Chapter XVI: Appendix: Robin Hood and the Sheriff (3)

24
‘Go fetch me my bow, my longest long bow,
And broad arrows, one, two, or three;
For when it is fair weather we’ll 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 glass;
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.

32
And as we were going towards the green bower,
Two hundred good bucks we espy’d;
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.

35
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, ’Tis bold Robin Hood:
Squire Gamwel’s my uncle, but all my delight
Is to dwell in the merry Sherwood.

37
For ’tis a fine life, and ’tis 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’ll make him the most welcome guest.

40
Said Robin Hood, Reach me that buck, Little John,
For I’ll 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’ll beat em all:’
Then both drew their swords, an so cut em and slasht em
That five of them did fall.

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;
I am king of the fidlers, and sware ’tis 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 dinner,
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 ’twas 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’ll 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 Titbury 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.)

15^1. Morrow.

16^2. be sung.

17^1. mustards, braun: _cf._ #b#.

20^2. gentlemen, yeomen: _cf._ #b#.

30^2. Oh.

38^4. be merry: _cf._ #b#.

40^3. Go _wanting_: _cf._ #b#.

43^3. good _wanting_: _cf._ #b#.

52^1. the brought.

52^2. 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. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger.
(1670–86?)

1^2, 6^3, 29^1, 33^3. I _for_ Ay.

2^1. And, _by mistake, for_ In: in merry Nottinghamshire.

3^3. shoot.

4^4. beat um.

5^3. at that.

9^3. Got on his.

13^1. And _wanting_.

13^2. drunk.

13^4. at great.

15^1. To-morrow.

15^2. ith hall.

15^4. y’are.

16^2. be sung.

17^1. mustard and braun.

17^4. y’are.

18^1. this _for_ his.

19^4. you both.

20^2. gentleman, yeoman.

21^4. here _wanting_.

24^1. Go and fetch my bow.

24^2. and _for_ or.

24^3. ’tis.

26^4. the _for_ a.

27^4. buskins.

28^3. quiver of.

30^2. O.

30^3. him an.

30^4. Tilbery.

34^3. came.

38^3. let us.

38^4. be married.

40^3. Go bid.

41^2. Six _for_ Eight: too too.

42^2. beat um.

42^3. slasht um.

42^4. of the six.

43^3. good counsel.

45^3. Rob.

46^1. came in we.

51^1. in sight.

51^4. a _for_ the.

52^1. they.

52^2. upon the bride’s head.

55^4. sing um.

#c.#

Printed by and for Alex. Milbourn, at the Stationers-Arms, in
Green-Arbor-Court, in the Little-Old-Baily. (1670–97.) _Compared
only here and there._

9^1. God wot his.

30^4. Tilbury.

41^2. Eight: too too.

42^4. of the eight.

45^3. Bob.

150

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 follows, 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#, 9^4 and in No 147, 1^4.

Even in Barclay’s fourth eclogue, written not long after 1500, where, according to Ritson,[119] the earliest notice of Maid Marian occurs, and where, he says, “she is evidently connected with Robin Hood,” the two are really kept distinct; for the lusty Codrus in that eclogue wishes to hear “some mery fit of Maide Marion, _or els_ of Robin Hood.”

In Munday’s play of The Downfall of Robert Earl of Huntington, Matilda, otherwise Marian, daughter to Lord Lacy, accompanies Earl Robert to Sherwood, upon his being outlawed 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, notwithstanding 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, I, 133.

Translated by Anastasius Grün, p. 72, Loève-Veimars, p. 208.

1
A Bonny 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
’Twas neither Rosamond nor Jane Shore,
Whose beauty was clear and bright,
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 imbrace,
With love and sweet unity.

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 sorrowfull 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.

11
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.

17
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_.

11^1. out rheir.

19^1. vente.

21^3. there: wirhout.

