if I had a hundreth pound I would giue it to thee Robin tooke the forty pound and deuided it then did he Halfe he gaue to his merry men and bad them merry be Full curteously Robin gan say haue this for your spending we shall meet another day gramercy then said our King but well thee greeteth Edward our king he hath sent to thee his Seale And biddeth thee come to Nottingham both to meat and meale He tooke out the broad Seale and soone he let him see Robin could his curtesie and set him on his knee I loue no man in all the world so well as I doe my King Welcome be my Lords Seale and Monk for thy tyding Sir Abbot for thy tyding to day thou shalt dine with mee For the loue of my King vnder the trusty tree Foorth he had our comely King full faire by the hand Many a Deere there was slaine and full was fast dight and Robin tooke a full great horne and loud he gan it blowe Seauen score of wight yeomen came running on a rowe All they kneeled on their knee full faire before Robin The King said himselfe vntill and swore by saint Austin Here is a wonder seemely sight me thinketh by Gods pine His men are more at his bidding then my men be at mine Full hastily was their dinner dight and thereto can they gone they serued our king with all their might both Robin and little Iohn Anon before our King was set the fat Venison the good white bread the good red wine and thereto the good Ale browne Make good cheere said Robin Abbot for charitie And for this ylke tiding blessed may thou be Now shalt thou see what life I lead or that thou hence wend then thou maist enforme our King when ye together be lend Vp they start all in haste their Bowes were smartly bent Our King was neuer so sore agast he went to haue beene shent Two yardes there were vp set thereto can they gang By fiftye pace our King said the markes were too long On euery side a rose garland they shot vnder the line who so faileth of the rose garland said Robin his tackle he shall tine And yeeld it to his maister be it neuer so fine For no man will I spare so drink I ale or wine A good buffet on his head beare for this shall be his fine And those that fell to Robins lot he smote them wonder sare twice Robin shot about and euer he claue the wand And so did good Gilbert with the lilly white hand Little Iohn and good Scathlock for nothing would they spare When they failed of the garland Robin smote them full sare At the last shoote that Robin shot fore all his freends faire Yet he failed the garland three fingers and more Then bespake good Gilbert and then he gan say Master he said your tackle is lost stand foorth and take your pay If it be so said Robin that may no better be Sir Abbot I deliuer thee mine arrow I pray thee serue thou me It falleth not for mine order said the King Robin be thy leaue For to smite no good yeoman for dout I should him greue Smite one boldely said Robin I giue thee largely leaue Anon our King with that word he folded vp his sleue And such a buffet he gaue Robin to ground he yede full neere I make mine auow to God said Robin thou art a tall Frier There is pith in thine arme said Robin I trow thou can well shoot Thus our King and Robin hood togither gan they meet Robin beheld our comely King stedfast in the face So did Sir Richard at the Lee and kneeled downe in that place And so did all the said outlawes when they sawe them kneele My Lord the King of England now I know you well Mercy then said Robin to our King vnder this trusly tree Of thy goodnes and thy grace for my men and for mee And yet said good Robin as good God do me saue I aske thee mercy my Lord the King and for my men I it craue Yes for God said our King thy petition I graunt thee So that thou wilt leaue the greenwood and all thy company And come home to my Court there to dwell with me I make mine auow to God said Robin and right so shall it be I will come to your Court your seruice for to see And bring with me of my men seuenscore and three But and I like not your seruice I will come again full soon And shoot at the dunne deere as I was wunt to doon ¶ The viii fit HAst thou any green cloth said our king that thou wilt sell to me Yea for God said Robin thirtie yardes and three Robin said our king now pray I thee To sell me some of that cloth to me and my meynye Yes for God then said Robin or els I were a foole An other day ye will me clothe Itrowe against the yule The king cast of his cote then a green garment he did on And euery knight had so ywis they clothed them full soon When they were clothed in Lincoln green they cast a way the gray Now shall we to Notingham all this our king can say They bent their bowes and forth they went shooting all in fere toward the towne