{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch131.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch131.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch131.htm","text":"131A.1 WHEN Ph\u2019qbus had melted the sickles of ice,\nWith a hey down, &c.\nAnd likewise the mountains of snow,\nBold Robin Hood he would ramble to see,\nTo frolick abroad with his bow.\n131A.2 He left all his merry men waiting behind,\nWhilst through the green vallies he passd;\nThere did he behold a forester bold,\nWho cry\u2019d out, Friend, whither so fast?\n131A.3 \u2018I\u2019m going,\u2019 quoth Robin, \u2019To kill a fat buck,\nFor me and my merry men all;\nBesides, eer I go, I\u2019ll have a fat doe,\nOr else it shall cost me a fall.\u2019\n131A.4 \u2018You\u2019d best have a care,\u2019 said the forester then,\n\u2018For these are his majesty\u2019s deer;\nBefore you shall shoot, the thing I\u2019ll dispute,\nFor I am head-forester here.\u2019\n131A.5 \u2018These thirteen long summers,\u2019 quoth Robin, \u2018I\u2019m sure,\nMy arrows I here have let fly,\nWhere freely I range; methinks it is strange,\nYou should have more power than I.\n131A.6 \u2018This forest,\u2019 quoth Robin, \u2018I think is my own,\nAnd so are the nimble deer too;\nTherefore I declare, and solemnly swear,\nI wont be affronted by you.\u2019\n131A.7 The forester he had a long quarter-staff,\nLikewise a broad sword by his side;\nWithout more ado, he presently drew,\nDeclaring the truth should be try\u2019d.\n131A.8 Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,\nThus, eer he would take any wrong,\nHis courage was flush, he\u2019d venture a brush,\nAnd thus they fell to it ding dong.\n131A.9 The very first blow that the forester gave,\nHe made his broad weapon cry twang;\n\u2019Twas over the head, he fell down for dead,\nO that was a damnable bang!\n131A.10 But Robin soon did recover himself,\nAnd bravely fell to it again;\nThe very next stroke their weapons were broke,\nYet never a man there was slain.\n131A.11 At quarter-staff then they resolved to play,\nBecause they would have t\u2019other bout;\nAnd brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood,\nUnwilling he was to give out.\n131A.12 Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows,\nThe other returnd them as fast;\nAt every stroke their jackets did smoke,\nThree hours the combat did last.\n131A.13 length in a rage the bold forester grew\nAnd cudgeld bold Robin so sore\nThat he could not stand, so shaking his hand,\nHe said, Let us freely give oer.\n131A.14 Thou art a brave fellow, I needs must confess\nI never knew any so good;\nThou\u2019rt fitting to be a yeoman for me,\nAnd range in the merry green wood.\n131A.15 I\u2019ll give thee this ring as a token of love,\nFor bravely thou\u2019st acted thy part;\nThat man that can fight, in him I delight,\nAnd love him with all my whole heart.\n131A.16 Then Robin Hood setting his horn to his mouth,\nA blast he merrily blows;\nHis yeomen did hear, and strait did appear,\nA hundred, with trusty long bows.\n131A.17 Now Little John came at the head of them all,\nCloathd in a rich mantle of green;\nAnd likewise the rest were gloriously drest,\nA delicate sight to be seen.\n131A.18 \u2018Lo, these are my yeomen,\u2019 said Robin Hood,\n\u2018And thou shalt be one of the train;\nA mantle and bow, a quiver also,\nI give them whom I entertain.\u2019\n131A.19 The forester willingly enterd the list,\nThey were such a beautiful sight;\nThen with a long bow they shot a fat doe,\nAnd made a rich supper that night.\n131A.20 What singing and dancing was in the green wood,\nFor joy of another new mate!\nWith mirth and delight they spent the long night,\nAnd liv\u2019d at a plentiful rate.\n131A.21 forester neer was so merry before\nAs then he was with these brave souls,\nWho never would fail, in wine, beer, or ale,\nTo take off their cherishing bowls.\n131A.22 Then Robin Hood gave him a mantle of green,\nBroad arrows, and a curious long bow;\nThis done, the next day, so gallant and gay,\nHe marched them all on a row.\n131A.23 Quoth he, My brave yeomen, be true to your trust,\nAnd then we may range the woods wide:\nThey all did declare, and solemnly swear,\nThey\u2019d conquer, or die by his side.","title":"The Child Ballads: 131. Robin Hood and the Ranger","type":"page"}