ROBIN HOOD AND THE SHEPHERD.
Shewing how Robin Hood, Little John, and the Shepherd fought a sore combate.
The shepherd fought for twenty pound, and Robin for bottle and bag,
But the shepherd stout gave them the rout, so sore they could not wag.
Tune is, Robin Hood and Queen Katherine.
"From two old black-letter copies, one of them in the collection of Anthony à Wood, the other in that of Thomas Pearson, Esq.," [now in the British Museum.] Ritson's Robin Hood, ii. 55.
The same story, with verbal coincidences, serves for the first part of King Alfred and the Shepherd.
All gentlemen and yeomen good,
Down, a down, a down, a down,
I wish you to draw near;
For a story of gallant bold Robin Hood
Unto you I will declare.
Down, &c.
As Robin Hood walkt the forrest along,5
Some pastime for to spie,
There he was aware of a jolly shephèrd,
That on the ground did lie.
"Arise, arise," cried jolly Robin,
"And now come let me see10
What's in thy bag and bottle, I say,
Come tell it unto me."
"What's that to thee, thou proud fellòw?
Tell me as I do stand;
What hast thou to do with my bag and bottle?15
Let me see thy command."