B
Percy MS., p. 15; Hales and Furnivall, I, 32.
* * * * *
1
‘But hold y . . hold y . . .’ says Robin,
‘My merrymen, I bid yee,
For this [is] one of the best pindars
That euer I saw with mine eye.
2
‘But hast thou any meat, thou iolly pindar,
For my merrymen and me?’
. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
3
‘But I haue bread and cheese,’ sayes the pindar,
‘And ale all on the best:’
‘That’s cheere good enoughe,’ said Robin,
‘For any such vnbidden guest.
4
‘But wilt be my man?’ said good Robin,
‘And come and dwell with me?
And twise in a yeere thy clothing [shall] be changed
If my man thou wilt bee,
The tone shall be of light Lincolne greene,
The tother of Picklory.’
5
‘Att Michallmas comes a well good time,
When men haue gotten in their ffee;
I’le sett as litle by my master
As he now setts by me,
I’le take my benbowe in my hande,
And come into the grenwoode to thee.’
A.
The second and fourth lines were repeated in singing.
a.
The Iolly Pinder of Wakefield.
Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, and W. Glber[t]son. (F. Coles, 1646–1674; T. Vere, 1648–1680; W. Gilbertson, 1640–1663. Chappell.)
11. their.
31. witty, which all have, is a corruption of wight.
101. laid.
134. by my.
b, c.
Robin Hood and the jolly Pinder of Wakefield, shewing how he fought with Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John a long summer’s day. To a Northern tune.
b.
11. there dwels.
24. it goes.
41. saith.
51. a for great: saith.
112. all.
113. that’s.
121. thy for the.
c.
43. king’s high.
62. fast unto.
64. And a.
65. that wanting.
91. covenants.
101. thou wanting.
d.
The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield with Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John.
Printed by and for Alex. Milbourn, in Green-Arbor Court, in the Little Old-Baily. (A. Milbourn, 1670–1697. Chappell.)
33. espy’d.
34. sat.
42. you have.
43. the kings.
51. a for great.
62. foot against.
63. they for he.
66. broke.
81. pinders craft.
82. in the.
131. was come.
134. set wanting.
e.
The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield: with Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.
No printer’s name.
33. espyed.
34. sat.
42. you have.
43. kings.
61. foot against.
66. broke.
81. pinders craft.
131. was come.
134. set wanting.
Pepys Penny Merriments Garland: according to Hales and Furnivall.
64. And a.
65. that wanting.
101. thou wanting.
121. thy pinder.
Gutch, Robin Hood, II, 144 f, says that the Roxburghe copy has in 31 wight yeomen.
He prints 72–4:
And my merry men stand aside;
For this is one of the best pinders
That with sword ever I tryed.
83–4.
Thou shalt have a livery twice in the year,
Th’one greene, tither brown shall be.
These parts of stanzas 7, 8 he gives as from a black-letter copy, which he does not describe.
B.
11,2 make half a stanza in the MS., and 13,4 are joined with 21,2. 45,6 and 51,2 make a stanza. It is not supposed that 4 and 5 were originally stanzas of six lines, but rather that, one half of each of two stanzas having been forgotten, the other has attached itself to a complete stanza which chanced to have the same rhyme. Stanzas of six lines, formed in this way, are common in traditional ballads.
34. guests.
43. 2s
:. in.
125
ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN
a. A Collection of Old Ballads, 1723, I, 75. b. Aldermary Garland, by R. Marshall, n. d., No 22.
Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 138; Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 204. There is a bad copy in a Robin Hood’s Garland of 1749.
“This ballad,” says Ritson, “is named in a schedule of such things under an agreement between W. Thackeray and others in 1689, Col. Pepys, vol. 5.” It occurs in a list of ballads printed for and sold by William Thackeray at the Angel in Duck-Lane (see The Ballad Society’s reprint of the Roxburghe Ballads, W. Chappell, I, xxiv, from a copy in the Bagford collection), but by some caprice of fortune has not, so far as is known, come down in the broadside form, neither is it found in the older garlands.
Robin Hood and Little John belongs to a set of ballads which have middle rhyme in the third line of the stanza, and are directed to be sung to one and the same tune. These are: R. H. and the Bishop, R. H. and the Beggar, R. H. and the Tanner, to the tune of R. H. and the Stranger; R. H. and the Butcher, R. H.’s Chase, Little John and the Four Beggars, to the tune of R. H. and the Beggar; R. H. and Little John, R. H. and the Ranger, to the tune of Arthur a Bland (that is, R. H. and the Tanner). There is no ballad with the title Robin Hood and the Stranger. Ritson thought it proper to give this title to a ballad which uniformly bears the title of Robin Hood Newly Revived, No 128, because Robin’s antagonist is repeatedly called “the stranger” in it. But Robin’s antagonist is equally often called “the stranger” in the present ballad (eleven times in each), and Robin Hood and Little John has the middle rhyme in the third line, which Robin Hood Newly Revived has not (excepting in seven stanzas at the end, which are a portion of a different ballad, Robin Hood and the Scotchman). Robin Hood and Little John (and Robin Hood Newly Revived as well) would naturally be referred to as Robin Hood and the Stranger, for the same reason that Robin Hood and the Tanner is referred to as Arthur a Bland. The fact that the middle rhyme in the third line is found in Robin Hood and Little John, but is lacking in Robin Hood Newly Revived, gives a slightly superior probability to the supposition that the former, or rather some older version of it (for the one we have is in a rank seventeenth-century style), had the secondary title of Robin Hood and the Stranger.[[107]]
Like Robin Hood’s Progress to Nottingham, this ballad affects, in the right apocryphal way, to know an adventure of Robin’s early life. Though but twenty years old, Robin has a company of threescore and nine bowmen. With all these he shakes hands one morning, and goes through the forest alone, prudently enjoining on the band to come to his help if he should blow his horn. He meets a stranger on a narrow bridge, and neither will give way. Robin threatens the stranger with an arrow, which, as he requires to be reminded, is cowardly enough, seeing that the other man has nothing but a staff. Recalled to ordinary manliness, Robin Hood, laying down his bow, provides himself with an oaken stick, and proposes a battle on the bridge, which he shall be held to win who knocks the other into the water in the end. In the end the stranger tumbles Robin into the brook, and is owned to have won the day. The band are now summoned by the horn, and when they hear what the stranger has done are about to seize and duck him, but are ordered to forbear. Robin Hood proposes to his antagonist that he shall join his men, and John Little, as he declares his name to be, accedes. John Little is seven foot tall.[[108]] Will Stutely says his name must be changed, and they rebaptize the “infant” as Little John.
‘A pastorall plesant commedie of Robin Hood and Little John, etc.,’ is entered to Edward White in the Stationers’ Registers, May 14, 1594, and ‘Robin Hood and Litle John’ to Master Oulton, April 22, 1640. (Arber, II, 649, IV, 507.)
Translated by Anastasius Grün, p. 65.
