"A boon, a boon," Robin hee cryes,
"If thou will grant it mee;"
"Before I do it," the tinker said,135
"Ile hang thee on this tree."
But the tinker looking him about,
Robin his horn did blow;
Then came unto him Little John,
And William Scadlock too.140
"What is the matter," quoth Little John,
"You sit on th' highway side?"
"Here is a tinker that stands by,
That hath paid well my hide."
"That tinker then," said Little John,145
"Fain that blade I would see,
And I would try what I could do,
If hee'l do as much for me."
But Robin hee then wish'd them both
They should the quarrel cease,150
"That henceforth wee may bee as one,
And ever live in peace.
"And for the jovial tinkers part,
A hundred pounds Ile give
In th' year to maintain him on,155
As long as he doth live.
"In manhood he is a mettled man,
And a mettle-man by trade;
Never thought I that any man
Should have made mee so afraid.160
"And if hee will bee one of us,
"We will take all one fare;
And whatsoever wee do get,
He shall have his full share."
So the tinker was content165
With them to go along,
And with them a part to take:
And so I end my song.