{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch135.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch135.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch135.htm","text":"135A.1 ALL gentlemen and yeomen good,\nDown a down a down a down\nI wish you to draw near;\nFor a story of gallant brave Robin Hood\nVnto you I wil declare.\nDown, etc.\n135A.2 As Robin Hood walkt the forrest along,\nSome pastime for to spie,\nThere was he aware of a jolly shepherd,\nThat on the ground did lie.\n135A.3 \u2018Arise, arise,\u2019 cryed jolly Robin,\n\u2018And now come let me see\nWhat is in thy bag and bottle, I say;\nCome tell it unto me.\u2019\n135A.4 \u2018What\u2019s that to thee, thou proud fellow?\nTell me as I do stand\nWhat thou hast to do with my bag and bottle?\nLet me see thy command.\u2019\n135A.5 \u2018My sword, which hangeth by my side,\nIs my command I know;\nCome, and let me taste of thy bottle,\nOr it may breed thee wo.\u2019\n135A.6 \u2018Tut, the devil a drop, thou proud fellow,\nOf my bottle thou shalt see,\nUntill thy valour here be tried,\nWhether thou wilt fight or flee.\u2019\n135A.7 \u2018What shall we fight for?\u2019 cries bold Robin Hood;\n\u2018Come tell it soon to me;\nHere is twenty pounds in good red gold;\nWin it, and take it thee.\u2019\n135A.8 The Shepherd stood all in a maze,\nAnd knew not what to say:\n\u2018I have no money, thou proud fellow,\nBut bag and bottle I\u2019le lay.\u2019\n135A.9 \u2018I am content, thou shepherd-swain,\nFling them down on the ground;\nBut it will breed thee mickle pain,\nTo win my twenty pound.\u2019\n135A.10 \u2018Come draw thy sword, thou proud fellow,\nThou stands too long to prate;\nThis hook of mine shall let thee know\nA coward I do hate.\u2019\n135A.11 So they fell to it, full hardy and sore;\nIt was in a summers day;\nFrom ten till four in the afternoon\nThe Shepherd held him play.\n135A.12 Robins buckler proved his chief defence,\nAnd saved him many a bang,\nFor every blow the Shepherd gave\nMade Robins sword cry twang.\n135A.13 y a sturdy blow the Shepherd gave,\nAnd that bold Robin found,\nTill the blood ran trickling from his head;\nThen he fell to the ground.\n135A.14 \u2018Arise, arise, thou proud fellow,\nAnd thou shalt have fair play,\nIf thou wilt yield, before thou go,\nThat I have won the day.\u2019\n135A.15 \u2018A boon, a boon,\u2019 cried bold Robin;\n\u2018If that a man thou be,\nThen let me take my beaugle-horn,\nAnd blow but blasts three.\u2019\n135A.16 \u2018To blow three times three,\u2019 the Shepherd said,\n\u2018I will not thee deny;\nFor if thou shouldest blow till to-morrow morn,\nI scorn one foot to fly.\u2019\n135A.17 Then Robin set his horn to his mouth,\nAnd he blew with mickle main,\nUntil he espied Little John\nCome tripping over the plain.\n135A.18 \u2018O who is yonder, thou proud fellow,\nThat comes down yonder hill?\u2019\n\u2018Yonder is Little John, bold Robin Hoods man,\nShall fight with thee thy fill.\u2019\n135A.19 \u2018What is the matter?\u2019 saies Little John,\n\u2018Master, come tell to me:\u2019\n\u2018My case is great,\u2019 saies Robin Hood,\n\u2018For the Shepherd hath conquered me.\u2019\n135A.20 \u2018I am glad of that,\u2019 cries Little John,\n\u2018Shepherd, turn thou to me;\nFor a bout with thee I mean to have,\nEither come fight or flee.\u2019\n135A.21 \u2018With all my heart, thou proud fellow,\nFor it never shall be said\nThat a shepherds hook of thy sturdy look\nWill one jot be dismaid.\u2019\n135A.22 So they fell to it, full hardy and sore,\nStriving for victory;\n\u2018I will know,\u2019 saies John, re we give ore,\nWhether thou wilt fight or flye.\u2019\n135A.23 The Shepherd gave John a sturdy blow,\nWith his hook under the chin;\n\u2018Beshrew thy heart,\u2019 said Little John,\n\u2018Thou basely dost begin.\u2019\n135A.24 \u2018Nay, that\u2019s nothing,\u2019 said the Shepherd;\n\u2018Either yield to me the day,\nOr I will bang thee back and sides,\nBefore thou goest thy way.\n135A.25 \u2018What? dost thou think, thou proud fellow,\nThat thou canst conquer me?\nNay, thou shalt know, before thou go,\nI\u2019le fight before I\u2019le flee.\u2019\n135A.26 With that to thrash Little John like mad\nThe Shepherd he begun;\n\u2018Hold, hold,\u2019 cryed bold Robin Hood,\n\u2018And I\u2019le yield the wager won.\u2019\n135A.27 \u2018With all my heart,\u2019 said Little John,\n\u2018To that I will agree;\nFor he is the flower of shepherd-swains,\nThe like I never did see.\u2019\n135A.28 Thus have you heard of Robin Hood,\nAlso of Little John,\nHow a shepherd-swain did conquer them;\nThe like did never none.","title":"The Child Ballads: 135. Robin Hood and the Shepherd","type":"page"}