1
When Robin Hood was about twenty years old,
With a hey down down and a down
He happend to meet Little John,
A jolly brisk blade, right fit for the trade,
For he was a lusty young man.
2
Tho he was calld Little, his limbs they were large,
And his stature was seven foot high;
Where-ever he came, they quak’d at his name,
For soon he would make them to fly.
3
How they came acquainted, I’ll tell you in brief,
If you will but listen a while;
For this very jest, amongst all the rest,
I think it may cause you to smile.
4
Bold Robin Hood said to his jolly bowmen,
Pray tarry you here in this grove;
And see that you all observe well my call,
While thorough the forest I rove.
5
We have had no sport for these fourteen long days,
Therefore now abroad will I go;
Now should I be beat, and cannot retreat,
My horn I will presently blow.
6
Then did he shake hands with his merry men all,
And bid them at present good b’w’ye;
Then, as near a brook his journey he took,
A stranger he chancd to espy.
7
They happend to meet on a long narrow bridge,
And neither of them would give way;
Quoth bold Robin Hood, and sturdily stood,
I’ll show you right Nottingham play.
8
With that from his quiver an arrow he drew,
A broad arrow with a goose-wing:
The stranger reply’d, I’ll liquor thy hide,
If thou offerst to touch the string.
9
Quoth bold Robin Hood, Thou dost prate like an ass,
For were I to bend but my bow,
I could send a dart quite thro thy proud heart,
Before thou couldst strike me one blow.
10
‘Thou talkst like a coward,’ the stranger reply’d;
‘Well armd with a long bow you stand,
To shoot at my breast, while I, I protest,
Have nought but a staff in my hand.’
11
‘The name of a coward,’ quoth Robin, ‘I scorn,
Wherefore my long bow I’ll lay by;
And now, for thy sake, a staff will I take,
The truth of thy manhood to try.’
12
Then Robin Hood stept to a thicket of trees,
And chose him a staff of ground-oak;
Now this being done, away he did run
To the stranger, and merrily spoke:
13
Lo! see my staff, it is lusty and tough,
Now here on the bridge we will play;
Whoever falls in, the other shall win
The battel, and so we’ll away.
14
‘With all my whole heart,’ the stranger reply’d;
‘I scorn in the least to give out;’
This said, they fell to ‘t without more dispute,
And their staffs they did flourish about.
15
And first Robin he gave the stranger a bang,
So hard that it made his bones ring:
The stranger he said, This must be repaid,
I’ll give you as good as you bring.
16
So long as I’m able to handle my staff,
To die in your debt, friend, I scorn:
Then to it each goes, and followd their blows,
As if they had been threshing of corn.
17
The stranger gave Robin a crack on the crown,
Which caused the blood to appear;
Then Robin, enrag’d, more fiercely engag’d,
And followd his blows more severe.
18
So thick and so fast did he lay it on him,
With a passionate fury and ire,
At every stroke, he made him to smoke,
As if he had been all on fire.
19
O then into fury the stranger he grew,
And gave him a damnable look,
And with it a blow that laid him full low,
And tumbld him into the brook.
20
‘I prithee, good fellow, O where art thou now?’
The stranger, in laughter, he cry’d;
Quoth bold Robin Hood, Good faith, in the flood,
And floating along with the tide.
21
I needs must acknowledge thou art a brave soul;
With thee I’ll no longer contend;
For needs must I say, thou hast got the day,
Our battel shall be at an end.
22
Then unto the bank he did presently wade,
And pulld himself out by a thorn;
Which done, at the last, he blowd a loud blast
Straitway on his fine bugle-horn.
23
The eccho of which through the vallies did fly,
At which his stout bowmen appeard,
All cloathed in green, most gay to be seen;
So up to their master they steerd.
24
‘O what’s the matter?’ quoth William Stutely;
‘Good master, you are wet to the skin:’
‘No matter,’ quoth he; ‘the lad which you see,
In fighting, hath tumbld me in.’
25
‘He shall not go scot-free,’ the others reply’d;
So strait they were seizing him there,
To duck him likewise; but Robin Hood cries,
He is a stout fellow, forbear.
26
There’s no one shall wrong thee, friend, be not afraid;
These bowmen upon me do wait;
There’s threescore and nine; if thou wilt be mine,
Thou shalt have my livery strait.
27
And other accoutrements fit for a man;
Speak up, jolly blade, never fear;
I’ll teach you also the use of the bow,
To shoot at the fat fallow-deer.
28
‘O here is my hand,’ the stranger reply’d,
‘I’ll serve you with all my whole heart;
My name is John Little, a man of good mettle;
Nere doubt me, for I’ll play my part.’
29
His name shall be alterd,’ quoth William Stutely,
‘And I will his godfather be;
Prepare then a feast, and none of the least,
For we will be merry,’ quoth he.
30
They presently fetchd in a brace of fat does,
With humming strong liquor likewise;
They lovd what was good; so, in the greenwood,
This pretty sweet babe they baptize.
31
He was, I must tell you, but seven foot high,
And, may be, an ell in the waste;
A pretty sweet lad; much feasting they had;
Bold Robin the christning grac’d.
32
With all his bowmen, which stood in a ring,
And were of the Notti[n]gham breed;
Brave Stutely comes then, with seven yeomen,
And did in this manner proceed.
33
‘This infant was called John Little,’ quoth he,
‘Which name shall be changed anon;
The words we’ll transpose, so where-ever he goes,
His name shall be calld Little John.’
34
They all with a shout made the elements ring,
So soon as the office was ore;
To feasting they went, with true merriment,
And tippld strong liquor gillore.
35
Then Robin he took the pretty sweet babe,
And cloathd him from top to the toe
In garments of green, most gay to be seen,
And gave him a curious long bow.
36
‘Thou shalt be an archer as well as the best,
And range in the greenwood with us;
Where we’ll not want gold nor silver, behold,
While bishops have ought in their purse.
37
‘We live here like squires, or lords of renown,
Without ere a foot of free land;
We feast on good cheer, with wine, ale, and beer,
And evry thing at our command.’
38
Then musick and dancing did finish the day;
At length, when the sun waxed low,
Then all the whole train the grove did refrain,
And unto their caves they did go.
39
And so ever after, as long as he livd,
Altho he was proper and tall,
Yet nevertheless, the truth to express,
Still Little John they did him call.
a.
Title. Robin Hood and Little John. Being an account of their first meeting, their fierce encounter, and conquest. To which is added, their friendly agreement, and how he came to be calld Little John.
To the tune of Arthur a Bland.
b.
Title as in a.
22. statue.
32. you would.
33. among.
34. it wanting.
43. his for my, wrongly.
51. for wanting.
53. be wanting.
84. offer.
92. where I do bend.
112. Therefore.
113. I will.
131. it wanting.
132. on this.
151. And first: he wanting.
152. he for it.
161. a for my.
163. both goes, and follow.
181. he did.
191. in a fury.
193. which for that.
201. O wanting.
223. blew.
