"What is that news?" the tinker said;
"Tell mee without delay;
I am a tinker by my trade,15
And do live in Banburà."
"As for the news," quoth Robin Hood,
"It is but as I hear,
Two tinkers were set i'th' stocks,
For drinking ale and beer."20
"If that be all," the tinker said,
"As I may say to you,
Your news is not worth a f—t,
Since that they all bee true.
"For drinking of good ale and beer,25
You will not lose your part:"
"No, by my faith," quoth Robin Hood,
"I love it with all my heart.
"What news abroad?" quoth Robin Hood,
"Tell me what thou dost hear:30
Seeing thou goest from town to town,
Some news thou need not fear."
"All the news I have," the tinker said,
"I hear it is for good,
It is to seek a bold outlàw,35
Which they call Robin Hood.
"I have a warrant from the king,
To take him where I can;
If you can tell me where hee is,
I will make you a man.40
"The king would give a hundred pound
That he could but him see;
And if wee can but now him get,
It will serve thee and mee."
"Let me see that warrant," said Robin Hood,45
"Ile see if it bee right;
And I will do the best I can
For to take him this night.
"That will I not," the tinker said,
"None with it I will trust;50
And where hee is if you'll not tell,
Take him by force I must."