of Nottingham outlawes as thy were Our king and Robin rode togither forsooth as I you say And all they shot pluck buffet as thy went by the way And many a buffet our King wan of Robin hood that day And nothing spared good Robin our King when he did pay So God me helpe said the King thy game is naught to lere I should not get a shot of thee though I shot all this yeere All the people of Nottingham they stood and beheld they saw nothing but mantles of greene that couered all the field Then euery man togither can say I drede our King be stone Come Robin hood to the towne ywis on liue he leaueth not one Full hastely they began to flee both yeomen and knaues And olde wiues that might euill goe they hipped on their staues The King lough full fast and commaunded them to come againe when they saw our comely King ywis they were full faine They eat and drank made them glad and sung with notes hye Then bespake our comely King to sir Richard of the Lee He gaue him there his land again a good man he had him be Robin hood thanked our comely King and set him on his knee Robin hood dwelled in the Kings court but twelue moneths and three that he had spent an hundreth pound and all his mens fee. In euery place where Robin came euermore he laid downe Both for Knights and Squires to get him a great renowne By than the yere was all gone he had no man but twaine Little Iohn and good Scathelock with all for to gone Robin saw young men shoot full faire vpon a day Alas then said good Robin my wealth is wend away Sometime
I was an archer good a stiffe and eke a strong I was commended for the best archer that was in merry England Alas then said good Robin alas what shall I doe If I dwell lenger with the King sorrow will me slo Foorth then went Robin hood till he came to our King My Lord the King of England graunt me my asking I made a Chappell in bernisdale that seemely is to see It is of Mary Magdalen and there would I faine be I might no time this seauen nights no time to sleepe one winke Neither all this seauen dayes nother eat nor drinke Me longeth sore to Bernisdale I may not be there fro Bare foot and wolward haue I hight thither for to goe If it be so then said our king it may no better be Seuen nights I giue thee leue no lenger to dwell from me Gramarcy Lord then said Robin and set him on his knee He tooke his leaue full curteously to greenwood then went he When he came to greenwood in a mery morning There he heard the notes small of birds mery singing It is farre gon said Robin that I was last heere I haue a little lust for to shoot at the dunne deere Robin slew a full great hart his horne then can he blowe That all the outlawes of that Forrest that horne could they knowe and gathered them togither in a little throwe Seauenscore of wight yeomen came running on a rowe And faire did of their hoods and set them on their knee Welcome they said our maister vnder the greenwood tree Robin dwelled in greenwood twenty yeeres and two Then for dred of Edward our King againe would he not goe Yet he was beguiled ywis through a wicked woman the prioresse of Kirkesley that nye was of his kinne For the loue of a knight sir Roger of Dankastre For euill mote they thee they tooke togither their counsaile Robin hood for to sley And how they might best doe that deed his banes for to be Then bespake good Robin in place whereas he stood to morrow I must to Kirkesley craftely to be letten blood Sir Roger of Dancastre by the prioresse he lay And there they betrayed Robin hood through their false play Christ haue mercy on his soule that died on the rood For he was a good outlaw and did poore men much good * Thus endeth the life of Robin hood Heere beginneth the play of Robin Hood very proper to be played in May games Robin hood NOw stand ye forth my merry men all and hark what I shall say Of an aduenture I shall you tell the which befell this other day As I went by the high way with a stout Frier I met And a quarter staffe in his hand lightly to me he leapt And still he bad me stand there were stripes two or three But I cannot tell who had the worse but well I wot the whorson Leapt within me and fro me tooke my pursse Is there any of my merry men all that to the Frier will goe And bring him to me foorth withall whether he will or no. Little Iohn Yes Maister I make God auow to that Frier will I goe And bring him to you whither he will or no Frier Tuck Deus hic Deus hic God be heere is not this a holy word of a Frier God saue all this company But am not I a iolly Frier For I can shoote both farre and neere and handly the sword and buckler and this quarter staffe also If I meet with a gentle man or yeman I am not afraid to looke him vpon