231. did ring.
234. their matter.
243. that for which.
271. fitting also.
301. him for in.
304. baptiz’d.
311. feet.
313. He was a sweet.
323. came.
344. liquors.
352. the wanting.
391. they for he.
392. he be.
126
ROBIN HOOD AND THE TANNER
a. Wood, 401, leaf 9 b.
b. Garland of 1663, No 10.
c. Garland of 1670, No 9.
d. Pepys, II, 111, No 98.
Printed in Old Ballads, 1723, I, 83.
a was printed by Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 30. Evans has an indifferent copy, probably edited, in his Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 112.
Arthur a Bland, a Nottingham tanner, goes of a summer’s morning into Sherwood forest to see the red deer. Robin Hood pretends to be a keeper and to see cause for staying the Tanner. The Tanner says it will take more than one such to make him stand. They have a two hours’ fight with staves, when Robin cries Hold! The Tanner henceforth shall be free of the forest, and if he will come and live there with Robin Hood shall have both gold and fee. Arthur a Bland gives his hand never to part from Robin, and asks for Little John, whom he declares to be his kinsman. Robin Hood blows his horn. Little John comes at the call, and, learning what has been going on, would like to try a bout with the Tanner, but after a little explanation throws himself upon his kinsman’s neck. The three take hands for a dance round the oak-tree.
The sturdy Arthur a Bland is well hit off, and, bating the sixteenth and thirty-fifth stanzas, the ballad has a good popular ring. There is corruption at 83, 123, and perhaps 133.
Little John offers to fight with the Tinker in No 127, and again with the Stranger in No 128, as here with the Tanner, and is forbidden, as here, by his master. In R. H. and the Shepherd, No 135, he undertakes the Shepherd after Robin has owned himself conquered, and the fight is stopped after John has received some sturdy blows. In the Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood, No 132, John begins and Robin follows, and each in turn cries, Pedlar, pray hold your hand. In R. H. and the Potter, No 121, John is ready to bet on the Potter, because he has already had strokes from him which he has reason to remember.
As the Tanner is John’s cousin, so, in Robin Hood Revived, No 128, the Stranger turns out to be Robin Hood’s nephew, Young Gamwell, thenceforward called Scathlock; and in No 132 the Bold Pedlar proves to be Gamble Gold, Robin’s cousin.
Translated by Anastasius Grün, p. 117.
1
In Nottingham there lives a jolly tanner,
With a hey down down a down down
His name is Arthur a Bland;
There is nere a squire in Nottinghamshire
Dare bid bold Arthur stand.
2
With a long pike-staff upon his shoulder,
So well he can clear his way;
By two and by three he makes them to flee,
For he hath no list to stay.
3
And as he went forth, in a summer’s morning,
Into the forrest of merry Sherwood,
To view the red deer, that range here and there,
There met he with bold Robin Hood.
4
As soon as bold Robin Hood did him espy,
He thought some sport he would make;
Therefore out of hand he bid him to stand,
And thus to him he spake:
5
Why, what art thou, thou bold fellow,
That ranges so boldly here?
In sooth, to be brief, thou lookst like a thief,
That comes to steal our king’s deer.
6
For I am a keeper in this forrest;
The king puts me in trust
To look to his deer, that range here and there,
Therefore stay thee I must.
7
‘If thou beest a keeper in this forrest,
And hast such a great command,
Yet thou must have more partakers in store,
Before thou make me to stand.’
8
‘Nay, I have no more partakers in store,
Or any that I do need;
But I have a staff of another oke graff,
I know it will do the deed.’
9
‘For thy sword and thy bow I care not a straw,
Nor all thine arrows to boot;
If I get a knop upon thy bare scop,
Thou canst as well shite as shoote.’
10
‘Speak cleanly, good fellow,’ said jolly Robin,
‘And give better terms to me;
Else I’le thee correct for thy neglect,
And make thee more mannerly.’
11
‘Marry gep with a wenion!’ quoth Arthur a Bland,
‘Art thou such a goodly man?
I care not a fig for thy looking so big;
Mend thou thyself where thou can.’
12
Then Robin Hood he unbuckled his belt,
He laid down his bow so long;
He took up a staff of another oke graff,
That was both stiff and strong.
13
‘I’le yield to thy weapon,’ said jolly Robin,
‘Since thou wilt not yield to mine;
For I have a staff of another oke graff,
Not half a foot longer then thine.
14
‘But let me measure,’ said jolly Robin,
‘Before we begin our fray;
For I’le not have mine to be longer then thine,
For that will be called foul play.’
15
‘I pass not for length,’ bold Arthur reply’d,
‘My staff is of oke so free;
Eight foot and a half, it will knock down a calf,
And I hope it will knock down thee.’
16
Then Robin Hood could no longer forbear;
He gave him such a knock,
Quickly and soon the blood came down,
Before it was ten a clock.
17
Then Arthur he soon recovered himself,
And gave him such a knock on the crown,
That on every hair of bold Robin Hoods head,
The blood came trickling down.
18
Then Robin Hood raged like a wild bore,
As soon as he saw his own blood;
Then Bland was in hast, he laid on so fast,
As though he had been staking of wood.
19
And about, and about, and about they went,
Like two wild bores in a chase;
Striving to aim each other to maim,
Leg, arm, or any other place.
20
And knock for knock they lustily dealt,
Which held for two hours and more;
That all the wood rang at every bang,
They ply’d their work so sore.
21
‘Hold thy hand, hold thy hand,’ said Robin Hood,
‘And let our quarrel fall;
For here we may thresh our bones into mesh,
And get no coyn at all.
22
‘And in the forrest of merry Sherwood
Hereafter thou shalt be free:’
‘God-a-mercy for naught, my freedom I bought,
I may thank my good staff, and not thee.’
23
‘What tradesman art thou?’ said jolly Robin,
‘Good fellow, I prethee me show:
And also me tell in what place thou dost dwel,
For both these fain would I know.’
24
‘I am a tanner,’ bold Arthur reply’d,
‘In Nottingham long have I wrought;
And if thou’lt come there, I vow and do swear
I will tan thy hide for naught.’
25
‘God a mercy, good fellow,’ said jolly Robin,
‘Since thou art so kind to me;
And if thou wilt tan my hide for naught,
I will do as much for thee.
26
‘But if thou’lt forsake thy tanners trade,
And live in green wood with me,
My name’s Robin Hood, I swear by the rood
I will give thee both gold and fee.’
27
‘If thou be Robin Hood,’ bold Arthur reply’d,
‘As I think well thou art,
Then here’s my hand, my name’s Arthur a Bland,
We two will never depart.
28
‘But tell me, O tell me, where is Little John?
Of him fain would I hear;
For we are alide by the mothers side,
And he is my kinsman near.’
29
Then Robin Hood blew on the beaugle horn,
He blew full lowd and shrill,
But quickly anon appeard Little John,
Come tripping down a green hill.
