"Those who go out to catch are caught,
As you shall presently hear;
For bold Robin Hood once a lesson was taught
Which well-nigh had cost him dear.
"'I'm going alone,' said Robin, one day--
'I'm going alone, to see
What sport I can make on the king's highway,
For I am as good as three.
"'Take any three men from Nottingham town,
And set them all of a row,
If they bide my buffet and do not go down,
They shall set me up for a show.'
"Bold Robin went out, and he met with a man--
A grinder he was by trade;
And 'Hillo! stand fast!' good Robin began,
'Bide here, till the toll be paid.'
"'Get out of my way, toll-taker,' said he;
'I'm a grinder, and one of hot blood,
And I have a strap that should well leather thee,
Wert thou even our bold Robin Hood!'
"Then Robin he took his stout staff in his hand,
And struck at the grinder a blow,
But he jump'd aside, and his running wheel-band
O'er Robin's two shoulders did throw.
"With a tug at the end, and a twitch at the buckle,
He pull'd it down over his wrists--
I know not if Robin's forgotten his knuckle,
But he left him the sign of his fists.
"Good luck for bold Robin!--the grinder took fright
At three yeomen, who came from the wood,
Or right sure he'd have pummell'd him on until night,
And made jelly of bold Robin Hood!"
Robin laughed heartily at the song; and turning to the Earl, he said--"If men should ever talk of me after I am dead, they'll take my character from yon knave's songs. But come, my lord, I'll give you one myself, to another tune."