, 39.
a is printed in Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795,
II, 19. Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784,
I, 102, apparently follows the Aldermary
Churchyard garland.
Robin Hood, while ranging the forest, sees
a bishop and all his men coming, and, know-
ing that if he is taken no mercy will be given
him, asks the help of an old woman, to whom
he makes himself known. The old woman
has had a kindness from him, and wishes to
return it. She consents to exchange her gray
coat and spindle for his green mantle and
arrows, and Robin makes for his band in this
disguise. The bishop carries off the old
•woman on a horse, making no doubt that he
has Robin in custody, but, as he proceeds
through the wood, sees a hundred bowmen,
and asks his prisoner what this may be. I
think it be Robin Hood, says the supposed
outlaw. " And who are you ? " " Why, I
am an old woman." The bishop turns about,
but Robin stays him, ties him to a tree, takes
five hundred pound from his portmantle, and
then is willing he should go. But Little John
will not let him off till he has sung a mass ;
after which the bishop is mounted on his
dapple-gray, with his face to the tail, and told
to pray for Robin Hood.
This ballad and the following are varia-
tions upon the theme of Robin Hood and the
Monk, in the Gest. The disguise as a woman
occurs in other outlaw stories ; as in Eustace
the Monk, Michel, p. 43. Also in Blind
Harry's Wallace, ed. Moir, Book I, 239, and
Book IV, 764, pp 9, 72 : in the first case Wal-
lace has a rock and sits spinning. See also
the ballad of Gude Wallace, further on.
We hear again of the forced mass, st. 23,
in Robin Hood and Queen Katherine, A 31,
B 40; and of money borrowed against the
bishop's will, in A 32 of the same. It is the
Bishop of Hereford who suffers : see the bal-
lad which follows.
Translated by Doenniges, p. 203 ; Anasta-
sius Griin, p. 113.
1 COME, gentlemen all, and listen a while,
Hey down down an a down
And a story I 'le to you unfold ;
I 'le tell you how Robin Hood served the
Bishop,
When he robbed him of his gold.
2 As it fell out on a sun-shining day,
When Phebus was in his prime,
Then Robin Hood, that archer good,
In mirth would spend some time.
3 And as he walkd the forrest along,
Some pastime for to spy,
There was he aware of a proud bishop,
And all his company.
4 ' 0 what shall I do ? ' said Robin Hood then,
' If the Bishop he doth take me,
No mercy he '1 show unto me, I know,
But hanged I shall be.'
192
143. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP
5 Then Robin was stout, and turnd him about,
And a little house there he did spy ;
And to an old wife, for to save his life,
He loud began for to cry.
6 ' Why, who art thou ? ' said the old woman,
' Come tell it to me for good : '
' I am an out-law, as many do know,
My name it is Robin Hood.
7 'And yonder 's the Bishop and all his men,
And if that I taken be,
Then day and night he 1 work me spight,
And hanged I shall be.'
8 ' If thou be Robin Hood,' said the old wife,
' As thou dost seem to be,
I 'le for thee provide, and thee I will hide
From the Bishop and his company.
9 ' For I well remember, one Saturday night
Thou bought me both shoos and hose ;
Therefore I 'le provide thy person to hide,
And keep thee from thy foes.'
10 ' Then give me soon thy coat of gray,
And take thou my mantle of green ;
Thy spindle and twine unto me resign,
And take thou my arrows so keen.'
11 And when that Robin Hood was so araid,
He went straight to his company ;
With his spindle and twine, he oft lookt be-
hind
For the Bishop and his company.
12 ' O who is yonder,' quoth Little John,
' That now comes over the lee ?
An arrow I will at her let flie,
So like an old witch looks she.'
13 ' O hold thy hand, hold thy hand,' said Robin
then,
' And shoot not thy arrows so keen ;
I am Robin Hood, thy master good,
And quickly it shall be seen.'
14 The Bishop he came to the old womans house,
And he called with furious mood,
' Come let me soon see, and bring unto me,
That traitor Robin Hood.'
15 The old woman he set on a milk-white steed,
Himselfe on a dapple-gray,
And for joy he had got Robin Hood,
He went laughing all the way.
16 But as they were riding the forrest along,
The Bishop he chanc'd for to see
A hundred brave bow-men bold
Stand under the green-wood tree.
17 ' 0 who is yonder,' the Bishop then said,
' That 's ranging within yonder wood ? '
1 Marry,' says the old woman, ' I think it to be
A man calld Robin Hood.'
18 ' Why, who art thou,' the Bishop he said,
' Which I have here with me ? '
'Why, I am an old woman, thou cuckoldly
bishop ;
Lift up my leg and see.'
19 ' Then woe is me,' the Bishop he said,
' That ever I saw this day ! '
He turnd him about, but Robin so stout
Calld him, and bid him stay.
20 Then Robin took hold of the Bishops horse,
And ty'd him fast to a tree ;
Then Little John smil'd his master upon,
For joy of that company.
21 Robin Hood took his mantle from 's back,
And spread it upon the ground,
And out of the Bishops portmantle he
Soon told five hundred pound.
22 * 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
mass
Before that he goe from me.
23 Then Robin Hood took the Bishop by the hand,
And bound him fast to a tree,
And made him sing a mass, God wot,
To him and his yeomandree.
24 And then they brought him through the wood,
And set him on his dapple-gray,
And gave the tail within his hand,
And bade him for Robin Hood pray.
144. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD
193
a. Robin Hood and the Bishop : Shewing how
Robin Hood went to an old womans house
and changed cloaths with her, to scape
from the Bishop ; and how he robbed the
Bishop of all his gold, and made him sing
a mass. To the tune of Robin Hood and
the Stranger.
London, Printed for F. Grove on Snow-Hill.
(1620-55.)
Burden : sometimes With a hey, etc. ; With
hey, etc.
22. her for his : cf. b, c.
82. doth : cf. b, c, d, e. 91. on for one : cf. e.
162. chance.
b. Title as in a. Burden : with the same varia-
tions as in a.
22. in his. 54. for wanting. 81. then said.
82. dost. 91. on. 148. soon wanting.
162. chanc'd. 171. then wanting.
172. yonders. 18s. cuckoldy. 191. to me.
198. Robin Hood.
c. Title as in a. Burden : always With a hey,
etc.
22. in his. 44. wanting. 53'4. for wanting.
82. dost. 91. on. 161. long. 162. chanced.
171. he said. 188. cuckoldy. 191. to me.
198. Robin Hood. 244. bid.
d. Title as in a, except, escape : robbed him :
sing mass.
Burden : With a hey down down and a down.
21. of a. 22. in her.
28. That for Then. 44. shall I.
54. for wanting. 78. my for me.
81. old woman. 82. dost.
91. well wanting : on.
II1. that wanting : thus for so.
131. Robin Hood. 162. chanc'd.
188. am a woman : cuckoldy.
198. Robin Hood. 204. of his.
221. So wanting. 231. by'th.
241. And when,
e. Title as in a, except, escape : robbed him ; sing
mass.
London, Printed by and for W. O[nley], etc.
(1650-1702.)
Burden : With a hey down down an a down.
I2, to you I '11. I8, to you. 21. of a.
22. in her. 28. Bold Robin Hood.
3s. he wanting. (?) 41. saith. 44. shall I.
52. did he. 58. for wanting.
5*. aloud began to. 78. my for me.
74. shall I. 81. then said the old woman.
82. dost. 91. well wanting : one.
92. brought. 102. the for my.
II1. thus /or so. II8. and wanting.
12*. at her I will. 131. saith.
162. chanc'd. 174. A wanting.
188. am a woman. 198. Robin Hood.
194. to him.
231. by th'.
204. of this. 221. So wanting.
144
ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD
A. a. Robin Hood's Garland, London, J. Marshall &
Co., Aldermary Churchyard, No 23. b. ' Robin
Hood and the Bishop of Hereford,' Douce Ballads,
HI, 123 b, London, C. Sheppard, 1791. c. Chap-
pell's Popular Music of the Olden Time, p. 395, from
a broadside printed for Daniel Wright, next the
Sun Tavern in Holborn. d. .Robin Hood's Garland,
1749, No 23.
B. E. Cochrane's Song-Book, p. 149, No 113.
A a in Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795, II, 146,
"compared with the York copy," that is,
with two or three slight changes : Evans, Old
Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 211. B, the Scottish
copy, is very likely only an imperfect remem-
brance of a broadside, but the date of the
VOL. in. 25
MS., though this is perhaps not determinable,
has been put as early as 1730.
Robin Hood, expecting the Bishop of Here-
ford to pass near Barnsdale, has a deer killed
for his dinner. He dresses himself and six
of his men in shepherd's attire, and when the
194
144. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD
Bishop approaches they make an ado to at-
tract his attention. The Bishop interrogates
them. Robin owns that they mean to make
merry with the king's venison. The Bishop
will show them no mercy ; they must go be-
fore the king with him. Robin summons his
band with his horn and it is the Bishop's
turn to cry mercy. Robin will not let him
off, but takes him to Barnsdale, and makes
him great cheer. The Bishop foresees that
there will be a heavy reckoning. Little John
searches the Bishop's portmanteau, and takes
out three hundred pound ; enough, he says,
to make him in charity with the churchman.
They make the Bishop dance in his boots, A,
or sing a mass, B, and he is glad to get off so
lightly.
The Bishop of Hereford appears in the
next ballad, Robin Hood and Queen Kathe-
rine. He there tells us that Robin had made
him sing a mass out of hours, and had bor-
rowed money of him against his will.
The conclusion of this ballad is to the same
effect as that of the preceding, and was prob- \
ably suggested by the Gest. No copy has
been found, in print or writing, earlier than
the last century ; a fact of no special impor-
tance. Whenever written, if written it was,
it is far superior to most of the seventeenth
century broadsides. Mr Chappell speaks of ;
it as being now (thirty years ago) the most
popular of the Robin Hood set.
Translated by Talvj, Charakteristik, p.
493 ; Anastasius Griin, p. 151 ; Lodve-Vei-
mars, p. 204.
a. Robin Hood's Garland, Aldermary Churchyard, No
23. b. Douce Ballads, HI, 123 b, 1791. c. Chappell's
Popular Music of the Olden Time, p. 395, from a broadside
printed for Daniel Wright, d. Robin Hood's Garland,
without place, 1749, No 23, p. 98.
1 SOME they will talk of bold Robin Hood,
And some of barons bold,
But I 'U tell you how he servd the Bishop of
Hereford,
When he robbd him of his gold.
2 As it befel in merry Barnsdale,
And under the green-wood tree,
The Bishop of Hereford was to come by,
With all his company.
3 ' Come, kill a venson,' said bold Robin Hood,
' Come, kill me a good fat deer ;
The Bishop of Hereford is to dine with me
to-day,
And he shall pay well for his cheer.
4 ' We '11 kill a fat venson,' said bold Robin
Hood,
' And dress it by the highway-side ;
And we will watch the Bishop narrowly,
Lest some other way he should ride.'
5 Robin Hood dressd himself in shepherd's attire,
With six of his men also ;
And, when the Bishop of Hereford came by,
They about the fire did go.
6 ' 0 what is the matter ? ' then said the Bishop,
' Or for whom do you make this a-do ?
Or why do you kill the king's venson,
When your company is so few ? '
7 ' 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.'
8 ' You are brave fellows ! ' said the Bishop,
' And the king of your doings shall know ;
Therefore make haste and come along with
me,
For before the king you shall go.'
9 ' O pardon, O pardon,' said bold Robin Hood,
' O pardon, I thee pray !
For it becomes not your lordship's coat
• To take so many lives away.'
10 ' No pardon, no pardon,' says the Bishop,
' No pardon I thee owe ;
Therefore make haste, and come along with me,
For before the king you shall go.'
144. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP OF HEREFORD
195
11 Then Robin set his back against a tree,
And bis foot against a thorn,
And from underneath his shepherd's coat
He pulld out a bugle-horn.
12 He put the little end to his mouth,
And a loud blast did he blow,
Till threescore and ten of bold Robin's men
Came running all on a row ;
13 All making obeysance to bold Robin Hood ;
'T was a comely sight for to see :
' What is the matter, master,' said Little John,
' That you blow so hastily ? '
14 ' 0 here is the Bishop of Hereford,
And no pardon we shall have : '
1 Cut off his head, master,' said Little John,
' And throw him into his grave.' '
15 ' 0 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.'
16 ' No pardon, no pardon,' said Robin Hood,
' No pardon I thee owe ;
Therefore make haste and come along with me,
For to merry Barnsdale you shall go.'
17 Then Robin he took the Bishop by the hand,
And led him to merry Barnsdale ;
He made him to stay and sup with him that
night,
And to drink wine, beer, and ale.
18 ' Call in the reckoning,' said the Bishop,
' For methinks it grows wondrous high : *
' Lend me your purse, Bishop,' said Little
John,
' And I '11 tell you bye and bye.'
19 Then Little John took the bishop's cloak,
And spread it upon the ground,
And out of the bishop's portmantua
He told three hundred pound.
20 ' Here 's money enough, master/ said Little
John,
' And a comely sight 't is to see ;
It makes me in charity with the Bishop,
Tho he heartily loveth not me.'
21 Robin Hood took the Bishop by the hand,
And he caused the music to play,
And he made the Bishop to dance in his boots,
And glad he could so get away.
B
E. Cochrane's Song-Book, p. 149, No 113.
1 SOME talk of lords, and some talk of lairds,
And some talk of barrons bold,
But I '11 tell you a story of bold Robin Hood,
How he robbed the Bishop of his gold.
2 ' Cause kill us a venison,' sayes Robin Hood,
' And we '11 dress it by the high-way side,
And we will watch narrowly for the Bishop,
Lest some other way he do ride.'
3 * Now who is this,' sayes the Bishop,
' That makes so boldly here
To kill the king's poor small venison,
And so few of bis company here ? '
4 ' We are shepherds,' says Robin Hood,
' And do keep sheep all the year ;
And we thought it fit to be merry on a day,
And kill one of the king's fallow deer.'
5 ' Thou art a bold fellow,' the Bishop replyes,
' And your boldness you do show ;
Make hast, make hast, and go along with me,
For the king of your doings shall know.'
6 He leand his back unto a brae,
His foot against a thorn,
And out from beneath his long shepherds coat
He pulled a blowing-horn.
7 He put his horn in to his mouth,
And a snell blast he did blow,
Till four and twenty of bold Robins men
Came riding up all in a row.
8 ' Come, give us a reckoning,' says the Bishop,
' For I think you drink wondrous large : '
196
145. ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE
' Come, give me your purse,' said bold Robin 10 ' O master,' quoth Litle John,
Hood,
* And I will pay all your charge.'
9 He pulled off his long shepherds coat,
And he spread it on the ground,
And out of the Bishops long trunk-hose,
He pulled a hundred pound.
' It 's a very bony sight for to see ; ,
It makes me to favour the Bishop,
Tho in heart he loves not me.'
11 ' Come, sing us a mass,' sayes bold Robin Hood,
' Come, sing us a mass all anon ;
Come, sing us a mass,' sayes bold Robin Hood,
' Take a kick in the a — se, and be gone.'
A. a. The Bishop of Hereford's Entertainment by
Robin Hood and Little John, &c., in merry
Barnsdale.
8*. Forr. 18s. master for Bishop : cf. b.
b. London, Published April 7th, 1791, by C.
Sheppard, No 19, Lambert Hill, Doctors
Commons.
3». 's to. 7*. to taste. 101. said. II4. out his.
122. he did. 12". Robin Hood's.
132. for wanting. 13*. What 's.
142. Says no. 171. he wanting.
178. him stay and dine with him that day.
182. For I think. 18". bishop for master.
208. me have charity for.
21*. And wanting : the old.
c. Title as in a.
I1. O some : of brave. I8, ye.
I4. And robbd. 21. All under. 31. kill me.
. 3*. 's to. 101. said. 161. said bold.
181. in a. 18*. purse, master. 21*. the old.
d. Title as in B,'. &c wanting.
I1, they wanting. I8, of Hereford wanting.
I4, his wanting. 31. Hood wanting.
38. to-day wanting. 34. well wanting.
41. kill the vension. 51. Hood he.
52. And six : men likewise.
54. Then for They. 61. then wanting.
68. of the. 64. And your : so small.
71. Hood wanting. 91. bold wanting.
101. said. 104. you must. II4. out his fine.
122. he did. 124. marching down in a.
138. master wanting. 144. into the.
154. I would : gone another.
161. bold Robin : Hood wanting.
171. he wanting. 172. And he.
178. to wanting. 181. in a.
182. Methinks it runs. 188. master wanting.
198. portmantle. 194. He took.
201. master wanting.
202. And it is : 't is wanting.
211. Robin he took. 212. he wanting.
21*. And wanting. 214. so wanting.
145
ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE
A. ' Robin Hoode and Quene Kath[erine],' Percy MS.,
p. 15; Hales and Furnivall, I, 37.
land of 1670, No 8. e. Wood, 401, leaf 31 b.
f. Pepys, II, 103, No 90.
B. ' Renowned Robin Hood,' etc. a. Wood, 502, leaf C. ' Robin Hood, Scarlet and John,' etc., Garland of
10. b. Roxburghe, I, 356, in the Ballad Society's 1663, No 1.
reprint, II, 419. c. Garland of 1663, No 9. d. Gar-
A COPY in Roxburghe, III, 450, printed by teenth century. In Ritson's Robin Hood,
L. How, in Petticoat Lane, is of the eigh- 1795, II, 82, "from an old black-letter copy
145. ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE
197
in 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 har-
bingers. The king has offered a heavy wager
that his archers cannot be excelled, and the
queen may have her choice of all other bow-
men 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 al-
ready 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 noth-
ing to a lady. The Bishop of Hereford de-
clines 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 in A.
In B, C, Robin's feat is obscurely described.
Clifton, who represents Scarlet (for in B, 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 to A 10, is John, is but little be-
hind him.* 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 conceal-
ment. The Bishop of Hereford, learning who
* Even the author of A seems not to be aware that
Much, the Miller's Son, is the standing name of one of
Robin Hood's men, and therefore would not answer for a
disguise. In B, C, nothing is expressly said about the
change of names, and in fact this arrangement seems not
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 giv-
ing 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 re-
jected. This is a very pleasant ballad, with
all the exaggeration, and it is much to be
regretted that one half of A is lost.
C is a piece of regular hack-work, and
could not maintain itself in competition with
B, upon which, perhaps, it was formed. It
will be observed that Sir Richard Lee is
changed into Sir Robert Lee in C, 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 Notting-
hamshire." 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 a
to be understood, since in B 211 Clifton is spoken of as one
Clifton. Comparing B 33, 34, 37, we see that Clifton
should be Little John, but Midge, the Miller's Son, himself,
not Scathlock, still less John.
198
145. ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE
plain 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 oc-
curs several times in R. H. and Queen Kath-
erine, 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 Griin, p. 172.
Percy MS., p. 15 ; Hales and Furnivall, I, 37.
1 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.
2 Gold taken from the kings harbengers
Seldome times hath beene seene,
' Queene Katherine, I say to thee ; '
' That 's a princly wager,' quoth Queene Kath-
erine,
1 Betweene yowr grace and me.
says
4 'Where must I haue mine archers?'
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.'
7 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.
8 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.
9 Commend me to Robin Hood, says Queene
Katherine,
And alsoe to Litle John,
And specially to Will Scarlett,
Ffryar Tucke and Maid Marryan.
10 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.
11 Commend mee to Robin Hood, sayes Queene
Katherine,
And marke, page, what I say ;
In London they must be with me
[Vpon S* Georges day.]
12
' These words hath sent by me ;
Att London you must be with her
Vpon S1 Georg[e]s day.
13 ' Vpon S* Georg[e]s day att noone
Att London needs must you bee ;
145. ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE
199
Shee wold not misse yowr companie
For all the gold in Cristinty.
14 ' Shee hath tane a shooting for yowr sake,
The greatest in Christentie,
And her part you must needs take
Against her prince, Henery.
15 ' 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.'
17 In somwier'time when leaues grow greene,
And flowers are fresh and gay,
Then Robin Hood he deckt his men
Echo one in braue array.
18 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.
19 With hattis white and fethers blacke,
And bowes and arrowes keene,
And thus he ietted towards louly London,
To present Queene Katherine.
20 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.'
22 ' 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.'
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 mind
And whose that gold shold bee.
27 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 qwoth our king,
' The third three payes for all ; '
Then Robine rounded wtth our queene,
Says, The kings part shall be small.
29 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 'Robin
Hoode,
I wold not haue betted one peny.
31 ' Is this ~Robin Hood ? ' 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 ;
200
145. ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE
He borrowed ten pound against my will,
But he neuer paid me againe.'
33 ' What and if I did ? ' says bold Robin Hood,
' 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.'
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 JOobin
Hood,
The flower of archery.'
37 ' 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 yowr 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.'
B
a. Wood, 402, leaf 10. b. Roxburghe, I, 356, in the Bal-
lad 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.
1 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.'
3 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.
5 ' 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.'
6 Sometimes he went, sometimes bee ran,
As fast as he could win ;
And when hee came to Notingham,
There he took up his inne.
7 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.
8 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 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.'
11 When that he came at Robin Hoods place,
Hee fell down on his knee :
145. ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE
201
' 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.'
13 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.
14 In summer time, when leaves grow green,
It is a seemly sight to see
How Robin Hood himself had drest,
And all his yeomandry.
15 He cloathed his men in Lincoln green,
And himself in scarlet red,
Black hats, white feathers, all alike ;
Now bold Robin Hood is rid.
16 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.'
17 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,
1 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.
20 ' 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.'
21 With that bespake one Clifton then,
Full quickly and full soon ;
' Measure no mark for us, most soveraign leige,
Wee '1 shoot at sun and moon.'
VOL. III.
26
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.'
23 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 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 pedigree
Thou springst from Goweres blood.
26 ' Come hither to me, thou Bishop of Hereford-
shire ' —
For a noble priest was he —
' By my silver miter,' said the bishop then,
1 1 '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.'
30 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.'
31 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 ; '
202
145. ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE
Robin Hood went and whispered to the queen,
' The kings part shall be but small.'
33 Robin Hood he led about,
He shot it under hand,
And Clifton, with a bearing arrow,
He clave the willow wand.
34 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 ! '
36 ' 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.'
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 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.
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.'
The Garland of 1663, No 1.
1 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.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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.
5 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.
6 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.
145. ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE
203
8 ' 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/
9 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.
10 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.
11 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.
12 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.
14 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.
15 Now Robin Hood welcome was then to the
court,
Queen Katharine so did allow ;
Now listen, my friends, and my song shal re-
port
How the queen performed her vow.