30
‘O what is the matter?’ then said Little John,
‘Master, I pray you tell;
Why do you stand with your staff in your hand?
I fear all is not well.’
31
‘O man, I do stand, and he makes me to stand,
The tanner that stands thee beside;
He is a bonny blade, and master of his trade,
For soundly he hath tand my hide.’
32
‘He is to be commended,’ then said Little John,
‘If such a feat he can do;
If he be so stout, we will have a bout,
And he shall tan my hide too.’
33
‘Hold thy hand, hold thy hand,’ said Robin Hood,
‘For as I do understand,
He’s a yeoman good, and of thine own blood,
For his name is Arthur a Bland.’
34
Then Little John threw his staff away,
As far as he could it fling,
And ran out of hand to Arthur a Bland,
And about his neck did cling.
35
With loving respect, there was no neglect,
They were neither nice nor coy,
Each other did face, with a lovely grace,
And both did weep for joy.
36
Then Robin Hood took them both by the hand,
And danc’d round about the oke tree;
‘For three merry men, and three merry men,
And three merry men we be.
37
‘And ever hereafter, as long as I live,
We three will be all one;
The wood shall ring, and the old wife sing,
Of Robin Hood, Arthur, and John.’
a.
Robin Hood and the Tanner, or, Robin Hood met with his match: A merry and pleasant song relating the gallant and fierce combate fought between Arthur Bland, a Tanner of Nottingham, and Robin Hood, the greatest and most noblest archer of England. The tune is, Robin and the Stranger.
Printed for W. Gilbertson. (1640–63: Chappell.)
32. merry Forrest of.
72. hath.
73. But.
93. the bare.
111. qd..
133. straff.
144. Wanting in my copy, probably by accidental omission: supplied from b.
173. That from every side: Old Ballads, 1713, to restore the middle rhyme.
212. let your Quiver: cf. b, c, d.
213. thrash: to: cf. b.
224. good wanting.
263. the wood: cf. d.
352. noice.
361. took him by: cf. d.
374. Kobin.
b.
Title as in a.By the same printer as a. Burden sometimes With hey, etc.
11. lives there.
12, 111, 273. Arthur Bland.
32. merry Forrest of.
62. he puts.
72. hath.
73. Yet.
74. Before that.
83, 123, 133. graft.
93. thy bare.
111. quoth.
131. I yield.
134. than.
143. to wanting.
144. For that will be called foul play.
172. He gave.
173. Hoods wanting.
212. let our quarrel.
213. thresh: into.
224. my good.
232. pray thee.
243. thou come.
252. kinde and free.
263. the wood.
281. where’s.
292. both for full.
301. then wanting.
333. thy.
344. he did.
361. took him by.
362. round wanting.
371. so long.
c.
Title as in a. Burden after 21, With hey, etc.
12, 111, 273. Arthur Bland.
24. not.
32. merry Forrest of.
43. them to.
72. hath.
73. Yet you.
74. Before that.
83, 123, 133. graft.
93. thy bare.
111. qd..
131. I yield.
143. to wanting.
144. For that will be called foul play.
163. blood ran.
172. He gave.
173. hair on Robins.
174. blood ran.
184. been cleaving wood.
201. deal.
204. so fast.
212. let our quarrel.
213. thresh: into.
224. my good.
243. thou come.
252. kind and free.
261. thou wilt.
263. the wood.
283. mother.
291. he blew.
292. both for full.
293. and anon.
303. your wanting.
312. me for thee.
331. Hood wanting.
333. thy blood.
344. he did.
354. they both.
361. took him by.
362. round wanting.
371. And we: so long as we.
d.
Title as in a, except: the greatest archer in London. Printed for J. Wright, J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger. (1670–1682?) Burden sometimes, With hey, etc.
14. to stand.
31. on a.
32. forrest of merry.
41. Robin he did him.
44. he did spake.
54. the kings.
61. If thou beest a, caught from 71.
72. hast.
73. Then thou.
74. makst.
82. Nor any: do not.
92. thy.
93. thou get a knock upon thy.
111. gip: wernion qd.
114. if thou.
122. And threw it upon the ground.
123. Says, I have a.
124. That is both strong and sound.
131. But let me measure, said.
143. I’le have mine no longer.
144. For that will be counted foul play.
161. Hood wanting.
171. he wanting.
173. from every hair of.
181. raved for raged.
183. he was.
184. stacking.
194. other wanting.
202. for wanting.
212. let our quarrel.
213. thrash our bones to.
223. I’ve.
224. my good.
243. thou come.
261. thou wilt.
262. in the.
263. name is: rood.
291. on his.
292. both for full.
294. tripping over the hill.
302. you me.
303. the staff.
313. and a.
323. about.
333. thy.
352. They was.
371. we live.
372. all as (printed sa).
127
ROBIN HOOD AND THE TINKER
a. Wood, 401, leaf 17 b.
b. Pepys, II, 107, No 94.
c. Douce, III, 118 b.
In the Roxburghe collection, III, 22. Not in the Garland of 1663 or that of 1670.
a is printed in Ritson’s Robin Hood, 1795, II, 38; in Gutch’s Robin Hood, II, 264, “compared with” the Roxburghe copy. The ballad was printed by Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 118.
The fewest words will best befit this contemptible imitation of imitations. Robin Hood meets a Tinker, and they exchange scurrilities. The Tinker has a warrant from the king to arrest Robin, but will not show it when asked. Robin Hood suggests that it will be best to go to Nottingham, and there the two take one inn and drink together till the Tinker falls asleep; when Robin makes off, and leaves the Tinker to pay the shot. The host informs the Tinker that it was Robin Hood that he was drinking with, and recommends him to seek his man in the parks. The Tinker finds Robin, and they fall to it, crab-tree staff against sword. Robin yields, and begs a boon; the Tinker will grant none. A blast of the horn brings Little John and Scadlock. Little John would fain see whether the Tinker can do for him what he has done for his master, but Robin proclaims a peace, and offers the Tinker terms which induce him to join the outlaws.
It is not necessary to suppose the warrant to arrest Robin a souvenir of ‘Guy of Gisborne’; though that noble ballad is in a 17th century MS., it does not appear to have been known to the writers of broadsides.
1
In summer time, when leaves grow green,
Down a down a down
And birds sing on every tree,
Hey down a down a down
Robin Hood went to Nottingham,
Down a down a down
As fast as hee could dree.
Hey down a down a down
2
And as hee came to Nottingham
A Tinker he did meet,
And seeing him a lusty blade,
He did him kindly greet.
3
‘Where dost thou live?’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘I pray thee now mee tell;
Sad news I hear there is abroad,
I fear all is not well.’
4
‘What is that news?’ the Tinker said;
‘Tell mee without delay;
I am a tinker by my trade,
And do live at Banbura.’
5
‘As for the news,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘It is but as I hear;
Two tinkers they were set ith’ stocks,
For drinking ale and bear.’
