ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE.
This ballad was derived from the Percy Manuscript, and is printed in the Reliques, i. 84 (ed. 1794), with some alterations by the Editor.
"As for Guy of Gisborne," says Ritson, "the only further memorial which has occurred concerning him is in an old satirical piece by William Dunbar, a celebrated Scottish poet of the fifteenth century, on one "Schir Thomas Nory," (MS. Maitland, p. 3, MMS. More, Ll. 5, 10,) where he is named along with our hero, Adam Bell, and other worthies, it is conjectured of a similar stamp, but whose merits have not, less fortunately, come to the knowledge of posterity.
"Was nevir weild Robeine under bewch,
Nor yitt Roger of Clekkislewch,
So bauld a bairne as he;
Gy of Gysburne, na Allane Bell,
Na Simones sones of Quhynsell,
Off thocht war nevir so slie."
"Gisborne is a market town in the west riding of the county of York, on the borders of Lancashire."
When [shaws] beene sheene, and shradds full fayre,
And leaves both large and longe,
Itt is merrye walkyng in the fayre forrèst,
To heare the small birdes songe.
The woodweele sang, and wold not cease,5
Sitting upon the spraye,
Soe lowde, he wakened Robìn Hood,
In the greenwood where he lay.
"Now, by my faye," sayd jollye Robìn,
"A sweaven I had this night;10
I dreamt me of tow [wight] yemèn,
That fast with me can fight.
"Methought they did mee beate and binde,
And tooke my bowe mee froe;
Iff I be Robin alive in this lande,15
Ile be wroken on them towe."