English and Scottish Ballads (of 8) Volume V (Paperback)

Excerpt: ...and knights, Doun, a doun, a doun, And some of yeomen good, But I will tell you of Will Scarlock, Little John, and Robin Hood. Doun, a doun, a doun, a doun. They were outlaws, 'tis well known,5 And men of a noble blood; And many a time was their valour shown In the forrest of merry Sheerwood. Upon a time it chanced so, As Robin Hood would have it be,10 They all three would a walking go, The pastime for to see. And as they walked the forest along, Upon a Midsummer day, There was they aware of three keepers,15 Clad all in green aray. With brave long faucheons by their sides, And forrest-bills in hand, They call'd aloud to those bold outlaws, Pg 213 And charged them to stand.20 "Why, who are you," cry'd bold Robin, "That speak so boldly here?" "We three belong to King Henry, And are keepers of his deer." "The devil you are " sayes Robin Hood,25 "I am sure that it is not so; We be the keepers of this forrest, And that you soon shall know. "Come, your coats of green lay on the ground, And so will we all three,30 And take your swords and bucklers round, And try the victory." "We be content," the keepers said, "We be three, and you no less, Then why should we be of you afraid,35 As we never did transgress?" "Why, if you be three keepers in this forrest, Then we be three rangers good, And will make you know before you do go, You meet with bold Robin Hood."40 "We be content, thou bold outlaw, Our valour here to try, And will make you know, before we do go, We will fight before we will fly.Pg 214 "Then, come draw your swords, you bold outlaws,45 No longer stand to prate, But let us try it out with blows, For cowards we do hate. "Here is one of us for Will Scarlock, And another for Little John,50 And I myself for Robin Hood, Because he is stout and strong." So they fell to it hard and sore, It was on a Midsummers day; From eight of the clock till two and past,55 They all shewed gallant play. There Robin, and Will, and Little John, They fought most...