Which courtesie won him such love,
As I before have told,
'Twas the cheef cause that he did prove
More prosperous than he could.460
Let us be thankefull for these times
Of plenty, truth, and peace;
And leave out great and horrid crimes,
Least they cause this to cease.
I know there's many fained tales465
Of Robbin Hood and 's crew;
But chronicles, which seldom fayles,
Reports this to be true.
Let none then thinke this is a lye,
For, if 'twere put to th' worst,470
They may the truth of all discry
I' th' raigne of Richard the first.
If any reader please to try,
As I direction show,
The truth of this brave history,475
Hee'll find it true I know.
And I shall think my labour well
Bestowed to purpose good,
When't shall be said that I did tell
True tales of Robbin Hood.480
[412], times.