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 cer-
tainly
A while some credit to win.
22 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.
23 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.
16 The king then went marching in state with his 25 'A hundred good pounds there is in the same,'
peers
To Finsbury field most gay,
Where Robin Hood follows him, void of all
fears,
With his lusty brave shooters that day.
17 The king did command that the way should be
Straight mete with a line that was good ;
The bishop unto him did say ;
Then said Robin Hood, Now here 's for the
game,
And to bear this your money away.
26 Then did the kings archer his arrows com-
mand
Most bravely and with great might,
204
. 145. ROBIN HOOD AND QUEEN KATHERINE
But brave jolly Robin shot under his hand,
And then did hit the mark right.
27 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.
28 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 !
29 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.'
30 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.'
32 ' Well,' quoth Robin Hood, ' in requital thereof,
Half thy gold I give unto thee ; '
' Nay, nay,' then said Little John in a scoff,
' 'T will serue us ith' North Countrey.'
33 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.
34 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.
35 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.
A. After 22, II8, 204, 298, 384, half a page is gone.
21. Perhaps harvengers. 52. cauentry.
9». Perhaps William. After 16: The 2d part.
18*. hinselfe. 254. 600*. 272, 282. 3.
314. 2. 328. 10?.
B. Renowned Robin Hood : or, his famous arch-
ery truly related ; with the worthy exploits
hee acted before Queen Katherine, hee be-
ing an outlaw-man ; and how shee for the
same obtained of the king his own and his
fellows pardon. To a new tune.
a. London, Printed for F. Grove, on Snow-hill.
Entred according to order. (1620-55.)
164. yeomen three : so b-e, but yeomendree,
the reading of f , 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 of till, which occurs in f , 232,
as in A, 272.
311. the kings : so all. A, 27 has queenes,
rightly.
314. thy knee : so all except b, which has thy
nee.
352. crave that on.
394. have wanting : cf. A 30, c, f.
404. yeomen three : so all. See 164.
b. Printed at London for Francis Grove.
22. can. 3. unto her lovely. 34. Parringten.
44. can. 68, 71. came at. 81. sate. 84. in this.
102. Be it the. II1. Hood. 138. sent that.
142. It's. 21*. markes. 231. archer.
254. sprungst. 311. the kings. 314. thy nee.
338. baring. 334. clove. 351. cryed.
352. crave that on. 381. now said the king.
38s. so told. 388. in Pallace gates.
394. not bet. 404. yeomen three.
411. an if. 41 2. full wanting.
C. 38. unto her lovelie. 58, 98. or other.
81. sate. 91. is the. 104. yeoman.
164. yeomen three. 17 *. gone for field.
204. must I needs. 238. shoot.
244. On for Of. 254. sprangst from Gowries.
SO8. Sadlock. 304. whose this money must be.
146. ROBIN HOOD'S CHASE
205
311. the kings. 31*. thy knee.
328. to wanting. 352. crave that on.
39*. have bet. 401. on for one.
404. yeomen three.
d. 33. unto her lovely. 34. Patrington.
134. to for unto. 144. his wanting.
164. yeomen three. 244. On for Of.
254. sprangst. 311. the kings.
314. thy knee. 352. crave that on.
364. welcome every one. 391. quoth for said.
394. not bet. 401. on for one.
404. yeomen three.
e. London, Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere & J.
Wright. (1655-80.)
3*. Patrington. 78. calld. 81. sate.
88. thy cause. 101. betimes.
164. good wanting : yeomen three.
17s. gallant ray. 192. needs for now.
202. runs. 22s. quoth for said.
311. the kings. 318. shoot. 314. thy knee.
352. that wanting. 388. the wanting.
398. I thought it had. 394. not bet.
404. yeomen three. 422. may not.
f . In the title : being an outlaw man (hee want-
ing) : how he for how shee.
Printed for J. W[right], J. C[larke], W.
T[hackeray], and T. Passenger. (1670-
86?)
38. unto her lovely. 34. Parington.
41. Come thou : my for thou. 48. now for post.
52. woods. 62. wen. 7s. bottle. 74. drinks.
81. sate. 88. or thy. 101. betimes.
II1. to for at. 132. the wanting.
13*. to for unto. 142. It was.
164. thy yeomandree. 171. is gone to.
172. array. 184. must be. 204. to the.
231. lead. 232. TiU it. 242. crave it.
248. ever a for any. 244. side for part.
254. sprangest. 288. then said the bishop.
291. in it said. 308. Will. 311. the kings.
314. thy knee. 324. part wanting.
352. crave it. 358. would for will.
364. welcome every one. 378. And so.
381. said now. 391. quoth for said.
398. it had. 394. not a bet.
401. on Saturday night. 404. yeomen three.
411. then says. 422. may not.
C. 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.
208. what or. 261. archers. 278. yonng.
288. Katheline. 301-3. qd.
146
ROBIN HOOD'S CHASE
a. Garland of 1663, No 15.
b. Garland of 1670, No 14.
c. Wood, 401, leaf 29 b.
d. Pepys, II, 104, No 91.
ROXBUKGHB, III, 14, 418 ; Douce, III,
121 b, London, by L. How, an eighteenth-
\ century copy, o is signed T. R., and has no
printer's name.
Reprinted in Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795,
II, 92, from o. Evans, Old .Ballads, 1777,
1784, I, 156, agrees nearly with the Alder-
mary garland.
Robin Hood's Chase is a sequel to Robin
Hood and Queen Katherine, and begins with
a summary of that ballad. King Henry, who
has been gracious, and over-gracious, to the
outlaw, has a revulsion of feeling after Robin
has left his presence, and sets out in pursuit
of him. When the king reaches Notting-
ham, Robin leaves Sherwood for Yorkshire,
whence he speeds successively to Newcastle,
Berwick, Carlisle, Lancaster, Chester, the
206
146. ROBIN HOOD'S CHASE
king always following him close. At Chester
the happy idea occurs to him of going back
to London, as if to inquire whether he were
wanted. Queen Katherine informs Robin
that the king has gone to Sherwood to seek
him, and Robin says he will return to the
forest immediately to learn the king's will.
King Henry, coming home weary and vexed,
is told by his queen that Robin has been
there to seek him. A cunning knavte, quoth
the king. The queen intercedes for Robin.
This is a well-conceived ballad, and only
needs to be older.
•
Translated by A. Gru'n, p. 169, with omis-
sion of stanzas 1-7, 24.
1 COME you gallants all, to you I do call,
With a hey down down a down down
That now is within this place,
For a song I will sing of Henry the king,
How he did Robin Hood chase.
2 Queen Katherine she a match then did make,
As plainly doth appear,
For three hundred tun of good red wine,
And three hundred tun of beer.
3 But yet her archers she had to seek,
With their bows and arrows so good ;
But her mind it was bent, with a good intent,
To send for bold Robin Hood.
4 But when bold Robin Hood he came there,
Queen Katherine she did say,
Thou art welcome, Locksley, said the queen,
And all thy yeomen gay.
5 For a match at shooting I have made,
And thou my part must be :
' If I miss the mark, be it light or dark,
Then hanged I will be.'
6 But when the game came to be playd,
Bold Robin he then drew nigh ;
With his mantle of green, most brave to be
seen,
He let his arrows fly.
7 And when the game it ended was,
Bold Robin wan it with a grace,
But after, the king was angry with him,
And vowed he would him chase.
8 What though his pardon granted was
While he with them did stay,
But yet the king was vexed at him
When as he was gone his way.
9 Soon after the king from the court did hie,
In a furious angry mood,
And often enquire, both far and near,
After bold Robin Hood.
10 But when the king to Nottingham came,
Bold Robin was then in the wood ;
4 O come now,' said he, ' and let me see
Who can find me bold Robin Hood.'
11 But when that Robin Hood he did hear
The king had him in chase,
Then said Little John, T is time to be gone,
And go to some other place.
12 Then away they went from merry Sherwood,
And into Yorkshire he did hie,
And the king did follow, with a hoop and a
hallow,
But could not come him nigh.
13 Yet jolly Robin he passed along,
He [went] straight to Newcastle town,
And there stayed he hours two or three,
And then he for Berwick was gone.
14 When the king he did see how Robin did
flee,
He was vexed wondrous sore ;
With a hoop and a hallow he vowed to follow,
And take him, or never give ore.
15 ' Come now, let 's away,' then cries Little John,
' Let any man follow that dare ;
To Carlile wee '1 hie with our company,
And so then to Lancaster.'
16 From Lancaster then to Chester they went,
And so did king Henery ;
But Robin away, for he durst not stay,
For fear of some treachery.
146. ROBIN HOOD'S CHASE
207
17 Saies Robin, Come, let us to London go,
To see our noble queens face ;
It may be she wants our company,
Which makes the king so us chase.
18 When Robin he came Queen Katherine before,
He fell upon his knee :
' If it please your Grace, I am come to this
place,
To speak with king Henery.'
19 Queen Katherine she answered bold Robin
again,
The king is gone to merry Sherwood ;
And when he went he to me did say
He would go seek Robin Hood.
20 ' Then fare you well, my gracious queen,
For to Sherwood I will hie apace ;
For fain would I see what he would with me,
If I could but meet with his Grace.'
21 But when King Henery he came home,
Full weary, and vexed in mind,
When he did hear Robin had been there,
He blamed Dame Fortune unkind.
22 ' You are welcome home,' Queen Katherine
cried,
* Henry, my soveraign liege ;
Bold Robin Hood, that archer good,
Your person hath been to seek.'
23 But when King Henry he did hear
That Robin had been there him to seek,
This answer he gave, He 's a cunning knave,
For I have sought him this whole three
weeks.
24 ' A boon ! a boon ! ' Queen Katherine cried,
' I beg it here on your Grace,
To pardon his life, and seek no more strife : '
And so endeth Robin Hoods chase.
a, b, c. Robin Hood's Chase : or, A merry
progress between Robin Hood and King
Henry, shewing how Robin Hood led the
King his chase from London to London,
and when he had taken his leave of the
Queen he returned to merry Sherwood.
To the tune of Robin Hood and the Begger.
a. Burden : variously printed With a hey, etc.,
With hey, etc. ; twice Down a down a down.
52'8. Robin between the lines, to show that
what follows is his speech. So b, o. In
d Robin stands at the head of the third
line.
218. But when :• so b, c. 234, 3 weeks.
b. Burden : With hey, etc., or, With a hey, etc.
21. she then a match.
31. she had her archers. 61. game it.
72. a wanting. 102. then wanting.
II1. that bold. 132. went wanting.
14*. and for or. 151. cry'd.
162. good King Henry. 184. Henry.
21*. But when. 23a. there wanting.
23*. 3 weeks. 242. here on my knee.
"~^> c. Signed T. R. No printer.
Burden : With hey down down an a down.
2*. hundred wanting. 38. it wanting.
51. of for at. 61. it came. 88. after /br yet.
102. then wanting. 132. went wanting.
162, 184, 211. Henry. 168. to stay.
182. fell low. 184. For to. 218. But when.
222. leech. 234. 3 weeks.
d. Title as in a, b, c, except : The tune is.
Printed for William Thackeray at the Angel
in Duck-Lane. (1689.)
Burden : With hey down down a down.
21. then a match did.
31. yet she had her archers. 51. of for at.
52. on my. 5*. will I. 6a. he wanting.
72. a wanting. 84. had for was.
102. O bold : then wanting.
108. Come said he. II1. that bold Robin he.
132. And went strait. 13s. he stayed.
134, 141. he wanting. 144. gave.
151. than said Little. 162, 184, 211. Henry.
171. for London. 182. fell low.
184. For to. 19s. he wanting.
194. go to. 208. what he 'd have.
21«. And that he. 221. You're.
232. there wanting. 23*. He is a.
234. 3 week. 242. of your.
208
147. ROBIN HOOD'S GOLDEN PRIZE
147
ROBIN HOOD'S GOLDEN PRIZE
a. Wood, 401, leaf 39 b.
b. Garland of 1663, No 14.
c. Garland of 1670, No 13.
d. Pepys, II, 114, No 101.
ALSO Roxburghe, III, 12, 486; Old Bal-
lads, 1723, II, 121 ; Douce, III, 121, London,
by L. How, of the last century.
Ritson's Robin Hood, 1795, II, 97, from a,
with changes. Evans, Old Ballads, 1777,
1784, 1, 160, agrees nearly with the Aldermary
garland.
Entered, says Ritson, in the Stationers'
book, by Francis Grove, 2d June, 1656.*
Being directed to be sung to the tune " R. H.
was a tall young man," that is, R. H.'s Prog-
ress to Nottingham, this ballad is the later
of the two.
Robin Hood, disguised as a friar, asks
charity of two priests. They pretend to have
been robbed, and not to have a penny. Robin
pulls them from their horses, saying, Since you
have no money, we will pray for some, and
keeps them at their prayers for an hour.
Now, he says, we will see what heaven has
sent us ; but the monks can find nothing in
their pockets. We must search one another,
Robin says, and beginning the operation finds
five hundred pounds on the monks. Of thi%
he gives fifty pounds to each of the priests to
pay for their prayers, keeping the remainder.
The priests would now move on, but Robin
* Also says Kitson, Robin Hood', II, 97, by Francis Coule,
13th June, 1631 ; but the ballad there entered is The Noble
Fisherman.
requires three oaths of them, of truth, chastity
and charity, before he lets them go.
The kernel of the story is an old tale which
we find represented in Pauli's Schimpf und
Ernst, 1533, Osterley, p. 397, Anhang, No 14,
* Wie drey lantzknecht vmb ein zerung bat-
ten.' Three soldiers, out of service, meet the
cellarer of a rich Benedictine cloister, who
has a bag hanging at his saddle-bow, with
four hundred ducats in it. They ask for
some money, for God's sake and good fellow-
ship's. The cellarer answers that he has no
money: there is nothing but letters in his
bag. Then, since we all four are without
money, they say, we will kneel down and
pray for some. After a brief orison, the three
jump up, search the bag, and find four hun-
dred ducats. The cellarer offers them a hand-
some douceur, and says he had the money in
the bag before ; but to this they will give no
credence. They give the monk his share of
one hundred, and thank God devoutly for his
grace. Retold by Waldis, with a supplement,
Esopus, rv, 21, ed. Kurz, II, 64 ; and by others,
see Oesterley's notes, p. 552, Kurz's, p. 156.
a seems to be signed L. P., and these would -
most naturally be the initials of the versifier.
Translated by Doenniges, p. 198 , by Anas-
tasius Griin, p. 131.
147. ROBIN HOOD'S GOLDEN PRIZE
209
1 I HAVE heard talk of bold Robin Hood,
Deny deny down
And of brave Little John,
Of Fryer Tuck, and Will Scarlet,
Loxley, and Maid Marion.
Hey down deny derry down
2 But such a tale as this before
I think there was never none ;
For Robin Hood disguised himself,
And to the wood is gone.
3 Like to a fryer, bold Robin Hood
Was accoutered in his array ;
With hood, gown, beads and crucifix,
He past upon the way.
4 He had not gone [past] miles two or three,
But it was his chance to spy
Two lusty priests, clad all in black,
Come riding gallantly.
5 ' Benedicete,' then said Robin Hood,
' Some pitty on me take ;
Cross you my hand with a silver groat,
For Our dear Ladies sake.
6 ' For I have been wandring all this day,
And nothing could I get ;
Not so much as one poor cup of drink,
Nor bit of bread to eat.'
7 ' Now, by my holydame,' the priests repli'd,
' We never a peny have ;
For we this morning have been robd,
And could no mony save.'
8 ' I am much afraid,' said bold Robin Hood,
' That you both do tell a lye ;
And now before that you go hence,
I am resolvd to try.'
9 When as the priests heard him say so,
Then they rode away amain ;
But Robin Hood betook him to his heels,
0 And soon overtook them again.
10 Then Robin Hood laid hold of them both,
And pulld them down from their horse :
' 0 spare us, fryer ! ' the priests cry'd out,
' On us have some remorse ! '
VOL. in. 27
11 ' You said you had no mony/ quoth he,
' Wherefore, without delay,
We three will fall down on our knees,
And for mony we will pray.'
12 The priests they could not him gainsay,
But down they kneeled with speed ;
' Send us, O send us,' then quoth they,
' Some mony to serve our need.'
13 The priests did pray with mournful chear,
Sometimes their hands did wring,
Sometimes they wept and cried aloud,
Whilst Robin did merrily sing.
14 When they had been praying an hours space,
The priests did still lament ;
Then quoth bold Robin, Now let 's see
What mony heaven hath us sent.
15 We will be sharers now all alike
Of the mony that we have ;
And there is never a one of us
That his fellows shall deceive.
16 The priests their hands in their pockets put,
But mony would find none :
' We '1 search our selves,' said Robin Hood,
' Each other, one by one.'
17 Then Robin Hood took pains to search them
both,
And he found good store of gold ;
Five hundred peeces presently
Vpon the grass was told.
18 ' Here is a brave show,' said Robin Hood,
' Such store of gold to see,
And you shall each one have a part,
Cause you prayed so heartily.'
19 He gave them fifty pound a-peece,
And the rest for himself did keep ;
The priests durst not speak one word,
But they sighed wondrous deep.
20 With that the priests rose up from their
knees,
Thinking to have parted so ;
' Nay, stay,' said Robin Hood, ' one thing more
I have to say ere you go.
210
147. ROBIN HOOD'S GOLDEN PRIZE.
21 ' You shall be sworn,' said bold Robin Hood,
' Vpon this holy grass,
That you will never tell lies again,
Which way soever you pass.
22 ' The second oath that you here must take,
All the days of your lives
You never shall tempt maids to sin,
Nor lye with other meus wives.
23 ' The last oath you shall take, it is this,
Be charitable to the poor ;
Say you have met with a holy fryer,
And I desire no more.'
24 He set them upon their horses again,
And away then they did ride ;
And hee returnd to the merry green-wood,
With great joy, mirth and pride.
a. Robin Hoods Golden Prize.
He met two priests upon the way,
And forced them with him to pray.
For gold they prayed, and gold they had,
Enough to make bold Robin glad.
His share came to four hundred pound,
That then was told upon the ground ;
Now mark, and you shall hear the jest ;
You never heard the like exprest.
Tune is, Robin Hood was a tall young man.
London, Printed for F. Grove on Snow-hill.
Entred according to order. Finis, L. P.
F. Grove's date, according to Mr Chappell,
is 1620—55. Ritson says that the ballad
was entered in the Stationers' book by
Francis Grove, 2d June, 1656.
b. Robin Hoods Golden Prize : Shewing how he
robbed two priests of five hundred pound.
The tune is, Robin Hood was a tall young
man.
41. gone past. 61. all the.
71. holy dame : priest. 92. Then wanting.
101. hold on. 131. with a. 15*. fellow.
17*. he for was. 18*. For praying so.
191. pounds. 198. not to. 231. it wanting.
o. Title the same : except, Tune is.
24. he is. 41. gone past. 71. holy dame.
9a. Then wanting. 101. holt of. 131. with a.
151. now wanting. 15*. fellow.
171. pain : both wanting. 188. each one shall.
191. pounds. 241. upon wanting.
d. Title as in c. Printed for William Thackeray
at the Angel in Duck-lane. (1689.)
I1, bold wanting. 22. think was never known.
41. gone past. 71. holy dame.
88. before you do go. 91. so say.
101. hold on. II1. you 'd : quoth Robin Hood.
122. kneel. 131. with a. 148. let us.
151. now wanting. 152. the wanting.
154. fellow. 162. could.
171. pain : both wanting. 17 4. he for was.
188. each one shall. 191. pounds.
192. doth for did. 201. up wanting.
22s. unto sin. 23s. with wanting.
241. on for upon.
148. THE NOBLE FISHERMAN, OB, ROBIN HOOD'S PREFERMENT
211
148
a. Wood, 402, p. 18. b. Wood, 401, leaf 25 b. c.
Garland of 1663, No 12. d. Garland of 1670, No
11. e. Rawlinson, 566. f. Pepys, II, 108, No 95.
g. Pepys, II, 123, No 108.
ALSO Roxburghe, II, 370, III, 524; The
Noble Fisherman's Garland, 1686 ; Bagford,
643. m. 10, 22.
' The Noble Ffisherman, or, Robin Hoods
great Prize ' is receipted for to Francis Coules
in the Stationers' Registers, June 13, 1631 :
Arber, IV, 254.
Ritson, Robin Hood, II, 110, 1795, " from
three old black-letter copies, one in the col-
lection of Anthony a Wood, another in the
British Museum, and the third in a private
collection." Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784,
I, 171, from an Aldermary garland.
Robin Hood is here made to try his for-
tunes on the sea, like Eustace the Monk and
Wallace. He goes to Scarborough and gives
himself out as a fisherman, and is engaged as
such by a widow with whom he lodges, who
/ is the owner of a ship. Out of his wanton-
ness, rather than his ignorance, we must sup-
pose, Simon, as he calls himself, when others
cast baited hooks into the water, casts in bare
lines ; for which he is laughed to scorn. A
French cruiser bears down on the fishermen,
and the master gives up all for lost. Simon
asks for his bow ; not a Frenchman will he
spare. The master, not strangely, takes such
talk for brag. Simon requests to be tied to a
mast, ' that at his mark he may stand fair,'
and to have his bow in his hand, when never
a Frenchman will he spare. He shoots one
of the enemy through the heart, and then
asks to be loosed and to have his bow in his
hand, when, again, never a Frenchman will
he spare. The Englishmen board, and find
a booty of twelve thousand pound. Simon
announces that he shall give half the ship to
the dame who employed him, and the other
half to his comrades. The master objects;
Simon has won the vessel with his own hand
(a point which might have been made more
distinctly to appear in the narrative), and he
shall have her. But the outlaw afloat has
still his munificent old ways ; so it shall be
as to the ship, and the twelve thousand
pound shall build an asylum ' for the op-
prest ' I All this may strike us as infantile,
but the ballad was evidently in great favor
two hundred years ago.
Translated (not entirely) by A. Grim, p.
295.
1 IK" summer time, when leaves grow green,
When they doe grow both green and long,
Of a bould outlaw, calld Robin Hood,
It is of him I sing this song.
2 When the lilly leafe and the elephant
Doth bud and spring with a merry good
cheere,
This outlaw was weary of the wood-side,
And chasing of the fallow deere.
3 ' The fishermen brave more mony have
Then any merchant, two or three ;
Therefore I will to Scarborough goe,
That I a fisherman brave may be.'
212
148. THE NOBLE FISHERMAN, OR, ROBIN HOOD'S PREFERMENT
4 This outlaw callcl his merry men all,
As they sate under the green-wood tree :
' If any of you have gold to spend,
I pray you heartily spend it with me.
