Chapter XV: Appendix: Robin Hood and the Sheriff (2)

38
‘And gett yo_u_r 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 com_m_andement I’le bee.’

* * * * *

B

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

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 hee 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:
‘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,
‘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’l shoot at sun and moon.’

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

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 Herefordshire’—
For a noble priest was he—
‘By my silver miter,’ said the bishop then,
‘I’le not bet one peny.

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

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

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

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;’
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!’

35
‘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.’

C

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.

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 report
How the queen performed her vow.

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

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

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

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 certainly
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.

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

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

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,
‘‘Twill 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 2^2, 11^3, 20^4, 29^3, 38^4, half a page is gone._

2^1. _Perhaps_ harvengers.

5^2. cauentry.

9^3. _Perhaps_ Will_iam_.

_After 16_: The 2d part.

18^2. hinselfe.

25^4. 500[th :].

27^2, 28^2. 3.

31^4. 2.

32^3. 10[li :].

#B.#

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

#a.#

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

16^4. 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_.

23^2, 31^2. While, _if preserved, must be taken in the sense of_
till, _which occurs in #f#, 23^2, as in #A#, 27^2._

31^1. the kings: _so all_. #A#, 27 _has_ queenes, _rightly_.

31^4. thy knee: _so all except_ #b#, _which has_ thy nee.

35^2. crave that on.

39^4. have _wanting_: _cf._ #A# 30, #c#, #f#.

40^4. yeomen three: _so all_. _See_ 16^4.

#b.#

Printed at London for Francis Grove.

2^2. can.

3^3. unto her lovely.

3^4. Parringten.

4^4. can.

6^3, 7^1. came at.

8^1. sate.

8^4. in this.

10^2. Be it the.

11^1. Hood.

13^3. sent that.

14^2. It’s.

21^3. markes.

23^1. archer.

25^4. sprungst.

31^1. the kings.

31^4. thy nee.

33^3. baring.

33^4. clove.

35^1. cryed.

35^2. crave that on.

38^1. now said the king.

38^2. so told.

38^3. in Pallace gates.

39^4. not bet.

40^4. yeomen three.

41^1. an if.

41^2. full _wanting_.

#c.#

3^3. unto her lovelie.

5^3, 9^3. or other.

8^1. sate.

9^1. is the.

10^4. yeoman.

16^4. yeomen three.

17^1. gone _for_ field.

20^4. must I needs.

23^3. shoot.

24^4. On _for_ Of.

25^4. sprangst from Gowries.

30^3. Sadlock.

30^4. whose this money must be. 31^1. the kings.

31^4. thy knee.

32^3. to _wanting_.

35^2. crave that on.

39^4. have bet.

40^1. on _for_ one.

40^4. yeomen three.

#d.#

3^3. unto her lovely.

3^4. Patrington.

13^4. to _for_ unto.

14^4. his _wanting_.

16^4. yeomen three.

24^4. On _for_ Of.

25^4. sprangst.

31^1. the kings.

31^4. thy knee.

35^2. crave that on.

36^4. welcome every one.

39^1. quoth _for_ said.

39^4. not bet.

40^1. on _for_ one.

40^4. yeomen three.

#e.#

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

3^4. Patrington.

7^3. calld.

8^1. sate.

8^3. thy cause.

10^1. betimes.

16^4. good _wanting_: yeomen three.

17^2. gallant ray.

19^2. needs _for_ now.

20^2. runs.

22^3. quoth _for_ said.

31^1. the kings.

31^3. shoot.

31^4. thy knee.

35^2. that _wanting_.

38^3. the _wanting_.

39^3. I thought it had.

39^4. not bet.

40^4. yeomen three.

42^2. may not.

#f.#

_In the title_: being an outlaw man (hee _wanting_): how he _for_
how shee.

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

3^3. unto her lovely.

3^4. Parington.

4^1. Come thou: my _for_ thou.

4^3. now _for_ post.

5^2. woods.

6^2. wen.

7^3. bottle.

7^4. drinks.

8^1. sate.

8^3. or thy.

10^1. betimes.

11^1. to _for_ at.

13^2. the _wanting_.

13^4. to _for_ unto.

14^2. It was.

16^4. thy yeomandree.

17^1. is gone to.

17^2. array.

18^4. must be.

20^4. to the.

23^1. lead.

23^2. Till it.

24^2. crave it.

24^3. ever a _for_ any.

24^4. side _for_ part.

25^4. sprangest.

28^3. then said the bishop.

29^1. in it said.

30^3. Will.

31^1. the kings.

31^4. thy knee.

32^4. part _wanting_.

35^2. crave it.

35^3. would _for_ will.

36^4. welcome every one.

37^3. And so.

38^1. said now.

39^1. quoth _for_ said.

39^3. it had.

39^4. not a bet.

40^1. on Saturday night.

40^4. yeomen three.

41^1. then says.

42^2. 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.

20^3. what or.

26^1. archers.

27^3. yonng.

28^3. Katheline.

30^{1,3}. 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.

Roxburghe, III, 14, 418; Douce, III, 121 b, London, by L. How, an eighteenth-century copy. #c# is signed T. R., and has no printer’s name.