nor boldly with him to carpâ— If he speake any words to me He shall haue stripes two or three that shall make his body smart But maisters to shew you the matter wherefore and why I am come hither in faith I will not spare I am come to seeke a good yeoman in Bernisdale men say is his habitation His name is Robin hood And if he be better man then I his seruant will I be and serue him truly But if that I be a better man then he by my truth my knaue shall he be and lead these dogges all three Robin hood Yeeld thee Frier in thy long cote my throte Frier tuck I beshrew thy hart Knaue thou hurtest Robin hood I trowe Frier thou beginnest to dote who made thee so malapert and so bold To come into this Forrest heere among my fallow deere Frier Goe louse thee ragged knaue if thou make many words I wil giue thee on the eare though I be but a poore Frier to seeke Robin hood I am come heere and to him my hart to break thou lousie Frier what wouldst thou with him he neuer loued Frier nor none of Friers kin Frier Auaunt ragged knaue or ye shall haue on the skin Robin hood Of all the men in a morning thou art the worst to meet with thee I haue no lust For he that meeteth a frier or a fox in the morning to speede ill that day he standeth in ieopardie therefore I had rather meet with the deuill Frier I tell thee as I think then meete with a frier or a fox in a morning or I drinke Frier Auaunt thou ragged knaue this is but a mock if thou make many words thou shalt haue a knock Robin hood Hark frier what I say heere ouer this water thou shalt me beare the bridge is borne away Frier To say thee nay I will not to let thee of thine oth it were great pitty sin but vpon a Friers back and haue euen in Robin hood Nay haue ouer Frier now am I frier within thou Robin without to lay thee heere I haue no great doubt Now art thou Robin without I frier within Lye there knaue choose either sinke or swim Robin hood Why thou lousie frier what hast thou doon Frier Marry set a knaue ouer the shoon Robin hood Therefor thou shalt abye Frier Why wilt thou fight a pluck Robin hood And God send me good luck Frier Then haue a stroke for Frier tuck Robin hood Holde thy hand Frier and heare me speak Frier Say on ragged knaue me seemeth ye begin to sweat Robin hood In this Forrest I haue a hound I will not giue him for an hundreth pound Giue me leaue my horne to blowe that my hound may know Frier Blowe on ragged knaue without any doubt vntill both thine eyes start out Heere is a sorte of ragged knaues come in Clothed all in kendall greene and to thee they take their way now Robin hood Peraduenture they doe so Frier I gaue thee leaue to blow at thy will now giue me leaue to whistle my sill Robin hood Whistle Frier euill might thou fare vntill both thine eyes stare Frier Now cut and Bause Bring foorth the clubbes and staues And downe with those ragged knaues Robin hood How saist thou Frier wilt thou be my man to doo me the best seruice thou can Thou shalt haue both gold and fee And also heer is a lady free I will giue
Iohn I shall giue you to drinke and thogh you liue this hundreth winter on little Iohn shall ye thinke Little Iohn eat and also drunke the while that he would the Sheriffe had in the kitchin a Cooke a stout man and a bold I make my auow to God said the Cooke thou art a shrewd hine in an hous-hold for to dwell for to aske thus to dine And there he lent little Iohn good strokes three I make mine auow said little Iohn these strokes doe like well me Thou art a bold man and a hardie and so thinketh me And ere I passe from this place assaied better shalt thou be Little Iohn drew a good sword The Cooke an other in hand they thought nothing to flee but stifly for to stand There they fought sore togethrr two mile way and more might neither other harme done the mountenance of an houre I make mine auow to God said little Iohn and by my true lewte thou art one of the best sword-men that euer I saw yet Couldst thou shoote as well in a bow to greene-wood thou shouldst with me And two times in the yeare thy clothing changed it should be And euery yeare of Robin hood twenty marke to thy fee. Put vp thy sword said the Cooke and fellowes we will be Then he fet to little Iohn the numbles af a Doe Good bread and full good wine they eat and dranke thereto And when they had drunken well their truthes together they plight that they would be with Robin that ylke day at night They hied them to the treasure-house as fast as they could gone The lockes that were of good steele they brake them euery one They tooke away siluer Vessell and all that they might get Peeces Masers and spoones would they none forget Also they tooke the good pence three hundreth