5 * Now,' quoth Robin, ' I 'le to Scarborough goe,
It seemes to be a very faire day ; '
Who tooke up his inne at a widdow-womans
house,
Hard by upon the water gray.
6 Who asked of him, Where wert thou borne ?
Or tell to me, where dost thou fare ?
' I am a poore fisherman,' saith he then,
1 This day intrapped all in care.'
7 ' What is thy name, thou fine fellow ?
I pray thee heartily tell to me ; '
* In mine own country where I was borne,
Men called me Simon over the Lee.'
8 ' Simon, Simon,' said the good wife,
' I wish thou maist well brook thy name ; '
The outlaw was ware of her courtesie,
And rejoycd he had got such a dame.
9 ' Simon, wilt thou be my man ?
And good round wages I 'le give thee ;
I have as good a ship of mine owne
As any sayle upon the sea.
10 ' Anchors and planks thou shalt want none,
Masts and ropes that are so long ; '
' And if that you thus furnish me,'
Said Simon, ' nothing shall goe wrong.'
11 They pluckt up anchor, and away did sayle,
More of a day then two or three ;
When others cast in their baited hooks,
The bare lines into the sea cast he.
12 * It will be long,' said the master then,
' Ere this great lubber do thrive on the sea ;
I 'le assure you he shall have no part of our fish,
For in truth he is of no part worthy.'
13 ' 0 woe is me,' said Simon then,
' This day that ever I came here !
I wish I were in Plomton Parke,
In chasing of the fallow deere.
14 ' For every clowne laughs me to scorne,
And they by me set nought at all ;
If I had them in Plomton Park,
I would set as little by them all.'
15 They pluckt up anchor, and away did sayle,
More of a day then two or three ;
But Simon spied a ship of warre,
That sayld towards them most valourously.
16 ' 0 woe is me,' said the master then,
' This day that ever I was borne !
For all our fish we have got to-day
Is every bit lost and forlorne.
17 ' For your French robbers on the sea,
They will not spare of us one man,
But carry us to the coast of France,
And ligge us in the prison strong.'
18 But Simon said, Doe not feare them,
Neither, master, take you no care ;
Give me my bent bow in my hand,
Arid never a Frenchman will I spare.
19 ' Hold thy peace, thou long lubber,
For thou art nought but braggs and boast ;
If I should cast the over-board,
There were nothing but a lubber lost.'
20 Simon grew angry at these words,
And so angry then was he
That he tooke his bent bow in his hand,
And to the ship-hatch goe doth he.
21 ' Master, tye me to the mast,' saith he,
' That at my mark I may stand fair,
And give me my bended bow in my hand,
And never a Frenchman will I spare.'
22 He drew his arrow to the very head,
And drew it with all might and maine,
And straightway, in the twinkling of an eye,
Doth the Frenchmans heart the arow gain.
23 The Frenchman fell downe on the ship-hatch,
And under the hatches down below ;
Another Frenchman that him espy'd
The dead corps into the sea doth throw.
24 ' O master, loose me from the mast,' he said,
' And for them all take you no care,
And give me my bent bow in my hand,
And never a Frenchman will I spare.'
148. THE NOBLE FISHERMAN, OB, ROBIN HOOD'S PREFERMENT
213
25 Then streight [they] did board the French-
mans ship,
They lying all dead in their sight ;
They found within the ship of warre
Twelve thousand pound of money bright.
26 ' The one halfe of the ship,' said Simon then,
' I 'le give to my dame and children small ;
The other halfe of the ship I 'le bestow
On you that are my fellowes all.'
a. The Noble Fisher-man, or, Robin Hoods Pre-
ferment : shewing how he won a great prize
on the sea, and how he gave the one halfe
to his dame and the other to the building of
almes-houses.
The tune is, In summer time.
London, Printed for F. Coles, in the Old
Baily. (1631 ?)
31. fisher-man, which perhaps should stand.
51. with/or quoth. 204. hatchs. 212. fare.
224. Frenchman. 231. fell owne. 252. lyin.
282. for thee.
b. Title as in a, except : won a prize, gave one
half.
Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and W. Gilbert
son. (1648-63 ?)
21. Clephant. 22. good wanting.
31. fisherman. 3s. will I. 51. with for quoth.
124. of wanting. 142. set nothing.
168. fish that we have got : to-day wanting.
171. For yon. 19*. There 's but a simple.
204. ship-hatch. 21*. mast he said. 212. fare.
218. bent. 22*. Frenchmans. 231. downe.-
251. streight they boarded the French ship.
252. lying. 254. in mony.
268. of my ship I'le give. 26*. To you.
278. hands. 274. must be. 282. for thee.
C, d. Title as in a, except : won a prize, gave one.
The tune is, Summer time.
22. good wanting. 31. fisher men.
32. Than. 51. Now quoth. 62. c, thou dost.
68. said. 64. d, cares. 74. call. 94. sails.
II2. d, than. 12s. you wanting.
124. of wanting. 142. set nothing.
152. than. 154. most wanting.
16s. fish that we have got : to-day wanting.
171. yon : robber. 182. you any.
194. There 's but a simple. 204. shiphatch.
211. mast he said. 212. fair. 213. bent.
214. d, a wanting. 224. Frenchmans.
231. down. 241. c, mast side.
27 But now bespake the master then,
For so, Simon, it shall not be ;
For you have won her with your own hand,
And the owner of it you shall bee.
28 ' It shall be so, as I have said ;
And, with this gold, for the opprest
An habitation I will build,
Where they shall live in peace and rest.'
251. they boarded the French ship. 25a. lying.
254. in for of. 268. of my ship I 'le give.
264. To you. 271. c, But wanting.
278. hands. 274. you must : d, of you it.
282. for the.
e. Title as in b. Variations found also in b
are not given.
Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, J. Wright, and
J. Clarke. (1650-80 ?)
51. Now quoth. 54. waters. 61. of wanting.
94. sails. 158. espy'd. 174. And lay.
182. any for no. 238. that him did espy.
f. Title as in b.
Printed for Alex. Milbourn, Will. Ownley,
Tho. Thackeray at the Angel in Duck-lane.
(Date indeterminable : after 1670.)
1*. doe wanting. I4, my song.
22. good wanting. 31. fishermen.
32. merchants. 34. fisherman might be.
48. If you have any.
51. Now quoth Robin Hood. 54. waters.
61. of wanting. 68. said. 72. tell it.
74. call. 9«. I will. 98. of my. 94. sails.
101. shalt not want. 10s. that wanting.
123. you wanting. 124. of wanting.
142. set nothing. 158. espyed.
154. most wanting.
168. fish that we have got. 171. robber.
174. And lay. 182. you any.
194. There 's but a simple lubber lost.
20*. And in. 211. saith he wanting.
21a. fair. 218. bent. 224. Frenchmans.
231. ship-catch : so g. 232. there below.
251. Then they boarded the French : so g.
254. in for of. 268. other part : I 'le give.
264. To you. 27s. hands.
274. owner thereof you must. 282. for the.
g. Title as in b.
Printed for I. Wright, I. Clarke, W. Thack-
eray, and T. Passinger. (1670-86 ?)
Agrees generally with f. 171. For yon.
214
149. ROBIN HOOD'S BIRTH, BREEDING, VALOR AND MARRIAGE
149
ROBIN HOOD'S BIRTH, BREEDING, VALOR AND MARRIAGE
a. Roxburghe, I, 860, in The Ballad Society's reprint, b. Pepys, II, 116, No 103. o. Pepys, II, 118, No 104.
II, 440.
PRINTED in Dryden's Miscellany, VI, 346,
ed. 1716 ; A Collection of Old Ballads, 1723,
I, 64 ; Ritson's Robin Hood, 179,5, II, 1 (a) ;
Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 86.
The jocular author of this ballad, who
would certainly have been diverted by any
one's supposing him to write under the re-
straints of tradition, brings Adam Bell, Clim,
and Cloudesly into company with Robin
Hood's father. So again the silly Second Part
of Adam Bell in one of the copies, that of
1616. Robin Hood's father's bow, st. 3, car-
ried two north-country miles and an inch.
The son, then, was only half his father,
though, in Ritson's words, " Robin Hood and
Little John have frequently shot an arrow a
measured mile."
Robin Hood's mother was niece to Guy of
Warwick, and sister to Gamwel of Gamwel
Hall. In Robin Hood newly Revived, Young
Gamwel is Robin Hood's sister's son. Ac-
cording to this ballad, Robin Hood goes with
his mother to keep Christmas with old Gam-
well, his uncle, whose seat is forty miles from
Locksly town. Little John is a member of
the household, a fine lad at gambols and jug-
gling, and twenty such tricks. Robin Hood,
however, puts Little John down in this way,
and everybody else. His uncle is so much
pleased that he tells Robin he shall be his heir,
and no more go home. Robin asks the boon
that Little John may be his page. All the
while, for how long we know not, Robin Hood
has had his band of yeomen in Sherwood.
Thither he goes (the time is not specified, but
birds are singing in st. 50), and while he is
collecting his men, Clorinda, queen of the shep-
herds and archeress, passes, and arrests his at-
tention. The favorable impression which she
makes at first sight is confirmed by her pres-
ently shooting a deer through side and side.
Robin takes her to his bower for a refection,
which is served by four-and-twenty yeomen.
She inquires his name ; he gives it, and asks
her to be his bride. After a blush and a pause,
Clorinda says, With all my heart, and it is
no wonder that Robin proposes to send for a
priest immediately. Clorinda is, however,
engaged to go to Titbury feast, whither she
invites Robin to keep her company. On the
way he has an affray with eight yeomen, who
bid him hand over the buck which Clorinda
had killed, and which he is somehow taking
along with him. With Little John's help, five
of the eight are killed; the rest are spared.
A bull-baiting is going on at Titbury, which
one wonders that a person of Clorinda's im-
puted "wisdom and modesty" should care
for; but somehow Clorinda throws off her
dignity in the 45th stanza. After dinner the
parson is sent for, the marriage ceremony is
performed, and Robin and Clorinda return to
Sherwood.
The author of this ballad (" the most beau-
tiful and one of the oldest extant " of the se-
ries, says the editor of the collection of 1723)
knew nothing of the Earl of Huntington and
Matilda Fitzwater, but represents Robin
Hood as the son of a forester. In everything
except keeping Robin a yeoman, he writes
"as the world were now but to begin, an-
tiquity forgot, custom not known ; " but poets
in his day, to quote the critic of 1723, " were
looked upon like other Englishmen, born to
live and write with freedom."
Concerning the bull-running at Tutbury,
149. ROBIN HOOD'S BIRTH, BREEDING, VALOR AND MARRIAGE
215
or Stutesbury, Staffordshire (a hideously bru-
tal custom, of long standing), a compendium of
antiquarian information is given by Gutch, II,
118. Arthur a Bradley, a rollicking ballad of
a Merry Wedding, mentioned in stanza 46, is
printed by Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 210.
1 KIND gentlemen, will you be patient awhile?
Ay, and then you shall hear anon
A very good ballad of bold Robin Hood,
And of his man, brave Little John.
2 In Locksly town, in Nottinghamshire,
In merry sweet Locksly town,
There bold Robin Hood he was born and was
bred,
Bold Robin of famous renown.
3 The father of Robin a forrester was,
And he shot in a lusty long bow,
Two north country miles and an inch at a shot,
As the Finder of Wakefield does know.
4 For he brought Adam Bell, and Clim of the Clugh,
And William a Clowdesle
To shoot with our forrester for forty mark,
And the forrester beat them all three.
5 His mother was neece to the Coventry knight,
Which Warwickshire men call Sir Guy ;
For he slew the blue bore that hangs up at the
gate,
Or mine host of The Bull tells a lye.
6 Her brother was Gamwel, of Great Gamwel Hall,
And a noble house-keeper was he,
Ay, as ever broke bread in sweet Nottinghamshire,
And a squire of famous degree.
7 The mother of Robin said to her husband,
My honey, my love, and my dear,
Let Robin and I ride this morning to Gamwel,
To taste of my brothers good cheer.
8 And he said, I grant thee thy boon, gentle Joan,
Take one of my horses, I pray;
The sun is a rising, and therefore make haste,
For to-morrow is Christmas-day.
9 Then Robin Hoods fathers grey gelding was
brought,
And sadled and bridled was he ;
God wot, a blew bonnet, his new suit of cloaths,
And a cloak that did reach to his knee.
10 She got on her holiday kirtle and gown,
They were of a light Lincoln green ;
The cloath was homespun, but for colour and make
It might a beseemed our queen.
11 And then Robin got on his basket-hilt sword,
And his dagger on his tother side,
And said, My dear mother, let 's haste to be gone,
We have forty long miles to ride.
12 When Robin had mounted his gelding so grey,
His father, without any trouble,
Set her up behind him, and bad her not fear,
For his gelding had oft carried double.
13 And when she was settled, they rode to their
neighbours,
And drank and shook hands with them all ;
And then Robin gallopt, and never gave ore,
Till they lighted at Gamwel Hall.
14 And now you may think the right worshipful squire
Was joyful his sister to see ;
For he kist her and kist her, and swore a great oath,
Thou art welcome, kind sister, to me.
15 To-morrow, when mass had been said in the chap-
pel,
Six tables were coverd in the hall,
And in comes the squire, and makes a short speech,
It was, Neighbours, you 're welcome all.
16 But not a man here shall taste my March beer,
Till a Christmas carrol he sing :
Then all clapt their hands, and they shouted and
sung,
Till the hall and the parlour did ring.
1 7 Now mustard and braun, roast beef and plumb pies,
Were set upon every table :
And noble George Gamwel said, Eat and be merry,
And drink too, as long as you 're able.
18 When dinner was ended, his chaplain said grace,
And, ' Be merry, my friends,' said the squire ;
' It rains, and it blows, but call for more ale,
And lay some more wood on the fire.
19 ' And now call ye Little John hither to me,
For Little John is a fine lad
At gambols and juggling, and twenty such tricks
As shall make you merry and glad.'
20 When Little John came, to gambols they went,
Both gentleman, yeoman and clown ;
And what do you think ? Why, as true as I live,
Bold Robin Hood put them all down.
216
149. ROBIN HOOD'S BIRTH, BREEDING, VALOR AND MARRIAGE
21 And now you may think the right worshipful
squire
Was joyful this sight for to see ;
For he said, Cousin Robin, thou 'st go no more
home,
But tarry and dwell here with me.
22 Thou shalt have my land when I dye, and till
then
Thou shalt be the staff of my age ;
*Then grant me my boon, dear uncle,' said Robin,
* That Little John may be my page.'
23 And he said, Kind cousin, I grant thee thy boon ;
With all my heart, so let it be ;
' Then come hither, Little John,' said Robin Hood,
' Come hither, my page, unto me.
24 ' Go fetch me my bow, my longest long bow,
And broad arrows, one, two, or three ;
For when it is fair weather we '11 into Sherwood,
Some merry pastime to see.'
25 When Robin Hood came into merry Sherwood,
He winded his bugle so clear,
And twice five and twenty good yeomen and bold
Before Robin Hood did appear.
26 ' Where are your companions all ? ' said Robin
Hood,
' For still I want forty and three ; '
Then said a bold yeoman, Lo, yonder they stand,
All under a green-wood tree.
27 As that word was spoke, Clorinda came by;
The queen of the shepherds was she ;
And her gown was of velvet as green as the grass,
And her buskin did reach to her knee.
28 Her gait it was graceful, her body was straight,
And her countenance free from pride ;
A bow in her hand, and quiver and arrows
Hung dangling by her sweet side.
29 Her eye-brows were black, ay, and so was her
hair,
And her skin was as smooth as elass ;
o '
Her visage spoke wisdom, and modesty too ;
Sets with Robin Hood such a lass !
30 Said Robin Hood, Lady fair, whither away?
O whither, fair lady, away?
And she made him answer, To kill a fat buck ;
For to-morrow is Titbury day.
31 Said Robin Hood, Lady fair, wander with me
A little to yonder green bower ;
There sit down to rest you, and you shall be sure
Of a brace or a lease in an hour.
82 And as we were going towards the green bower,
Two hundred good bucks we espy'd ; v
She chose out the fattest that was in the herd,
And she shot him through side and side.
33 ' By the faith of my body,' said bold Robin Hood,
* I never saw woman like thee ;
And comst thou from east, ay, or comst thou from
west,
Thou needst not beg venison of me.
34 ' However, along to my bower you shall go,
And taste of a forresters meat : '
And when we come thither, we found as good
cheer
As any man needs for to eat.
85 For there was hot venison, and warden pies cold,
Cream clouted, with honey-combs plenty ;
And the sarvitors they were, beside Little John,
Good yeomen at least four and twenty.
36 Clorinda said, Tell me your name, gentle sir;
And he said, 'T is bold Robin Hood :
Squire Gamwel 's my uncle, but all my delight
Is to dwell in the merry Sherwood.
37 For 't is a fine life, and 't is void of all strife.
' So 'tis, sir,' Clorinda reply'd ;
'But oh,' said bold Robin, 'how sweet would
it be,
If Clorinda would be my bride ! '
38 She blusht at the motion ; yet, after a pause
Said, Yes, sir, and with all my heart ;
' Then let 's send for a priest,' said Robin Hood,
' And be married before we do part.'
39 But she said, It may not be so, gentle sir,
For I must be at Titbury feast ;
And if Robin Hood will go thither with me,
I '11 make him the most welcome guest.
40 Said Robin Hood, Reach me that buck, Little
John,
For I '11 go along with my dear ;
Go bid my yeomen kill six brace of bucks,
And meet me to-morrow just here.
41 Before we had ridden five Staffordshire miles,
Eight yeomen, that were too bold,
Bid Robin Hood stand, and deliver his buck ;
A truer tale never was told.
42 ' I will not, faith ! ' said bold Robin : ' come, John,
Stand to me, and we '11 beat em all : '
Then both drew their swords, an so cut em and
slasht em
That five of them did fall.
149. ROBIN HOOD'S BIRTH, BREEDING, VALOR AND MARRIAGE
217
43 The three that remaind calld to Robin for quarter,
And pitiful John beggd their lives ;
When John's boon was granted, he gave them good
counsel,
And so sent them home to their wives.
44 This battle was fought near to Titbury town,
When the bagpipes bated the bull ;
7* I am king of the fidlers, and sware 't is a truth,
And I call him that doubts it a gull.
45 For I saw them fighting, and fidld the while,
And Clorinda sung, Hey derry down !
The bumpkins are beaten, put up thy sword, Bob,
And now let 's dance into the town.
46 Before we came to it, we heard a strange shouting,
And all that were in it lookd madly ;
For some were a bull-back, some dancing a morris,
And some singing Arthur- a- Bradly.
47 And there we see Thomas, our justices clerk,
And Mary, to whom he was kind ;
For Tom rode before her, and calld Mary, Madam,
And kist her full sweetly behind.
48 And so may your worships. But we went to din-
ner,
With Thomas and Mary and Nan ; -
They all drank a health to Clorinda, and told her
Bold Robin Hood was a fine man.
49 When dinner was ended, Sir Roger, the parson
Of Dubbridge, was sent for in haste ;
He brought his mass-book, and he bade them take
hands,
And he joynd them in marriage full fast.
50 And then, as bold Robin Hood and his sweet bride
Went hand in hand to the green bower,
The birds sung with pleasure in merry Sherwood,
And 't was a most joyful hour.
51 And when Robin came in the sight of the bower,
' Where are my yeomen ? ' said he ;
And Little John answered, Lo, yonder they stand,
All under the green-wood tree.
52 Then a garland they brought her, by two and by
two,
And plac'd them upon the bride's head ;
The music struck up, and we all fell to dance,
Till the bride and the groom were a-bed.
53 And what they did there must be counsel to me,
Because they lay long the next day,
And I had haste home, but I got a good piece
Of the bride-cake, and so came away.
54 Now out, alas ! I had forgotten to tell ye
That marryd they were with a ring ;
. _- And so will Nan Knight, or be buried a maiden,
And now let us pray for the king :
55 That he may get children, and they may get more,
To govern and do us some good ;
And then I '11 make ballads in Robin Hood's bower,
And sing em in merry Sherwood.
a. A new ballad of bold Robin Hood, shewing his
Birth, Breeding, Valour and Marriage, at Tit-
bury Bull-running : calculated for the meridian
of Staffordshire, but may serve for Derbyshire
or Kent.
London, Printed by and for W. O[nley], and are
to be sold by the booksellers. (1650-1702.)
151. Morrow. 162. be sung.
1 71. mustards, braun : cf. b.
202. gentlemen, yeomen : cf, b. SO2. Oh.
384. be merry : cf. b. 403. Go wanting : cf. b.
438. good wanting : cf. b. 521. the brought.
522. them at the bride's bed : cf. b.
b. A proper new ballad of bold Robin Hood, shewing
his Birth, his Breeding, his Valour, etc., as above.
To a pleasant new northern tune.
Printed for I. Wright, I. Clark«, W. Thackeray,
and T. Passenger. (1670-86?)
1s, 6», 291, 338. I/or Ay.
21. And, by mistake, for In : in merry Nottingham-
shire.
8*. shoot. 44. beat um. 5s. at that.
VOL. in. 28
9». Got on his. IS1. And wanting. IS2, drunk.
IS4, at great. 151. To-morrow. 15s. ith hall.
154. y're. 162. be sung. 171. mustard and braun.
174. y'are. 181. this for his. 194. you both.
202. gentleman, yeoman. 214. here wanting.
241. Go and fetch my bow. 242. and for or.
248. 'tis. 264. the for a. 274. buskins.
288. quiver of. 302. O. SO8, him an.
SO4. Tilbery. 348. came. 388. let us.
384. be married. 408. Go bid.
4 12. Six for Eight : too too. 422. beat um.
428. slasht um. 424. of the six.
438. good counsel. 458. Rob. 461. came in we.
511. in sight. 514. a. for the.
521. they. 522. upon the bride's head.
554. sing um.
c. Printed by and for Alex. Milbourn, at the Station-
ers-Arms, in Green- Arbor- Court, in the Little-
Old-Baily. (1670-97.) Compared only here and
there.
91. God wot his. 304. Tilbury.
412. Eight : too too. 424. of the eisht. 458. Bob.
218
ISO. ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN
15O
ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN
Wood, 401, leaf 21 b.
RITSON, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 157, from
Wood's copy. In none of the garlands.
The Earl of Huntington, alias Robin Hood,
is forced by fortune's spite to part from his
love Marian, and take to the green wood.
