THE SECOND PART OF ROBIN GOOD-FELLOW, COMMONLY CALLED HOB-GOBLIN
HOW ROBIN GOOD-FELLOW HELPED A MAID TO WORK
Robin Good-fellow oftentimes would in the night visit farmers' houses, and help the maids to break hemp, to bolt[[5]], to dress flax, and to spin and do other work, for he was
excellent in everything. One night he came to a farmer's house, where there was a good handsome maid: this maid having much work to do, Robin one night did help her, and in six hours did bolt more than she could have done in twelve hours. The maid wondered the next day how her work came, and to know the doer, she watched the next night that did follow. About twelve of the clock in came Robin, and fell to breaking of hemp, and for to delight himself he sung this mad song.
And can the physician make sick men well?
And can the magician a fortune divine?
Without lily, germander and sops-in-wine?
With sweet-brier
And bon-fire,
And strawberry wire,