“You gentlemen, and yeomen good,
Come in and drink with Robin Hood.
If Robin Hood be not at home,
Come in and drink with Little John.”
Which last line a country publican, not very well versed in ballad lore, thus corrected:—
“Come in and drink with Jemmie Webster.”
At Bradford, in Yorkshire, the following variation occurs:—
“Call here, my boy, if you are dry,
The fault’s in you, and not in I.
If Robin Hood from home is gone,
Step in and drink with Little John.”
At Overseal, in Leicestershire:—
“Robin Hood is dead and gone,
Pray call and drink with Little John.”
Finally, at Turnham Green:—
“Try Charrington’s ale, you will find it good.
Step in and drink with Robin Hood.
If Robin Hood,” &c.
And to shew the perfect application of the rhyme, mine host informs the public that he is “Little John from the old Pack Horse,” (a public-house opposite.)