pound and three and hied them to Robin hood vnder the greene-wood tree God thee saue my deere Maister and Christ thee saue and see And thou said Robin to little Iohn welcome thou art to me and so is that good yeoman that thou hast brought with thee What tydings from Notiâ—ngham little Iohn tell thou me Well thee greeteth the proude Sheriffe he hath sent thee heere by me his Cup and his siluer Vessell and three hundreth pound and three I make mine auow to God said Robin and by the Trinity it was neuer by his good will this good is come to me Little Iohn him bethought on a shrewde wile 5. mile in the Forrest him happened at his will Then he met the proude Sheriffe hunting with hound and horne Little Iohn could his courtesie and kneeled him besorne God saue thee my deere Maister and Christ you saue and see Reinald Greene-leafe said the Sheriffe where haue you now be I haue now be in the Forrest a faire sight can I see it was one of the fairest sights that euer yet saw I me Yonder I see a right faire Hart his colour is of greene seauen score Deere vpon a heard be with him all by deene His tindes be so sharpe Maister of sixty and well mo that I durst not shoote for dread least they would me slo I make my auow to God said the sheriffe that sight would I faine see Buske thee thither ward my deere Maister anon and wend with me The Sheriffe rode and little Iohn a foote he was full smart And when they came a fore Robin Loe heere is the maister Haâ—t Still stood the proude Sheriffe a sorry man was he Woe worth thee Reinald Greenleafe thou hast betrayed me I make mine auow to God said Iohn Maister ye be to blame I was misserued of my dinner when I was with you at home Soone he was to supper set and serued with siluer white And when the Sheriffe saw his Vessell for sorrow he might not eat Make good cheere said Robin hood Sheriffe of charity And for the loue of little Iohn thy life is graunted to thee When they had all supped well the day was all gone Robin commanded little Iohn to draw off his hose and shoone His kertle and his coate a pie that was furred well and fine And tooke him a greene mantle to lap his body therein Robin commanded his wight yeomen vnder the greene wood tree that they shall lie in that sorte that the Sheriffe might them see All night lay that proud Sheriffe in his breech and in his shirt Now wonder it was in greene-wood though his sides doe smart Make glad said Robin hood Sheriffe for charity For this is our order ywis vnder the greene-wood tree This is harder order said the Sheriffe then any ancre or frere For all the gold in merry England I would not dwell long heere All these twelue monthes said Robin thou shalt dwell with me I shall thee teach proude Sheriffe an out-law for to be Or I heere an other night lie Robin now I pray thee Smite off my head rather to morne Let me goe then said the Sheriffe and I forgiue it thee for Saint Chaiity and I will be the best friend thar euer yet had ye Thou shalt sweare me an oath said Robin on my bright brand Thou shalt neuer wait me scath by water nor by land And if thou finde any of my men by night or else by day vppon thine oath thou shalt sweare to helpe them that thou may Now hath the Sheriffe sworne his oath and home againe to gone He was full of greene-wood as euer was any man ¶ The fourth fitte THe Sheriffe dwelt in Nottingham he was faine that he was gon and Robin and his merry men went to wood anon Goe we to dinner said little Iohn but Robin said nay for I dread our Lady be wrath with me for she sent me not my pay Haue no doubt Maister said little Iohn yet is not the Sunne at rest for I dare sweare and safely sweare the Knight is true and trust Take thy bowe in thy hand said Robin let Much wend with thee and so shall William Scathlock and no man abide with me and vp into the sayles and to watling street and looke for some strange guest by chance you may them meet Whither he be Messenger or man that mirths can or if he be a poore man of my goods he shall haue some Foorth then start little Iohn halfe in a fray and teene and girt him with a full good sword vnder a mantle of greene They went then vnto the Sayles these yeomen all three they looked East they looked West they might no man see But as they looked in Bernisdale by the high way they were ware of two black Monkes each on a good palfray Then bespake little Iohn to Much he gan say I dare lay my life to wed these Monkes haue brought our pay Make glad cheere said little Iohn and bend we our bowes of ewe and looke our hearts be syker and sad your strings trusty and true the Monke hath but fifty and two man and seouen sommers full strong there rideth no Byshop
