{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch141.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch141.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch141.htm","text":"141A.1 WHEN Robin Hood in the green-wood livd,\nDerry derry down\nVnder the green-wood tree,\nTidings there came to him with speed,\nTidings for certainty,\nHey down derry derry down\n141A.2 That Will Stutly surprized was,\nAnd eke in prison lay;\nThree varlets that the sheriff had hired\nDid likely him betray.\n141A.3 I, and to-morrow hanged must be,\nTo-morrow as soon as it is day;\nBut before they could this victory get,\nTwo of them did Stutly slay.\n141A.4 When Robin Hood he heard this news,\nLord! he was grieved sore,\nI, and unto his merry men [said],\nWho altogether swore,\n141A.5 That Will Stutly should rescued be,\nAnd be brought safe again;\nOr elde should many a gallant wight\nFor his sake there be slain.\n141A.6 He cloathed himself in scarlet then,\nHis men were all in green;\nA finer show, throughout the world,\nIn no place could be seen.\n141A.7 Good lord! it was a gallant sight\nTo see them all on a row;\nWith every man a good broad sword,\nAnd eke a good yew bow.\n141A.8 Forth of the green wood are they gone,\nYea, all couragiously,\nResolving to bring Stutly home,\nOr every man to die.\n141A.9 And when they came the castle neer,\nWhereas Will Stutly lay,\n\u2018I hold it good,\u2019 saith Robin Hood,\n\u2018Wee here in ambush stay,\n141A.10 \u2018And send one forth some news to hear,\nTo yonder palmer fair,\nThat stands under the castle-wall;\nSome news he may declare.\u2019\n141A.11 With that steps forth a brave young man,\nWhich was of courage bold;\nThus hee did say to the old man:\nI pray thee, palmer old,\n141A.12 Tell me, if that thou rightly ken,\nWhen must Will Stutly die,\nWho is one of bold Robins men,\nAnd here doth prisoner lie?\n141A.13 \u2018Alack, alass,\u2019 the palmer said,\n\u2018And for ever wo is me!\nWill Stutly hanged must be this day,\nOn yonder gallows-tree.\n141A.14 \u2018O had his noble master known,\nHee would some succour send;\nA few of his bold yeomandree\nFull soon would fetch him hence.\u2019\n141A.15 \u2018I, that is true,\u2019 the young man said;\n\u2018I, that is true,\u2019 said hee;\n\u2018Or, if they were neer to this place,\nThey soon would set him free.\n141A.16 \u2018But fare thou well, thou good old man,\nFarewell, and thanks to thee;\nIf Stutly hanged be this day,\nRevengd his death will be.\u2019\n141A.17 He was no sooner from the palmer gone,\nBut the gates was opened wide,\nAnd out of the castle Will Stutly came,\nGuarded on every side.\n141A.18 When hee was forth from the castle come,\nAnd saw no help was nigh,\nThus he did say unto the sheriff,\nThus he said gallantly:\n141A.19 Now seeing that I needs must die,\nGrant me one boon, says he;\nFor my noble master nere had man\nThat yet was hangd on the tree.\n141A.20 Give me a sword all in my hand,\nAnd let mee be unbound,\nAnd with thee and thy men I\u2019le fight,\nVntill I lie dead on the ground.\n141A.21 But his desire he would not grant,\nHis wishes were in vain;\nFor the sheriff had sworn he hanged should be,\nAnd not by the sword be slain.\n141A.22 \u2018Do but unbind my hands,\u2019 he saies,\n\u2018I will no weapons crave,\nAnd if I hanged be this day,\nDamnation let me have.\u2019\n141A.23 \u2018O no, O no,\u2019 the sheriff he said,\n\u2018Thou shalt on the gallows die,\nI, and so shall thy master too,\nIf ever in me it lie.\u2019\n141A.24 \u2018O dastard coward!\u2019 Stutly cries,\n\u2018Thou faint-heart pesant slave!\nIf ever my master do thee meet,\nThou shalt thy paiment have.\n141A.25 \u2018My noble master thee doth scorn,\nAnd all thy cowardly crew;\nSuch silly imps unable are\nBold Robin to subdue.\u2019\n141A.26 But when he was to the gallows come,\nAnd ready to bid adiew,\nOut of a bush leaps Little John,\nAnd steps Will Stutly to.\n141A.27 \u2018I pray thee, Will, before thou die,\nOf thy dear friends take leave;\nI needs must borrow him a while,\nHow say you, master sheriff?\u2019\n141A.28 \u2018Now, as I live,\u2019 the sheriff he said,\n\u2018That varlet will I know;\nSome sturdy rebell is that same,\nTherefore let him not go.\u2019\n141A.29 With that Little John so hastily\nAway cut Stutly\u2019s bands,\nAnd from one of the sheriff his men,\nA sword twicht from his hands.\n141A.30 \u2018Here, Will, here, take thou this same,\nThou canst it better sway;\nAnd here defend thy self a while,\nFor aid will come straight way.\u2019\n141A.31 And there they turnd them back to back,\nIn the middle of them that day,\nTill Robin Hood approached neer,\nWith many an archer gay.\n141A.32 With that an arrow by them flew,\nI wist from Robin Hood;\n\u2018Make haste, make haste,\u2019 the sheriff he said,\n\u2018Make haste, for it is good.\u2019\n141A.33 The sheriff is gone; his doughty men\nThought it no boot to stay,\nBut, as their master had them taught,\nThey run full fast away.\n141A.34 \u2018O stay, O stay,\u2019 Will Stutly said,\n\u2018Take leave ere you depart;\nYou nere will catch bold Robin Hood\nVnless you dare him meet.\u2019\n141A.35 \u2018O ill betide you,\u2019 quoth Robin Hood,\n\u2018That you so soon are gone;\nMy sword may in the scabbord rest,\nFor here our work is done.\u2019\n141A.36 \u2018I little thought when I came here,\nWhen I came to this place,\nFor to have met with Little John,\nOr seen my masters face.\u2019\n141A.37 Thus Stutly was at liberty set,\nAnd safe brought from his foe;\n\u2018O thanks, O thanks to my master,\nSince here it was not so.\u2019\n141A.38 \u2018And once again, my fellows,\nWe shall in the green woods meet,\nWhere we will make our bow-strings twang,\nMusick for us most sweet.\u2019","title":"The Child Ballads: 141. Robin Hood Rescuing Will Stutly","type":"page"}