"Thou art a brave fellow; I needs must confess,
I never knew any so good;
Thou art fitting to be a yeoman for me,55
And range in the merry green-wood.
"Ill give thee this ring as a token of love,
For bravely thou hast acted thy part;
That man that can fight, in him I delight,
And love him with all my whole heart.60
Robin Hood set his bugle-horn to his mouth,
A blast then he merrily blows;
His yeomen did hear, and strait did appear,
A hundred with trusty long bows.
Now Little John came at the head of them all,65
Cloath'd in a rich mantle of green;
And likewise the rest were gloriously drest,
A delicate sight to be seen.
"Lo, these are my yeomen," said bold Robin Hood,
"And thou shalt be one of the train;70
A mantle and bow, and quiver also,
I give them whom I entertain."
The forester willingly enter'd the list,
They were such a beautiful sight;
Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe,75
And made a rich supper that night.
What singing and dancing was in the green wood,
For joy of another new mate!
With might and delight they spent all the night,
And liv'd at a plentiful rate.80
The forester ne'er was so merry before,
As then he was with these brave souls,
Who never would fail, in wine, beer, or ale,
To take off their cherishing bowls.
Then Robin Hood gave him a mantle of green,85
Broad arrows, and curious long bow:
This done, the next day, so gallant and gay,
He marchèd them all on a row.
Quoth he, "My brave yeomen, be true to your trust,
And then we may range the woods wide:"90
They all did declare, and solemnly swear,
They would conquer, or die by his side.