Robin Hood / A collection of all the ancient poems, songs, and ballads, now extant, relative to that celebrated English outlaw. To which are prefixed historical anecdotes of his life.

by Unknown

XVI. THE NOBLE FISHER-MAN; OR, ROBIN HOOD’S PREFERMENT:

“Shewing how he won a prize on the sea, and how he gave the one halfe to his dame, and the other to the building of almes-houses. The tune is, In summer time, &c.”

From three old black letter copies, one in the collection of Anthony a Wood, another in the British Museum, and the third in a private collection.

In summer-time, when leaves grow green,

When they doe grow both green and long,—

Of a bold outlaw, call’d Robin Hood,

It is of him I sing this song,— {263}

When the lilly leafe, and the ‘eglantine,’

Doth bud and spring with a merry cheere,