in this land so royall I vnderstand Bretheren said little Iohn heere are no more but we three but we bring them to dinner our Maister dare we not see Bend your bowes said little Iohn make you youder Priest to stand the formost Monk his life and his death is cloased in my hand Abide churle Monke said little Iohn no farther that thou gon if thou doest by deere worthy God thy death is in my hand An euill thrift on thy head said little Iohn right vnder thy hattes band for thou hast made our Maister wrath he is fasting so long What hight your Maister said the Monke Little Iohn said Robin hood He is a strong theefe said the Monke of him heard I neuer good Thou liest then said little Iohn and that shall sore rue thee He is a yeoman of the Forrest to dine he hath bode thee Much was ready with a Bowe ready and anone He set the monke to fore the brest to the ground he gan gone Of two and fiftie wight yeomen there abode but one Saue a little Page and a groome to leade the sommers with little Iohn they brought the monk to the lodge dore whither he were loth or leefe For to speake with Robin mangre in their teeth Robin did downe his hood the monke when he did see the monke was not so curteise his hood then let it be He is a churle maister by deere worthy God then said little Iohn Thereof no force said Robin for curtesie can he none How many men said Robin had this monke Iohn Fifty and two when that we met but many of them be gon Let blowe we a horne said Robin that fellowship may vs knowe Seuen score of wight yeomen came pricking on a rowe And euerich of them a good mantell of scarlet and of raye All they came to good Robin to wete what he would saie They made the monke to wash wipe and sit at his diner Robin hood and little Iohn they serued him both in fere Doo gladly monke said Robin gramercy sir said hee Where is your abbay when you are at home and who is your auowe Saint Mary abbay said the monke though I be simple here In what office said Robin sir the hie Sellerere Ye be the more welcome said Robin So mote I thriue of thee Fill of the best wine said Robin this monke shall drinke to me But I haue great maruaile said Robin of all this long day I dread our Lady be wrath with me she sent me not my pay haue no dout maister said little Iohn swere you neede not so to say This monk hath brought it I dare well for he is of her abbay She was a borrowe said Robin betweene a knight and me Of a little money that I him lent vnder the greene wood tree And if thou hast the mony brought I pray thee let me see And I shall helpe thee eft againe if thou haue need of me The Monke swore a full great oath with a sorry cheere of the borrowhood thou speakest to me heard I neuer ere I make my auow to God said Robin Monke thou art too blame for God is hold a right wise man and so is his Dame Thou toldest with thine owne tongue thou maist it not denay how thou art her seruant and seruest her euery day And thou art her Messenger my money for to pay therefore I doe thee thanke thou art come at thy day What is in your coffers said Robin truth then tell thou me Sir he said twenty marke so mought I thriue and thee If there be no more said Robin I will not take one penny if thou hast need of any more sir more shall I lend thee And if I finde more said Robin ywis thou shalt it forgone for of thy spending money Monke thereof I will haue none Goe now foorth little Iohn and the truth tell thou me if there be no more but twenty marke no penny let me see Little Iohn laid his mantle downe as he had done before and told out of the Mankes male eight hundreth pound and more Little Iohn let it lie full still and went to his Maister in hast Sir he said the Monke is true now our Lady hath doubled your cost I make mine auow to God said Robin Monke that told I thee Our Lady is the truest woman that euer yet found I me By deere worthy God said Robin to seeke all England thorow yet found I neuer to my pay a much better borrow Fill of the best wine to him drinke said Robin and greet well thy Lady hend and if she haue need of Robin hood a friend she shall him finde And if she haue need of any more siluer come thou againe to me and by this token she hath me sent she shall haue such three The Monk was going to Londonward there to hold great mote the Knight that rode so hie on horse to bring him vnder foot Whither be ye away said Robin sir to manners in this land to reckon with our reues that haue done much wrong Come now foorth little Iohn and hearken to my tale a better yeoman I know none to seeke a Monkes male And what is in the other coffer said Robin the soothe we must see By our Lady said the Monk that were no curtesie To bid a man to dinner and sith him beate and binde