Marian dresses herself "like a page," and,
armed with bow, sword, and buckler, goes in
quest of Robin. Both being disguised, neither
recognizes the other until they have had an
hour at swords, when > Robin Hood, who has
lost some blood, calls to his antagonist to give
over and join his band. Marian knows his
voice, and discovers herself. A banquet fol-
lows, and Marian remains in the wood.
Though Maid Marian and Robin Hood had
perhaps been paired in popular sports, no one
thought of putting more of her than her
name into a ballad, until one S. S. (so the
broadside is signed) composed this foolish
ditty. The bare name of Maid Marian occurs
in No 145 A, 9* and in No 147, I4.
Even in Barclay's fourth eclogue, written
not long after 1500, where, according to Rit-
son,* the earliest notice of Maid Marian oc-
curs, and where, he says, " she is evidently
connected with Robin Hood," the two are
really kept distinct ; for the lusty Codrus in
1 A BOXNY fine maid of a noble degree,
With a hey down down a down down
Maid Marian calld by name,
Did live in the North, of excellent worth,
For she was a gallant dame.
2 For favour and face, and beauty most rare,
Queen Hellen shee did excell ;
For Marian then was praisd of all men
That did in the country dwell.
3 'T was neither Rosamond nor Jane Shore,
Whose beauty was clear and bright,
that eclogue wishes to hear "some mery fit
of Maide Marion, or els of Robin Hood."
In Munday's play of The Downfall of Rob-
ert Earl of Huntington, Matilda, otherwise
Marian, daughter to Lord Lacy, accompanies
Earl Robert to Sherwood, upon his being out-
lawed for debt the very day of their troth-
plight. There she lives a spotless maiden,
awaiting the time when the outlawry shall
be repealed and Robin may legally take her
to wife. Neither the author of the play nor
that of the ballad was, so far as is known,
repeating any popular tradition.
The ordinary partner of Maid Marian is
Friar Tuck, not Robin Hood. There is no
ground for supposing that there ever were
songs or tales about the Maid and Friar, not-
withstanding what is cursorily said by one of
the characters in Peele's Edward I :
Why so, I see, my mates, of old
All were not lies that beldames told
Of Robin Hood and Little John,
Friar Tuck and Maid Marian.
ed. Dyce, 1, 133.
Translated by Anastasius Griin, p. 72,
Loeve-Veimars, p. 208.
That could surpass this country lass,
Beloved of lord and knight.
4 The Earl of Huntington, nobly born,
That came of noble blood,
To Marian went, with a good intent,
By the name of Robin Hood.
5 With kisses sweet their red lips meet,
For shee and the earl did agree ;
In every place, they kindly im brace,
With love and sweet unity.
* Robin Hood, ed. 1832, p. xxxvi, note, p. Ixxxvii.
150. ROBIN HOOD AND MAID MARIAN
219
6 But fortune bearing these lovers a spight,
That soon they were forced to part,
To the merry green wood then went Robin Hood,
With a sad and sorrowf ull heart.
7 And Marian, poor soul, was troubled in mind,
For the absence of her friend ;
With finger in eye, shee often did cry,
And his person did much comend.
8 Perplexed and vexed, and troubled in mind,
Shee drest her self like a page,
And ranged the wood to find Robin Hood,
The bravest of men in that age.
9 With quiver and bow, sword, buckler, and all,
Thus armed was Marian most bold,
Still wandering about to find Robin out,
Whose person was better then gold.
10 But Robin Hood, hee himself had disguisd,
And Marian was strangly attir'd,
That they provd foes, and so fell to blowes,
Whose vallour bold Robin admir'd.
1 1 They drew out their swords, and to cutting they
went,
At least an hour or more,
That the blood ran apace from bold Robins face,
And Marian was wounded sore.
12 « O hold thy hand, hold thy hand,' said Robin
Hood,
' And thou shalt be one of my string,
To range in the wood with bold Robin Hood,
To hear the sweet nightingall sing.'
13 When Marian did hear the voice of her love,
Her self shee did quickly discover,
And with kisses sweet she did him greet,
Like to a most loyall lover.
14 When bold Robin Hood his Marian did see,
Good lord, what clipping was there !
With kind imbraces, and jobbing of faces,
Providing of gallant cheer.
15 For Little John took his bow in his hand,
And wandring in the wood,
To kill the deer, and make good chear,
For Marian and Robin Hood.
16 A stately banquet the[y] had full soon,
All in a shaded bower,
Where venison sweet they had to eat,
And were merry that present hour.
1 7 Great flaggons of wine were set on the board,
And merrily they drunk round
Their boules of sack, to strengthen the back,
Whilst their knees did touch the ground.
18 First Robin Hood began a health
To Marian his onely dear,
And his yeomen all, both comly and tall,
Did quickly bring up the rear.
19 For in a brave veine they tost off the[ir] bouls,
Whilst thus they did remain,
And every cup, as they drunk up,
They filled with speed again.
20 At last they ended their merryment,
And went to walk in the wood,
Where Little John and Maid Marian
Attended on bold Robin Hood.
21 In sollid content together they livd,
With all their yeomen gay;
They livd by their hands, without any lands,
And so they did many a day.
22 But now to conclude, an end I will make
In time, as I think it good,
For the people that dwell in the North can tell
Of Marian and bold Robin Hood.
A Famous Battle between Robin Hood and Maid
Marian, declaring their Love, Life, and Liberty.
Tune, Robin Hood Reviv'd.
No printer : black-letter. S. S. at the end.
II1. out rheir. 191. vente. 218. there : wirhout.
A MS. copy in Percy' s papers has in 161 he had,
and in 191, in a brave venie they tost off their
bowles. It is barely possible that venie, which
Ritson prints, may be right.
220
151. THE KING'S DISGUISE, AND FRIENDSHIP WITH ROBIN HOOD
151
THE KING'S DISGUISE, AND FRIENDSHIP WITH ROBIN
HOOD
a. Robin Hood's Garland, London, W. & C. Dicey, in
St Mary Aldermary Church Yard, Bow Lane, Cheap-
side, n. d. (but not older than 1 753), p. 76, No 25.
b. Robin Hood's Garland, London, Printed by L.
How, in Feticoat Lane, n. d. c. ' The King's Dis-
guise and True Friendship with Robin Hood,' Lon-
don, Printed by L. How, in Petticoat Lane, Douce
Ballads, III, 113 b (not black letter), d. Robin
Hood's Garland, London, R. Marshall, in Alder-
mary Church- Yard, Bow-Lane, n. d., p. 80, No 25.
RITSON, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 162, «« from
the common collection of Aldermary Church
Yard;" Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I,
218; Gutch, Robin Hood, II, 281, Ritson's
copy " compared with one in the York edi-
tion."
The ballad is not found in a garland of
1749 ; but this garland has only twenty-four
pieces.
The story, as far as st. 38, is a loose para-
j ... phrase, with omissions, of the seventh and
eighth fits of the Gest, and seems, like the
two which here follow it, " to have been writ-
ten by some miserable retainer to the press,
merely to eke out the book ; being, in fact,
a most contemptible performance : " Ritson.
121 may have been borrowed from Martin
Parker's True Tale, No 154, 151. By the
clergyman who was first Robin Hood's bane,
291, is meant the prior of York, who in Mun-
day's play, The Downfall of Robert Earl of
Huntington, procures his outlawry. The forc-
ing of the sheriff to give the king a supper
may be the beggarly author's own invention.
The last two lines are intended to serve as
a link with Robin Hood and the Valiant
Knight, which, however, does not immedi-
ately succeed in the garlands, Robin Hood
and the Golden Arrow being interposed.
Translated by Doenniges, p. 185 ; A. Griin,
p. 159 ; Loeve-Veimars, p. 212.
1 KING RICHARD hearing of the pranks
Of Robin Hood and his men,
He much admir'd, and more desir'd,
To see both him and them.
2 Then with a dozen of his lords
To Nottingham he rode ;
When he came there, he made good cheer,
And took up his abode.
3 He having staid there some time,
But had no hopes to speed,
He and his lords, with [free] accord,
All put on monk's weeds.
4 From Fountain-abby they did ride,
Down to Barnsdale ;
Where Robin Hood prepared stood
All company to assail.
5 The king was higher then the rest,
And Robin thought he had
An abbot been whom he did spleen ;
To rob him he was glad.
6 He took the king's horse by the head,
' Abbot,' says he, ' abide ;
I am bound to rue such knaves as you,
That live in pomp and pride.'
7 « But we are messengers from the king,'
The king himself did say ;
' Near to this place his royal Grace
To speak with thee does stay.'
151. THE KING'S DISGUISE, AND FRIENDSHIP WITH ROBIN HOOD
221
8 ' God save the king,* said Robin Hood,
' And all that wish him well ;
He that does deny his sovereignty,
I wish he was in hell.'
9 ' O thyself thou curses,' says the king,
' For thou a traitor art : '
' Nay, but that you are his messenger,
I swear you lie in heart.
10 ' For I never yet hurt any man
That honest is and true ;
But those that give their minds to live
Upon other men's due.
11 'I never hurt the husbandman,
That use to till the ground ;
Nor spill their blood that range the wood
To follow hawk or hound.
12 ' My chief est spite to clergy is,
Who in these days bear a great sway ;
With fryars and monks, with their fine sprunks,
I make my chiefest prey.
13 ' But I am very glad,' says Robin Hood,
' That I have met you here ;
Come, before we end, you shall, my friend,
Taste of our green- wood cheer.'
14 The king did then marvel much,
And so did all his men ;
They thought with fear, what kind of cheer
Robin would provide for them.
15 Robin took the king's horse by the head,
And led him to the tent ;
* Thou would not be so usd,' quoth he,
« But that my king thee sent.
16 * Nay, more than that,' said Robin Hood,
' For good king Richard's sake,
If you had as much gold as ever I told,
I would not one penny take.'
1 7 Then Robin set his horn to his mouth,
And a loud blast he did blow,
Till a hundred and ten of Robin Hood's men
Came marching all of a row.
18 And when they came bold Robin before,
Each man did bend his knee ;
' O,' thought the king, "t is a gallant thing,
And a seemly sight to see.'
19 Within himself the king did say,
These men of Robin Hood's
More humble be than mine to me ;
So the court may learn of the woods.
20 So then they all to dinner went,
Upon a carpet green ;
Black, yellow, red, finely mingled,
Most curious to be seen.
21 Venison and fowls were plenty there.
With fish out of the river :
King Richard swore, on sea or shore,
He neer was feasted better.
22 Then Robin takes a can of ale :
' Come, let us now begin ;
Come, every man shall have his can;
Here 's a health unto the king.'
23 The king himself drank to the king,
So round about it went ;
Two barrels of ale, both stout and stale,
To pledge that health were spent.
24 And after that, a bowl of wine
In his hand took Robin Hood ;
' Until I die, I '11 drink wine,' said he,
' While I live in the green-wood.
25 ' Bend all your bows,' said Robin Hood,
' And with the grey goose wing
Such sport now shew as you would do
In the presence of the king.'
26 They shewd such brave archery,
By cleaving sticks and wands,
That the king did say, Such men as they
Live not in many lands.
27 « Well, Robin Hood,' then says the king,
' If I could thy pardon get,
To serve the king in every thing
Wouldst thou thy mind firm set? '
28 'Yes, with all my heart,' bold Robin said,
So they flung off their hoods ;
To serve the king in every thing,
They swore they would spend their bloods.
29 ' For a clergyman was first my bane,
Which makes me hate them all ;
But if you '11 be so kind to me,
Love them again I shall.'
30 The king no longer could forbear,
For he was movd with ruth ;
[« Robin,' said he, « I now tell thee
The very naked truth.]
31 ' I am the king, thy sovereign king,
That appears before you all ; '
When Robin see that it was he,
Strait then he down did fall.
222
151. THE KING'S DISGUISE, AND FRIENDSHIP WITH ROBIN HOOD
32 ' Stand up again,' then said the king,
' I '11 thee thy pardon give ;
Stand up, my friend ; who can contend,
When I give leave to live? '
S3 So they are all gone to Nottingham,
All shouting as they came ;
But when the people them did see,
They thought the king was slain,
34 And for that cause the outlaws were come,
To rule all as they list ;
And for to shun, which way to run
The people did not wist.
85 The plowman left the plow in the fields,
The smith ran from his shop ;
Old folks also, that scarce could go,
Over their sticks did hop.
36 The king soon let them understand
He had been in the green wood,
And from that day, for evermore,
He 'd forgiven Robin Hood.
37 When the people they did hear,
And the truth was known,
They all did sing, ' God save the king !
Hang care, the town 's cur own ! '
88 « What 's that Robin Hood ? ' then said the sheriff ;
1 That varlet I do hate ;
Both me and mine he causd to dine,
And servd us all with one plate.'
39 ' Ho, ho,' said Robin, ' I know what you mean ;
Come, take your gold again ;
Be friends with me, and I with thee,
And so with every man.
40 ' Now, master sheriff, you are paid,
And since you are beginner,
As well as you give me my due ;
For you neer paid for that dinner.
41 « But if that it should please the king
So much your house to grace
To sup with you, for to speak true,
[I] know you neer was base.'
42 The sheriff could not [that] gain say,
For a trick was put upon him ;
A supper was drest, the king was guest,
But he thought 't would have undone him.
43 They are all gone to London court,
Robin Hood, with all his train ;
He once was there a noble peer,
And now he 's there again.
44 Many such pranks brave Robin playd
While he lived in the green wood :
Now, my friends, attend, and hear an end
Of honest Robin Hood.
The King's Disguise, and Friendship with Robin
Hood.
To a Northern Tune.
a. 91. thyself, thyself. 98. yon. 28*. spent.
291. ban. 302. with truth.
308-4. Supplied from R. H.'s Garland, York, Thomas
Wilson fr Son, 1811.
b, c. 38. with free. 61. c, livd. 91. O thyself thou.
131. said. 148. that kind. 181. bold wanting.
211. was. 23*. was. 264. c, Lived.
27s. I [s]hould. 27*. would. 28a. they wanting.
28*. they'd. 291. ban. 302. with truth.
308-4. wanting. 331. c, they 're. 341. was.
351. his plow : field. 36*. b, Ha'd : c, Had.
372. And that. 38*. b, with plate : c, in plate.
402. are the. 4 11, c, it wanting.
41*. b, I wanting : c, I know. 421. that gain say.
424. it would undone. 431. They 're.
d. 38. with one. 58. he had seen. 64. lives.
91. Thyself thou cursest said. 108. who give.
141. king he then did. 161. quoth for said.
214. never. 228. And every. 234. was spent.
284. blood. '291. bane. 302. with truth.
SO8-4, wanting. 318. saw for see. 361. did let.
871. Then. 4 14. I wanting. 421. that wanting.
424. a guest.
152. ROBIN HOOD AND THE GOLDEN AKROW
223
152
ROBIN HOOD AND THE GOLDEN ARROW
a. Robin Hood's Garland, London, W. and C. Dicey,
St Mary Aldermary Church-yard, Bow-Lane, n. d. ,
p. 80, No 26. b. Robin Hood's Garland, London,
R. Marshall, in Aldermary Church-yard, Bow-Lane,
n. d., p. 84, No 26. c. Robin Hood's Garland, Pres-
ton, Printed and sold by W. Sergent, n. d.
EVANS, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 226,
and Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 171, from
an Aldermary garland. Gutch, II, 289, from
Ritson, "compared with the York edition."
The ballad is not found in a garland of
1749.
The first twenty-three stanzas are based
upon The Gest, sts 282-95. The remainder is
mostly taken up with John's astute device for
sending information to the sheriff. The two
concluding lines are for connection with R.
H. and the Valiant Knight, which follows in
some garlands, as here.
According to Martin Parker's True Tale,
Robin Hood shot a letter addressed to the
king into Nottingham, on an arrow-head,
offering to submit upon terms : sts 78-81 .
Two cases of a message shot on an arrow are
cited by Rochholz, Tell u. Gessler in Sage u.
Geschichte, p. 28 and note.
Translated by A. Griin, p. 140.
1 WHEN as the sheriff of Nottingham
Was come, with mickle grief,
He talkd no good of Robin Hood,
That strong and sturdy thief.
Fal lal dal de
2 So unto London-road he past,
His losses to unfold
To King Richard, who did regard
The tale that he had told.
3 ' Why,' quoth the king, « what shall I do?
Art thou not sheriff for me ?
The law is in force, go take thy course
Of them that injure thee.
4 ' Go get thee gone, and by thyself
Devise some tricking game
For to enthral yon rebels all ;
Go take thy course with them.'
5 So away the sheriff he returnd,
And by the way he thought
Of the words of the king, and how the thing
To pass might well be brought.
6 For within his mind he imagined
That when such matches were,
Those outlaws stout, without [all] doubt,
Would be the bowmen there.
7 So an arrow with a golden head
And shaft of silver white,
Who won the day should bear away
For his own proper right.
8 Tidings came to brave Robin Hood,
Under the green-wood tree :
1 Come prepare you then, my merry men,
We '11 go yon sport to see.'
9 With that stept forth a brave young man,
David of Doncaster :
'Master,' said he, 'be ruld by me,
From the green-wood we '11 not stir.
10 ' To tell the truth, I 'm well informed
Yon match is a wile ;
The sheriff, I wiss, devises this
Us archers to beguile.'
224
152. ROBIN HOOD AND THE GOLDEN ARROW
11 ' O them smells of a coward,' said Robin Hood,
' Thy words does not please me ;
Come on 't what will, I '11 try my skill
At yon brave archery.'
12 O then bespoke brave Little John:
Come, let us thither gang ;
Come listen to me, how it shall be
That we need not be kend.
IS Our mantles, all of Lincoln green,
Behind us we will leave ;
We '11 dress us all so several
They shall not us perceive.
14 One shall wear white, another red,
One yellow, another blue ;
Thus in disguise, to the exercise
We '11 gang, whateer ensue.
15 Forth from the green-wood they are gone,
With hearts all firm and stout,
Resolving [then] with the sheriff's men
To have a hearty bout.
16 So themselves they mixed with the rest,
To prevent all suspicion ;
For if they should together hold
They thought [it] no discretion.
17 So the sheriff looking round about,
Amongst eight hundred men,
But could not see the sight that he
Had long expected then.
18 Some said, If Robin Hood was here,
And all his men to boot,
Sure none of them could pass these men,
So bravely they do shoot.
19 ' Ay,' quoth the sheriff, and scratchd his head,
,' I thought he would have been here ;
I thought he would, but, tho he 's bold,
He durst not now appear.'
20 O that word grieved Robin Hood to the heart ;
He vexed in his blood ;
Eer long, thought he, thou shalt well see .
That here was Robin Hood.
21 Some cried, Blue jacket! another cried, Brown
And the third cried, Brave Yellow!
But the fourth man said, Yon man in red
In this place has no fellow.
22 For that was Robin Hood himself,
For he was cloathd in red ;
At every shot the prize he got,
For he was both sure and dead.
23 So the arrow with the golden head
And shaft of silver white
Brave Robin Hood won, and bore with him
For his own proper right.
24 These outlaws there, that very day,
To shun all kind of doubt,
By three or four, no less no more,
As they went in came out.
25 Until they all assembled were
Under the green-wood shade,
Where they report, in pleasant sport,
What brave pastime they made.
26 Says Robin Hood, All my care is,
How that yon sheriff may
Know certainly that it was I
That bore his arrow away.
27 Says Little John, My counsel good
Did take effect before,
So therefore now, if you '11 allow,
I will advise once more.
28 ' Speak on, speak on,' said Robin Hood,
' Thy wit 's both quick and sound ;
[I know no man amongst us can
For wit like thee be found.']
29 « This I advise,' said Little John ;
' That a letter shall be pend,
And when it is done, to Nottingham
You to the sheriff shall send.'
80 ' That is well advised,' said Robin Hood,
'But how must it be sent? '
' Pugh! when you please, it 's done with ease,
Master, be you content.
31 ' I '11 stick it on my arrow's head,
And shoot it into the town ;
The mark shall show where it must go,
When ever it lights down. '
32 The project it was full performd ;
The sheriff that letter had ;
Which when he read, he scratchd his head,
And rav'd like one that 's mad.
38 So we '11 leave him chafing in his grease,
Which will do him no good :
Now, my friends, attend, and hear the end
Of honest Robin Hood.
153. ROBIN HOOD AND THE VALIANT KNIGHT
225
a. 12s. hither. 25*. relate for report.
288>4. supplied from R. H.'s Garland, York, Thomas
Wilson fr Son, 1811.
b, c. 38. to take. 68. without all. 101. the wanting.
102. it is. II1. O wanting. II2. do not.
12s. thither. 148. in the.
158. then wanting. 16*. thought it.
17*. suspected.
19s. c, but wanting. 212. a third.
221. c, bold Robin. 242. kinds. 248. nor more.
258. relate. 28814. wanting. 3 18, must show.
321. well for full. S31, in the.
153
ROBIN HOOD AND THE VALIANT KNIGHT
a. Robin Hood's Garland, London, C. Dicey, Bow
Church Yard, n. d., but before 1741, p. 88, Bodleian
Library, Douce H H, 88. b. Robin Hood's Gar-
land, 1749, without place or printer, p. 101, No 24.
c. Robin Hood's Garland, London, R. Marshall, in
Aldermary Church- Yard, Bow-Lane, n. d., p. 87,
No 27.
EVANS, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 232,
from an Aldermary garland; Ritson, Robin
Hood, 1795, II, 178, from an Aldermary gar-
land, corrected by a York copy.
Written, perhaps, because it was thought
that authority should in the end be vindicated
against outlaws, which may explain why this
piece surpasses in platitude everything that
goes before.
Translated by Lodve-Veimars, p. 219.
1 WHEN Robin Hood, and his merry men all,
Deny, etc.
Had reigned many years,
The king was then told they had been too bold
To his bishops and noble peers.
Hey, etc.
2 Therefore they called a council of state,
To know what was best to be done
For to quell their pride, or else, they reply'd,
The land would be over-run.
3 Having consulted a whole summers day,
At length it was agreed
That one should be sent to try the event,
And fetch him away with speed.
4 Therefore a trusty and worthy knight
The king was pleasd to call,
Sir William by name ; when to him he came,
He told him his pleasure all.
5 ' Go you from hence to bold Robin Hood,
And bid him, without more a-do,
Surrender himself, or else the proud elf
Shall suffer with all his crew.
VOL. in. 29
6 ' Take here a hundred bowmen brave,
All chosen men of might,
Of excellent art for to take thy part;
In glittering armour bright.'
7 Then said the knight, My sovereign liege,
By me they shall be led ;
I '11 venture my blood against bold Robin Hood,
And bring him alive or dead.
8 One hundred men were chosen straight,
As proper as eer men saw ;
On Midsummer-day they marched away,
To conquer that brave outlaw.