Reprinted in Ritson’s Robin Hood, 1795, II, 92, from #c#. Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 156, agrees nearly with the Aldermary 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 Nottingham, Robin leaves Sherwood for Yorkshire, whence he speeds successively to Newcastle, Berwick, Carlisle, Lancaster, Chester, the 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 knave, quoth the king. The queen intercedes for Robin.

This is a well-conceived ballad, and only needs to be older.

Translated by A. Grün, p. 169, with omission 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;
‘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, Tis 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’l 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.

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.

5^{2,3}. Robin _between the lines, to show that what follows is
his speech. So #b#, #c#. In #d#_ Robin _stands at the head of
the third line_.

21^3. But when: _so_ #b#, #c#.

23^4, 3 weeks.

#b.#

_Burden_: With hey, etc., _or_, With a hey, etc.

2^1. she then a match.

3^1. she had her archers.

6^1. game it.

7^2. a _wanting_.

10^2. then _wanting_.

11^1. that bold.

13^2. went _wanting_.

14^4. and _for_ or.

15^1. cry’d.

16^2. good King Henry.

18^4. Henry.

21^3. But when.

23^2. there _wanting_.

23^4. 3 weeks.

24^2. here on my knee.

#c.#

_Signed_ T. R. _No printer._

_Burden_: With hey down down an a down.

2^4. hundred _wanting_.

3^3. it _wanting_.

5^1. of _for_ at.

6^1. it came.

8^3. after _for_ yet.

10^2. then _wanting_.

13^2. went _wanting_.

16^2, 18^4, 21^1. Henry.

16^3. to stay.

18^2. fell low.

18^4. For to.

21^3. But when.

22^2. leech.

23^4. 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.

2^1. then a match did.

3^1. yet she had her archers.

5^1. of _for_ at.

5^2. on my.

5^4. will I.

6^2. he _wanting_.

7^2. a _wanting_.

8^4. had _for_ was.

10^2. O bold: then _wanting_.

10^3. Come said he.

11^1. that bold Robin he.

13^2. And went strait.

13^3. he stayed.

13^4, 14^1. he _wanting_.

14^4. gave.

15^1. than said Little.

16^2, 18^4, 21^1. Henry.

17^1. for London.

18^2. fell low.

18^4. For to.

19^3. he _wanting_.

19^4. go to.

20^3. what he’d have.

21^3. And that he.

22^1. You’re.

23^2. there _wanting_.

23^3. He is a.

23^4. 3 week.

24^2. of your.

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 Ballads, 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, I, 160, agrees nearly with the Aldermary garland.

Entered, says Ritson, in the Stationers’ book, by Francis Grove, 2d June, 1656.[118] Being directed to be sung to the tune “R. H. was a tall young man,” that is, R. H.’s Progress 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 this 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 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, Österley, p. 397, Anhang, No 14, ‘Wie drey lantzknecht vmb ein zerung batten.’ 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 fellowship’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 hundred ducats. The cellarer offers them a handsome 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, IV, 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 Anastasius Grün, p. 131.

1
I have heard talk of bold Robin Hood,
Derry derry down
And of brave Little John,
Of Fryer Tuck, and Will Scarlet,
Loxley, and Maid Marion.
Hey down derry 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,
And soon overtook them again.

10
Then Robin Hood laid hold of them both,
And pulld them down from their horse:
‘O spare us, fryer!’ the priests cry’d out,
‘On us have some remorse!’

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’l 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.

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 mens 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.

4^1. gone past.

6^1. all the.

7^1. holy dame: priest.

9^2. Then _wanting_.

10^1. hold on.

13^1. with a.

15^4. fellow.

17^4. he _for_ was.

18^4. For praying so.

19^1. pounds.

19^3. not to.

23^1. it _wanting_.

#c.#

_Title the same_: _except_, Tune is.

2^4. he is.

4^1. gone past.

7^1. holy dame.

9^2. Then _wanting_.

10^1. holt of.

13^1. with a.

15^1. now _wanting_.

15^4. fellow.

17^1. pain: both _wanting_.

18^3. each one shall.

19^1. pounds.

24^1. upon _wanting_.

#d.#

Title as in #c#. Printed for William Thackeray at the Angel in
Duck-lane. (1689.)

1^1. bold _wanting_.

2^2. think was never known.

4^1. gone past.

7^1. holy dame.

8^3. before you do go.

9^1. so say.

10^1. hold on.

11^1. you’d: quoth Robin Hood.

12^2. kneel.

13^1. with a.

14^3. let us.

15^1. now _wanting_.

15^2. the _wanting_.

15^4. fellow.

16^2. could.

17^1. pain: both _wanting_.

17^4. he _for_ was.

18^3. each one shall.

19^1. pounds.

19^2. doth _for_ did.

20^1. up _wanting_.

22^3. unto sin.

23^3. with _wanting_.

24^1. on _for_ upon.

148

THE NOBLE FISHERMAN, OR, ROBIN HOOD’S PREFERMENT

#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 collection 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 fortunes 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 wantonness, rather than his ignorance, we must suppose, 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 opprest’! All this may strike us as infantile, but the ballad was evidently in great favor two hundred years ago.

