Ritson printed this piece from a black-letter edition dated 1686. Gutch obtained a somewhat better copy from Mr. Collier, which we have here followed. "The date of Mr. Collier's copy is cut off, but enough remains to shew that it was printed at London, 'for T. Cotes, and are to be sold by F. Grove, dwelling upon Snow-hill near the Saracens * * *.' The first edition was entered at Stationers' Hall, 20th February, 1631."
The title in full is: "A True Tale of Robbin Hood, Or, a brief touch of the life and death of that renowned outlaw, Robert, Earle of Huntington, vulgarly called Robbin Hood, who lived and died in 1198, being the 9th yeare of king Richard the first, commonly called Richard Cuer de Lyon; carefully collected out of the truest writers of our English Chronicles and published for the satisfaction of those who desire to see truth purged from falsehood. By Martin Parker."
At the end of the tale is the following epitaph, "which the prioresse of the monastery of Kirkes Lay in Yorkshire set over Robbin Hood, which was to bee reade within these hundreth yeares (though in old broken English), much to the same sence and meaning."
Decembris quarto die 1198. anno regni Richardii primi 9.
Robert earle of Huntington
Lies under this little stone.
No archer was like him so good;
His wildnesse named him Robbin Hood.
Full thirteene yeares and something more,
These northern parts he vexed sore;
Such outlawes as hee and his men,
May England never know agen.
"Some other superstitious words were in it, which I thought fit to leave out." M. P.
Both gentlemen, or yeomen bould,
Or whatsoever you are,
To have a stately story tould
Attention now prepare.
It is a tale of Robin Hood,5
Which I to you will tell,
Which being rightly understood,
I know will please you well.
This Robbin (so much talked on)
Was once a man of fame,10
Instiled earle of Huntington,
Lord Robert Hood by name.
In courtship and magnificence
His carriage won him prayse,
And greater favour with his prince15
Than any in his dayes.