{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch145.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch145.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch145.htm","text":"145A.1 NOW list you, lithe you, gentlemen,\nA while for a litle space,\nAnd I shall tell you how Queene Katterine\nGott Robin Hood his grace.\n145A.2 Gold taken from the kings harbengers\nSeldome times hath beene seene,\n. . . .\n. . . .\n* * * * *\n145A.3 . . . .\n\u2018Queene Katherine, I say to thee;\u2019\n\u2018That\u2019s a princly wager,\u2019 quoth Queene Katherine,\n\u2018Betweene your grace and me.\n145A.4 \u2018Where must I haue mine archers?\u2019 says Queene Katherine;\n\u2018You haue the flower of archery:\u2019\n\u2018Now take your choice, dame,\u2019 he sayes,\n\u2018Thorow out all England free.\n145A.5 \u2018Yea from North Wales to Westchester,\nAnd also to Couentry;\nAnd when you haue chosen the best you can,\nThe wager must goe with mee.\u2019\n145A.6 \u2018If that prooue,\u2019 says Queene Katherine,\n\u2018Soone that wilbe tride and knowne;\nMany a man counts of another mans pursse,\nAnd after looseth his owne.\u2019\n145A.7 The queene is to her palace gone,\nTo her page thus shee can say:\nCome hither to me, Dicke Patrinton,\nTrusty and trew this day.\n145A.8 Thou must bring me the names of my archers all,\nAll strangers must they bee,\nYea from North Wales to West Chester,\nAnd alsoe to Couentrie.\n145A.9 Commend me to Robin Hood, says Queene Katherine,\nAnd alsoe to Litle John,\nAnd specially to Will Scarlett,\nFfryar Tucke and Maid Marryan.\n145A.10 Robin Hood we must call Loxly,\nAnd Little John the Millers sonne;\nThus wee then must change their names,\nThey must be strangers euery one.\n145A.11 Commend mee to Robin Hood, sayes Queene Katherine,\nAnd marke, page, what I say;\nIn London they must be with me\n[Vpon St Georges day.]\n* * * * *\n145A.12 . . . .\n\u2018These words hath sent by me;\nAtt London you must be with her\nVpon St Georg[e]s day.\n145A.13 \u2018Vpon St Georg[e]s day att noone\nAtt London needs must you bee;\nShee wold not misse your companie\nFor all the gold in Cristinty.\n145A.14 \u2018Shee hath tane a shooting for your sake,\nThe greatest in Christentie,\nAnd her part you must needs take\nAgainst her prince, Henery.\n145A.15 \u2018Shee sends you heere her gay gold ring\nA trew token for to bee;\nAnd, as you are [a] banisht man,\nShee trusts to sett you free.\u2019\n145A.16 \u2018And I loose that wager,\u2019 says bold Robin Hoode,\n\u2018I\u2019le bring mony to pay for me;\nAnd wether that I win or loose,\nOn my queenes part I will be.\u2019\n145A.17 In sommer time when leaues grow greene,\nAnd flowers are fresh and gay,\nThen Robin Hood he deckt his men\nEche one in braue array.\n145A.18 He deckt his men in Lincolne greene,\nHimselfe in scarlett red;\nFayre of theire brest then was it seene\nWhen his siluer armes were spread.\n145A.19 With hattis white and fethers blacke,\nAnd bowes and arrowes keene,\nAnd thus he ietted towards louly London,\nTo present Queene Katherine.\n145A.20 But when they cam to louly London,\nThey kneeled vpon their knee;\nSayes, God you saue, Queene Katherine,\nAnd all your dignitie!\n* * * * *\n145A.21 . . . . . . of my guard,\u2019\nThus can King Henry say,\n\u2018And those that wilbe of Queene Katerines side,\nThey are welcome to me this day.\u2019\n145A.22 \u2018Then come hither to me, Sir Richard Lee,\nThou art a knight full good;\nWell it is knowen from thy pedygree\nThou came from Gawiins blood.\n145A.23 \u2018Come hither, Bishopp of Hereford,\u2019 quoth Queene Katherine-+--+-\nA good preacher I watt was hee-+--+-\n\u2018And stand thou heere vpon a odd side,\nOn my side for to bee.\u2019\n145A.24 \u2018I like not that,\u2019 sayes the bishopp then,\n\u2018By faikine of my body,\nFor if I might haue my owne will,\nOn the kings I wold bee.