{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch146.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch146.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch146.htm","text":"146A.1 COME you gallants all, to you I do call,\nWith a hey down down a down down\nThat now is within this place,\nFor a song I will sing of Henry the king,\nHow he did Robin Hood chase.\n146A.2 Queen Katherine she a match then did make,\nAs plainly doth appear,\nFor three hundred tun of good red wine,\nAnd three hundred tun of beer.\n146A.3 But yet her archers she had to seek,\nWith their bows and arrows so good;\nBut her mind it was bent, with a good intent,\nTo send for bold Robin Hood.\n146A.4 But when bold Robin Hood he came there,\nQueen Katherine she did say,\nThou art welcome, Locksley, said the queen,\nAnd all thy yeomen gay.\n146A.5 For a match at shooting I have made,\nAnd thou my part must be:\n\u2018If I miss the mark, be it light or dark,\nThen hanged I will be.\u2019\n146A.6 But when the game came to be playd,\nBold Robin he then drew nigh;\nWith his mantle of green, most brave to be seen,\nHe let his arrows fly.\n146A.7 And when the game it ended was,\nBold Robin wan it with a grace,\nBut after, the king was angry with him,\nAnd vowed he would him chase.\n146A.8 What though his pardon granted was\nWhile he with them did stay,\nBut yet the king was vexed at him\nWhen as he was gone his way.\n146A.9 Soon after the king from the court did hie,\nIn a furious angry mood,\nAnd often enquire, both far and near,\nAfter bold Robin Hood.\n146A.10 But when the king to Nottingham came,\nBold Robin was then in the wood;\n\u2018O come now,\u2019 said he, a+end let me see\nWho can find me bold Robin Hood.\u2019\n146A.11 But when that Robin Hood he did hear\nThe king had him in chase,\nThen said Little John, Tis time to be gone,\nAnd go to some other place.\n146A.12 Then away they went from merry Sherwood,\nAnd into Yorkshire he did hie,\nAnd the king did follow, with a hoop and a hallow,\nBut could not come him nigh.\n146A.13 Yet jolly Robin he passed along,\nHe [went] straight to Newcastle town,\nAnd there stayed he hours two or three,\nAnd then he for Berwick was gone.\n146A.14 When the king he did see how Robin did flee,\nHe was vexed wondrous sore;\nWith a hoop and a hallow he vowed to follow,\nAnd take him, or never give ore.\n146A.15 \u2018Come now, let\u2019s away,\u2019 then cries Little John,\n\u2018Let any man follow that dare;\nTo Carlile wee\u2019l hie with our company,\nAnd so then to Lancaster.\u2019\n146A.16 From Lancaster then to Chester they went,\nAnd so did king Henery;\nBut Robin away, for he durst not stay,\nFor fear of some treachery.\n146A.17 Saies Robin, Come, let us to London go,\nTo see our noble queens face;\nIt may be she wants our company,\nWhich makes the king so us chase.\n146A.18 When Robin he came Queen Katherine before,\nHe fell upon his knee:\n\u2018If it please your Grace, I am come to this place,\nTo speak with king Henery.\u2019\n146A.19 Queen Katherine she answered bold Robin again,\nThe king is gone to merry Sherwood;\nAnd when he went he to me did say\nHe would go seek Robin Hood.\n146A.20 RR\u2019Trrhen fare you well, my gracious queen,\nFor to sherwood I will hie apace;\nFor fain would I see what he would with me,\nIf I could but meet his Grace.\u2019\n146A.21 But when King Henery he came home,\nFull weary, and vexed in mind,\nWhen he did hear Robin had been there,\nHe blamed Dame Fortune unkind.\n146A.22 \u2018You are welcome home,\u2019 Queen Katherine cried,\n\u2018Henry, my soveraign liege;\nBold Robin Hood that archer good,\nYour person hath been to seek.\u2019\n146A.23 But when King Henry he did hear\nThat Robin had been there him to seek,\nThis answer he gave, He\u2019s a cunning knave,\nFor I have sought him this whole three weeks.\n146A.24 \u2018A boon! a boon!\u2019 Queen Katherine cried,\n\u2018I beg it here on your Grace,\nTo pardon his life, and seek no more strife:\u2019\nAnd so endeth Robin Hoods chase.","title":"The Child Ballads: 146. Robin Hood's Chase","type":"page"}