"For 'tis a fine life, and 'tis void of all strife."145
"So 'tis, sir," Clorinda reply'd.
"But oh," said bold Robin, "how sweet would it be,
If Clorinda would be my bride!"
She blusht at the motion; yet, after a pause
Said, "Yes, sir, and with all my heart:"150
"Then let us send for a priest," said Robin Hood,
"And be married before we do part."
But she said, "It may not be so, gentle sir,'
For I must be at Titbury feast;
And if Robin Hood will go thither with me,155
I'll make him the most welcome guest."
Said Robin Hood, "Reach me that buck, Little John,
For I'll go along with my dear;
And bid my yeomen kill six brace of bucks,
And meet me to-morrow just here."160
Before he had ridden five Staffordshire miles,
Eight yeomen, that were too bold,
Bid Robin Hood stand, and deliver his buck;
A truer tale never was told.
"I will not, faith," said bold Robin; "come, John,165
Stand by me, and we'll beat 'em all:"
Then both drew their swords, and so cut 'em, and slasht 'em,
That five of them did fall.
The three that remain'd call'd to Robin for quarter,
And pitiful John begg'd their lives;170
When John's boon was granted, he gave them good counsel,
And sent them all home to their wives.
This battle was fought near to Titbury town,
[When the bagpipes baited the bull;]
I'm the king of the fidlers, and I swear 'tis truth,175
And I call him that doubts it a gull:
For I saw them fighting, and fiddled the while,
And Clorinda sung "Hey derry down!
The bumkins are beaten, put up thy sword, Bob,
And now let's dance into the town."180
Before we came in, we heard a strange shouting,
And all that were in it look'd madly;
For some were on bull-back, some dancing a morris,
And some singing Arthur-a-Bradley.