\u2019\n145A.25 \u2018What will thou be[t] against vs,\u2019 says Loxly then,\n\u2018And stake it on the ground?\u2019\n\u2018That will I doe, fine fellow,\u2019 he says,\n\u2018And it drawes to fiue hundreth pound.\u2019\n145A.26 \u2018There is a bett,\u2019 says Loxly then;\n\u2018Wee\u2019le stake it merrily;\u2019\nBut Loxly knew full well in his mind\nAnd whose that gold shold bee.\n145A.27 Then the queenes archers they shot about\nTill it was three and three;\nThen the lady\u2019s gaue a merry shout,\nSayes, Woodcocke, beware thine eye!\n145A.28 \u2018Well, gam and gam,\u2019 then quoth our king,\n\u2018The third three payes for all;\u2019\nThen Robine rounded with our queene,\nSays, The kings part shall be small.\n145A.29 Loxly puld forth a broad arrowe,\nHe shott it vnder hand,\n. . s vnto .\n. . .\n* * * * *\n145A.30 . . . .\n\u2018For once he vndidd mee;\nIf I thought it had beene bold Robin Hoode,\nI wold not haue betted one peny.\n145A.31 \u2018Is this Robin Hood?\u2019 says the bishopp againe;\n\u2018Once I knew him to soone;\nHe made me say a masse against my will,\nAtt two a clocke in the afternoone.\n145A.32 \u2018He bound me fast vnto a tree,\nSoe did he my merry men;\nHe borrowed ten pound against my will,\nBut he neuer paid me againe.\u2019\n145A.33 \u2018What and if I did?\u2019 says bold Robin Hood,\n\u2018Of that masse I was full faine;\nIn recompence, befor king and queene\nTake halfe of thy gold againe.\u2019\n145A.34 \u2018I thanke thee for nothing,\u2019 says the bishopp,\n\u2018Thy large gift to well is knowne,\nThat will borrow a mans mony against his will,\nAnd pay him againe with his owne.\u2019\n145A.35 \u2018What if he did soe?\u2019 says King Henery,\n\u2018For that I loue him neuer the worsse;\nTake vp thy gold againe, bold Robin Hood,\nAnd put [it] in thy pursse.\n145A.36 \u2018If thou woldest leaue thy bold outlawes,\nAnd come and dwell with me,\nThen I wold say thou art welcome, bold Robin Hood,\nThe flower of archery.\u2019\n145A.37 \u2018I will not leaue my bold outlawes\nFor all the gold in Christentie;\nIn merry Sherwood I\u2019le take my end,\nVnder my trusty tree.\n145A.38 \u2018And gett your shooters, my leeig[e], where you will,\nFor in faith you shall haue none of me;\nAnd when Queene Katherine puts up her f[inger]\nAtt her Graces commandement I\u2019le bee.\u2019\n145B: Robin Hood and Queen Katherine\n145B.1 GOLD tane from the kings harbengers,\nDown a down a down\nAs seldome hath been seen,\nDown a down a down\nAnd carried by bold Robin Hood\nFor a present to the queen.\nDown a down a down\n145B.2 \u2018If that I live a year to an end,\u2019\nThus gan Queen Katherin say,\n\u2018Bold Robin Hood, I will be thy friend,\nAnd all thy yeomen gay.\u2019\n145B.3 The queen is to her chamber gone,\nAs fast as she can wen;\nShe cals unto her lovely page,\nHis name was Richard Patringten.\n145B.4 \u2018Come hither to mee, thou lovely page,\nCome thou hither to mee;\nFor thou must post to Notingham,\nAs fast as thou canst dree.\n145B.5 \u2018And as thou goest to Notingham,\nSearch all those English wood;\nEnquire of one good yeoman or another\nThat can tell thee of Robin Hood.\u2019\n145B.6 Sometimes he went, sometimes hee ran,\nAs fast as he could win;\nAnd when hee came to Notingham,\nThere he took up his inne.\n145B.7 And when he came to Notingham,\nAnd had took up his inne,\nHe calls for a pottle of Renish wine,\nAnd drank a health to his queen.\n145B.8 There sat a yeoman by his side;\n\u2018Tell mee, sweet page,\u2019 said hee,\n\u2018What is thy business or the cause,\nSo far in the North Country?\u2019\n145B.9 \u2018This is my business and the cause,\nSir, I\u2019le tell it you for good,\nTo inquire of one good yeoman or another\nTo tell mee of Robin Hood.\u2019\n145B.10 \u2018I\u2019le get my horse betime in the morn,\nBy it be break of day,\nAnd I will shew thee bold Robin Hood,\nAnd all his yeomen gay.