9 With long yew bows and shining spears,
They marchd in mickle pride,
And never delay d, or halted, or stayd,
Till they came to the greenwood-side.
10 Said he to his archers, Tarry here ;
Your bows make ready all,
That, if need should be, you may follow me ;
And see you observe my call.
226
153. ROBIN HOOD AND THE VALIANT KNIGHT
11 ' I '11 go in person first,' he cry'd,
4 With the letters of my good king,
Both signd and seald, and if he will yield,
We need not draw one string.'
12 He wanderd about till at length he came
To the tent of Robin Hood ;
The letter he shews ; bold Robin arose,
And there on his guard he stood.
13 'They'd have me surrender,' quoth bold Robin
Hood,
' And lie at their mercy then ;
But tell them from me, that never shall be,
While I have full seven-score men.'
14 Sir William the knight, both hardy and bold,
Did offer to seize him there,
Which William Locksly by fortune did see,
And bid him that trick forbear.
15 Then Robin Hood set his horn to his mouth,
And blew a blast or twain,
And so did the knight, at which there in sight
The archers came all amain.
16 Sir William with care he drew up his men,
And plac'd them in battle array ;
Bold Robin, we find, he was not behind ;
Now this was a bloody fray.
1 7 The archers on both sides bent their bows,
And the clouds of arrows*flew;
The very first flight, that honoured knight
Did there bid the world adieu.
18 Yet nevertheless their fight did last
From morning till almost noon ;
Both parties were stout, and loath to give out ;
This was on the last [day] of June.
19 At length they went off ; one part they went
To London with right good will ;
And Robin Hood he to the green-wood tree,
And there he was taken ill.
20 He sent for a monk, who let him blood,
And took his life away ;
Now this being done, his archers they run,
It was not a time to stay.
21 Some got on board and crossd the seas,
To Flanders, France, and Spain,
And others to Rome, for fear of their doom,
But soon returnd again.
22 Thus he that never feard bow nor spear
Was murderd by letting of blood ;
And so, loving friends, the story doth end
Of valiant bold Robin Hood.
23 There 's nothing remains but his epitaph now,
Which, reader, here you have ;
To this very day, and read it you may,
As it was upon his grave.
Robin Hood's Epitaph,
Set on his tomb
By the Prioress of Birkslay Monastery, in
Yorkshire.
Robin, Earl of Huntington,
Lies under this little stone.
No archer was like him so good ;
His wildness nam'd him Robin Hood.
Full thirteen years, and something more,
These northern parts he vexed sore.
Such outlaws as he and his men
May England never know again J
Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight; together
with an account of his Death and Burial, &c.
Tune of Robin Hood and the Fifteen Foresters.
a. Inside the cover is written, William Stukely, 1741.
184. day found in b.
b. A carelessly printed book, with only twenty-four
ballads. It belonged to Bishop Percy. Burden
omitted.
I1. When bold Robin and. I8, had been told he.
I4. With his. 21. the best. 2*. will be.
3. wanting. 61. Take an. 68. art to.
7*. again Robin. 121. till at last. 122. of bold.
131. would have : bold, Hood, wanting.
13*. that it. 13*. Whilst. 151. Robin he set.
174. there wanting. 181. the fight. 184. last day.
192. For London. 198. he wanting. 201. to let.
202. done away they ran. 21. wanting.
221. that neither. 248. it wanting. 244. it were.
The epitaph is not given.
c. Burden : Derry down down : Hey down derry
deny down.
I8, that they had been bold. 22. best wanting.
51. Go you. 61. an. 78. bold wanting.
104. see that. II8. Well signd.
144. bid them : to forbear. 184. day wanting.
191. party. 1 92. For London. 201. to let.
202. Who took. 204. a wanting. 211. Some went.
238. and wanting.
154. A TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD
227
154
A 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 Mu-
seum (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 edi-
tion. The title of this copy is : A True Tale
of Robbin [Hood], or, A brief e 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 false-
hood. By Martin Parker. Printed at Lon-
don for T. Cotes, and are to be sold by F.
Grove dwellin[g] upon Snow-hill, neare the
Saracen [s head] .*
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 Graf-
ton, 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 Gesi) 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 a True
Tale because a tale of Robin Hood was a
proverb for an incredible story : " Tales of
Robin Hood are good for fools."
1 BOTH gentlemen, or yeomen bould,
Or whatsoever you are,
To have a stately story tould,
Attention now prepare.
2 It is a tale of Robin Hood,
Which I to you will tell,
* The mutilated parts are supplied, to a slight extent,
from a copy in the Bodleian Library (L. 78. Art., 5th
tract), which happens to he injured on the right side of the
title-page in nearly the same places as the Museum copy,
and also has the lower portion cut off, to the loss of the
printer's name ; the rest from an edition printed for J.
Which being rightly understood,
I know will please you well.
3 This Robbin, so much talked on,
Was once a man of fame,
Instiled Earle of Huntington,
Lord Robert Hood by name.
Clark, W. Thackeray, and T. Passinger, 1686. Mr J. P.
Collier possessed a copy with the same imprint as that of
the Museum, which he lent Gutch, and which Gutch says
he used for his text. If Gutch followed the Collier copy,
then that was not identical with the Museum copy. Ritson
reprinted the text of 1686.
228
154. A TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD
4 In courtship and magnificence,
His carriage won him prayse,
And greater favour with his prince
Than any in his dayes.
5 In bounteous liberality
He too much did excell,
And loved men of quality
More than exceeding well.
6 His great revennues all he sould
For wine and costly cheere ;
He kept three hundred bowmen bold,
He shooting lovd so deare.
7 No archer living in his tune
With him might well compare ;
He practisd all his youthfull prime
That exercise most rare.
8 At last, by his profuse expence,
He had consume! his wealth,
And being outlawed by his prince,
In woods he livd by stealth.
9 The abbot of Saint Maries rich,
To whom he mony ought,
His hatred to this earle was such
That he his downefall wrought.
10 So being outlawed, as 'tis told,
He with a crew went forth
Of lusty cutters, stout and bold,
And robbed in the North.
11 Among the rest, one Little John,
A yeoman bold and free,
Who could, if it stood him upon,
With ease encounter three.
12 One hundred men in all he got,
With whom, the story sayes,
Three hundred common men durst not
Hold combate any wayes.
13 They Yorkshire woods frequented much,
And Lancashire also,
Wherein their practises were such
That they wrought mickle woe.
14 None rich durst travell to and fro,
Though nere so strongly amid,
But by these theeves, so strong in show,
They still were robd and harmd.
15 His chief est spight to the clergie was,
That lived in monstrous pride ;
No one of them he would let passe
Along the high-way side,
16 But first they must to dinner goe,
And afterwards to shrift :
Full many a one he served so,
Thus while he livd by theft.
17 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.
18 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.
19 But Robbin Hood so gentle was,
And bore so brave a minde,
If any in distresse did passe,
To them he was so kinde
20 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.
21 The widdow and the fatherlesse
He would send meanes unto,
And those whom famine did oppresse
Found him a friendly foe.
22 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.
23 The abbot of Saint Maries then,
Who him undid before,
Was riding with two hundred men,
And gold and silver store.
24 But Robbin Hood upon him set
With his couragious sparkes,
And all the coyne perforce did get,
Which was twelve thousand markes.
25 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.
26 Which being done, upon his horse
He set him fast astride,
And with his face towards his ar —
He forced him to ride.
27 His men were faine to be his guide,
For he rode backward home ;
The abbot, being thus villifide,
Did sorely chafe and fume.
154. A TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD
229
28 Thus Bobbin Hood did vindicate
His former wrongs receivd ;
For 't was this covetous prelate
That him of land bereavd.
29 The abbot he rode to the king
With all the haste he could,
And to his Grace he every thing
Exactly did unfold.
80 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.
31 The king protested by and by
Unto the abbot then
That Robbin Hood with speed should dye,
With all his merry men.
32 But ere the king did any send,
He did another feate,
Which did his Grace much more offend ;
The fact indeed was great.
33 For in a short time after that,
The kings receivers went
Towards London with the coyne they got,
For 's Highnesse northerne rent.
34 Bold Robbin Hood and Little John,
With the rest of their traine,
Not dreading law, set them upon,
And did their gold obtaine.
35 The king much moved at the same,
And the abbots talke also,
In this his anger did proclaime,
And sent word to and fro,
36 That whosoere, alive or dead,
Could bring him Robbin Hood,
Should have one thousand markes, well payd
In gold and silver good.
37 This promise of the king did make
Full many yeomen bold
Attempt stout Robbin Hood to take,
With all the force they could.
38 But still when any came to him,
Within the gay greene wood,
He entertainement gave to them,
With venison fat and good.
39 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,
40 That such a worthy man as he
Should thus be put to shift,
Being late a lord of high degree,
Of living quite bereft.
41 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.
42 Or else, with love and courtesie,
To him he won .their hearts :
Thus still he lived by robbery,
Throughout the northerne parts.
43 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.
44 The abbot which before I nam'd
Sought all the meanes he could
To have by force this rebell tane,
And his adherents bold.
45 Therefore he annd five hundred men,
With furniture compleate,
But the outlawes slew halfe of them,
And made the rest retreate.
46 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.
47 Twelve of the abbots men he tooke,
Who came him to have tane,
When all the rest the field forsooke ;
These he did entertaine
48 With banquetting and merriment,
And, having usd them well,
He to their lord them safely sent,
And willd them him to tell
49 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,
50 He would surrender backe agen
The money which before
Was taken by him and his men,
From him and many more.
51 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.
230
154. A TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD
52 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.
53 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.
54 So that, through dread of Robbin then
And his adventurous crew,
The mizers kept great store of men,
Which else maintaynd but few.
55 King Richard, of that name the first,
Sirnamed Cuer de Lyon,
Went to defeate the Pagans curst,
Who kept the coasts of Syon.
56 The Bishop of Ely, chancelor,
Was left as vice-roy here,
Who like a potent emperor
Did proudly domminere.
57 Our chronicles of him report
That commonly he rode
With a thousand horse from court to court,
Where he would make abode.
58 He, riding downe towards the north,
With his aforesayd traine,
Robbin and his did issue forth,
Them all to entertaine.
59 And, with the gallant gray-goose wing,
They shewed to them such play,
That made their horses kickle and fling,
And downe their riders lay.
60 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.
61 Two hundred of his men were kil'd,
And fourescore horses good ;
Thirty, who did as captives yeeld,
Were carryed to the greene wood.
62 Which afterwards were ransomed,
For twenty markes a man ;
The rest set spurres to horse, and fled
To th' town of Warrington.
63 The bishop, sore enraged then,
Did, in Ring Richards name,
Muster a power of northerne men,
These outlawes bold to tame.
64 But Robbin, with his courtesie,
So wonne the meaner sort,
That they were loath on him to try
What rigor did import.
65 So that bold Robbin and his traine
Did live unhurt of them,
Vntill King Richard came againe
From faire Jerusalem.
66 And then the talke of Robbin Hood
His royall eares did fill ;
His Grace admir'd that ith' greene wood
He thus continued still.
67 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.
68 He wished well unto the king,
And prayed still for his health,
And never practised any thing
Against the common wealth.
69 Onely, because he was undone
By th' ere well clergie then,
All meanes that he could thinke upon
To vexe such kinde of men
70 He enterprized, with hatefull spleene ;
For which he was to blame,
For fault of some, to wreeke his teene
On all that by him came.
71 With wealth which he by robbery got
Eight almes-houses he built,
Thinking thereby to purge the blot
Of blood which he had spilt.
72 Such was their blinde devotion then,
Depending on their workes ;
Which, if 'twere true, we Christian men
Inferiour were to Turkes.
73 But, to speake true of Robbin Hood,
And wrong him not a iot,
He never would shed any mans blood
That him invaded not.
74 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.
75 The king in person, with some lords,
To Notingham did ride, .
To try what strength and skill affords
To crush these outlawes pride.
154. A TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD
231
76 And, as he once before had done,
He did againe proclaime,
That whosbere would take upon
To bring to Notingham,
77 Or any place within the land,
Rebellious Robbin Hood,
Should be preferd in place to stand
With those of noble blood.
78 When Robbin Hood heard of the same,
Within a little space,
Into the towne of Notingham
A letter to his Grace
79 He shot upon an arrow-head,
One evening cunningly ;
Which was brought to the king, and read
Before his Maiestie.
80 The tennour of this letter was
That Robbin would submit,
And be true leigeman to his Grace,
In any thing that 's fit,
81 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.
82 The king would faine have pardoned him,
But that some lords did say,
This president will much condemne
Tour Grace another day.
83 While that the king and lords did stay
Debating on this thing,
Some of these outlawes fled away
Unto the Scottish king.
84 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.
85 Of more than full a hundred men
But forty tarryed still,
Who were resolvd to sticke to him,
Let fortune worke her will.
86 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.
87 But ere the pardon to him came,
This famous archer dy'd :
His death, and manner of the same,
1 'le presently describe.
88 For, being vext to thinkc upon
His followers revolt,
In melancholly passion
He did recount then? fault.
89 ' Perfideous tray tors ! ' sayd he then,
' In all your dangers past
Have I you guarded as my men
To leave me thus at last ? '
90 This sad perplexity did cause
A fever, as some say,
Which him unto confusion drawes,
Though by a stranger way.
91 This deadly danger to prevent,
He hide him with all speede
Vnto a nunnery, with intent
For his healths sake to bleede.
92 A faithlesse fryer did pretend
In love to let him blood ;
But he by falshood wrought the end
Of famous Robbin Hood.
93 The fryer, as some say, did this
To vindicate the wrong
Which to the clergie he and his
Had done by power strong.
94 Thus dyed he by trechery,
That could not dye by force ;
Had he livd longer, certainely,
King Richard, in remorse,
95 Had unto favour him receavd ;
He brave men elevated ;
'T is pitty he was of life bereavd
By one which he so hated.
96 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.
97 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.
98 And over him she caused a stone
To be fixed on the ground ;
An epitaph was set thereon,
Wherein his name was found.
99 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 plainc appeare
232
154. A TRUE TALE OP ROBIN HOOD
100 That such a man as Bobbin Hood
Was buried in that place ;
And how he lived in the greene wood,
And robd there for a space.
101 It seemes that though the clergie he
Had put to mickle woe,
He should not quite forgotten be,
Although he was their foe.
102 This woman, though she did him hate,
Yet loved his memory ;
And thought it wondrous pitty that
His fame should with him dye.
103 This epitaph, as records tell,
Within this hundred yeares
By many was discerned well,
But time all things outweares.
104 His followers, when he was dead,
Were some received to grace ;
The rest to forraigne countries fled,
And left their native place.
105 Although his funerall was but meane,
This woman had in minde
Least his fame should be buried cleane
From those that came behind.
106 For certainely, before nor since,
No man ere understood,
Vnder the reigne of any prince,
Of one like Robbin Hood.
107 Full thirteene yeares, and something more,
These outlawes lived thus,
Feared of the rich, loved of the poore,
A thing most marvelous.
108 A thing unpossible to us
This story seemes to be ;
None dares be now so venturous ;
But times are chang'd, we see.
109 We that live in these latter dayes
Of civill government,
If neede be, have a hundred wayes
Such outlawes to prevent.
110 In those dayes men more barbarous were,
And lived lesse in awe ;
Now, God be thanked ! people feare
More to offend the law.
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.
112 In which activity these men,
Through practise, were so good,
That in those dayes non equald them,
Specially Robbin Hood.
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.
114 And none durst neare unto them come,
Unlesse in courtesie ;
All such he bravely would send home,
With mirth and iollity.
115 Which courtesie won him such love,
As I before have told ;
'T was the cheefe cause that he did prove
More prosperous than he could.
116 Let us be thankefull for these times
Of plenty, truth and peace,
And leave out great and horrid crimes,
Least they cause this to cease.
117 I know there 's many fained tales
Of Robbin Hood and 's crew ;
But chronicles, which seldome fayles,
Reports this to be true.
118 Let none then thinke this a lye,
For, if 't were put to th' worst,
They may the truth of all discry
I th' raigne of Richard the first.
119 If any reader please to try,
As I direction show,
The truth of this brave history,
Hee '1 finde it true I know.
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.
155. SIB HUGH, OB, THE JEW'S DAUGHTEB
233
At the end of the Tale:
The Epitaph which the Prioresse of the Monastery
of Kirkes Lay in Yorke-shire set over Bobbin
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 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.*
Bodl. L. 78. 22. That for which. 20*. wisht.
598. kicke/or kickle. 702. In for For.
942. Who for That.
1081. impossible for impossible. 1168. cursor out.
* " Now, under this precise gentleman's favor, one would
be glad to know what these same superstitious words were ;
there not being anything of the kind in Dr Gale's copy,
which seems to be the original, and which is shorter by two
lines than the above. Thirteen should be thirty." Bitson,
Bobin Hood, ed. 1832, H, 127 f. For the epitaph and the
gravestone, see the same volume, pp. liv-lvii.
155
SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
A. ' Hugh of Lincoln,' Jamieson's Popular Ballads, Shreds and Patches, in Miss C. S. Burne's Shrop-
I, 151. shire Folk-Lore, p. 539.
B. 'The Jew's Daughter,' Percy's Reliques, 1765, L. a. Communicated by the Rev. E. Venables. b. A
1, 32. Walk through Lincoln Cathedral, by the same,
p. 41.
C. ' The Jewis Daughter,' Bishop Percy's Papers.
M. F. H. Groome, In Gipsy Tents, Edinburgh, 1880,
D. ' Sir Hugh,' Herd's MSS, I, 213 ; stanzas 7-10, II, p. 145.
219. Herd's Scottish Songs, 1776, I, 96.
N. 'Little Harry Hughes and the Duke's Daughter,'
E. ' Sir Hugh, or, The Jew's Daughter,' Motherwell's Newell, Games and Songs of American Children,
Minstrelsy, p. 51.
P. A. Hume, Sir Hugh of Lincoln, p. 35.
G. From the recitation of an American lady.
p. 75.
O. G. A. Sala, Illustrated London News, LXXXI,
415, October 21, 1882, and Living London, 1883, p.
465.
H. 'The Jew's Daughter,' from the recitation of an P. Halliwell, Ballads and Poems respecting Hugh of
American lady. Lincoln, p. 37, Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales,
p. 192 : two stanzas.
I. Sir Egerton Brydges, Restituta, I, 381.
Q. 'The Jew's Daughter,' Motherwell's Note-Book,
J. ' Sir Hugh.' a. Notes and Queries, First Series, p. 54 : two stanzas.
XII, 496. b. The same, VIII, 614.
R. ' Sir Hew, or, The Jew's Daughter,' Motherwell's
K. Notes and Queries, First Series, IX, 320 ; Salopian Minstrelsy, Appendix, p. xvii, VII : one stanza.
VOL. m. 30
234
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
THE copy in Pinkerton's Tragic Ballads,
1781, p. 50, is made up of eight stanzas of D
and six of B, slightly retouched by the editor ;
that in Gilchrist's collection, 1815, I, 210, is
eight stanzas of D and nine of A ; that in
Stenhouse's edition of Johnson's Museum, IV,
500, "communicated by an intelligent anti-
quarian correspondent," is compounded from
A, B, D, E and Pinkerton, with a little chaff
of its own ; that printed by W. C. Atkin-
son, of Brigg, Lincolnshire, in the London
Athenaeum, 1867, p. 96, is Pinkerton's, with
two trifling changes. Allen, History of the
County of Lincoln, 1834, p. 171 (repeating
Wilde, Lincoln Cathedral, 1819, p. 27, as ap-
pears from Notes and Queries, 4th Series, II,
60), says that a complete manuscript of the
ballad was once in the library of the cathe-
dral, and cites the first stanza, which differs
from Pinkerton's only in having " Mary Lin-
coln " for " merry Lincoln."
The several versions agree in the outline of
the story, and in many of the details. Ac-
cording to A, boys who are playing football
are joined by Sir Hugh, who kicks the ball
through the Jew's window. Sir Hugh sees
the Jew's daughter looking out of the window,
and asks her to throw down the ball. She
tells him to come and get it ; this he is afraid
to do, for fear she may do to him " as she did
to his father." The Jew's daughter entices
him in with an apple, leads him through nine
dark doors, lays him on a table, and sticks
him like a swine ; then rolls him in a cake of
lead, and throws him into a draw-well fifty
fathoms deep, Our Lady's draw-well. The
boy not returning at eve, his mother sets forth
to seek him ; goes to the Jew's castle, the
Jew's garden, and to the draw-well, entreat-
ing in each case Sir Hugh to speak. He an-
swers from the well, bidding his mother go
make his winding-sheet, and he will meet her
at the back of merry Lincoln the next morn-
ing. His mother makes his winding-sheet,
and the dead corpse meets her at the back of
merry Lincoln: all the bells of Lincoln are
rung without men's hands, and all the books
of Lincoln are read without man's tongue.
The boy's name is Sir Hugh in A-P, etc. ;
in K the name is corrupted to Saluter, and in
the singular and interesting copy obtained in
New York, N, to Harry Hughes, the Jew's
Daughter in this becoming the Duke's Daugh-
ter. The place is Merry Lincoln in A, D, L
(Lincoln, J ; Lincolnshire, Q) ; corrupted in
B, C, to Mirryland town,* in B to Maitland
town; changed to Merry Scotland, I, J, O,
which is corrupted to Merrycock land, K ; in
G, H, old Scotland, fair Scotland. The ball
is tossed [patted] into the Jew's garden, G,
H, I, L, M, O, P, where the Jews are sitting
a-row, I, O. The boy will not come in with-
out his play-feres, B, C, D, P, G, I, J, K ; if
he should go in, his mother would cause his
heart's blood to fall, etc., G, I, K.f The boy
is rolled in a cake [case] of lead, A-E (L, b ?) ;
in a quire of tin, N. The draw-well is Our
Lady's only in A (L, b ?) ; it is the Jew's in
C, D ; it is a [the] deep draw-well, simply, in
B, E, P, G; a little draw-well, N, a well, O;
fifty fathoms deep, A-P, N ; G, eighteen fath-
oms, O, five and fifty feet. In G, the Jew's
daughter lays the Bible at the boy's head,
and the Prayer-Book at his feet (how came
these in the Jew's house?) before she sticks
him ; in I, K, the Bible and Testament after ;
in I, the Catechism in his heart's blood. In
H, the boy, at the moment of his death, asks
that the Bible may be put at his head, and
the Testament at his feet, and in M, wants " a
seven-foot Bible" at his head and feet. In
E, P, the boy makes this request from the
draw-well (" and pen and ink at every side,"
E), and in N with the variation that his Bi-
ble is to be put at his head, his "busker"
at his feet, and his Prayer-Book at his right
side. In O there is a jumble:
' Oh lay a Bible at my head,
And a Prayer-Book at my feet,
In the well that they did throw me in,' etc.
