"What, dost thou think, thou proud fellow,
That thou canst conquer me?
Nay, thou shalt know, before thou go,
I'll fight before I'le flee."100
Again the shepherd laid on him,
'Just as he first begun;'
"Hold thy hand," cry'd bold Robin,
"I will yield the wager won."
"With all my heart," said Little John,105
"To that I will agree;
For he is the flower of shepherd swains,
The like I did never see."
Thus have you heard of Robin Hood,
Also of Little John,110
How a shepherd swain did conquer them;
The like was never known.
ROBIN HOOD AND THE PEDDLERS.
Communicated to Gutch by Mr. Payne Collier, and first published in Gutch's Robin Hood, ii. 351.
Will you heare a tale of Robin Hood,
Will Scarlett, and Little John?
Now listen awhile, it will make you smile,
As before it hath many a one.
They were archers three, of hie degree,5
As good as ever drewe bowe;
Their arrowes were long and their armes were strong,
As most had cause to knowe.
But one sommers day, as they toke their way
Through the forrest of greene Sherwood,10
To kill the kings deare, you shall presently heare
What befell these archers good.