\u2019\n145B.11 When that he came at Robin Hoods place,\nHee fell down on his knee:\n\u2018Queen Katherine she doth greet you well,\nShe greets you well by mee.\n145B.12 \u2018She bids you post to fair London court,\nNot fearing any thing;\nFor there shall be a little sport,\nAnd she hath sent you her ring.\u2019\n145B.13 Robin took his mantle from his back-+--+-\nIt was of the Lincoln green-+--+-\nAnd sent it by this lovely page,\nFor a present unto the queen.\n145B.14 In summer time, when leaves grow green,\nIt is a seemly sight to see\nHow Robin Hood himself had drest,\nAnd all his yeomandry.\n145B.15 He cloathed his men in Lincoln green,\nAnd himself in scarlet red,\nBlack hats, white feathers, all alike;\nNow bold Robin Hood is rid.\n145B.16 And when he came at Londons court,\nHee fell downe on his knee:\n\u2018Thou art welcome, Locksly,\u2019 said the queen,\n\u2018And all thy good yeomendree.\u2019\n145B.17 The king is into Finsbury field,\nMarching in battel ray,\nAnd after follows bold Robin Hood,\nAnd all his yeomen gay.\n145B.18 \u2018Come hither, Tepus,\u2019 said the king,\n\u2018Bow-bearer after mee,\nCome measure mee out with this line\nHow long our mark shall be.\u2019\n145B.19 \u2018What is the wager?\u2019 said the queen,\n\u2018That must I now know here:\u2019\n\u2018Three hundred tun of Renish wine,\nThree hundred tun of beer.\n145B.20 \u2018Three hundred of the fattest harts\nThat run on Dallom lee;\nThat\u2019s a princely wager,\u2019 said the king,\n\u2018That needs must I tell thee.\u2019\n145B.21 With that bespake one Clifton then,\nFull quickly and full soon;\n\u2018Measure no mark for us, most soveraign leige,\nWee\u2019l shoot at sun and moon.\u2019\n145B.22 \u2018Ful fifteen score your mark shall be,\nFul fifteen score shall stand;\u2019\n\u2018I\u2019le lay my bow,\u2019 said Clifton then,\n\u2018I\u2019le cleave the willow wand.\u2019\n145B.23 With that the kings archers led about,\nWhile it was three and none;\nWith that the ladies began to shout,\nMadam, your game is gone!\n145B.24 \u2018A boon, a boon,\u2019 Queen Katherine cries,\n\u2018I crave on my bare knee;\nIs there any knight of your privy counsel\nOf Queen Katherines part will be?\n145B.25 \u2018Come hither to mee, Sir Richard Lee,\nThou art a knight full good;\nFor I do know by thy pedigree\nThou springst from Goweres blood.\n145B.26 \u2018Come hither to me, thou Bishop of Herefordshire\u2019-+--+-\nFor a noble priest was he-+--+-\n\u2018By my silver miter,\u2019 said the bishop then,\n\u2018I\u2019le not bet one peny.\n145B.27 \u2018The king has archers of his own,\nFull ready and full light,\nAnd these be strangers every one,\nNo man knows what they height.\u2019\n145B.28 \u2018What wilt thou bet,\u2019 said Robin Hood,\n\u2018Thou seest our game the worse?\u2019\n\u2018By my silver miter,\u2019 said the bishop then,\n\u2018All the mony within my purse.\u2019\n145B.29 \u2018What is in thy purse?\u2019 said Robin Hood,\n\u2018Throw it down on the ground;\u2019\n\u2018Fifteen score nobles,\u2019 said the bishop then,\n\u2018It\u2019s neer an hundred pound.\u2019\n145B.30 Robin Hood took his bagge from his side,\nAnd threw it down on the green;\nWilliam Scadlocke went smiling away,\n\u2018I know who this mony must win.\u2019\n145B.31 With that the queens archers led about,\nWhile it was three and three;\nWith that the ladies gave a shout,\n\u2018Woodcock, beware thyn ee!\u2019\n145B.32 \u2018It is three and three, now,\u2019 said the king,\n\u2018The next three pays for all;\u2019\nRobin Hood went and whispered to the queen,\n\u2018The kings part shall be but small.\u2019\n145B.33 Robin Hood he led about,\nHe shot it under hand,\nAnd Clifton, with a bearing arrow,\nHe clave the willow wand.\n145B.34 And little Midge, the Miller\u2019s son,\nHee shot not much the worse;\nHe shot within a finger of the prick;\n\u2018Now, bishop, beware thy purse!