"A boon, a boon," cry'd bold Robin,
"If that a man thou be,
Then let me take my beugle horn,
And blow out blasts three."60
Then said the shepherd to bold Robin,
"To that will I agree;
For if thou shouldst blow till to-morrow morn,
I scorn one foot to flee."
Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth,65
And he blew with mickle main,
Until he espied Little John
Come tripping over the plain.
"O who is yonder, thou proud fellow,
That comes down yonder hill?"70
"Yonder is John, bold Robin Hoods man,
Shall fight with thee thy fill."
"What is the matter?" saies Little John,
"Master, come tell unto me:"
"My case is bad," cries Robin Hood,75
"For the shepherd hath conquered me."
"I am glad of that," cries Little John,
"Shepherd turn thou to me;
For a bout with thee I mean to have,
Either come fight or flee."80
"With all my heart, thou proud fellòw,
For it never shall be said
That a shepherds hook at thy sturdy look
Will one jot be dismaied."
So they fell to it, full hardy and sore,85
Striving for victorie;
"I will know," says John, "ere we give o'er,
Whether thou wilt fight or flee."
The shepherd gave John a sturdie blow,
With his hook under the chin;90
"Beshrew thy heart," said Little John,
"Thou basely dost begin."
"Nay, that is nothing," said the shepherd;
"Either yield to me the daie,
Or I will bang thy back and sides,95
Before thou goest thy way.