Translated (not entirely) by A. Grün, p. 295.

1
In 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.’

4
This outlaw calld 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,
‘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
‘O 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
‘O 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,
And 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.’

25
Then streight [they] did board the Frenchmans 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.’

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.’

* * * * *

#a.#

The Noble Fisher-man, or, Robin Hoods Preferment: 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?)

3^1. fisher-man, _which perhaps should stand_.

5^1. with _for_ quoth.

20^4. hatchs.

21^2. fare.

22^4. Frenchman.

23^1. fell owne.

25^2. lyin.

28^2. for thee.

#b.#

_Title as in_ #a#, _except_: won a prize, gave one half.

Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and W. Gilbertson. (1648–63?)

2^1. Clephant.

2^2. good _wanting_.

3^1. fisherman.

3^3. will I.

5^1. with _for_ quoth.

12^4. of _wanting_.

14^2. set nothing.

16^3. fish that we have got: to-day _wanting_.

17^1. For yon.

19^4. There’s but a simple.

20^4. ship-hatch.

21^1. mast he said.

21^2. fare.

21^3. bent.

22^4. Frenchmans.

23^1. downe.

25^1. streight they boarded the French ship.

25^2. lying.

25^4. in mony.

26^3. of my ship I’le give.

26^4. To you.

27^3. hands.

27^4. must be.

28^2. for thee.

#c#, #d#.

_Title as in_ #a#, _except_: won a prize, gave one.

The tune is, Summer time.

2^2. good _wanting_.

3^1. fisher men.

3^2. Than.

5^1. Now quoth.

6^2. #c#, thou dost.

6^3. said.

6^4. #d#, cares.

7^4. call.

9^4. sails.

11^2. #d#, than.

12^3. you _wanting_.

12^4. of _wanting_.

14^2. set nothing.

15^2. than.

15^4. most _wanting_.

16^3. fish that we have got: to-day _wanting_.

17^1. yon: robber.

18^2. you any.

19^4. There’s but a simple.

20^4. shiphatch.

21^1. mast he said.

21^2. fair.

21^3. bent.

21^4. #d#, a _wanting_.

22^4. Frenchmans.

23^1. down.

24^1. #c#, mast side.

25^1. they boarded the French ship.

25^2. lying.

25^4. in _for_ of.

26^3. of my ship I’le give.

26^4. To you.

27^1. #c#, But _wanting_.

27^3. hands.

27^4. you must: #d#, of you it.

28^2. 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?)

5^1. Now quoth.

5^4. waters.

6^1. of _wanting_.

9^4. sails.

15^3. espy’d.

17^4. And lay.

18^2. any _for_ no.

23^3. 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._)

1^2. doe _wanting_.

1^4. my song.

2^2. good _wanting_.

3^1. fishermen.

3^2. merchants.

3^4. fisherman might be.

4^3. If you have any.

5^1. Now quoth Robin Hood.

5^4. waters.

6^1. of _wanting_.

6^3. said.

7^2. tell it.

7^4. call.

9^2. I will.

9^3. of my.

9^4. sails.

10^1. shalt not want.

10^3. that _wanting_.

12^3. you _wanting_.

12^4. of _wanting_.

14^2. set nothing.

15^3. espyed.

15^4. most _wanting_.

16^3. fish that we have got.

17^1. robber.

17^4. And lay.

18^2. you any.

19^4. There’s but a simple lubber lost.

20^4. And in.

21^1. saith he _wanting_.

21^2. fair.

21^3. bent.

22^4. Frenchmans.

23^1. ship-catch: _so_ #g#.

23^2. there below.

25^1. Then they boarded the French: _so_ #g#.

25^4. in _for_ of.

26^3. other part: I’le give.

26^4. To you.

27^3. hands.

27^4. owner thereof you must.

28^2. for the.

#g.#

_Title as in_ #b#.

Printed for I. Wright, I. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passinger.
(1670–86?)

_Agrees generally with_ #f#.

17^1. For yon.

149

ROBIN HOOD’S BIRTH, BREEDING, VALOR AND MARRIAGE

#a.# Roxburghe, I, 360, in The Ballad Society’s reprint, II, 440.

#b.# Pepys, II, 116, No 103. #c.# Pepys, II, 118, No 104.

Printed in Dryden’s Miscellany, VI, 346, ed. 1716; A Collection of Old Ballads, 1723, I, 64; Ritson’s Robin Hood, 1795, 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 restraints 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, carried 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. According to this ballad, Robin Hood goes with his mother to keep Christmas with old Gamwell, his uncle, whose seat is forty miles from Locksly town. Little John is a member of the household, a fine lad at gambols and juggling, 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 shepherds and archeress, passes, and arrests his attention. The favorable impression which she makes at first sight is confirmed by her presently 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 imputed “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 beautiful and one of the oldest extant” of the series, 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, antiquity 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, or Stutesbury, Staffordshire (a hideously brutal 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 Pinder 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 chappel,
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.

17
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.

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.