{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch143.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch143.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch143.htm","text":"143A.1 COME, gentlemen all, and listen a while,\nHey down down an a down\nAnd a story I\u2019le to you unfold;\nI\u2019le tell you how Robin Hood served the Bishop,\nWhen he robbed him of his gold.\n143A.2 As it fell out on a sun-shining day,\nWhen Phebus was in his prime,\nThen Robin Hood, that archer good,\nIn mirth would spend some time.\n143A.3 And as he walked the forrest along,\nSome pastime for to spy,\nThere was he aware of a proud bishop,\nAnd all his company.\n143A.4 \u2018O what shall I do?\u2019 said Robin Hood then,\n\u2018If the Bishop he doth take me,\nNo mercy he\u2019l show unto me, I know,\nBut hanged I shall be.\u2019\n143A.5 Then Robin was stout, and turnd him about,\nAnd a little house there he did spy;\nAnd to an old wife, for to save his life,\nHe loud began for to cry.\n143A.6 \u2018Why, who art thou?\u2019 said the old woman,\n\u2018Come tell it to me for good:\u2019\n\u2018I am an out-law, as many do know,\nMy name it is Robin Hood.\n143A.7 \u2018And yonder\u2019s the Bishop and all his men,\nAnd if that I taken be,\nThen day and night he\u2019l work me spight,\nAnd hanged I shall be.\u2019\n143A.8 \u2018If thou be Robin Hood,\u2019 said the old wife,\n\u2018As thou dost seem to be,\nI\u2019le for thee provide, and thee I will hide\nFrom the Bishop and his company.\n143A.9 \u2018For I well remember, one Saturday night\nThou bought me both shoos and hose;\nTherefore I\u2019le provide thy person to hide,\nAnd keep thee from thy foes.\u2019\n143A.10 \u2018Then give me soon thy coat of gray,\nAnd take thou my mantle of green;\nThy spindle and twine to me resign,\nAnd take thou my arrows so keen.\u2019\n143A.11 And when that Robin Hood was so araid,\nHe went straight to his company;\nWith his spindle and twine, he oft lookt behind\nFor the Bishop and his company.\n143A.12 \u2018O who is yonder,\u2019 quoth Little John,\n\u2018That now comes over the lee?\nAn arrow I will at her let flie,\nSo like an old witch looks she.\u2019\n143A.13 \u2018O hold thy hand, hold thy hand,\u2019 said Robin then,\n\u2018And shoot not thy arrows so keen;\nI am Robin Hood, thy master good,\nAnd quickly it shall be seen,\u2019\n143A.14 The Bishop he came to the old womans house,\nAnd he called with furious mood,\n\u2018Come let me soon see, and bring unto me,\nThat traitor Robin Hood.\u2019\n143A.15 The old woman he set on a milk-white steed,\nHimselfe on a dapple-gray,\nAnd for joy he had got Robin Hood,\nHe went laughing all the way.\n143A.16 But as they were riding the forrest along,\nThe Bishop he chanc\u2019d for to see\nA hundred brave bow-men bold\nStand under the green-wood tree.\n143A.17 \u2018O who is yonder,\u2019 the Bishop then said,\n\u2018That\u2019s ranging within yonder wood?\u2019\n\u2018Marry,\u2019 says the old woman, \u2018I think it to be\nA man calld Robin Hood.\u2019\n143A.18 \u2018Why, who art thou,\u2019 the Bishop he said,\n\u2018Which I have here with me?\u2019\n\u2018Why, I am an old woman, thou cuckoldly bishop;\nLift up my leg and see.\u2019\n143A.19 \u2018Then woe is me,\u2019 the Bishop he said,\n\u2018That ever I saw this day!\u2019\nHe turnd hum about, but Robin so stout\nCalld him, and bid him stay.\n143A.20 Then Robin took hold of the Bishops horse,\nAnd ty\u2019d him fast to a tree;\nThen Little John smil\u2019d his master upon,\nFor joy of that company.\n143A.21 Robin Hood took his mantle from \u2019s back,\nAnd spread it upon the ground,\nAnd out of the Bishops portmantle he\nSoon told five hundred pound.\n143A.22 \u2018So now let him go,\u2019 said Robin Hood;\nSaid Little John, That may not be;\nFor I vow and protest he shall sing us a mass\nBefore that he goe from me.\n143A.23 Then Robin Hood took the Bishop by the hand,\nAnd bound him fast to a tree,\nAnd made him sing a mass, God wot,\nTo him and his yeomandree.\n143A.24 And then they brought him through the wood,\nAnd set him on his dapple-gray,\nAnd gave the tail within his hand,\nAnd bade him for Robin Hood pray.","title":"The Child Ballads: 143. Robin Hood and the Bishop","type":"page"}