_A MS. copy in Percy’s papers has in 16^1_ he had, _and in 19^1_,
in a brave venie they tost off their bowles. _It is barely
possible that venie, which Ritson prints, may be right._

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, Cheapside, n. d. (but not older than 1753),
p. 76, No 25. #b.# Robin Hood’s Garland, London, Printed by L. How,
in Peticoat Lane, n. d. #c.# ‘The King’s Disguise and True
Friendship with Robin Hood,’ London, Printed by L. How, in Petticoat
Lane, Douce Ballads, III, 113 b (not black letter). #d.# Robin
Hood’s Garland, London, R. Marshall, in Aldermary 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 edition.”

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 paraphrase, with omissions, of the seventh and eighth fits of the Gest, and seems, like the two which here follow it, “to have been written by some miserable retainer to the press, merely to eke out the book; being, in fact, a most contemptible performance:” Ritson.

12^1 may have been borrowed from Martin Parker’s True Tale, No 154, 15^1. By the clergyman who was first Robin Hood’s bane, 29^1, is meant the prior of York, who in Munday’s play, The Downfall of Robert Earl of Huntington, procures his outlawry. The forcing 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 immediately succeed in the garlands, Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow being interposed.

Translated by Doenniges, p. 185; A. Grün, p. 159; Loève-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 preparëd 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.’

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 chiefest 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.’

17
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, ‘’tis 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 minglëd,
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’ll 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’ll 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.

32
‘Stand up again,’ then said the king,
‘I’ll thee thy pardon give;
Stand up, my friend; who can contend,
When I give leave to live?’

33
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.

35
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 our own!’

38
‘What’s that Robin Hood?’ then said the sheriff;
‘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 ’twould 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.#

9^1. thyself, thyself.

9^3. yon.

28^4. spent.

29^1. ban.

30^2. with truth.

30^{3,4}. _Supplied from R. H.’s Garland, York, Thomas Wilson &
Son, 1811._

#b#, #c#.

3^3. with free.

6^1. #c#, livd.

9^1. O thyself thou.

13^1. said.

14^3. that kind.

18^1. bold _wanting_.

21^1. was.

23^4. was.

26^4. #c#, Lived.

27^2. I [s]hould.

27^4. would.

28^2. they _wanting_.

28^4. they’d.

29^1. ban.

30^2. with truth.

30^{3,4}. _wanting._

33^1. #c#, they’re.

34^1. was.

35^1. his plow: field.

36^4. #b#, Ha’d: #c#, Had.

37^2. And that.

38^4. #b#, with plate: #c#, in plate.

40^2. are the.

41^1. #c#, it _wanting_.

41^4. #b#, I _wanting_: #c#, I know.

42^1. that gain say.

42^4. it would undone.

43^1. They’re.

#d.#

3^3. with one.

5^3. he had seen.

6^4. lives.

9^1. Thyself thou cursest said.

10^3. who give.

14^1. king he then did.

16^1. quoth _for_ said.

21^4. never.

22^3. And every.

23^4. was spent.

28^4. blood.

29^1. bane.

30^2. with truth.

30^{3,4}. _wanting._

31^3. saw _for_ see.

36^1. did let.

37^1. Then.

41^4. I _wanting_.

42^1. that _wanting_.

42^4. a guest.

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, Preston, 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. Grün, 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:
‘Come prepare you then, my merry men,
We’ll 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’ll 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.’

11
‘O thou smells of a coward,’ said Robin Hood,
‘Thy words does not please me;
Come on’t what will, I’ll 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.

13
Our mantles, all of Lincoln green,
Behind us we will leave;
We’ll 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’ll 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 vexëd 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’ll 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.’

30
‘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’ll 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.

33
So we’ll leave him chafing in his grease,
Which will do him no good;
Now, my friends, attend, and hear the end
Of honest Robin Hood.

* * * * *

#a.#

12^2. hither.

25^3. relate _for_ report.