6
‘If that be all,’ the Tinker said,
‘As I may say to you,
Your news it is not worth a fart,
Since that they all bee true.
7
‘For drinking of good ale and bear,
You wil not lose your part:’
‘No, by my faith,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘I love it with all my heart.
8
‘What news abroad?’ quoth Robin Hood;
‘Tell mee what thou dost hear;
Being thou goest from town to town,
Some news thou need not fear.’
9
‘All the news,’ the Tinker said,
‘I hear, it is for good;
It is to seek a bold outlaw,
Which they call Robin Hood.
10
‘I have a warrant from the king,
To take him where I can;
If you can tell me where hee is,
I will make you a man.
11
‘The king will give a hundred pound
That hee could but him see;
And if wee can but now him get,
It will serve you and mee.’
12
‘Let me see that warrant,’ said Robin Hood;
‘I’le see if it bee right;
And I will do the best I can
For to take him this night.’
13
‘That will I not,’ the Tinker said;
‘None with it I will trust;
And where hee is if you’l not tell,
Take him by force I must.’
14
But Robin Hood perceiving well
How then the game would go,
‘If you will go to Nottingham,
Wee shall find him I know.’
15
The Tinker had a crab-tree staff,
Which was both good and strong;
Robin hee had a good strong blade,
So they went both along.
16
And when they came to Nottingham,
There they both tooke one inn;
And they calld for ale and wine,
To drink it was no sin.
17
But ale and wine they drank so fast
That the Tinker hee forgot
What thing he was about to do;
It fell so to his lot
18
That while the Tinker fell asleep,
Hee made then haste away,
And left the Tinker in the lurch,
For the great shot to pay.
19
But when the Tinker wakened,
And saw that he was gone,
He calld then even for his host,
And thus hee made his moan.
20
‘I had a warrant from the king,
Which might have done me good,
That is to take a bold outlaw,
Some call him Robin Hood.
21
‘But now my warrant and mony’s gone,
Nothing I have to pay;
And he that promisd to be my friend,
He is gone and fled away.’
22
‘That friend you tell on,’ said the host,
‘They call him Robin Hood;
And when that first hee met with you,
He ment you little good.’
23
‘Had I known it had been hee,
When that I had him here,
Th’ one of us should have tri’d our strength
Which should have paid full dear.
24
‘In the mean time I must away;
No longer here I’le bide;
But I will go and seek him out,
What ever do me betide.
25
‘But one thing I would gladly know,
What here I have to pay;’
‘Ten shillings just,’ then said the host;
‘I’le pay without delay.
26
‘Or elce take here my working-bag,
And my good hammer too;
And if that I light but on the knave,
I will then soon pay you.’
27
‘The onely way,’ then said the host,
‘And not to stand in fear,
Is to seek him among the parks,
Killing of the kings deer.’
28
The Tinker hee then went with speed,
And made then no delay,
Till he had found then Robin Hood,
That they might have a fray.
29
At last hee spy’d him in a park,
Hunting then of the deer;
‘What knave is that,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘That doth come mee so near?’
30
‘No knave, no knave,’ the Tinker said,
‘And that you soon shall know;
Whether of us hath done most wrong,
My crab-tree staff shall show.’
31
Then Robin drew his gallant blade,
Made then of trusty steel;
But the Tinker laid on him so fast
That he made Robin reel.
32
Then Robins anger did arise;
He fought full manfully,
Vntil hee had made the Tinker
Almost then fit to fly.
33
With that they had a bout again,
They ply’d their weapons fast;
The Tinker threshed his bones so sore
He made him yeeld at last.
34
‘A boon, a boon,’ Robin hee cryes,
‘If thou wilt grant it mee;’
‘Before I do it,’ the Tinker said,
‘I’le hang thee on this tree.’
35
But the Tinker looking him about,
Robin his horn did blow;
Then came unto him Little John,
And William Scadlock too.
36
‘What is the matter,’ quoth Little John,
‘You sit in th’ highway side?’
‘Here is a Tinker that stands by,
That hath paid well my hide.’
37
‘That Tinker,’ then said Little John,
‘Fain that blade I would see,
And I would try what I could do,
If hee’l do as much for mee.’
38
But Robin hee then wishd them both
They should the quarrel cease,
‘That henceforth wee may bee as one,
And ever live in peace.
39
‘And for the jovial Tinker’s part,
A hundred pound I’le give,
In th’ year to maintain him on,
As long as he doth live.
40
‘In manhood hee is a mettle man,
And a mettle man by trade;
I never thought that any man
Should have made me so fraid.
41
‘And if hee will bee one of us,
Wee will take all one fare,
And whatsoever wee do get,
He shall have his full share.’
42
So the Tinker was content
With them to go along,
And with them a part to take,
And so I end my song.
a.
A new song, to drive away cold winter,
Between Robin Hood and the Jovial Tinker;
How Robin by a wile
The Tinker he did cheat,
But at the length, as you shall hear,
The Tinker did him beat;
Whereby the same they then did so agree
They after livd in love and unity.
To the tune of In Summer Time.
London, Printed for F. Grove, dwelling on Snowhill. (1620–55.)
13. Nottingam.
82. here.
101. warrand.
b.
Title as in a: except that he is wanting in the fourth line, and so in the last line but one.
Printed for I. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger. (1670–86?)
31. qd.
44. Banburay.
63. it wanting.
111. king would: an.
143. you would.
162. they took up their.
221. speak for tell.
241. was for will.
244. me wanting.
253. Ten shillings just I have to pay.
263. if I: on that.
283. then found.
313. Tinker he laid on so fast.
322. right for full.
331. laid about.
334. That he.
354. Will.
392. pounds: I for Ile.
401. mettled.
404. afraid.
411. with us.
c.
Robin Hood and the Jolly Tinker: Shewing how they fiercely encountered, and after the victorious conquest lovingly agreed. Tune of In Summer Time.
London, Printed by J. Hodges, at the Looking Glass, on London Bridge. Not in black letter.
31. doth.
41. the news.
44. Bullbury.
53. they are.
63. it wanting.
84. needs.
111. would give an.
114. thee for you.
151. A crab-tree staff the Tinker had.
162. they took up at their inn.
182. Robin made haste away.
191. did awake.
193. even wanting.
203. to seek.
211. the for my.
214. He wanting.
221. speak for tell.
231. I but.
233. might for strength.
241. I will.
244. should betide.
251. But wanting.
253. just I have to pay.
261. bags.
263. that wanting.
273. amongst.
291. in the.
312. Made of a.
313. he laid: him wanting.
323. that he.
324. Then almost.
331. they laid about.
333. full for so.
334. That he.
342. grant to.
354. also for too.
363. There.
372. would I.
373. And would.
382. They would.
393. In a.
401. mettle.
404. afraid.
128
ROBIN HOOD NEWLY REVIVED
‘Robin Hood Newly Reviv’d.’ a. Wood, 401, leaf 27 b. b. Roxburghe, III, 18, in the Ballad Society’s reprint, II, 426. c. Garland of 1663, No 3. d. Garland of 1670, No 2. e. Pepys, II, 101, No 88.
