{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch147.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch147.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch147.htm","text":"147A.1 I HAVE heard talk of bold Robin Hood,\nDerry derry down\nAnd of brave Little John,\nOf Fryer Tuck, and Will Scarlet,\nLoxley, and Maid Marion.\nHey down derry derry down\n147A.2 But such a tale as this before\nI think there was never none;\nFor Robin Hood disguised himself,\nAnd to the wood is gone.\n147A.3 Like to a fryer, bold Robin Hood\nWas accoutered in his array;\nWith hood, gown, beads and cricifix,\nHe past upon the way.\n147A.4 He had not gone [past] miles two or three,\nBut it was his chance to spy\nTwo lusty priests, clad all in black,\nCome riding gallantly.\n147A.5 \u2018Benedicete,\u2019 then said Robin Hood,\n\u2018Some pitty on me take;\nCross you my hand with a silver groat,\nFor Our dear Ladies sake.\n147A.6 \u2018For I have been wandring all this day,\nAnd nothing could I get;\nNot so much as one poor cup of drink,\nNor bit of bread to eat.\u2019\n147A.7 \u2018Now, by my holydame,\u2019 the priests repli\u2019d,\n\u2018We never a peny have;\nFor we this morning have been robd,\nAnd could no mony save.\u2019\n147A.8 \u2018I am much afraid,\u2019 said bold Robin Hood,\n\u2018That you both do tell a lye;\nAnd now before that you go hence,\nI am resolvd to try.\u2019\n147A.9 When as the priests heard him say so,\nThen they rode away amain;\nBut Robin Hood betook him to his heels,\nAnd soon overtook them again.\n147A.10 Then Robin Hood laid hold of them both,\nAnd pulld them down from their horse:\n\u2018O spare us, fryer!\u2019 the priests cry\u2019d out,\n\u2018On us have remorse!\u2019\n147A.11 \u2018You said you had no mony,\u2019 quoth he,\n\u2018Wherefore, without delay,\nWe three will fall down on our knees,\nAnd for mony we will pray.\u2019\n147A.12 The priests they could not him gainsay,\nBut down they kneeled with speed;\n\u2018Send us, O send us,\u2019 then quoth they,\n\u2018Some mony to serve our need.\u2019\n147A.13 The priests did pray with mournful chear,\nSometimes their hands did wring,\nSometimes they wept and cried aloud,\nWhilst Robin did merrily sing.\n147A.14 When they had been praying an hours space,\nThe priests did still lament;\nThen quoth bold Robin, Now let\u2019s see\nWhat mony heaven hath us sent.\n147A.15 We will be sharers now all alike\nOf the mony that we have;\nAnd there is never a one of us\nThat his fellows shall deceive.\n147A.16 The priests their hands in their pockets put,\nBut mony would find none:\n\u2018We\u2019l search our selves,\u2019 said Robin Hood,\n\u2018Each other, one by one.\u2019\n147A.17 Then Robin took pains to search them both,\nAnd he found good store of gold;\nFive hundred peeces presently\nVpon the grass was told.\n147A.18 \u2018Here is a brave show,\u2019 said Robin Hood,\n\u2018Such store of gold to see,\nAnd you shall each one have a part,\nCause you prayed so heartily.\u2019\n147A.19 He gave them fifty pound a-peece,\nAnd the rest for himself did keep;\nThe priests durst not speak one word,\nBur they sighed wondrous deep.\n147A.20 With that the priests rose up from their knees,\nThinking to have parted so;\n\u2018Nay, stay,\u2019 said Robin Hood, \u2019one thing more\nI have to say ere you go.\n147A.21 \u2018You shall be sworn,\u2019 said bold Robin Hood,\n\u2018Vpon this holy grass,\nThat you will never tell lies again,\nWhich way soever you pass.\n147A.22 \u2018The second oath that you here must take,\nAll the days of your lives\nYou never shall tempt maids to sin,\nNor lye with other mens wives.\n147A.23 \u2018The last oath you shall take, it is this,\nBe charitable to the poor;\nSay you have met with a holy fryer,\nAnd I desire no more.\u2019\n147A.24 He set them upon their horses again,\nAnd away then they did ride;\nAnd hee returnd to the merry green-wood,\nWith great joy, mirth and pride.","title":"The Child Ballads: 147. Robin Hood's Golden Prize","type":"page"}