Shakspeare and His Times [Vol. 1 of 2] / Including the Biography of the Poet; criticisms on his genius and writings; a new chronology of his plays; a disquisition on the on the object of his sonnets; and a history of the manners, customs, and amusements, superstitions, poetry, and elegant literature of his age

by Nathan Drake

But he hath heard some talk of him and little John;—

Of Tuck the merry friar, which many a sermon made

In praise of Robin Hood, his outlaws and their trade;—

"Of Robin's" mistress dear, his loved Marian,

—— —— —— which wheresoe'er she came,

Was sovereign of the woods, chief lady of the game:

Her clothes tuck'd to the knee, and dainty braided hair,

With bow and quiver arm'd;"[159:B]

characters which Warner, the contemporary of Drayton and Shakspeare, has exclusively recorded as celebrating the rites of May; for,

speaking of the periods of some of our festivals, and remarking that "ere penticost begun our May," he adds,