It is our olde manner said Robin to leaue but little behinde The Monk tooke the horse with spurre no longer would abide Aske to drinke then said Robin or that ye farther ride Nay for God said the Monk Me rueth I came so neere For better chepe I might haue dined in Blithe or Dancaster Greet well your Abbot said Robin and your Priour I you pray And bid hun send me such a Monk to dinner euery day Now let we that Monk be still and speake we of that knight Yet he came to holde his day while that it was light He did him straight to Bernesdale vnder the greenwood tree And he found there Robin hood and all his merry menie The Knight light from his good palfrey Robin when he can see Right curteously he did down his hood and set him on his knee God thee saue good Robin hood and all this company Welcome be thou gentle Knight and right welcome to me Then bespoke good Robin to that Knight so free What need driueth thee to greene-wood I pray thee sir Knight tell me and welcome be thou gentle Knight why hast thou be so long The Abbot and the high Iustice they would haue had my land Hast thou thy land againe said Robin truth then tell thou me Yea for God then said the Knight and thanke I God and thee But take no griefe said the Knight that I haue be so long I came by a wrastling and there did I helpe a poore yeoman with wrong they put behinde Now by my truth then said Robin for that Knight thanke I thee what man that helpeth a good yeoman his friend then will
I be Haue heere cccc pound said the Knight the which ye lent to me And there is xx marke for your curtesie Nay fore God said Robin thou brooke it well for ay for our Lady by her hie Sellerer hath sent to me my pay and I should take it twice a shame it were for me but truely gentle Knight welcome thou art to me And when Robin had tolde his tale he laughed and made good cheere By my troth then said the knight your mony is ready heere Brooke it well said Robin thou gentle knight so free And welcome be thou gentleknight vnder this trusty tree But what shall these Bowes do he said and these Arrowes fethered free By God then said the gentle knight a poore present to thee Come now foorth little Iohn my will doone that it be Go and fetch me foure hundreth pounds the monk ouer tolde it me Haue heere foure hundreth pound thou gentle Knight and true And buye thee horse and harnes good and gilt thy spucres all newe And if thou faile any spending come to Robin hood And by my troth thou shalt not faile whilste I haue any good And brook well for thy hundreth pound which I did send to thee And make thy selfe no more so bare by the counsaile of me Thus then holpe him good Robin the Knight of all his care God that sitteth in heauen hie graunt vs well to fare ¶ The fift fitte NOw hath the Knight his leane take and wend him on his way Robin hood and his merry men dwell still full many a day Lythe and listen Gentlemen and hearken what I shall say how the proud Sheriffe of Nottingham did crie a full faire play that all the best archers of the North should come vpon a day and they that shoote all of the best the best shall beare away He that shooteth all of the best furthest faire and low at a paire of goodly Buttes vnder the greene wood shawe a right good Arrow he should haue the shaft of siluer white the head and feathers of richred gold in England is none the like This then heard good Robin vnder his trusty tree Make ye ready you wight yeomen that shooting will I see buske you my merry yeomen ye shall goe with me And I shall know the Sheriffes faith true and if he be When they had their vowes ybend their arrowes fethered free seauenscore wight yeomen stood by Robins knee When they came to Nottingham the Buttes were faire and long Many were the bold archers that shot with bowes strong There shall but sixe shoote with me the other shall keepe my head and stand with good bowes bent that I be not deceiued The first out-law his vowe gan bend and that was Robin hood and that beheld the proud Sheriffe all by the buttes where he stood Thrice Robin shot about and alway he claue the wand And so did good Gilbert with the lilly-white hand Little Iohn and good Scathlock were archers good and free little Much and good Reinald the worst they would not be When they had shot about these archers faire and good euermore then was the best for sooth Robin hood To him was deliuered the good Arrow for best worthy was he he tooke the guift full curteously to greene-wood then would he They cried out on Robin hood a great horne gan he blow Woe worth thee treason said Robin for euill tohu art to know And woe be to thee thou proud Sheriffe thus cheering thy guest an other promise thou madest to me