Tho' (then) Robin Hood, litell John, frier Tuck,
And Marian, deftly play,
And lord and ladie gang till kirke,
With lads and lasses gay;
Fra masse and een sang sa gud cheere,
And glee on ery greene.
These four characters, therefore—Robin Hood, Little John, Friar Tuck, and Maid Marian—although no constituent parts of the original English morris, became at length so blended with it, especially on the festival of May-day, that, until the practice of archery was nearly laid aside, they continued to be the most essential part of the pageantry.
BLESSINGTON'S CHOICE.
BY FITZ MORNER.