* Percy : " As for Mirryland Town, it is probably a cor-
ruption of Milan (called by the Dutch Meylandt) town ; the
Pa is evidently the river Po, although the Adige, not the
Po, runs through Milan." B1 is unintelligible. Do the
lads run down the Pa ?
t In J, 4, he will be beaten for losing his ball. In the Irish
P, 8, the mother takes a little rod in her hand, meaning to
bate him for staying so long: cf. J 10, N 4, 12, and the
last verse of T. Hood's ' Lost Heir.'
SIB HUGH, OB, THE JEW'S DAUGHTEB
235
The boy asks his mother to go and make
ready his winding-sheet in A, B, C, B, F ; and
appoints to meet her at the back of the town,
A, B, E ; at the birks of Mirryland town, C.
The fine trait of the ringing of the bells
without men's hands, and the reading of the
books without man's tongue, occurs only in A.
When Florence of Rome approached a church,
" the bellys range thorow Godys grace, with-
owtyn helpe of hande : " Le Bone Florence of
Rome, Ritson, Met. Rom., Ill, 80, v. 1894 f.
Bells which ring without men's hands are very
common in popular tradition. See Jamieson's
Popular Ballads, 1, 140 ; Wunderhorn, II, 272,
ed. 1808 ; Luzel, C. P. de la Basse-Bretagne,
I, 446 f., 496 f ., II, 44 f., 66 f., 308 f., 542 f. ;
Maurer, Islandische Volkssagen, p. 215 ;
Weckenstedt, Wendische Sagen, p. 379, No
5 ; Temme, Volkssagen der Altmark, p. 29,
No 31 ; Miinsterische Geschichten, u. s. w., p.
186 ; Bartsch, Sagen aus Meklenburg, I, 390,
No 539 ; Mone's Anzeiger, VIII, 303 f., No
41 and note, and VII, 32 ; Birlinger, Aus
Schwaben, Neue Sammlung, I, 72 ; Birlinger
u. Buck, I, 144, No 223, 145, No 225, a,
b, c; Schoppner, Sagenbuch der bayerischen
Lande, I, 294, No 301, etc.*
The story of Hugh of Lincoln is told in the
Annals of Waverley, under the year 1255, by
a contemporary writer, to this effect, f A boy
in Lincoln, named Hugh, was crucified by the
Jews in contempt of Christ, with various pre-
liminary tortures. To conceal the act from
Christians, the body, when taken from the
cross, was thrown into a running stream ; but
the water would not endure the wrong done
its maker, and immediately ejected it upon
dry laud. The body was then buried in the
* Dem Volke war die Glocke nicht herzlos ; sie war ihra
eine beseelte Personlichkeit, und stand als solche mit dem
Menschen in lebendigem Verkehr. . . . Die Glocken . . .
scheinen auch von hoheren Machten beriihrt zu werden ;
sie sprechen wie Gottesstimmen, ertonen oft von selbst, als
Mahnung von oben, als Botschaft vom Tode bedeutender
Personen, als Wahrzeicben der Unschuld eines Angeklag-
ten, zur Bewahrung der Heiligkeit eines von Gott erwahlten
Kiistzeugs. Uhland, Schriften zur Geschichte der Dichtung
u. Sage, VIII, 588 f.
t Annales Monastici, ed. Luard, II, 346 ff. "From 1219
to 1266 the MS. was written contemporaneously with the
events described, from year to year : " p. xxxvi.
earth, but was found above ground the next
day. The guilty parties were now very much
frightened and quite at their wit's end ; as a
last resort they threw the corpse into a drink-
ing-well. Thereupon the whole place was
filled with so brilliant a light and so sweet an
odor that it was clear to everybody that there
must be something holy and prodigious in the
well. The body was seen floating on the wa-
ter, and, upon its being drawn up, the hands
and feet were found to be pierced, the head
had, as it were, a crown of bloody points, and
there were various other wounds: from all
which it was plain that this was the work of
the abominable Jews. A blind woman, touch-
ing the bier on which the blessed martyr's
corpse was carrying to the church, received
her sight, and many other miracles followed.
Eighteen Jews, convicted of the crime, and
confessing it with their own mouth, were
hanged.
Matthew Paris, also writing contemporane-
ously, supplies additional circumstances, one
of which, the mother's finding of the child, is
prominent in the ballad. J The Jews of Lin-
coln stole the boy Hugh, who was some eight
years old, near Peter and Paul's day, June
29, and fed him properly for ten days, while
they were sending to all parts of England to
convoke their co-believers to a crucifixion of
him in contempt of Jesus. When they were
assembled, one of the Lincoln Jews was ap-
pointed judge, a Pilate, as it were, and the
boy was sentenced to various torments ; he
was scourged till the blood ran, crowned with
thorns, spit upon, pricked with knives, made
to drink gall, mocked and scoffed at, hailed as
false prophet ; finally he was crucified, and a
lance thrust into his heart. He was then
taken down and disembowelled ; for what
reason is not known, but, as it was- said, for
magical purposes. The mother (whose name,
not given by this chronicler, is known to have
been Beatrice) made diligent search for her
lost child for several days, and was told by
her neighbors that they had seen the boy
playing with Jewish children, and going into
{ Chronica Majora, ed. Luard, V, 516-19. Matthew
Paris died in 1259.
236
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
a Jew's house. This house the mother en-
tered, and saw the boy's body, which had
been thrown into a well. The town officers
were sent for, and drew up the corpse. The
mother's shrieks drew a great concourse to
the place, among whom was Sir John of Lex-
ington, a long-headed and scholarly man (a
priest of the cathedral), who declared that he
had heard of the Jews doing such things be-
fore. Laying hands on the Jew into whose
house the boy had been known to go, John of
Lexington told him that all the gold in Eng-
land would not buy him off ; nevertheless, life
and limb should be safe if he would tell every-
thing. The Jew, Copin by name, encouraged
and urged by Sir John, made a full confes-
sion : all that the Christians had said was
true ; the Jews crucified a boy every year, if
they could get hold of one, and had crucified
this Hugh ; they had wished to bury the body,
after they had come to the conclusion that an
innocent's bowels were of no use for divina-
tion, but the earth would not hold it ; so they
had thrown it into a well, but with no better
success, for the mother had found it, and re-
ported the fact to the officers. The canons of
Lincoln Cathedral begged the child's body,
and buried it in their church with the honors
due to so precious a martyr, The king, who
had been absent in the North, being made ac-
quainted with these circumstances, blamed Sir
John for the promise which he had so improp-
erly made the wretch Copin. But Copin was
still in custody, and, seeing he had no chance
for life, he volunteered to complete his testi-
mony ! almost all the Jews in England had
been accessory to the child's death, and almost
every city of England where Jews lived had
sent delegates to the ceremony of his immola-
tion, as to a Paschal sacrifice. Copin was
then tied, to a horse, and dragged to the gal-
lows, and ninety-one other Jews carried to
London and imprisoned. The inquisition made
by the king's justices showed that the crime
had been virtually the common act of the
Jews of England, and the mother's appeal to
the king, which was pressed unremittingly,
had such effect that on St Clement's day eigh-
teen of the richer and more considerable Jews
of Lincoln were hanged on gallows specially
constructed for the purpose, more than sixty
being reserved for a like sentence in the tower
of London.*
The Annals of Burton give a long report
of this case, which is perhaps contemporary,
though the MS. is mostly of the next century.
On the last day of July, at a time when all
the principal Jews of England were collected
at Lincoln, Hugh, a school-boy (scholaris) of
nine, the only son of a poor woman, was kid-
napped towards sunset, while playing with
his comrades, by Jopin, a Jew of that place.
He was concealed in Jopin's house six and
twenty days, getting so little to eat and drink
that he had hardly the strength to speak.
Then, at a council of all the Jews, resident
and other, it was determined that he should
be put to death. They stripped him, flogged
him, spat in his face, cut off the cartilage of
the nose and the upper lip, and broke the
main upper teeth ; then crucified him. The
boy, fortified by divine grace, maintained him-
self with cheerfulness, and uttered neither
complaint nor groan. They ran sharp points
into him from the sole of his foot to the
crown of his head, till the body was covered
with the blood from these wounds, then
pierced his side with a lance, and he gave
up the ghost. The boy not coming home as
usual, his mother made search for him. As
he was not found, the information given by
his playmates as to when and where they had
last seen him roused a strong suspicion among
the Christians that he had been carried off
and killed by the Jews ; all the more because
there were so many of them present in the
town at that time, and from all parts of the
kingdom, though the Jews pretended that the
occasion for this unusual congregation was a
grand wedding. The truth becoming every
day clearer, the mother set off for Scotland,
where the king then chanced to be, and laid
the complaint at his feet. The Jews, mean-
while, knowing that the business would be
* Seventy-one were thus reserved, but escaped, by the use
of money or by the intercession of the Franciscans, or both.
See the same volume, p. 546 ; but also the account which
follows, from the Annals of Burton.
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
237
looked into, were in great consternation ; they
took away the body in the night, and threw
it into a well. In the well it was found in
the course of an inquisition ordered by the
king, and, when it was drawn out, a woman,
blind for fifteen years, who had been very
fond of the boy, laid her hand on the body
in faith, exclaiming, Alas, sweet little Hugh,
that it so happened ! and then rubbed her
eyes with the moisture of the body, and at
once recovered her sight. The miracle drew
crowds of people to the spot, and every sick
or infirm person that could get near the body
went home well and happy : heaving whereof,
the dean and canons of the cathedral went
out in procession to the body of the holy
martyr, and carried it to the minster with all
possible ceremony, where they buried it very
honorably (disregarding the passionate pro-
tests of a brother canon, of the parish to
which the boy belonged, who would fain
have retained so precious, and also valuable,
an object within his own bounds). The king
stopped at Lincoln, on his way down from
Scotland, looked into the matter, found the
charges against the Jews to be substantiated,
and ordered an arrest of the whole pack.
They shut themselves up in their houses, but
their houses were stormed. In the course of
the examination which followed, John of Les-
sington promised Jopin, the head of the Jews,
and their priest (who was believed to be at
the bottom of the whole transaction), that
he would do all he could to save his life, if
Jopin would give up the facts. Jopin, de-
lighted at this assurance, and expecting to be
able to save the other Jews by the use of
money, confessed everything. But consider-
ing what a disgrace it would be to the king's
majesty if the deviser and perpetrator of such
a felony escaped scot-free, Jopin was, by sen-
tence of court, tied to the tail of a horse,
dragged a long way through the streets, over
sticks and stones, and hanged. Such other
Jews as had been taken into custody were
sent to London, and a good many more, who
were implicated but had escaped, were ar-
rested in the provinces. Eighteen suffered
the same fate as Jopin. The Dominicans
exerted themselves to save the lives of the
others, — bribed so to do, as some thought ;
but they lost favor by it, and their efforts
availed nothing. It was ordered by the gov-
ernment that all the Jews in the land who
had consented to the murder, and especially
those who had been present, namely, seventy-
one who were in prison in London, should die
the death of Jopin. But Richard of Cornwall,
the king's brother, to whom the king had
pledged all the Jews in England as security
for a loan, stimulated also by a huge bribe,
withstood this violation of vested rights, and
further execution was stayed.*
An Anglo - French ballad of ninety-two
stanzas, which also appears to be contempo-
rary with the event, agrees in many particu-
lars with the account given in the Annals of
Burton, adding several which are found in
none of the foregoing narratives.! Hugh of
Lincoln was kidnapped one evening towards
the beginning of August, by Peitevin, the
Jew.J His mother at once missed him, and
searched for him, crying, I have lost my
child ! till curfew. She slept little and prayed
much, and immediately after her prayer the
suspicion arose in her mind that her child
had been abducted by the Jews. So, with
the break of day, the woman went weeping
* Annales de Burton, in Annales Monastic!, Luard, I,
340-48. Hugh of Lincoln is commemorated in the Acta
Sanctorum, July (27), VI, 494.
t Michel, Hugues de Lincoln, etc., from a MS. in the
" Bibliotheque royale, No 7268, 3. 3. A. Colb. 3745, fol.
135, r°, col. 1." Reprinted by Halliwell, Ballads and
Poems respecting Hugh of Lincoln, p. 1, and from Halli-
well by Hume, Sir Hugh of Lincoln, etc., p. 43 ff. In
stanzas 13, 75, there is an invocation in behalf of King
Henry (Qui Deu gard et tenge sa vie !), which implies that
he is living. The ballad shows an acquaintance with the
localities.
t " A la gule de aust." The day, according to the An-
nals of Burton, was the vigil of St Peter ad vincula. We
find in Henschel's Ducange, " ad festum S. Petri, in gula
Augusti," and " le jour de feste S. Pere, en goule Aoust."
Strictly taken, goule should be the first day, Lammas.
Peitevin was actually resident in Lincoln at the time.
" He was called Peitevin the Great, to distinguish him from
another person who bore the appellation of Peitevin the
Little. The Royal Commission issued in 1256 directs an
inquisition to be taken of the names of all those who be-
longed to the school of Peytevin Magnus, who had fled on
account of his implication in the crucifixion of a Christian
boy." London Athenaeum, 1849, p. 1270f.
238
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
through the Jewry, calling at the Jews' doors,
Where is my child ? Impelled by the sus-
picion which, as it pleased God, she had of
the Jews, she kept on till she came to the
court. When she came before King Henry
(whom God preserve !), she fell at his feet
and begged his grace : ** Sire, my son was car-
ried off by the Lincoln Jews one evening ;
see to it, for charity ! " The king swore by
God's pity, If it be so as thou hast told, the
Jews shall die ; if thou hast lied on the
Jews, by St Edward, doubt not thou shalt
have the same judgment. Soon after the
child was carried off, the Jews of Lincoln
made a great gathering of all the richest of
their sect in England. The child was brought
before them, tied with a cord, by the Jew
Jopin. They stripped him, as erst they did
Jesus. Then said Jopin, thinking he spoke
to much profit, The child must be sold for
thirty pence, as Jesus was. Agim, the Jew,
answered, Give me the child for thirty pence;
but I wish that he should be sentenced to
death, since I have bought him. The Jews
said, Let Agim have him, but let him be put
to death forthwith : worse than this, they all
cried with one voice, Let him be put on the
cross ! The child was unbound and hanged
on the cross, vilely, as Jesus was. His arms
were stretched to the cross, and his feet and
hands pierced with sharp nails, and he was cru-
cified alive. Agim took his knife and pierced
the innocent's side, and split his heart in two.
As the ghost left the body, the child called to
his mother, Pray Jesus Christ for me ! The
Jews buried the body, so that no one might
know of their privity, but some of them,
passing the place the next morning, found it
lying above ground. When they heard of
this marvel, they determined in council that
the corpse should be thrown into a jakes ;
but the morning after it was again above
ground. While they were in agonies of ter-
ror, one of their number came and told them
that a woman, who had been his nurse, had
agreed for money to take the body out of the
city ; but he recommended that all the wounds
should first be filled with boiling wax. The
body was taken off by this nurse and thrown
into a well behind the castle.* A woman
coming for water the next day discovered it
lying on the ground, so filthy that she scarce
durst touch it. This woman bethought her-
self of the child which had been stolen. She
went back to Lincoln, and gave information
to Hugh's stepfather, who found her tale
probable by reason of the suspicion which he
already had of the Jews. The woman went
through the city proclaiming that she had
found the child, and everybody flocked to the
well. The coroners were sent for, and came
with good will to make their inspection. The
body was taken back to Lincoln. A woman
came up, who had long before lost her sight,
and calling out, Alas, pretty Hugh, why are
you lying here ! applied her hands to the
corpse and then to her eyes, and regained her
sight. All who were present were witnesses
of the miracle, and gave thanks to God. A
converted f Jew presented himself, and sug-
gested that if they wished to know how the
child came by its death they should wash the
body in warm water ; and this being done,
the examination which he made enabled him
to show that this treason had been done by
the Jews, for the very wounds of Jesus were
found upon the child. They of the cathedral,
hearing of the miracle, came out and carried
the body to the church, and buried it among
other saints with great joy : mult ben firent,
cum m' est avis. Soon after, the mother ar-
rived from the court, very unhappy because
she had not been able to find her child. The
Lincoln Jews were apprehended and thrown
into prison ; they said, We have been betrayed
by Falsim. The next day King Henry came
to Lincoln, and ordered the Jews before him
for an inquest. A wise man who was there
took it upon him to say that the Jew who
would tell the truth to the king should fare
the better for it. Jopin, in whose house the
treason had been done, told the whole story
as already related. King Henry, when all
had been told, cried, Right ill did he that
* The site of the Jewry was on the hill and about the
castle : London Athenseum, 1849, p. 1271.
t These renegades play a like part in many similar
cases.
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
239
killed him ! The justices * went to council,
and condemned Jopin to death : his body was
to be drawn through the city " de chivals
forts et ben ferrets]" till life was extinct,
and then to be hanged. And this was done.
I know well where, says the singer : by Cane-
wic, on the high hill.f Of the other Jews it
is only said that they had much shame.
The English ballads, the oldest of which
were recovered about the middle of the last
century, must, in the course of five hundred
years of tradition, have departed considerably
from the early form ; in all of them the boy
comes to his death for breaking a Jew's win-
dow, and at the hands of the Jew's daughter.
The occurrence of Our Lady's draw-well, in
A, is due to a mixing, to this extent, of the
story of Hugh with that of the young devotee
of the Virgin who is celebrated in Chaucer's
Prioresses Tale. In Chaucer's legend, which
somewhat strangely removes the scene to a
city in Asia, a little " clergeon " (cf. the
scholaris of the Annals of Burton) excites,
not very unnaturally, the wrath of the Jews
by singing the hymn "Alma redemptoris
mater " twice a day, as he passes, schoolward
and homeward, through the Jewry. For this
they cut his throat and throw him into a
privy. The Virgin comes to him, and bids
him sing the anthem still, till a grain which
she lays upon his tongue shall be removed.
The mother, in the course of her search for
her boy, goes to the pit, under divine direc-
tion, and hears him singing.
Another version of this legend occurs in a
collection of the Miracles of Our Lady in
the Vernon MS., c. 1375, leaf cxxiii, back;
printed by Dr. Horstmann in Herrig's Archiv,
1876, LVI, 224, and again in the Chaucer
Society's Originals and Analogues, p. 281.
The boy, in this, contributes to the support
of his family by singing and begging in the
streets of Paris. His song is again Alma
redemptoris mater, and he sings it one Satur-
day as he goes through the Jewry. He is
* Les Jus, 821 ; but this is impossible* and we have li
justis in 911.
t " Canwick is pleasantly situated on a bold eminence,
about a mile northward of Lincoln." Allen, History of the
County of Lincoln, I, 208.
killed, disposed of, and discovered as in Chau-
cer's tale, and the bishop, who " was come to
see that wonder," finds in the child's throat a
lily, inscribed all over with Alma redemp-
toris mater, which being taken out the song
ceases. But when the child's body is carried
to the minster, and a requiem mass is begun,
the corpse rises up, and sings Salve, sancta
parens.
Another variety of the legend is furnished
by the Spanish Franciscan Espina, Fortali-
cium Fidei, 1459, in the edition of Lyons,
1500, fol. ccviii, reprinted by the Chaucer So-
ciety, Originals and Analogues, p. 108. J The
boy is here called Alfonsus of Lincoln. The
Jews, having got him into their possession,
deliberate what shall be done to him, and de-
cide that the tongue with which he had sung
Alma redemptoris shall be torn out, like-
wise the heart in which he had meditated the
song, and the body be thrown into a Jakes.
The Virgin comes to him, and puts a precious
stone in his mouth, to supply the place of his
tongue, and the boy at once begins to sing
the anthem, and keeps on incessantly for four
days ; at the end of which time the discovery
is made by the mother, as before. The body
is taken to the cathedral, where the bishop
delivers a sermon, concluding with an injunc-
tion upon all present to pour out their suppli-
cations to heaven that this mystery may be
cleared up. The boy rises to his feet, takes
the jewel from his mouth, explains every-
thing that has passed, hands the jewel to the
bishop, to be preserved with other reliques,
and expires.
A miracle versified from an earlier source
by Gautier de Coincy, some thirty or forty
years before the affair of Hugh of Lincoln, is
obviously of the same ultimate origin as the
Prioresses Tale. A poor woman in England
had an only son with a beautiful voice, who
did a good deal for the support of his mother
by his singing. The Virgin took a partic-
ular interest in this clerconcel, among whose
songs was Gaude Maria, which he used to
give in a style that moved many to tears.
One day, when he was playing in the streets
| I do not find this story in the Basel edition of c. 1475.
240
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
with his comrades, they came to the Jews'
street, where some entertainment was going
on which had collected a great many people,
who recognized the boy, and asked him to
give them a song about Our Lady. He sang
with his usual pathos and applause. Jews
were listening with the rest, and one of them
was so exasperated by a passage in the hymn
that he would have knocked the singer on the
head then and there, had 'he dared. When
the crowd was dispersed, this Jew enticed the
child into his house by flattery and promises,
struck him dead with an axe, and buried
him. His mother went in search of him, and
learned the second day that the boy had been
singing in the Jewry the day before, and it
was intimated that the Jews might have laid
hands on him and killed him. The woman
gave the Virgin to understand that if she lost
her child she should never more have confi-
dence in her power ; nevertheless, more than
twenty days passed before any light was
thrown on his disappearance. At the end of
that time, being one day in the Jews' street,
and her wild exclamations having collected a
couple of thousand people, she gave vent to
her conviction that the Jews had killed her
son. Then the Virgin made the child, dead
and buried as he was, sing out Gaude Maria
in a loud and clear voice. An assault was
made on the Jews and the Jews' houses, in-
cluding that of the murderer ; and here, after
much searching, guided by the singing, they
found the boy buried under the door, per-
fectly well, and his face as red as a fresh
cherry. The boy related how he had been
decoyed into the house and struck with an
axe; the Virgin had come to him in what
seemed a sleep, and told him that he was re-
miss in not singing her response as he had
been wont, upon which he began to sing.
Bells were rung, the Virgin was glorified, some
Jews were converted, the rest massacred. (G.
de Coincy, ed. Poquet, col. 557 ff ; Chaucer
Society, Originals and Analogues, p. 253 ff.)
The same miracle, with considerable varia-
tions, occurs in Mariu Saga, ed. Unger, p.
203, No 62, ' Af klerk ok gySingum ; ' also
in Collin de Plancy, Legendes des Saintes
Images, p. 218, * L' Enfant de Choeur de
Notre-Dame du Puy,' under the date 1325.