28^{3,4}. _supplied from R. H.’s Garland, York, Thomas Wilson &
Son, 1811._

#b#, #c#.

3^3. to take.

6^3. without all.

10^1. the _wanting_.

10^2. it is.

11^1. O _wanting_.

11^2. do not.

12^2. thither.

14^3. in the.

15^3. then _wanting_.

16^4. thought it.

17^4. suspected.

19^3. #c#, but _wanting_.

21^2. a third.

22^1. #c#, bold Robin.

24^2. kinds.

24^3. nor more.

25^3. relate.

28^{3,4}. _wanting._

31^3. must show.

32^1. well _for_ full.

33^1. 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 Garland, 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 garland, 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 Loève-Veimars, p. 219.

1
When Robin Hood, and his merry men all,
Derry, 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.

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’ll 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 delayd, 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.

11
‘I’ll go in person first,’ he cry’d,
‘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.

17
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!

* * * * *

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._

18^4. day _found in_ #b.#

#b.#

_A carelessly printed book, with only twenty-four ballads. It
belonged to Bishop Percy. Burden omitted._

1^1. When bold Robin and.

1^3. had been told he.

1^4. With his.

2^1. the best.

2^4. will be.

3. _wanting._

6^1. Take an.

6^3. art to.

7^3. again Robin.

12^1. till at last.

12^2. of bold.

13^1. would have: bold, Hood, _wanting_.

13^3. that it.

13^4. Whilst.

15^1. Robin he set.

17^4. there _wanting_.

18^1. the fight.

18^4. last day.

19^2. For London.

19^3. he _wanting_.

20^1. to let.

20^2. done away they ran.

21. _wanting._

22^1. that neither.

24^3. it _wanting_.

24^4. it were.

_The epitaph is not given._

#c.#

_Burden_: Derry down down: Hey down derry derry down.

1^3. that they had been bold.

2^2. best _wanting_.

5^1. Go you.

6^1. an.

7^3. bold _wanting_.

10^4. see that.

11^3. Well signd.

14^4. bid them: to forbear.

18^4. day _wanting_.

19^1. party.

19^2. For London.

20^1. to let.

20^2. Who took.

20^4. a _wanting_.

21^1. Some went.

23^3. and _wanting_.

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 Museum (press-mark C. 39. a. 52), which is here reprinted, is assumed by Mr W. C. Hazlitt, Handbook, p. 439, and Mr George Bullen, Brit. Mus. Catalogue, to be of this first edition. The title of this copy is: A True Tale of Robbin [Hood], or, A briefe touch of the life and death o[f that] Renowned Outlaw, Robert Earle of Huntin[gton] vulgarly called Robbin Hood, who lived and died in [A. D.] 1198, being the 9. yeare of the reigne of King Ric[hard] the first, commonly called Richard Cuer de Lyon. Carefully collected out of the truest Writers of our English C[hroni]cles. And published for the satisfaction of those who desire to s[ee] Truth purged from falsehood. By Martin Parker. Printed at London for T. Cotes, and are to be sold by F. Grove dwellin[g] upon Snow-hill, neare the Saracen[s head].[120]

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

Perhaps Parker calls his compilation 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,
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.

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 time
With him might well compare;
He practisd all his youthfull prime
That exercise most rare.

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

9
The abbot of S_aint_ 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 armd,
But by these theeves, so strong in show,
They still were robd and harmd.

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

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.

28
Thus Robbin Hood did vindicate
His former wrongs receivd;
For ’twas 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.

30
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 armd 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.

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 kicke 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 King 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’ crewell clergie then,
All meanes that he could thinke upon
To vexe such kinde of men

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

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.

76
And, as he once before had done,
He did againe proclaime,
That whosoere 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
Your 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,
I’le presently describe.

88
For, being vext to thinke upon
His followers revolt,
In melancholly passion
He did recount their fault.

89
‘Perfideous traytors!’ sayd he then,
‘In all your dangers 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;
’Tis 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.