Also Douce, III, 120 b, London, by L. How, and Roxburghe, III, 408: both of these are of the eighteenth century.
a is printed, with not a few changes, in Ritson’s Robin Hood, 1795, II, 66. Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 143, agrees nearly with the Aldermary garland.
Robin Hood, walking the forest, meets a gaily-dressed young fellow, who presently brings down a deer at forty yards with his bow. Robin commends the shot, and offers the youngster a place as one of his yeomen. The offer is rudely received; each bends his bow at the other. Robin suggests that one of them may be slain, if they shoot: swords and bucklers would be better. Robin strikes the first blow, and is so stoutly answered that he is fain to know who the young man is. His name is Gamwell, and, having killed his father’s steward, he has fled to the forest to join his uncle, Robin Hood. The kinsmen embrace, and walk on till they meet Little John. Robin Hood tells John that the stranger has beaten him. Little John would like a bout, to see if the stranger can beat him. This Robin forbids, for this stranger is his own sister’s son; he shall be next in rank to Little John among his yeomen, and be called Scarlet.
The story seems to have been built up on a portion of the ruins, so to speak, of the fine tale of Gamelyn. There the king of the outlaws, sitting at meat with his seven score young men, sees Gamelyn wandering in the wood with Adam, and tells some of his young men to fetch them in. Seven start up to execute the order, and when they come to Gamelyn and his comrade bid the twain hand over their bows and arrows. Gamelyn replies, Not though ye fetch five men, and so be twelve; but no violence being attempted, the pair go to the king, who asks them what they seek in the woods. Gamelyn answers, No harm; but to shoot a deer, if we meet one, like hungry men. The king gives them to eat and drink of the best, and, upon learning that the spokesman is Gamelyn, makes him master, under himself, over all the outlaws. Little John having long had the place of first man under Robin, the best that the ballad-maker could do for Gamwell was to make him chief yeoman after John.[[109]] (The Tale of Gamelyn, ed. Skeat, vv 625–686. The resemblance of the ballad is remarked upon at p. x.)
Ritson gives this ballad the title of Robin Hood and the Stranger, remarking: The title now given to this ballad is that which it seems to have originally borne; having been foolishly altered to Robin Hood newly Revived. R. H. and the Bishop, R. H. and the Beggar, R. H. and the Tanner, are directed to be sung to the tune of Robin Hood and the Stranger, but no ballad bears such a title in any garland or broadside.[[110]] The ballad referred to as Robin Hood and the Stranger may possibly have been this, but, for reasons given at p. 133, Robin Hood and Little John is, as I think, more likely to be the one meant.
Robin Hood and the Stranger was one name for the most popular of Robin Hood tunes, and this particular tune was sometimes called ‘Robin Hood’ absolutely (see the note at the end of the next ballad). If the ballad denoted by Robin Hood and the Stranger was also sometimes known as ‘Robin Hood’ simply, and especially if this ballad was Robin Hood and Little John, an explanation presents itself of the title ‘Robin Hood newly Revived.’ What is revived is the favorite topic of the process by which Robin Hood enlarged and strengthened his company. The earlier ballad had shown how Little John came to join the band; the second undertakes to tell us how Scarlet was enlisted, the next most important man after John.
The second part, referred to in the last stanza, was separated, Mr Chappell thought, when the present ballad was “newly revived,” because the whole was found too long for a penny (one would say that both parts together were “dear enough a leek”), and seven stanzas (incoherent in themselves and not cohering with what lies before us) added to fill up the sheet. These stanzas will be given under No 130, as Robin Hood and the Scotchman; and the “second part,” ‘R. H. and the Prince of Aragon,’ or ‘R. H., Will. Scadlock and Little John,’ follows immediately.
1
Come listen a while, you gentlemen all,
With a hey down down a down down
That are in this bower within,
For a story of gallant bold Robin Hood
I purpose now to begin.
2
‘What time of the day?’ quoth Robin Hood then;
Quoth Little John, ’Tis in the prime;
‘Why then we will to the green wood gang,
For we have no vittles to dine.’
3
As Robin Hood walkt the forrest along—
It was in the mid of the day—
There was he met of a deft young man
As ever walkt on the way.
4
His doublet it was of silk, he said,
His stockings like scarlet shone,
And he walkt on along the way,
To Robin Hood then unknown.
5
A herd of deer was in the bend,
All feeding before his face:
‘Now the best of ye I’le have to my dinner,
And that in a little space.’
6
Now the stranger he made no mickle adoe,
But he bends and a right good bow,
And the best buck in the herd he slew,
Forty good yards him full froe.
7
‘Well shot, well shot,’ quoth Robin Hood then,
‘That shot it was shot in time;
And if thou wilt accept of the place,
Thou shalt be a bold yeoman of mine.’
8
‘Go play the chiven,’ the stranger said,
‘Make haste and quickly go;
Or with my fist, be sure of this,
I’le give thee buffets store.’
9
‘Thou hadst not best buffet me,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘For though I seem forlorn,
Yet I can have those that will take my part,
If I but blow my horn.’
10
‘Thou wast not best wind thy horn,’ the stranger said,
‘Beest thou never so much in hast,
For I can draw out a good broad sword,
And quickly cut the blast.’
11
Then Robin Hood bent a very good bow,
To shoot, and that he would fain;
The stranger he bent a very good bow,
To shoot at bold Robin again.
12
‘O hold thy hand, hold thy hand,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘To shoot it would be in vain;
For if we should shoot the one at the other,
The one of us may be slain.
13
‘But let’s take our swords and our broad bucklers,
And gang under yonder tree:’
‘As I hope to be sav’d,’ the stranger said,
‘One foot I will not flee.’
14
Then Robin Hood lent the stranger a blow
Most scar’d him out of his wit;
‘Thou never felt blow,’ the stranger he said,
‘That shall be better quit.’
15
The stranger he drew out a good broad sword,
And hit Robin on the crown,
That from every haire of bold Robins head
The blood ran trickling down.
16
‘God a mercy, good fellow!’ quoth Robin Hood then,
‘And for this that thou hast done;
Tell me, good fellow, what thou art,
Tell me where thou doest woon.’
17
The stranger then answered bold Robin Hood,
I’le tell thee where I did dwell;
In Maxfield was I bred and born,
My name is Young Gamwell.
18
For killing of my own fathers steward,
I am forc’d to this English wood,
And for to seek an vncle of mine;
Some call him Robin Hood.
19
‘But thou art a cousin of Robin Hoods then?
The sooner we should have done:’
‘As I hope to be sav’d,’ the stranger then said,
‘I am his own sisters son.’
20
But, Lord! what kissing and courting was there,
When these two cousins did greet!
And they went all that summers day,
And Little John did meet.
21
But when they met with Little John,
He there unto [him] did say,
O master, where have you been,
You have tarried so long away?