Murders like that of Hugh of Lincoln have
been imputed to the Jews for at least seven
hundred and fifty years,* and the charge,
which there is reason to suppose may still
from time to time be renewed, has brought
upon the accused every calamity that the
hand of man can inflict, pillage, confiscation,
banishment, torture, and death, and this in
huge proportions. The process of these mur-
ders has often been described as a parody of
the crucifixion of Jesus. The motive most
commonly alleged, in addition to the expres-
sion of contempt for Christianity, has been
the obtaining of blood for use in the Paschal
rites, — a most unhappily devised slander, in
stark contradiction with Jewish precept and
practice. That no Christian child was ever
killed by a Jew, that there never even was
so much truth as that (setting aside the ob-
ject) in a single case of these particular crimi-
nations, is what no Christian or Jew would
undertake to assert ; but of these charges in
the mass it may safely be said, as it has been
said, that they are as credible as the miracles
which, in a great number of cases, are asserted
to have been worked by the reliques of the
young saints, and as well substantiated as the
absurd sacrilege of stabbing, baking, or boil-
ing the Host,f or the enormity of poisoning
springs, with which the Jews have equally
been taxed.J And these pretended child-mur-
* A case cited by Eisentnenger, Entdecktes Judenthum,
2r Theil, p. 220, from Socrates, Ecclesiastical History, 1.
vii, 16, differs from later ones by being a simple extrava-
gance of drunkenness. Some Jews in Syria, " A. D. 419," who
were making merry after their fashion, and indulging in a
good deal of tomfoolery, began, as they felt the influence of
wine, to jeer at Christ and Christians ; from which they
proceeded to the seizing of a Christian boy and tying him
to a cross. At first they were contented to make game of
him, but, growing crazy with drink, they fell to beating him,
and even beat him to death ; for which they were properly
punished.
t See the ballads ' Vom Judenmord zu Deggendorf/ 1337,
' Von den Juden zu Passau,' 1478, in Liliencron, I, 45, No
12, II, 142, No 153.
t Nothing could be more just than these words of Percy :
" If we consider, on the one hand, the ignorance and super-
stition of the times when such stories took their rise, the
virulent prejudices of the monks who record them, and the
eagerness with which they would be catched up by the bar-
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
ders, with their horrible consequences, are
only a part of a persecution which, with all
moderation, may be rubricated as the most
disgraceful chapter in the history of the hu-
man race.*
Cases in England, besides that of Hugh of
Lincoln, are William of Norwich, 1137, the
Saxon Chronicle, Earle, p. 263, Acta Sancto-
rum, March (25), III, 588 ; a boy at Glouces-
ter, 1160, Broinpton, in Twysden, col. 1050,
Knyghton, col. 2394 ; Robert of St Edmonds-
bury, 1181, Gervasius Dorobornensis, Twys-
den, col. 1458 ; a boy at Norwich, stolen, cir-
cumcised, and kept for crucifixion, 1235, Mat-
thew Paris, Chronica Majora, Luard, III, 305
(see also III, 543, 1239, IV, 30, 1240) ; a boy
at London, 1244, Matthew Paris, IV, 377
(doubtful, but solemnly buried in St. Paul's) ;
a boy at Northampton, 1279, crucified, but not
quite killed, the continuator of Florence of
Worcester, Thorpe, II, 222.
It would be tedious and useless to attempt
to make a collection of the great number of
similar instances which have been mentioned
by chroniclers and ecclesiastical writers ;
enough come readily to hand without much
research.
A boy was crucified and thrown into the
Loire by the Jews of Blois in 1171 : Sigiberti
Gemblacensis Chronica, auctarium Roberti
de Monte, in Pertz, Mon. Germ. Hist. Script.,
VI, 520, Gratz, Geschichte der Juden, VI,
217-19. Philip Augustus had heard in his
early years from playmates that the Jews sac-
rificed a Christian annually (and, according to
some, partook of his heart), and this is repre-
sented as having been his reason for expelling
the Jews from France. Richard of Pontoise
was one of these victims, in 1179 : Rigordus,
barous populace as a pretence for plunder; on the other
hand, the great danger incurred by the perpetrators, and the
inadequate motives they could have to excite them to a
crime of so much horror, we may reasonably conclude the
whole charge to be groundless and malicious." Reliques,
1795,1,32.
* Read the indictment against Christians filed by Zunz,
Die synagogale Poesie des Mittelalters, pp 19-58, covering
the time from the eleventh century to the middle of the
sixteenth. It is regrettable that Zunz has not generally
cited his authorities. See also Stobbe, Die Juden in
Deutschland, p. 183 ff., and notes, p. 280 ff., where the au-
thorities are given.
VOL. III. 31
Gesta Philippi Augusti, p. 14 f., § 6, and
Guillelmus Armoricus, p. 179, § 17, in the
edition of 1882 ; Acta Sanctorum, March
(25), III, 591. France had such a martvr as
late as 1670 : see the case of Raphael LeVy in
Eisenmenger, Entdecktes Judenthum, 2r
Theil, 224; Drumont, La France Juive, II,
402-09.
Alfonso the Wise has recorded in the Siete
Partidas, 1255, that he had heard that the
Jews were wont to crucify on Good Friday
children that they had stolen (or waxen im-
ages, when children were not to be had), Par-
tida VII, Tit. XXIV, Ley iia, III, 670, ed.
1807, and this was one of the most effective
grounds offered in justification of the expul-
sion of the Jews under Ferdinand and Isa-
bella: Amador de los Rios, Historia de los
Judios de Espana, I, 483 f. San Dominguito
de Val, a choir-boy of seven, Chaucer's cler-
geon over again, was said to have been stolen
and crucified at Saragossa in 1250 : Basnage,
Histoire des Juifs, 1726, vol. ix, 2d part, pp.
484-86 ; Acta SS., Aug. (31), VI, 777. Sev-
eral children were crucified at Valladolid in
1452, and like outrages occurred near Zamora
in 1454, and at Sepulveda in 1468 : Gratz,
VIII, 238. Juan Passamonte, '*el nino de
Guardia," was kidnapped in 1489, and cruci-
fied in 1490 : Llorente (Pellier), Histoire de
1'Inquisition, ed. 1818, I, 258 f.
Switzerland affords several stories of the
sort : a boy at Frisingen in 1287, Ulrich,
Sammlung jiidischer Geschichten, p. 149 ; Ru-
dolf of Bern, 1288 or 1294, Ulrich, pp. 143-
49, Acta Sanctorum, April (17), II, 504,
Stobbe, Die Juden in Deutschland, p. 283 ; a
boy at Zurich, 1349, another at Diessenhofen,
1401, Ulrich, pp. 82, 248 f.
Examples are particularly numerous in
Germany. 1181, Vienna, Zunz, p. 25 ; 1198,
Nuremberg, Stobbe, p. 281 ; about 1200, Er-
furt, Zunz, p. 26 ; 1220, St Henry, Weissen-
burg, Acta SS., April, II, 505 (but 1260,
Schcepflin, Alsatia Illustrata, II, 394 f.) ;
1235-6, Fulda, Gratz, Geschichte der Juden,
VII, 109, 460; 1261, Magdeburg, Stobbe, p.
282 ; 1283, Mayence, Gratz, VII, 199 ; 1285,
Munich, Gratz, VII, 200, Aretin, Geschichte
242
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
der Juden in Baiern, p. 18 ; 1286, Oberwesel,
near Bacharach, Werner (boy or man), Gratz,
VII, 201, 479, Stobbe, p. 282, Acta Sancto-
rum, April (19), II, 697; 1292, Colmar,
Stobbe, p. 283; 1293, Krems, ib. ; 1302,
Remken, ib. ; 1303, Conrad, at Weissensee,
ib. ; 1345, Henry, at Munich, Acta SS., May
(27), VI, 657 ; 1422, Augsburg, or 1429,
Ravensburg, Ulrich, p. 88 ff ; 1454, Breslau,
Gratz, VIII, 205 ; 1462, Andrew, in Tyrol,
Acta SS., July (12), III, 462; 1474 and
1476, Ratisbon, Zeitschrift fur die historische
Theologie (Train, Geschichte der Juden in
Regensburg), 1837, Heft 3, p. 98 ff., 104 ff.,
and (Saalschiitz), 1841, Heft 4, p. 140 ff.,
Gratz, VIII, 279 ff. ; 1475, Simon of Trent,
Muratori, Rer. Ital. Script., XX, 945-49
(Annals of Placentia), Liliencron, Histo-
rische V. 1. der Deutschen, II, 13, No 128,
Gratz, VIII, 269 ff., Acta SS., March (24),
III, 494, La Civilta Cattolica, 1881 and
1882 ; * a little before 1478, Baden, Train, as
above, p. 117 ; 1540, Zappenfeld, near Neu-
burg (nothing "proved"), Aretin, p. 44 f . ;
1562, Andrew, Tyrol, Acta SS., July (12),
III, 462, with a picture,! P- 464; 1650, Caden
(and others in Styria, Carinthia, and Carni-
ola), Eisenmenger, Entdecktes Judenthum,
1711, 2* Theil, p. 223 ; near Sigeberg, in
the diocese of Cologne, Joanettus, Acta SS.,
March, III, 502, with no year.
Italy appears to be somewhat behind the
rest of Europe. The Fortalicium Fidei re-
* In vol. viii, pp 225, 344, 476, 598, 730, vol. ix. 107, 219,
353, 472, 605, the confessions of the defendants are given
from the original minutes of the trial ; and it fully appears
from these confessions that blood is requisite for a proper
performance of the Paschal ceremonies, and also that the
blood must be got from a boy, and from a boy while he is
undergoing torment. Only it is to be remembered that the
inducements to these confessions were the same as those
which led the Jews of Passau to acknowledge that blood ex-
uded from the Host when it was stabbed, and that when two
bits of the wafer were thrown into an oven two doves flew
out : Train, as above, p. 116, note 57.
t For other pictures of these martyrdoms, see the Nurem-
berg Chronicle, 1493, fol. ccliiii, v°, for Simon of Trent;
Lacroix, Mceurs, Usages, etc., 1875, p. 473, for Richard of
Pontoise, p. 475, for Simon, repeated from the N. Chron. ;
that of Munich, 1285, and the children of Ratisbon, repro-
duced in Cosmos, March 30, 1885 (according to Drumont,
II, 418, note). See also Michel, Hugues de Lincoln, p. 54,
note 41.
ports a case at Pavia some time before 1456,
and another at Savona of about 1452 : Basel
ed. (c. 1475), fol. 116 f. 1480, Venice, Beato
Sebastiano da Porto Buffold del Bergamasco,
Civilta Cattolica, X, 737. Israel, one of the
culprits of Trent, revealed his knowledge of
similar transactions at Padova, Mestre, Serra-
valle and Bormio, in the course of his own
life, besides several in Germany: Civ. Catt.,
X, 737.
Further, 1305, Prague, Eisenmenger, p.
221; 1407, Cracow, " Dlugosz, Hist. Polo-
nicae, 1. x, p. 187 ; " 1494, Tyrnau, Ungeri-
sche Chronica, 1581, p. 375 ; 1505, Budweis,
Stobbe, p. 292; 1509, Bosing, Hungary,
Eisenmenger, p. 222 ; 1569, Constantinople,
Fickler, Theologia Juridica, 1575, p. 505
(cited by Michel) ; 1598, Albertus, in Polo-
nia, Acta SS., April (circa 20), II, 835.
Train, as above, p. 98, note, adds, with au-
thorities, Pforzheim, Ueberlingen, Swabisch-
Hall, Friuli, Halle, Eichstadt, Berlin. See
also Acta SS., April, III, 838 (De pluribus
innocentibus per Judaeos excruciatis), March,
III, 589, and April, II, 505; and Drumont,
La France Juive, II, 392 f.
The charge against the Jews of murdering
children for their blood is by no means as yet
a thing of the past. The accusation has been
not infrequently made in Russia during the
present century. Although the entertaining
of such an inculpation was forbidden by an
imperial ukase in 1817, a criminal process on
this ground, involving forty-three persons, was
instituted in 1823, and was brought to a close
only in 1835, when the defendants were ac-
quitted on account of the entire failure of
proof: Stobbe, p. 186. The murder of a child
of six in Neuhoven, in the district of Diissel-
dorf, in 1834, occasioned the demolition of
two Jewish houses and a synagogue : Illgen, in
Zeitschrift fur die historische Theologie, 1837,
Heft 3, 40, note. In February, 1840, a Greek
boy of ten disappeared in Rhodes. The Jews
were believed to have killed him for his blood.
Torture was freely used to extort confessions.
The case was removed to Constantinople, and
in July, upon the report of the supreme court,
the Divan pronounced the innocence of the
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
243
defendants : Illgen, Z. f. d. Hist. Theol., 1841,
Heft 4, p. 172, note, Hume, Sir Hugh of
Lincoln, p. 30.* In 1881, the Jews were in
suspicion on account of a boy at Alexandria,
and of a girl at Calarasi, Wallachia : Civilta
Gattolica, VIII, 225, 737. The Moniteur de
Rome, June 15, 1883, affords several more
of these too familiar tales. A Greek child
was stolen at Smyrna, a few years before the
date last mentioned, towards the time of the
Passover, and its body found four days after,
punctured with pins in a thousand places.
The mother, like Beatrice in 1255, denounced
the Jews as the culprits ; the Christian popu-
lation rose in a mass, rushed to the Jews'
quarter, and massacred more than six hun-
dred. An affair of the same nature took place
at Balata, the Ghetto of Constantinople, in
1842, of which the consequences to the Jews
are not mentioned ; and again at Galata,
"where the Jews escaped by bribing the
Turkish police to suppress testimony " (Dru-
mont, II, 412). A young girl disappeared at
Tisza-Eszlar, in Hungary, in April, 1882, and
the Jews were suspected of having made away
with her. The prelim inary judicial inquiry
was marked by the intimidation and torture
of several persons examined for evidence. Fif-
teen who were held for trial were absolutely
acquitted in August, 1883, after more than a
year of imprisonment. The shops of Jews in
Budapest were plundered by Christians dis-
appointed in the verdict ! (Der Blut-Prozess
von Tisza-Eszlar, New York, 1883.)
B is translated by Herder, I, 120 ; by Bod-
mer, I, 59 ; in Seckendorf's Musenalmanach
fur das Jahr 1808, p. 5 ; by Doering, p. 163 ;
by Von Marges, p. 48. Allingham's ballad by
Knortz, Lieder u. Romanzen Alt-Englands,
p. 118.
Jamieson's Popular Ballads, I, 151, as taken down by the
editor from Mrs Brown's recitation.
1 FOUB and twenty bonny boys
Were playing at the ba,
And by it came him sweet Sir Hugh,
And he playd oer them a'.
2 He kickd the ba with his right foot,
And catchd it wi his knee,
And throuch-and-thro the Jew's window
He gard the bonny ba flee.
3 He's doen him to the Jew's castell,
And walkd it round about ;
And there he saw the Jew's daughter,
At the window looking out.
4 ' Throw down tbe ba, ye Jew's daughter,
Throw down the ba to me ! '
* The extraordinary occurrence in Damascus in the same
year, 1840, which excited the indignation, sympathy, and
active interposition of nearly all the civilized world, requires
but the briefest allusion. A capuchin friar was in this in-
stance the victim immolated, and for blood to mix with the
Paschal bread. The most frightful torture was used, under
the direction of the Turkish pacha, assisted by the French
' Never a bit,' says the Jew's daughter,
4 Till up to me come ye.'
5 'How will I come up ? How can I come up?
How can I come to thee ?
For as ye did to my auld father,
The same ye '11 do to me.'
6 She 's gane till her father's garden,
And pu'd an apple red and green ;
'Twas a' to wyle him sweet Sir Hugh,
And to entice him in.
7 She 's led him in through ae dark door,
And sae has she thro nine ;
She 's laid him on a dressing-table,
And stickit him like a swine.
8 And first came out the thick, thick blood,
And syne came out the thin,
And syne came out the bonny heart's blood ;
There was nae mair within.
consul, under which three unhappy men succumbed. See
Illgen's detailed account of this persecution in the periodical
and article above cited, pp. 153 ff. Drnmont is of the same
mind as he would have been four or five hundred years
ago : " les faits etaient prouves, demontre's, indiscntables "
(La France Juive, II, 411 ).
244
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
9 She 's rowd him in a cake o lead,
Bade him lie still and sleep ;
She 's thrown him in Our Lady's draw-well,
Was fifty fathom deep.
10 When bells were rung, and mass was sung,
And a' the bairns came hame,
When every lady gat hame her son,
The Lady Maisry gat nane.
11 She 's taen her mantle her about,
Her coffer by the hand,
And she 's gane out to seek her son,
And wanderd oer the land.
12 She 's doen her to the Jew's castell,
Where a' were fast asleep :
' Gin ye be there, my sweet Sir Hugh,
I pray you to me speak.'
13 She 's doen her to the Jew's garden,
Thought he had been gathering fruit :
' Gin ye be there, my sweet Sir Hugh,
I pray you to me speak.'
14 She neard Our Lady's deep draw-well,
Was fifty fathom deep :
' Whareer ye be, my sweet Sir Hugh,
I pray you to me speak.'
15 ' Gae hame, gae hame, my mither dear,
Prepare my winding sheet,
And at the back o merry Lincoln
The morn I will you meet.'
16 Now Lady Maisry is gane hame,
Made him a winding sheet,
And at the back o merry Lincoln
The dead corpse did her meet.
17 And a' the bells o merry Lincoln
Without men's hands were rung,
And a' the books o merry Lincoln
Were read without man's tongue,
And neer was such a burial
Sin Adam's days begun.
B
Percy's R cliques, 1, 32, 1765 ; from a manuscript copy sent
from Scotland.
1 THE rain rins doun througn Mirry-land toune,
Sae dois it doune the Pa ;
Sae dois the lads of Mirry-land toune,
Whan they play at the ba.
2 Than out and cam the Jewis dochter,
Said, Will ye cum in and dine ?
' I winnae cum in, I cannae cum in,
Without my play-feres nine.'
3 Scho powd an apple reid and white,
To intice the yong thing in :
Scho powd an apple white and reid,
And that the sweit bairne did win.
4 And scho has taine out a little pen-knife,
And low down by her gair ;
Scho has twin'd the yong thing and his life,
A word he nevir spak mair.
5 And out and cam the thick, thick bluid,
And out and cam the thin,
And out and cam the bonny herts bluid ;
Thair was nae life left in.
6 Scho laid him on a dressing-borde,
And drest him like a swine,
And laughing said, Gae nou and pley
With your sweit play-feres nine.
7 Scho rowd him in a cake of lead,
Bade him lie stil and sleip ;
Scho cast him in a deip draw-well,
Was fifty fadom deip.
8 Whan bells wer rung, and mass was sung,
And every lady went hame,
Than ilka lady had her yong sonne,
Bot Lady Helen had nane.
9 Scho rowd hir mantil hir about,
And sair, sair gan she weip,
And she ran into the Jewis castel,
Whan they wer all asleip.
10 ' My bonny Sir Hew, my pretty Sir Hew,
I pray thee to me speik : '
' 0 lady, rinn to the deip draw-well,
Gin ye your sonne wad seik.'
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
245
11 Lady Helen ran to the deip draw-well,
And knelt upon her kne :
' My bonny Sir Hew, an ye be here,
I pray thee speik to me.'
12 ' The lead is wondrous heavy, mither,
The well is wondrous deip ;
A keen pen-knife sticks in my hert,
A word I dounae speik.
13 ' Gae hame, gae hame, my mither deir,
Fetch me my windling sheet,
And at the back o Mirry-land toun,
It 's thair we twa sail meet.'
0
Percy papers ; communicated to Percy by Paton, in 1768
or 69, and derived from a friend of Paton's.
1 FOUR and twenty bonny boys
War playing at the ba ;
Then up and started sweet Sir Hew,
The flower amang them a'.
2 He hit the ba a kick wi 's fit,
And kept it wi his knee,
That up into the Jew's window
He gart the bonny ba flee.
3 ' Cast doun the ba to me, fair maid,
Cast doun the ba to me ; '
' 0 neer a bit o the ba ye get
Till ye cum up to me.
4 ' Cum up, sweet Hew, cum up, dear Hew,
Cum up and get the ba ; '
* I canna cum, I darna cum,
Without my play-feres twa.'
6 'Cum up, sweet Hew, cum up, dear Hew,
Cum up and play wi me ; '
' I canna cum, I darna cum,
Without my play-feres three.'
6 She 's gane into the Jew's garden,
Where the grass grew lang and green ;
She powd an apple red and white,
To wyle the young thing in.
7 She wyl'd him into ae chamber,
She wyl'd him into twa,
She wyl'd him to her ain chamber,
The fairest o them a'.
8 She laid him on a dressing-board,
Where she did sometimes dine ;
She put a penknife in his heart,
And dressed him like a swine.
9 Then out and cam the thick, thick blude,
Then out and cam the thin ;
Then out and cam the bonny heart's blude,
Where a' the life lay in.
10 She rowd him in a cake of lead,
Bad him lie still and sleep ;
She cast him in the Jew's draw-well,
Was fifty fadom deep.
11 She 's tane her mantle about her head,
Her pike-staff in her hand,
And prayed Heaven to be her guide
Unto some uncouth land.
12 His mither she cam to the Jew's castle,
And there ran thryse about :
' O sweet Sir Hew, gif ye be here,
I pray ye to me speak.'
13 She cam into the Jew's garden,
And there ran thryse about :
* O sweet Sir Hew, gif ye be here,
I pray ye to me speak.'
14 She cam unto the Jew's draw-well,
And there ran thryse about :
' O sweet Sir Hew, gif ye be here,
I pray ye to me speak.'
15 ' How can I speak, how dare I speak,
How can I speak to thee ?
The Jew's penknife sticks in my heart,
I canna speak to thee.
16 ' Gang hame, gang hame, O mither dear,
And shape my winding sheet,
And at the birks of Mirryland town
There you and I shall meet.'
17 Whan bells war rung, and mass was sung,
And a' men bound for bed,
Every mither had her son,
But sweet Sir Hew was dead.
246
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
Herd's MS., I, 213 ; stanzas 7-10, II, 219.
1 A' THE boys of merry Linkim
War playing at the ba,
An up it stands him sweet Sir Hugh,
The flower amang them a'.
2 He keppit the ba than wi his foot,
And catchd it wi his knee,
And even in at the Jew's window
He gart the bonny ba flee.
3 ' Cast out the ba to me, fair maid,
Cast out the ba to me ! '
'Ah never a bit of it,' she says,
* Till ye come up to me.
