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Robin Hood, Will Scadlock and Little John
Are walking over the plain, With a good fat buck which Will Scadlock With his strong bow had slain. 'Jog on, jog on,' cries Robin Hood, 'The day it runs full fast; For though my nephew me a breakfast gave, I have not yet broke my fast. 'Then to yonder lodge let us take our way, I think it wondrous good, Where my nephew by my bold yeomen Shall be welcomd unto the green wood.' With that he took the bugle-horn, Full well he could it blow; Streight from the woods came marching down One hundred tall fellows and mo. 'Stand, stand to your arms!' crys Will Scadlock, 'Lo! the enemies are within ken:' With that Robin Hood he laughd aloud, Crys, They are my bold yeomen. Who, when they arriv'd and Robin espy'd, Cry'd, Master, what is your will? We thought you had in danger been, Your horn did sound so shrill. 'Now nay, now nay,' quoth Robin Hood, 'The danger is past and gone; I would have you to welcome my nephew here, That hath paid me two for one.' In feasting and sporting they passed the day, Till Phoebus sunk into the deep; Then each one to his quarters hy'd, His guard there for to keep. Long had they not walked within the green wood, But Robin he was espy'd Of a beautiful damsel all alone, That on a black palfrey did ride. Her riding-suit was of sable hew black, Sypress over her face, Through which her rose-like cheeks did blush, All with a comely grace. 'Come, tell me the cause, thou pritty one,' Quoth Robin, a+end tell me aright, From whence thou comest, and whither thou goest, All in this mournful plight?' 'From London I came,' the damsel reply'd, 'From London upon the thames, Which circled is, O grief to tell! Besieg'd with forraign arms. 'By the proud Prince of Aragon, Who swears by his martial hand To have the princess for his spouse, Or else to waste this land: 'Except that champions can be found That dare fight three to three, Against the prince and giants twain, Most horrid for to see: 'Whose grisly looks, and eyes like brands, Strike terrour where they come, With serpents hissing on their helms, Instead of feathered plume. 'The princess shall be the victors prize, The king hath vowd and said, And he that shall the conquest win Shall have her to his bride. 'Now we are four damsels sent abroad, To the east, west, north, and south, To try whose fortune is so good To find these champions forth. 'But all in vaine we have sought about; Yet none so bold there are That dare adventure life and blood, To free a lady fair.' 'When is the day?' quoth Robin Hood, 'Tell me this and no more:' 'On Midsummer next,' the damsel said, 'Which is June the twenty-four.' With that the teares trickled down her cheeks, And silent was her tongue; With sighs and sobs she took her leave, Away her palfrey sprung. This news struck Robin to the heart, He fell down on the grass; His actions and his troubled mind Shewd he perplexed was. 'Where lies your grief?' quoth Will Scadlock, 'O master, tell to me; If the damsels eyes have piercd your heart, I'll fetch her back to thee.' 'Now nay, now nay,' quoth Robin Hood, 'She doth not cause my smart; But it is the poor distressed princess That wounds me to the heart. 'I will go fight the giants all To set the lady free:' 'The devil take my soul,' quoth Little John, 'If I part with thy company.' 'Must I stay behind?' quoth Will Scadlock; 'No, no, that must not be; I'le make the third man in the fight, So we shall be three to three.' These words cheerd Robin at the heart, Joy shone within his face; Within his arms he huggd them both, And kindly did imbrace. Quoth he, We'll put on mothly gray, With long staves in our hands, A scrip and bottle by our sides, As come from the Holy Land. So may we pass along the high-way; None will ask from whence we came, But take us pilgrims for to be, Or else some holy men. Now they are on their journey gone, As fast as they may speed, Yet for all haste, ere they arriv'd, The princess forth was led: To be deliverd to the prince, Who in the list did stand, Prepar'd to fight, or else receive His lady by the hand. With that he walkt about the lists, With giants by his side: 'Bring forth,' said he, 'your champions, Or bring me forth my bride. 'This is the four and twentieth day, The day prefixt upon; Bring forth my bride, or London burns, I swear by Acaron.' Then cries the king, and queen likewise, Both weeping as they speak, Lo! we have brought our daughter dear, Whom we are forcd to forsake. With that stept out bold Robin Hood, Crys, My liege, it must not be so; Such beauty as the fair princess Is not for a tyrants mow. The prince he then began to storm; Crys, Fool, fanatick, baboon! How dares thou stop my valours prize? I'll kill thee with a frown.