within the greene forrest But and I had thee there againe vnder the trusty tree thou shouldest giue me a better wed then thy true lewte Full many a bowe there was bent and arrowes let they glide Many a kirtle there was torne and hurt many a side The out-lawes shot was so strong that no man might them driue and the proud Sheriffes men they fled away beliue Robin saw the bushment broke in greene-wood he would haue be many an arrow there was shot among the company Little Iohn he was hurt full sore with an arrow on the knee that he might neither goe nor ride it was full great pitty Maister then said little Iohn if euer you loued me and for that ylke Lords loue that died vpon a tree and for the meeds of my seruice that I haue serued thee let neuer the proud Sheriffe aliue now finde me but take out thy browne sword and smite thou off my head and giue me wounds so wide and long that I after eat no bread I would not said Robin Iohn that thou wert slaine for all the gold in merry England though I had it all by me God forbid that said little Much then that died on a tree that thou shouldst little Iohn depart our company Vp he tooke him on his back and bare hun well a mile many a time he set him downe and shot another while Then was there a faire Castle a little within the wood double ditched it was about and walled by the Rood And there dwelt that gentle Knight sir Richard of the Lee that Robin had lent his good vnder the greene wood tree In he tooke good Robin and all his company Welcome Robin hood welcome art thou to me I doo thee thanke for thy comfort and for thy curtesie And for thy great kindenes vnder the greene wood tree I loue no man in all the world so much as I doo thee For all the proud Sheriffe of Notingham right heere shalt thou be Shut the gates and draw the bridge and let no man come in And arme you well and make you ready and to the wall ye win For one thing Robin I thee hite And sweare by Saint Quintine thou shalt these twelue daies abide with me to sup eat and dine Boordes were laid and cloathes were spread ready and anon Robin hood and his merry men to meat gan they gon ✚ The sixt fitte LYthe and listen Gentlemen and hearken vnto the song how the proud Sheriffe began and men of armes strong full fast came to the hie Sheriffe the countrie vp to rout and they beset the Knights Castle the walls all about The proud Sheriffe loude gan crie and said thou traytor Knight thou keepest there the Kings enemies against all law and right Sir I will anow what I haue doone the deeds that heere be dight vpon all the lands that I haue as I am true Knight Wend foorth sirs on your way and doe ye no more to me till you wit your Kings will what he will say to thee The Sheriffe thus had his answere without any leasing Forth he went to London Town all for to tell our King there he told him of that Knight and eke of Robin hood and also of the bold archers that noble were and good he would auow that he had done to maintaine the out-lawes strong he would be Lord and set you at naught in all the north land I will be at Nottingham said the King within this
fortnight and take I will Robin hood and so will I that Knight Goe home thou proude Sheriffe and doe as I you bid and ordaine good archers enough of all the wide country The Sheriffe had his leaue ytake and went him on his way And Robin hood to greene-wood vpon a certaine day And little Iohn was hole of the arrow that was shot in his knee And did him strait to Robin hood vnder the greene-wood tree Robin hood walked in the Forrest vnder the leaues greene the proud Sheriffe of Nottingham therefore had great teene The Sheriffe there he failed of Robin hood he might not haue his pray then he awaited that gentle Knight both by night and day euer awaited that gentle Knight sir Richard of the Lee As he went on banking by the riuer side and let his Hauke flee To betray this gentle knight with men of armes strong And led him home to Notingham-ward ybound both foote and hand The Sheriffe swore a full great oath by him that died on a tree he had rather then a hundreth pound that Robin hood had hee Then the Lady the Knights wife a faire Lady and free she set her on a good Palfray to greene-wood anon rode shee When she came to the Forrest vnder the greene-wood tree there found she Robin hood and all his merry menye God thee saue good Robin and all thy company For our deere Ladies loue a boon grant thou me Let thou neuer my wedded Lord shamefully slaine be He is fast bound to Nottingham-ward for the loue of thee Anon then said good Robin to that Lady free What man hath thy Lord ytake The proud Sheriffe then said she he is not yet passed three miles you may them ouertake