| |
I
I HAVE heard talk of bold Robin Hood, | |
| And of brave Little John, | |
| Of Friar Tuck, and Will Scarlet, | |
| Locksley, and Maid Marion. | |
| |
II
But such a tale as this before | 5 |
| I think there was never none; | |
| For Robin Hood disguised himself, | |
| And to the wood is gone. | |
| |
III
Like to a friar bold Robin Hood | |
| Was accouter’d in his array; | 10 |
| With hood, gown, beads and crucifix, | |
| He pass’d upon the way. | |
| |
IV
He had not gone miles two or three, | |
| But it was his chance to spy | |
| Two lusty priests, clad all in black, | 15 |
| Come riding gallantly. | |
| |
V
‘Benedicite,’ then said Robin Hood, | |
| ‘Some pity on me take; | |
| Cross you my hand with a silver groat, | |
| For Our dear Ladye’s sake! | 20 |
| |
VI
‘For I have been wand’ring all this day, | |
| And nothing could I get; | |
| Not so much as one poor cup or drink, | |
| Nor bit of bread to eat.’ | |
| |
VII
‘By my holydame,’ the priests repli’d, | 25 |
| ‘We never a penny have; | |
| For we this morning have been robb’d, | |
| And could no money save.’ | |
| |
VIII
‘I am much afraid,’ said bold Robin Hood, | |
| ‘That you both do tell a lye; | 30 |
| And now before that you go hence, | |
| I am resolv’d to try.’ | |
| |
IX
When as the priests heard him say so, | |
| They rode away amain; | |
| But Robin betook him to his heels, | 35 |
| And soon overtook them again. | |
| |
X
Then Robin Hood laid hold of them both, | |
| And pull’d them down from their horse: | |
| ‘O spare us, friar!’ the priests cry’d out, | |
| ‘On us have some remorse!’ | 40 |
| |
XI
‘You said you had no money,’ quoth he; | |
| ‘Wherefore without delay | |
| We three will fall down on our knees, | |
| And for money we will pray.’ | |
| |
XII
The priests they could not him gainsay, | 45 |
| But down they kneel’d with speed; | |
| ‘Send us, O send us,’ then quoth they, | |
| ‘Some money to serve our need!’ | |
| |
XIII
The priests did pray with mournful chear, | |
| Sometimes their hands did wring, | 50 |
| Sometimes they wept and cried aloud, | |
| Whilst Robin did merrily sing. | |
| |
XIV
When they had pray’d an hour’s space, | |
| The priests did still lament; | |
| Then quoth bold Robin, ‘Now let’s see | 55 |
| What money heaven hath us sent. | |
| |
XV
‘We will be sharers all alike | |
| Of the money that we have; | |
| And there is never a one of us | |
| That his fellows shall deceive.’ | 60 |
| |
XVI
The priests their hands in their pockets put, | |
| But money would find none: | |
| ‘We’ll search ourselves,’ said Robin Hood, | |
| ‘Each other, one by one.’ | |
| |
XVII
Then Robin took pains to search them both, | 65 |
| And he found good store of gold; | |
| Five hundred pieces presently | |
| Upon the grass was told. | |
| |
XVIII
‘Here’s a brave show,’ said Robin Hood, | |
| ‘Such store of gold to see! | 70 |
| And you shall each one have a part, | |
| ’Cause you pray’d so heartily.’ | |
| |
XIX
He gave them fifty pound a-piece, | |
| And the rest for himself did keep; | |
| The priests they durst not speak one word, | 75 |
| But they sighèd wondrous deep. | |
| |
XX
With that the priests rose up from their knees, | |
| And thought to have parted so; | |
| ‘Nay, stay,’ said Robin Hood, ‘one thing more | |
| I have to say ere you go. | 80 |
| |
XXI
‘You shall be sworn,’ said Robin Hood, | |
| ‘Upon this holy grass, | |
| That you will never tell lies again, | |
| Which way soever you pass. | |
| |
XXII
‘The second oath that you here must take, | 85 |
| All the days of your lives | |
| You never shall tempt maids to sin, | |
| Nor covet other men’s wives. | |
| |
XXIII
‘The last oath you shall take, it is this, | |
| Be charitable to the poor; | 90 |
| Say you have met with a holy friar, | |
| And I desire no more.’ | |
| |
XXIV
He set them upon their horses again, | |
| And away then they did ride; | |
| And he return’d to the merry green-wood, | 95 |
| With great joy, mirth and pride. | |
| |