\u2019\n145B.35 \u2018A boon, a boon,\u2019 Queen Katherine cries,\n\u2018I crave on my bare knee,-+--+-\nThat you will angry be with none\nThat is of my party.\u2019\n145B.36 \u2018They shall have forty days to come,\nAnd forty days to go,\nAnd three times forty to sport and play;\nThen welcome friend or fo.\u2019\n145B.37 \u2018Then thou art welcome, Robin Hood,\u2019 said the queen,\n\u2018And so is Little John,\nSo is Midge, the Miller\u2019s son;\nThrice welcome every one.\u2019\n145B.38 \u2018Is this Robin Hood?\u2019 the king now said;\n\u2018For it was told to mee\nThat he was slain in the pallace-gate,\nSo far in the North Country.\u2019\n145B.39 \u2018Is this Robin Hood,\u2019 said the bishop then,\n\u2018As I see well to be?\nHad I knowne that had been that bold outlaw,\nI would not have bet one peny.\n145B.40 \u2018Hee took me late one Saturday at night,\nAnd bound mee fast to a tree,\nAnd made mee sing a mass, God wot,\nTo him and his yeomendree.\u2019\n145B.41 \u2018What and if I did?\u2019 says Robin Hood,\n\u2018Of that mass I was full fain;\nFor recompense to thee,\u2019 he says,\n\u2018Here\u2019s half thy gold again.\u2019\n145B.42 \u2018Now nay, now nay,\u2019 saies Little John,\n\u2018Master, that shall not be;\nWe must give gifts to the kings officers;\nThat gold will serve thee and mee.\u2019\n145C: Robin Hood and Queen Katherine\n145C.1 STOUT Robin Hood, a most lusty out-law,\nAs ever yet lived in this land,\nAs ever yet lived in this land.\nHis equal I\u2019m sure you never yet saw,\nSo valiant was he of his hand,\nSo valiant was he of his hand.\n145C.2 No archers could ever compare with these three,\nAlthough from us they are gone;\nThe like was never, nor never will be,\nTo Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.\n145C.3 Many stout robberies by these men were done,\nWithin this our kingdom so wide;\nVpon the highway much treasure they have won,\nNo one that his purse ere deny\u2019d.\n145C.4 Great store of money they from the kings men\nCouragiously did take away;\nVnto fair Queen Katherine they gave it again,\nWho to them these words did say.\n145C.5 If that I live but another fair year,\nKind Robin Hood, said the fair queen,\nThe love for this courtesie that I thee bear,\nAssure thy self it shall be seen.\n145C.6 Brave Robin Hood courteously thanked her Grace,\nAnd so took leave of the queen;\nHe with his bold archers then hied him apace,\nIn summer time, to the woods green.\n145C.7 \u2018Now wend we together, my merry men all,\nTo the green wood to take up our stand:\u2019\nThese archers were ready at Robin Hoods call,\nWith their bent bows all in their hand.\n145C.8 \u2018Come, merrily let us now valiantly go\nWith speed unto the green wood,\nAnd there let us kill a stout buck or a do,\nFor our master, Robin Hood.\u2019\n145C.9 At London must now be a game of shooting,\nWhere archers should try their best skill;\nIt was so commanded by their gracious king;\nThe queen then thought to have her will.\n145C.10 Her little foot-page she sent with all speed,\nTo find out stout Robin Hood,\nWho in the North bravely did live, as we read,\nWith his bow-men in the green wood.\n145C.11 When as this young page unto the North came,\nHe staid under a hill at his inn;\nWithin the fair town of sweet Nottingham,\nHe there to enquire did begin.\n145C.12 The page then having enquired aright\nThe way unto Robin Hoods place,\nAs soon as the page had obtained of him sight,\nHe told him strange news from her Grace.\n145C.13 \u2018Her Majestie praies you to haste to the court,\u2019\nAnd therewithall shewd him her ring;\nWe must not delay his swift haste to this sport,\nWhich then was proclaimd by the king.\n145C.14 Then Robin Hood hies him with all speed he may,\nWith his fair men attired in green,\nAnd towards fair London he then takes his way;\nHis safety lay all on the queen.