Vp then start good Robin as a man that had beene wake Buske ye my merry yeomen for him that dyed on a tree And he that this sorrow forsaketh by him that dyed on a tree And by him that all things maketh no lenger shall dwell with me Soone there were good vowes ybent more then seuen score Hedge ne ditche they spared none that was them before I make mine auow to God said Robin the Knight would I faine see And if ye may him ouertake yquight then shall he be And when they came to Nottingham they walked in the street And with the proud Sheriffe ywis soon gan they meet Abide thou proud Sheriffe he said abide and speake with me Of some tidings of our King I would faine heare of thee this seauen yeere by deere worthy God ne yede I so fast on foot I make mine auow to God thou proud sheriffe that is not for thy boote Robin bent a good Bowe An arrow he drew at his will He hit so the proud sheriffe vpon the ground he lay full still And ere he might vp arise on his feet to stand He smote of the sheriffes head with his bright brand Lye thou there the proud sheriffe euill may thou thriue there might no man to thee trust the whiles thou were aliue His men drew out their bright swordes that were so sharpe and keene And laid it on the Sheriffes men and driue them downe by deene Robin start to that knight and cut in twe his band And tooke him in his hand a Bowe and bad him by him stand Leaue thy horse thee behinde and learn for to renne Thou shalt with me to greene wood through mire mosse and feene thou shalt with me to greenewood without any leasind till that I haue get vs grace of Edward our comely King ✚ The vii fitte THe King came to Nottingham with knights in great aray For to take that gentle Knight and Robin hood if he may He asked them of that country after Robin hood And after that gentle knight that was so boulde and stout when they had tolde him the case our King vnderstood their tale And seased in his hand all the knights land The compasse of Lankashire he wend both farre and neere Till he came to Plumpton parke he fayled many of his Deere There the king was wont to see heards many a one He could vnneth finde any Deere that bare any good horne the King was wonder wroth withall and swore by the Trinitie I would I had Robin hood with eyes I might him see And he that would smite of the knights head and bring it vnto mee He should haue the knights lands sir Richard of the Lee I giue it him with my charter and seale it with my hand To haue and holde for euermore in all merry England than bespake a faire olde knight that was true in his fay O my lege Lord the King one word I shall you say there is no man in this country may haue the knights lands While Robin hood may ride or gone and beare a Bowe in his hands that he ne shall lose his head that is his best ball in his hood Giue it to no man my Lord the King that ye will any good Halfe a yere dwelled our comely King in Nottingham and well more Could he not heare of Robin hood in what country that he were but allway went good Robin by halt and eke by hill and alway he slew the Kings Dere and vsed them at his will Than bespake a proud Foster that stood by our Kings knee If ye will see good Robin you must do after mee take fiue of the best knights that now be in your lede And walke downe by your Abbay And get you a Monks wede And I will be your lodes man and lead you on the way And ere you come at Notingham my head then dare I lay that ye shall meet with good Rodin on liue if that he be Or ye come to Nottingham with eyes ye shall him see full hastily our king was dight so were his knights fiue they were all in Monks weeds and hasted them thither blithe Our King was great aboue his coule a broad hat on his Crowne Right as he were Abbot like they rode vp in the towne Stiffe bootes our King had on forsooth as I you say He rode singing to green-wood the couent was clothed in gray His male horse and his great sommer followed our King behinde Vntill they came to greenwood a mile vnder the linde there they met with good Robin standing by the way And so did many a bolde Archer forsooth as I you say Robin tooke the Kings horse hastely in that stede And sir Abbot by your leaue a while you must abide We be yeomen of this Forrest vnder the greenewood tree We liue by our Kings Deere other shift haue not wee And ye haue Churches and rents both and good full great plenty Giue vs some of your spending for saint Chritie Then bespake our comely King anon then said he I brought no more to greenwood but forty pound with me I haue laine at Nottingham this fortnight with our King And spent I haue much good on many a great Lording And haue but forty pound no more then haue I mee But