"O man I do stand, and he makes me stand,
The tanner that stands thee beside;
He is a bonny blade, and master of his trade,
For soundly he hath tan'd my hide."
"He is to be commended," then said Little John,
"If such a feat he can do;125
If he be so stout, we will have a bout,
And he shall tan my hide too."
"Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin Hood,
"For as I do understand,130
He's a yeoman good of thine own blood,
For his name is Arthur-a-Bland."
Then Little John threw his staff away,
As far as he could it fling,
And ran out of hand to Arthur-a-Bland,135
And about his neck did cling.
With loving respect, there was no neglect,
They were neither nice nor coy,
Each other did face with a lovely grace,
And both did weep for joy.140
Then Robin Hood took them both by the hands,
And danc'd round about the oke tree;
"For three merry men, and three merry men,
And three merry men we be.
"And ever hereafter as long as we live,145
We three will be as one;
The wood it shall ring, and the old wife sing,
Of Robin Hood, Arthur, and John.
[13], did him.
[35]. I get. Ritson.