22
‘I met with a stranger,’ quoth Robin Hood then,
‘Full sore he hath beaten me:’
‘Then I’le have a bout with him,’ quoth Little John,
‘And try if he can beat me.’
23
‘Oh [no], oh no,’ quoth Robin Hood then,
‘Little John, it may [not] be so;
For he’s my own dear sisters son,
And cousins I have no mo.
24
‘But he shall be a bold yeoman of mine,
My chief man next to thee;
And I Robin Hood, and thou Little John,
And Scarlet he shall be:
25
‘And wee’l be three of the bravest outlaws
That is in the North Country.’
If you will have any more of bold Robin Hood,
In his second part it will be.
a, b, e.
Robin Hood newly reviv’d. To a delightful new tune.
c, d.
Robin Hood newly revived: Or his meeting and fighting with his cousin Scarlet. To a delightful new tune.
a.
Printed for Richard Burton. (1641–74.)
21, 71, 91, 121, 161, 221, 223, qd.
63. in th.
112. To that shoot and.
212. him supplied from c, d.
b.
London, Printed for Richard Burton, at the Sign of the Horshooe in West Smithfield.
32. midst.
41. it wanting.
64. full wanting.
112. To shot and that.
124. must be.
212. him wanting.
231. Oh no.
232. may not.
c.
33. ware for met.
71, 91, 121, 161, 221, 223, 231, qd.
93. can I.
101. blow for wind.
112. To shoot and that.
133. he said.
161, 184. bold Robin.
191. art thou.
212. unto him.
231. Oh no.
232. may not.
254. In this.
d.
21, 71, 91, 121, 161, 221, qd.
33. ware for met.
64. good wanting.
72. was in.
92. am for seem.
111. he bent.
112. To shoot and that.
124. must be.
133. he said.
162. that wanting.
181. own wanting.
191. art thou.
212. unto him.
231. Oh no.
232. may not.
253. If thou wilt.
254. In this.
e.
Printed for J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger. (1670–82?)
12. in wanting.
21, 71, 91, 121, 161, 221, 223. quod.
32. midst.
33. with for of.
41. it wanting.
62. and wanting.
64. full wanting.
73. except.
93. can wanting.
112. To that shot and he.
113. bent up a noble.
121. O wanting.
124. must be.
191. art thou.
212. him wanting.
221, 231. then wanting.
231. Oh no.
232. may not.
253. If you’l have more.
254. In this.
Followed in all the copies by seven stanzas which belong to a different ballad. See No 130.
129
ROBIN HOOD AND THE PRINCE OF ARAGON
‘Robin Hood, Will. Scadlock and Little John.’[[111]]
a. Roxburghe, I, 358, in the Ballad Society’s reprint, II, 431. b. Pepys, II, 120, No 106.
Also Roxburghe, III, 582, without a printer’s name.
Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 71, from a, with changes; Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 186.
This is only a pseudo-chivalrous romance, tagged to Robin Hood Newly Revived as a Second Part, with eight introductory stanzas. Both parts are as vapid as possible, and no piquancy is communicated by the matter of the two being as alien as oil and water. The Prince of Aragon, a Turk and an infidel, has beleaguered London, and will have the princess to his spouse, unless three champions can vanquish him and his two giants. Robin Hood, Scadlock, and John undertake the case, and disguise themselves as pilgrims, so as not to be stopped on their way. Robin kills the prince, and John and Scadlock each a giant. The king demands to know who his deliverers are, and Robin Hood avails himself of the opportunity to get the king’s pardon for himself and his men. The princess was to be the victor’s prize, but cannot marry all three, as might perhaps have been foreseen. She is allowed to pick, and chooses Will Scadlock. The Earl of Maxfield is present, and weeps bitterly at the sight of Scadlock, because, he says, he had a son like Will, of the name of Young Gamwell. Scadlock, whom we know from the First Part to be Gamwell, falls at his father’s feet, and the wedding follows.
1
Now Robin Hood, Will Scadlock and Little John
Are walking over the plain,
With a good fat buck which Will Scadlock
With his strong bow had slain.
2
‘Jog on, jog on,’ cries Robin Hood,
‘The day it runs full fast;
For though my nephew me a breakfast gave,
I have not yet broke my fast.
3
‘Then to yonder lodge let us take our way,
I think it wondrous good,
Where my nephew by my bold yeomen
Shall be welcomd unto the green wood.’
4
With that he took the bugle-horn,
Full well he could it blow;
Streight from the woods came marching down
One hundred tall fellows and mo.
5
‘Stand, stand to your arms!’ crys Will Scadlock,
‘Lo! the enemies are within ken:’
With that Robin Hood he laughd aloud,
Crys, They are my bold yeomen.
6
Who, when they arriv’d and Robin espy’d,
Cry’d, Master, what is your will?
We thought you had in danger been,
Your horn did sound so shrill.
7
‘Now nay, now nay,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘The danger is past and gone;
I would have you to welcome my nephew here,
That hath paid me two for one.’
8
In feasting and sporting they passed the day,
Till Phœbus sunk into the deep;
Then each one to his quarters hy’d,
His guard there for to keep.
9
Long had they not walked within the green wood,
But Robin he was espy’d
Of a beautiful damsel all alone,
That on a black palfrey did ride.
10
Her riding-suit was of sable hew black,
Sypress over her face,
Through which her rose-like cheeks did blush,
All with a comely grace.
11
‘Come, tell me the cause, thou pritty one,’
Quoth Robin, ‘and tell me aright,
From whence thou comest, and whither thou goest,
All in this mournful plight?’
12
‘From London I came,’ the damsel reply’d,
‘From London upon the Thames,
Which circled is, O grief to tell!
Besieg’d with forraign arms.
13
‘By the proud Prince of Aragon,
Who swears by his martial hand
To have the princess for his spouse,
Or else to waste this land:
14
‘Except that champions can be found
That dare fight three to three,
Against the prince and giants twain,
Most horrid for to see:
15
‘Whose grisly looks, and eyes like brands,
Strike terrour where they come,
With serpents hissing on their helms,
Instead of feathered plume.
16
‘The princess shall be the victors prize,
The king hath vowd and said.
And he that shall the conquest win
Shall have her to his bride.
17
‘Now we are four damsels sent abroad,
To the east, west, north, and south,
To try whose fortune is so good
To find these champions forth.
18
‘But all in vaine we have sought about;
Yet none so bold there are
That dare adventure life and blood,
To free a lady fair.’
19
‘When is the day?’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘Tell me this and no more:’
‘On Midsummer next,’ the damsel said,
‘Which is June the twenty-four.’
20
With that the teares trickled down her cheeks,
And silent was her tongue;
With sighs and sobs she took her leave,
Away her palfrey sprung.
21
This news struck Robin to the heart,
He fell down on the grass;
His actions and his troubled mind
Shewd he perplexed was.
