But soon return’d again.
XXVIII. ROBIN HOOD’S DEATH AND BURIAL:
“Shewing how he was taken ill, and how he went to his cousin at Kirkley-hall, who let him blood, which was the cause of his death. Tune of Robin Hood’s Last Farewel, &c.”
This very old and curious piece is preserved solely in the editions of “Robin Hood’s Garland” printed at York (or such as have been taken from them), where it is made to conclude with some foolish lines (adopted from the London copy of the preceding ballad), in order to introduce the epitaph. It is here given from a collation of two different copies, containing numerous variations, a few of which are retained in the margin.
When Robin Hood and Little John,
Down a down, a down, a down,
Went o’er yon bank of broom,
Said Robin Hood to Little John,