\n145C.15 Now Robin Hood welcome was then to the court,\nQueen Katharine so did allow;\nNow listen, my friends, and my song shal report\nHow the queen performed her vow.\n145C.16 The king then went marching in state with his peers\nTo Finsbury field most gay,\nWhere Robin Hood follows him, void of all fears,\nWith his lusty brave shooters that day.\n145C.17 The king did command that the way should be\nStraight mete with a line that was good;\nThe answer was made to him presently,\nBy lusty bold Robin Hood.\n145C.18 \u2018Let there be no mark measured,\u2019 then said he soon;\n\u2018I,\u2019 so said Scarlet and John,\n\u2018For we will shoot to the sun or the moon;\nWe scorn to be outreacht with none.\u2019\n145C.19 \u2018What shall the wager be?\u2019 then said the queen,\n\u2018Pray tell me before you begin:\u2019\n\u2018Three hundred tuns of good wine shall be seen,\nAnd as much of strong bear for to win.\n145C.20 \u2018Three hundred of lusty fat bucks, sweet, beside,\nShall now be our royal lay:\u2019\nQuoth Robin Hood, What ere does betide,\nI\u2019le bear this brave purchase away.\n145C.21 \u2018Full fifteenscore,\u2019 saith the king, \u2019it shall be;\u2019\nThen straight did the bow-men begin,\nAnd Robin Hoods side gave them leave certainly\nA while some credit to win.\n145C.22 The royal queen Katharine aloud cried she,\nIs here no lord, nor yet knight,\nThat will take my part in this bold enmity?\nSir Robert Lee, pray do me right.\n145C.23 Then to the bold Bishop of Herefordshire\nMost mildly spoke our good queen;\nBut he straight refused to lay any more,\nSuch ods on their parties were seen.\n145C.24 \u2018What wilt thou bet, seeing our game is the worse?\u2019\nUnto him then said Robin Hood:\n\u2018Why then,\u2019 quoth the bishop, a+ell that\u2019s in my purse;\u2019\nQuoth Scarlet, That bargain is good.\n145C.25 \u2018A hundred good pounds there is in the same,\u2019\nThe bishop unto him did say;\nThen said Robin Hood, Now here\u2019s for the game,\nAnd to bear this your money away.\n145C.26 Then did the kings archer his arrows command\nMost bravely and with great might,\nBut brave jolly Robin shot under his hand,\nAnd then did hit the mark right.\n145C.27 And Clifton he then, with his arrow so good,\nThe willow-wood cleaved in two;\nThe Miller\u2019s young son came not short, by the rood,\nHis skill he most bravely did show.\n145C.28 Thus Robin Hood and his crew won the rich prize,\nFrom all archers that there could be;\nThen loudly unto the king Queen Katherine cries,\nForgive all my company!\n145C.29 The king then did say, that for forty daies,\nFree leave then to come or go,\nFor any man there, though he got the praise,\n\u2018Be he friend,\u2019 quoth he, \u2019or be he foe.\u2019\n145C.30 Then quoth the queen, Welcome thou art, Robin Hood,\nAnd welcome, brave bow-men all three;\nThen straight quoth the king, I did hear, by the rood,\nThat slain he was in the countrey.\n145C.31 \u2018Is this Robin Hood?\u2019 the bishop did say,\n\u2018Is this Robin Hood certainly?\nHe made me to say him mass last Saturday,\nTo him and his bold yeomendry.\u2019\n145C.32 \u2018Well,\u2019 quoth Robin Hood, \u2019in requital thereof,\nHalf thy gold I give unto thee;\u2019\n\u2018Nay, nay,\u2019 then said Little John in a scoff,\n\u2018\u2019Twill serue us ith\u2019 North Countrey.\u2019\n145C.33 Then Robin Hood pardon had straight of the king,\nAnd so had they every one;\nThe fame of these days most loudly does ring,\nOf Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.\n145C.34 Great honours to Robin Hood after were done,\nAs stories for certain do say;\nThe king made him Earl of fair Huntington,\nWhose fame will never decay.\n145C.35 Thus have you heard the fame of these men,\nGood archers they were every one;\nWe never shal see the like shooters again\nAs Robin Hood, Scarlet and John.","title":"The Child Ballads: 145. Robin Hood and Queen Katherine","type":"page"}