The mother of Robin said to her husbànd,25
"My honey, my love, and my dear,
Let Robin and I ride this morning to Gamwel,
To taste of my brother's good cheer."
And he said, "I grant thee thy boon, gentle Joan,
Take one of my horses, I pray:30
The sun is arising, and therefore make haste,
For to-morrow is Christmas-day."
Then Robin Hood's father's grey gelding was brought,
And sadled and bridled was he;
God wot a blue bonnet, his new suit of cloaths,35
And a cloak that did reach to his knee.
She got on her holyday kirtle and gown,
They were of a light Lincoln green;
The cloath was homespun, but for colour and make
It might a beseem'd our queen.40
And then Robin got on his basket-hilt sword,
And his dagger on his tother side;
And said, "My dear mother, let's haste to be gone,
We have forty long miles to ride."
When Robin had mounted his gelding so grey,45
His father, without any trouble,
Set her up behind him, and bad her not fear,
For his gelding [had] oft carried double.
And when she was settled, they rode to their neighbours,
And drank and shook hands with them all;50
And then Robin gallopt, and never gave o're,
'Till they lighted at Gamwel-Hall.
And now you may think the right worshipful 'squire
Was joyful his sister to see;
For he kist her, and kist her, and swore a great oath,55
"Thou art welcome, kind sister, to me."
To-morrow, when mass had been said in the chappel,
Six tables were covered in the hall,
And in comes the 'squire, and makes a short speech,
It was, "Neighbours, you're welcome all.60
"But not a man here shall taste my March beer,
'Till a Christmas carrol he does sing:"
Then all clapt their hands, and they shouted and sung,
'Till the hall and the parlour did ring.