{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch153.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch153.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch153.htm","text":"153A.1 WHEN Robin Hood, and his merry men all,\nDerry, etc.\nHad reigned many years,\nThe king was then told they had been too bold\nTo his bishops and noble peers.\nHey, etc.\n153A.2 Therefore they called a council of state,\nTo know what was best to be done\nFor to quell their pride, or else, they reply\u2019d,\nThe land would be over-run.\n153A.3 Having consulted a whole summers day,\nAt length it was agreed\nThat one should be sent to try the event,\nAnd fetch him away with speed.\n153A.4 Therefore a trusty and worthy knight\nThe king was pleasd to call,\nSir William by name; when to him he came,\nHe told him his pleasure all.\n153A.5 \u2018Go you from hence to bold Robin Hood,\nAnd bid him, without more a-do,\nSurrender himself, or else the proud elf\nShall suffer with all his crew.\n153A.6 \u2018Take here a hundred bowmen brave,\nAll chosen men of might,\nOf excellent art for to take thy part,\nIn glittering armour bright.\u2019\n153A.7 Then said the knight, My sovereign liege,\nBy me they shall be led;\nI\u2019ll venture my blood against bold Robin Hood,\nAnd bring him alive or dead.\n153A.8 One hundred men were chosen straight,\nAs proper as eer men saw;\nOn Midsummer-day the marched away,\nTo conquer that brave outlaw.\n153A.9 With long yew bows and shining spears,\nThey marchd in mickle pride,\nAnd never delayd, or halted, or stayd,\nTill they came to the greenwood-side.\n153A.10 Said he to his archers, Tarry here;\nYour bows make ready all,\nThat, if need should be, you may follow me;\nAnd see you observe my call.\n153A.11 \u2018I\u2019ll go in person first,\u2019 he cry\u2019d,\n\u2018With the letters of my good king,\nBoth signd and seald, and if he will yield,\nWe need not draw one string.\u2019\n153A.12 He wanderd about till at length he came\nTo the tent of Robin Hood;\nThe letter he shews; bold Robin arose,\nAnd there on his guard he stood.\n153A.13 \u2018They\u2019d have me surrender,\u2019 quoth bold Robin Hood,\n\u2018And lie at their mercy then;\nBut tell them from me, that never shall be,\nWhile I have full seven-score men.\u2019\n153A.14 Sir William the knight, both hardy and bold,\nDid offer to seize him there,\nWhich William Locksly by fortune did see,\nAnd bid him that trick forbear.\n153A.15 Then Robin Hood set his horn to his mouth,\nAnd blew a blast or twain,\nAnd so did the knight, at which there in sight\nThe archers came all amain.\n153A.16 Sir William with care he drew up his men,\nAnd plac\u2019d them in battle array;\nBold Robin, we find, he was not behind;\nNow this was a bloody fray.\n153A.17 The archers on both sides bent their bows,\nAnd the clouds of arrows flew;\nThe very first flight, that honoured knight\nDid there bid the world adieu.\n153A.18 Yet nevertheless their fight did last\nFrom morning till almost noon;\nBoth parties were stout, and loath to give out;\nThis was on the last [day] of June.\n153A.19 At length they went off; one part they went\nTo London with right good will;\nAnd Robin Hood he to the green-wood tree,\nAnd there he was taken ill.\n153A.20 He sent for a monk, who let him blood,\nAnd took his life away;\nNow this being done, his archers they run,\nIt was not a time to stay.\n153A.21 Some got on board and crossd the seas,\nTo Flanders, France, and Spain,\nAnd others to Rome, for fear of their doom,\nBut soon returnd again.\n153A.22 Thus he that never feard bow nor spear\nWas murderd by letting of blood;\nAnd so, loving friends, the story doth end\nOf valiant bold Robin Hood.\n153A.23 There\u2019s nothing remains but his epitaph now,\nWhich, reader, here you have;\nTo this very day, and read it you may,\nAs it was upon his grave.\n153A.Epi.: Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight\n153A.Epi..1 Robin, Earl of Huntington,\nLies under this little stone.\nNo archer was like him so good;\nHis wildness nam\u2019d him Robin Hood.\nFull thirteen years, and something more,\nThese northern parts he vexed sore.\nSuch outlaws as he and his men\nMay England never know again!","title":"The Child Ballads: 153. Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight","type":"page"}