22
‘Where lies your grief?’ quoth Will Scadlock,
‘O master, tell to me;
If the damsels eyes have piercd your heart,
I’ll fetch her back to thee.’
23
‘Now nay, now nay,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘She doth not cause my smart;
But it is the poor distressed princess
That wounds me to the heart.
24
‘I will go fight the giants all
To set the lady free:’
‘The devil take my soul,’ quoth Little John,
‘If I part with thy company.’
25
‘Must I stay behind?’ quoth Will Scadlock;
‘No, no, that must not be;
I’le make the third man in the fight,
So we shall be three to three.’
26
These words cheerd Robin at the heart,
Joy shone within his face;
Within his arms he huggd them both,
And kindly did imbrace.
27
Quoth he, We’ll put on mothly gray,
With long staves in our hands,
A scrip and bottle by our sides,
As come from the Holy Land.
28
So may we pass along the high-way;
None will ask from whence we came,
But take us pilgrims for to be,
Or else some holy men.
29
Now they are on their journey gone,
As fast as they may speed,
Yet for all haste, ere they arriv’d,
The princess forth was led:
30
To be deliverd to the prince,
Who in the list did stand,
Prepar’d to fight, or else receive
His lady by the hand.
31
With that he walkt about the lists,
With giants by his side:
‘Bring forth,’ said he, ‘your champions,
Or bring me forth my bride.
32
‘This is the four and twentieth day,
The day prefixt upon;
Bring forth my bride, or London burns,
I swear by Acaron.’
33
Then cries the king, and queen likewise,
Both weeping as they speak,
Lo! we have brought our daughter dear,
Whom we are forcd to forsake.
34
With that stept out bold Robin Hood,
Crys, My liege, it must not be so;
Such beauty as the fair princess
Is not for a tyrants mow.
35
The prince he then began to storm;
Crys, Fool, fanatick, baboon!
How dares thou stop my valours prize?
I’ll kill thee with a frown.
36
‘Thou tyrant Turk, thou infidel,’
Thus Robin began to reply,
‘Thy frowns I scorn; lo! here’s my gage,
And thus I thee defie.
37
‘And for these two Goliahs there,
That stand on either side,
Here are two little Davids by,
That soon can tame their pride.’
38
Then did the king for armour send,
For lances, swords, and shields:
And thus all three in armour bright
Came marching to the field.
39
The trumpets began to sound a charge,
Each singled out his man;
Their arms in pieces soon were hewd,
Blood sprang from every vain.
40
The prince he reacht Robin a blow—
He struck with might and main—
Which forcd him to reel about the field,
As though he had been slain.
41
‘God-a-mercy,’ quoth Robin, ‘for that blow!
The quarrel shall soon be try’d;
This stroke shall shew a full divorce
Betwixt thee and thy bride.’
42
So from his shoulders he’s cut his head,
Which on the ground did fall,
And grumbling sore at Robin Hood,
To be so dealt withal.
43
The giants then began to rage,
To see their prince lie dead:
‘Thou’s be the next,’ quoth Little John,
‘Unless thou well guard thy head.’
44
With that his faulchion he whirld about—
It was both keen and sharp—
He clove the giant to the belt,
And cut in twain his heart.
45
Will Scadlock well had playd his part,
The giant he had brought to his knee;
Quoth he, The devil cannot break his fast,
Unless he have you all three.
46
So with his faulchion he run him through,
A deep and gashly wound;
Who damd and foamd, cursd and blasphemd,
And then fell to the ground.
47
Now all the lists with cheers were filld,
The skies they did resound,
Which brought the princess to herself,
Who was faln in a swound.
48
The king and queen and princess fair
Came walking to the place,
And gave the champions many thanks,
And did them further grace.
49
‘Tell me,’ quoth the king, ‘whence you are,
That thus disguised came,
Whose valour speaks that noble blood
Doth run through every vain.’
50
‘A boon, a boon,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘On my knees I beg and crave:’
‘By my crown,’ quoth the king, ‘I grant;
Ask what, and thou shalt have.’
51
‘Then pardon I beg for my merry men,
Which are within the green wood,
For Little John, and Will Scadlock,
And for me, bold Robin Hood.’
52
‘Art thou Robin Hood?’ then quoth the king;
‘For the valour you have shewn,
Your pardons I doe freely grant,
And welcome every one.
53
‘The princess I promised the victors prize;
She cannot have you all three:’
‘She shall chuse,’ quoth Robin: saith Little John,
Then little share falls to me.
54
Then did the princess view all three,
With a comely lovely grace,
Who took Will Scadlock by the hand,
Quoth, Here I make my choice.
55
With that a noble lord stept forth,
Of Maxfield earl was he,
Who lookt Will Scadlock in the face,
Then wept most bitterly.
56
Quoth he, I had a son like thee,
Whom I lovd wondrous well;
But he is gone, or rather dead;
His name is Young Gamwell.
57
Then did Will Scadlock fall on his knees,
Cries, Father! father! here,
Here kneels your son, your Young Gamwell
You said you lovd so dear.
58
But, lord! what imbracing and kissing was there,
When all these friends were met!
They are gone to the wedding, and so to bedding,
And so I bid you good night.
a.
Robin Hood, Will. Scadlock, and Little John, or, A narrative of their victory obtained against the Prince of Aragon and the two Giants: and how Will. Scadlock married the Princess.
Tune of Robin Hood, or, Hey down, down a down.
London, Printed by and for W. O[nley], and are to be sold by the booksellers. (1650–1702.)
11. Will., and always, except 553.
271. moth-ly.
322. perfixt.
471. sheers.
b.
A new ballad of Robin Hood, etc., as in a. To the tune of, etc. London: Printed for A. M[ilbourne], W. O[nley], and T. Thackeray in Duck Lane. (1670–89?)
13. William.
73. I should.
74. has.
102. Cypress.
113. whether.
133. to his.
271. mothly.
321. twenty day.
322. prefixt.
323. or wanting.
371. those.
381. the king did.
403. him rell.
423. grumbled.
463. ramb’d for dam’d.
471. with sheets.
564. it is.
583. and so the bedding.
130
ROBIN HOOD AND THE SCOTCHMAN
A. a. Wood, 401, leaf 27 b. b. Roxburghe, III, 18, in the Ballad Society’s reprint, II, 426. c. Garland of 1663, No 3. d. Garland of 1670, No 2. e. Pepys, II, 101, No 88.
B. Gutch’s Robin Hood, II, 392, from an Irish garland, printed at Monaghan, 1796.
A is simply the conclusion given to Robin Hood Newly Revived in the broadsides, and has neither connection with that ballad nor coherence in itself, being on the face of it the beginning and the end of an independent ballad, with the break after the third stanza. 3 may possibly refer to the Scots giving up Charles I to the parliamentary commissioners, in 1647. In B, four stanzas appear to have been added to the first three of A in order to make out a story,—the too familiar one of Robin being beaten in a fight with a fellow whom he chances to meet, and consequently enlisting the man as a recruit.