4 ' Come up, sweet Hugh, come up, dear Hugh,
Come up and get the ba' ! '
* I winna come up, I mayna come [up],
Without my bonny boys aV
5 * Come up, sweet Hugh, come up, dear Hugh,
Come up and speak to me ! '
' I mayna come up, I winna come up,
Without my bonny boys three.'
6 She 's taen her to the Jew's garden,
Where the grass grew lang and green,
She 's pu'd an apple reid and white,
To wyle the bonny boy in.
7 She 's wyl'd him in thro ae chamber,
She 's wyl'd him in thro twa,
She 's wyl'd him till her ain chamber,
The flower out owr them a'.
8 She 's laid him on a dressin-board,
Whare she did often dine ;
She stack a penknife to his heart,
And dressd him like a swine.
9 She rowd him in a cake of lead,
Bade him lie still and sleep ;
She threw him i the Jew's draw-well,
'T was fifty fathom deep.
10 Whan bells was rung, and mass was sung,
An a' man bound to bed,
Every lady got hame her son,
But sweet Sir Hugh was dead.
E
Motherwell's Minstrelsy, p. 51, as taken down from the
recitation of a lady.
1 YESTERDAY was brave Hallo wday,
And, above all days of the year,
The schoolboys all got leave to play,
And little Sir Hugh was there.
2 He kicked the ball with his foot,
And kepped it with his knee,
And even in at the Jew's window
He gart the bonnie ba flee.
3 Out then came the Jew's daughter :
* Will ye come in and dine ? '
* I winna come in, and I canna come in,
Till I get that ball of mine.
4 ' Throw down that ball to me, maiden,
Throw down the ball to me ! '
* I winna throw down your ball, Sir Hugh,
Till ye come up to me.'
5 She pu'd the apple frae the tree,
It was baith red and green ;
She gave it unto little Sir Hugh,
With that his heart did win.
6 She wiled him into ae chamber,
She wiled him into twa,
She wiled him into the third chamber,
And that was warst o't a'.
7 She took out a little penknife,
Hung low down by her spare,
She twined this young thing o his life,
And a word he neer spak mair.
8 And first came out the thick, thick blood,
And syne came out the thin,
And syne came out the bonnie heart's blood,
There was nae mair within.
9 She laid him on a dressing-table,
She dressd him like a swine ;
Says, Lie ye there, my bonnie Sir Hugh,
Wi yere apples red and green !
155. SIR HUGH, OB, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
247
10 She put him in a case of lead,
Says, Lie ye there and sleep !
She threw him into the deep draw-well,
Was fifty fathom deep.
11 A schoolboy walking in the garden
Did grievously hear him moan ;
He ran away to the deep draw-well,
And fell down on his knee.
12 Says, Bonnie Sir Hugh, and pretty Sir
Hugh,
I pray you speak to me !
If you speak to any body in this world,
I pray you speak to me.
13 When bells were rung, and mass was sung,
And every body went hame,
Then every lady had her son,
But Lady Helen had nane.
14 She rolled her mantle her about,
And sore, sore did she weep ;
She ran away to the Jew's castle,
When all were fast asleep.
15 She cries, Bonnie Sir Hugh, O pretty Sir
Hugh,
I pray you speak to me !
If you speak to any body in this world,
I pray you speak to me.
16 ' Lady Helen, if ye want your son,
I '11 tell ye where to seek ;
Hume's Sir Hugh of Lincoln, p. 35, obtained from recita-
tion in Ireland.
1 'T WAS on a summer's morning
Some scholars were playing at ball,
When out came the Jew's daughter
And leaud her back against the wall.
2 She said unto the fairest boy,
Come here to me, Sir Hugh ;
' No ! I will not,' said he,
' Without my playfellows too.'
3 She took an apple out of her pocket,
And trundled it along the plain,
Lady Helen, if ye want your son,
He 's in the well sae deep.'
17 She ran away to the deep draw-well,
And she fell down on her knee,
Saying, Bonnie Sir Hugh, O pretty Sir Hugh,
I pray ye speak to me !
If ye speak to any body in the world,
I pray ye speak to me.
18 ' Oh the lead it is wondrous heavy, mother,
The well it is wondrous deep ;
The little penknife sticks in my throat,
And I downa to ye speak.
19 ' But lift me out o this deep draw-well,
And bury me in yon churchyard ;
20 ' Put a Bible at my head,' he says,
' And a Testament at my feet,
And pen and ink at every side,
And I '11 lie still and sleep.
21 ' And go to the back of Maitland towns
Bring me my winding sheet ;
For it 's at the back of Maitland town
That you and I shall meet.'
22 O the broom, the bonny, bonny broom.
The broom that makes full sore,
A woman's mercy is very little,
But a man's mercy is more.
And who was readiest to lift it
Was little Sir Hugh again.
4 She took him by the milk-white han,
An led him through many a hall,
Until they came to one stone chamber,
Where no man might hear his call.
5 She set him in a goolden chair,
And jaggd him with a pin,
And called for a goolden cup
To houl his heart's blood in.
6 She tuk him by the yellow hair,
An also by the feet,
An she threw him in the deep draw-well ;
It was fifty f adorn deep.
248
155. SIB HUGH, OB, THE JEW'S DAUGHTEB
7 Day bein over, the night came on,
And the scholars all went home ;
Then every mother had her son,
But little Sir Hugh's had none.
8 She put her mantle about her head,
Tuk a little rod in her han,
An she says, Sir Hugh, if I fin you here,
I will bate you for stayin so long.
9 First she went to the Jew's door,
But they were fast asleep ;
An then she went to the deep draw-well,
That was fifty fadom deep.
10 She says, Sir Hugh, if you be here,
As I suppose you be,
If ever the dead or quick arose,
Arise and spake to me.
11 ' Yes, mother dear, I am here,
I know I have staid very long ;
But a little penknife was stuck in my heart,
Till the •stream ran down full strong.
12 ' And mother dear, when you go home,
Tell my playfellows all
That I lost my life by leaving them,
When playing that game of ball.
13 ' And ere another day is gone,
My winding-sheet prepare,
And bury me in the green churchyard,
Where the flowers are bloomin fair.
14 ' Lay my Bible at my head,
My Testament at my feet ;
The earth and worms shall be my bed,
Till Christ and I shall meet.'
G
a. Written down by Mrs Dulany, January 14, 1885,
from the recitation of her mother, Mrs Nourse, aged above
ninety, as learned when a child, in Philadelphia, b. From
the same source, furnished several years earlier by Miss
Ferine, of Baltimore.
1 IT rains, it rains in old Scotland,
And down the rain does fa,
And all the boys in our town
Are out a playing at ba.
2 ' You toss your balls too high, my boys,
You toss your balls too low ;
You '11 toss them into the Jew's garden,
Wherein you darst not go.'
3 Then out came one of the Jew's daughters,
All dressed in red and green :
* Come in, come in, my pretty little boy,
And get your ball again.'
4 ' I winna come in, and I canna come in,
Without my playmates all,
And without the will of my mother dear,
Which would cause my heart's blood to fall.'
5 She shewed him an apple as green as grass,
She shewed him a gay gold ring,
She shewed him a cherry as red as blood,
Which enticed the little boy in.
6 She took him by the lily-white hand,
And led him into the hall,
And laid him on a dresser-board,
And that was the worst of all.
7 She laid the Bible at his head,
The Prayer-Book at his feet,
And with a penknife small
She stuck him like a sheep.
8 Six pretty maids took him by the head,
And six took him by the feet,
And threw him into a deep draw-well,
That was eighteen fathoms deep.
9 'The lead is wondrous heavy, mother,
The well is wondrous deep,
A keen pen-knife sticks in my heart,
And nae word more can I speak.'
i55. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
249
H
Communicated by Miss Ferine, of Baltimore, Maryland,
as sung by her mother about 1825.
1 IT rains, it rains in fair Scotland,
It rains both great and small
2 He tossed the ball so high, so low,
He tossed the ball so low,
He tossed it over the Jew's garden-wall,
Where no one dared to go.
3 Out came one of the Jew's daughters,
All dressed in apple-green ;
Said she, My dear little boy, come in,
And pick up your ball again.
4 ' I dare not come, I will not come,
I dare not come at all ;
For if I should, I know you would
Cause my blood to fall.'
5 She took him by the lily-white hand,
And led him thro the kitchen ;
And there he saw his own dear maid
A roasting of a chicken.
6 She put him in a little chair,
And pinned him with a pin,
And then she called for a wash-basin,
To spill his life blood in.
7 ' O put the Bible at my head,
And the Testament at my feet,
And when my mother calls for me,
You may tell her I 'm gone to sleep.'
Sir E. Brydges, Restitnta, I, 381, "obtained some years
since" (1814) from the recitation of an aged lady.
1 IT rams, it rains in merry Scotland,
It rains both great and small,
And all the children in merry Scotland
Are playing at the ball.
2 They toss the ball so high, so high,
They toss the ball so low,
They toss the ball in the Jew's garden,
Where the Jews are sitting a row.
3 Then up came one of the Jew's daughters,
Cloathed all in green :
* Come hither, come hither, my pretty Sir Hugh,
And fetch thy ball again.'
4 ' I durst not come, I durst not go,
Without my play-f ellowes all ;
For if my mother should chance to know,
She 'd cause my blood to fall.'
5 She laid him upon the dresser-board,
And stuck him like a sheep ;
She laid the Bible at his head,
The Testament at his feet,
The Catechise-Book in his own heart's blood,
With a penknife stuck so deep.
J
a. Notes and Queries, First Series, XII, 496, B. H. C.,
from the manuscript of an old lacemaker in Northampton-
shire, b. N. and Q., First Series, VIII, 614, B. H. C.,
from memory, stanzas 1-6.
1 IT rains, it rains in merry Scotland,
Both little, great and small,
And all the schoolfellows in merry Scotland
Must needs go play at ball.
2 They tossd the ball so high, so high,
With that it came down so low ;
They tossd it over the old Jew's gates,
And broke the old Jew's window.
3 The old Jew's daughter she came out,
Was clothed all in green :
'Come hither, come hither, you young Sir
Hugh,
And fetch your ball again.'
250
155. SIR HUGH, OB, THE JEWS DAUGHTER
4 ' I dare not come, nor I will not come,
Without my schoolfellows come all ;
For I shall be beaten when I go home
For losing of my ball.'
5 She 'ticed him with an apple so red,
And likewise with a fig ;
She threw him over the dresser-board,
And stacked him like a pig.
6 The first came out the thickest of blood,
The second came out so thin,'
The third came out the child's heartrblood,
Where all his life lay in.
7 ' O spare my life ! O spare my life !
0 spare my life ! ' said he ;
* If ever I live to be a young man,
1 '11 do as good chare for thee.'
8 ' I '11 do as good chare for thy true love
As ever I did for the king ;
I will scour a basin as bright as silver
To let your heart-blood run in.'
9 When eleven o'clock was past and gone,
And all the school-fellows came home,
Every mother had her own child
But young Sir Hugh's mother had none.
10 She went up Lincoln and down Lincoln,
And all about Lincoln street,
With her small wand in her right hand,
Thinking of her child to meet.
11 She went till she came to the old Jew's gate,
She knocked with the ring ;
Who should be so ready as the old Jew herself
To rise and let her in !
12 ' What news, fair maid ? what news, fair maid ?
What news have you brought to me ?
13 ' Have you seen any of my child today,
Or any of the rest of my kin ? '
' No, I Ve seen none of your child today,
Nor none of the rest of your kin.'
Notes and Queries, First Series, IX, 320 ; taken down by
S. P. Q. from the recitation of a nurse-maid in Shropshire
about 1810. Salopian Shreds and Patches, July 21, 1875,
in Miss Bnrne's Shropshire Folk-Lore, p. 539.
1 IT hails, it rains, in Merry-Cock land,
It hails, it rains, both great and small,
And all the little children in Merry-Cock land
They have need to play at ball.
2 They tossd the ball so high,
They tossd the ball so low,
Amongst all the Jews' cattle,
And amongst the Jews below.
3 Out came one of the Jew's daughters,
Dressed all in green :
1 Come, my sweet Saluter,
And fetch the ball again.'
4 ' I durst not come, I must not come,
Unless all my little playfellows come along ;
For if my mother sees me at the gate,
She '11 cause my blood to fall.
5 ' She showd me an apple as green as grass,
She showd me a gay gold ring ;
She showd me a cherry as red as blood,
And so she entic'd me in.
6 ' She took me in the parlor,
She took me in the kitchen,
And there I saw my own dear nurse,
A picking of a chicken.
? ' She laid me down to sleep,
With a Bible at my head and a Testament
at my feet ;
And if my playfellows come to quere for me,
Tell them I am asleep/
155. SIR HUGH, OB, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
251
a. Communicated in a letter from the Rev. E. Venables,
Precentor of Lincoln, as sung to him by a nurse-maid nearly
sixty years ago, January 24, 1 885. A Buckinghamshire ver-
sion, b. A Walk through Lincoln Minster, by the Rev. E.
Venables, p. 41, 1884.
1 IT rams, it hails in merry Lincoln,
It rains both great and small,
And all the boys and girls today
Do play at pat the ball.
2 They patted the ball so high, so high,
They patted the ball so low,
They patted it into the Jew's garden,
Where all the Jews do go.
3 Then out it spake the Jew's daughter,
As she leant over the wall ;
'Come hither, come hither, my pretty play-
fellow,
And I '11 give you your ball.'
4 She tempted him [in] with apple so red,
But that wouldnt tempt him in ;
She tempted him in with sugar so sweet,
And so she got him in.
5 Then she put forth her lilly-white hand,
And led him through the hall :
' This way, this way, my pretty play-fellow,
And you shall have your ball.'
6 She led him on through one chamber,
And so she did through nine,
Until she came to her own chamber,
Where she was wont to dine,
And she laid him on a dressing-board,
And sticket him like a swine.
7 Then out it came the thick, thick blood,
And out it came the thin,
And out it came the bonnie heart's blood,
There was no more within.
M
F. H. Groome, In Gipsy Tents, 1880, p. 145 : " first heard
at Shepherd's Bush, in 1872, from little Amy North."
1 DOWN in merry, merry Scotland
It rained both hard and small ;
Two little boys went out one day,
All for to play with a ball.
2 They tossed it up so very, very high,
They tossed it down so low ;
They tossed it into the Jew's garden,
Where the flowers all do blow.
3 Out came one of the Jew's daughters,
Dressed in green all :
' If you come here, my fair pretty lad,
You shall have your ball.'
4 She showed him an apple as green as grass ;
The next thing was a fig ;
The next thing a cherry as red as blood,
And that would 'tice him in.
5 She set him on a golden chair,
And gave him sugar sweet ;
Laid him on some golden chest of drawers,
Stabbed him like a sheep.
6 • Seven foot Bible
At my head and my feet ;
If my mother pass by me,
Pray tell her I 'm asleep.'
N
Newell's Games and Songs of American Children, p. 75,
as sung by a little girl in New York : derived, through her
mother, from a grandmother born in Ireland.
1 IT was on a May, on a midsummer's day,
When it rained, it did tain small ;
And little Harry Hughes and his playfellows
all
Went out to play the ball.
2 He knocked it up, and he knocked it down,
He knocked it oer and oer ;
The very first kick little Harry gave the ball,
He broke the duke's windows all.
3 She came down, the youngest duke's daughter,
She was dressed in green :
' Come back, come back, my pretty little boy,
And play the ball again.'
252
155. SIB HUGH, OB, THE JEW'S DAUGHTEB
4 ' I wont come back, and I daren't come back,
Without my playfellows all ;
And if my mother she should come in,
She 'd make it the bloody ball.'
5 She took an apple out of her pocket,
And rolled it along the plain ;
Little Harry Hughes picked up the apple,
And sorely rued the day.
6 She takes him by the lily-white hand,
And leads him from hall to hall,
Until she came to a little dark room,
That no one could hear him call.
7 She sat herself on a golden chair,
Him on another close by,
And there's where she pulled out her little
penknife,
That was both sharp and fine.
8 Little Harry Hughes had to pray for his soul,
For his days were at an end ;
She stuck her penknife in little Harry's heart,
And first the blood came very thick, and
then came very thin.
9 She rolled him in a quire of tin,
That was in so many a fold ;
She rolled him from that to a little draw-well,
That was fifty fathoms deep.
10 ' Lie there, lie there, little Harry,' she cried,
* And God forbid you to swim,
If you be a disgrace to me,
Or to any of my friends.'
11 The day passed by, and the night came on,
And every scholar was home,
And every mother had her own child,
But poor Harry's mother had none.
12 She walked up and down the street,
With a little sally rod in her hand,
And God directed her to the little draw-well,
That was fifty fathoms deep.
13 ' If you be there, little Harry,' she said,
' And God forbid you to be,
Speak one word to your own dear mother,
That is looking all over for thee.'
14 ' This I am, dear mother,' he cried,
' And lying in great pain,
With a little penknife lying close to my heart,
And the duke's daughter she has me slain.
4 Give my blessing to my schoolfellows all,
And tell them to be at the church,
And make my grave both large and deep,
And my coffin of hazel and green birch.
' Put my Bible at my head,
My busker (?) at my feet,
My little prayer-book at my right side,
And sound will be my sleep.'
15
16
G. A. Sala, Illustrated London News, October 21, 1882,
LXXXI, 415, repeated in Living London, 1883, p. 465:
heard from a nurse in childhood.
1 IT rains, it rains, in merry Scotland,
It rains both great and small,
And all the children in merry Scotland
Must needs play at balL
2 They toss the ball so high,
And they toss the ball so low ;
They toss it into the Jew's garden,
Where the Jews sate all of a row.
A-dressed all in green :
* Come in, come in, my pretty lad,
And you shall have your ball again.*
4 ' They set me in a chair of state,
And gave me sugar sweet ;
They laid me on a dresser-board,
And stuck me like a sheep.
5 ' Oh lay a Bible at my head,
And a Prayer-Book at my feet !
In the well that they did throw me in,
Full five-and-fifty feet deep.'
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
253
Halliwell, Ballads and Poems respecting Hugh of Lincoln,
p. 37, Halliwell's Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales, p.
192, ed. 1849: communicated by Miss Agnes Strickland,
from oral tradition at Godalming, Surrey.
1 HE tossed the ball so high, so high,
He tossed the ball so low,
He tossed the ball in the Jew's garden,
And the Jews were all below.
2 Oh then out came the Jew's daughter,
She was dressed all in green :
'Come hither, come hither, my sweet pretty
fellow,
And fetch your ball again.'
Q
Motherwell's Note-Book, p. 54, as sung by Widow Michael,
an old woman in Barhead.
1 A' the bairns o Lincolnshire
Were learning at the school,
And every Saturday at een
They learnt their lessons weel.
2 The Jew's dochter sat in her bower-door,
Sewing at her seam ;
She spied a' the bonnie bairns,
As they cam out and hame.
Motherwell's Minstrelsy, Appendix, p. xvii, VII.
IT was in the middle o the midsimmer tyme,
When the scule weans playd at the ba, ba,
Out and cam the Jew's dochter,
And on little Sir Hew did ca, ca,
And on little Sir Hew did ca.
B. Initial quh is changed to wh : z, for 3, to y.
C. "'The Jew's Daughter,' which you say was
transmitted to Mr Dodsley by a friend of
yours, never reached me, and Mr Dodsley
says he knows nothing of it. I wish you
would prevail on your friend to try to recol-
lect or recover it, and send me another copy
by you." Percy to Paton, Jan. 12, 1769.
The copy in the Percy papers is in Paton 's
hand.
I4. First written : The fairest o them a'.
74. First written : The flower amang them a'.
D. 104. bells were, in the second copy.
E. 92. a swan.
P. Hume says, p. 5, that he first heard the bal-
lad in early boyhood ; "it was afterwards
readily identified with Sir Hugh of Lincoln,
though the rustic minstrel from whom I re-
ceived it made no allusion to locality." One
cannot tell whether this copy is the ballad
heard in early boyhood.
141. " This and the next verse are trans-
posed." Hume.
Q. a. 2*. darest.
b. I2, doth fall. I8. When all.
I4. Were out a playing ball.
21. We toss the balls so.
22. We toss the balls so. 2s. We Ve tossed it
2*. Where no one dares to.
31. out and came the Jew's daughter.
38. Said, Come.
41. will not come in, I cannot.
42. playfellows. 48. Nor for And.
44. Which will. After 4 :
I must not come, I dare not come,
I cannot come at all,
For if my mother should call for me,
I cannot hear her call.
5*. To entice this.
After 5 (compare Miss Perine's own version,
H6):
She put him in a little chair,
She pinned him with a pin,
254
155. SIR HUGH, OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER
And then she called for a wash-basin,
To spill his heart's blood in.
68. dressing. 7a. And the. 8 comes before 6.
8*. they threw : deep dark well.
8*. Was fifty fathoms. 9 wanting.
J.a.64. Whereer.
b. la. It rains both great.
2*. And yet it. 3*. thou young.
41. I dare not come, I dare not come.
48. Unless my.
4*. And I shall be flogged when I get.
58. She laid him on the.
61. The thickest of blood did first come out.
6*. The third that came was his dear heart's
blood.
64. Where all his. 7-13 wanting.
K. There are slight changes in the second copy.
4s. all wanting. 51*3. The first as wanting.
L. a. " After nearly sixty years my memory is not
altogether trustworthy, and I am not alto-
gether sure how far I have mixed up my
childish recollections with later forms of the
ballad which I have read."
The singer tagged on to this fragment version
C of The Maid freed from the Gallows,
given at II, 352.
b. I8. For all. 31. it wanting. 41. him in.
44. And wiled the young thing in.
5. wanting. 61. him in through one dark door.
62. she has. 6M wanting.
65. She 's laid him. After 1 :
She 's rolled him in a cake of lead,
Bade him lie still and sleep,
And thrown him in St Mary's well,
'T was fifty fathoms deep.
When bells were rung, and mass was sung,
And all the boys came home,
Then every mother had her own son,
But Lady Maisy had none.
N. " The writer was not a little surprised to hear
from a group of colored children, in the
streets of New York city (though in a more
incoherent form), the following ballad. He
traced the song to a little girl living in one
of the cabins near Central Park, from whom
he obtained this version. . . . The mother of
the family had herself been born in New
York, of Irish parentage, but had learned
from her own mother, and handed down to
her children, such legends of the past as the
ballad we cite." Communicated to me by
Mr. Newell some considerable time before
publication.
O. 3. " One of the Jew's daughter's, * a-dressed all
in green,' issues from the garden and says,
Come in, etc."
ISS2.
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