Although his funerall was but mean,
This woman had in minde,
Least his fame should be buried clean
From those that came behind.420
For certainly, before nor since,
No man e're understood,
Under the reign of any prince,
Of one like Robbin Hood.
Full thirteene years, and something more,425
These outlawes lived thus,
Feared of the rich, loved of the poor,
A thing most marvelous.
A thing unpossible to us
This story seems to be;430
None dares be now so venturous,
But times are chang'd we see.
We that live in these later dayes
Of civile government,
If need be, have an hundred wayes435
Such outlawes to prevent.
In those days men more barbarous were,
And lived less in awe;
Now (God be thanked) people feare
More to offend the law.440
No roaring guns were then in use,
They dreampt of no such thing;
Our Englishmen in fight did chuse
The gallant gray-goose wing:
In which activity these men,445
Through practice, were so good,
That in those days none equal'd them,
Specially Robbin Hood.
So that, it seemes, keeping in caves,
In woods and forests thicke,450
They'd beate a multitude with staves,
Their arrowes did so pricke.
And none durst neare unto them come,
Unlesse in courtesie;
All such he bravely would send home,455
With mirth and jollity.