The Father of Robin a Forester was,
and he shot in a lusty long Bow,
Two North Country Miles and a Inch at a shot,
as the Pinder of Wakefield[11] does know.
For he brought Adam Bell,[12] and Clim of the Glugh,[13]
and William a Clowdel-le;[14]
To shoot with our Forester, for forty Marks,
and the Forester beat them all three.
His Mother was Niece to a Coventry Knight,
which Warwickshire Men call Sir Guy;[15]
For he slew the Blew Bore that hangs up at the Gate,
or mine Host of the Bull tells a lie.
Her Brother was Gamwell[16] of great Gamwell-Hall,
and a noble House-keeper was he,
Ay, as ever broke Bread in sweet Nottinghamshire,
and a Squire of famous Degree.
The Mother of Robin said to her Husband,
my Honey, my Love and my Dear;
Let Robin and I, ride this Morning to Gamwel,
to take of my Brother's good Cheer.
And he said, I grant thee boon, gentle Joan,
take one of my Horses I pray:
The Sun is a rising, and therefore make Haste,
for to morrow is Christmas Day.
Then Robin Hood's Father's grey Gelding was brought
and sadled and bridled was he,
God-wot, a blew Bonnet, his new Suit of Cloaths,
and a Cloak that did reach to his Knee.
She got on her Holy-day Girdle and Gown,
they were of a light Lincoln Green,
The Cloath was home spun, but for Colour and make
it might a beseem'd our Queen.
And then Robin got on his Basket-hilt Sword,
and a Dagger on his tother side:
And said, my dear Mother, let's haste to be gone,
we have forty long Miles to ride.
When Robin had mounted his Gelding so grey,
his Father without any Trouble,
Got her up behind him, and bid her not fear,
for his Gelding had oft carried double.