“Accurst of his heart,” said jolly Robin, “That a butcher doth deny; I will go with you, my brethren true, As fast as I can hie.” But when to the sheriffs house they came, To dinner they hied apace, And Robin Hood he the man must be Before them all to say grace. “Pray God bless us all,” said jolly Robin, “And our meat within this place; A cup of sack so good will nourish our blood, And so do I end my grace.” “Come fill us more wine,” said jolly Robin, “Let us be merry while we do stay; For wine and good cheer, be it never so dear, I vow I the reck’ning will pay. “Come, ‘brothers,’ be merry,” said jolly Robin, “Let us drink, and never give ore; For the shot I will pay, ere I go my way, If it cost me five pounds and more.” “This is a mad blade,” the butchers then said; Saies the sheriff, “He is some prodigàl, That some land has sold for silver and gold, And now he doth mean to spend all. “Hast thou any horn beasts,” the sheriff repli’d, “Good fellow, to sell unto me?” “Yes, that I have, good master sheriff, I have hundreds two or three; “And a hundred aker of good free land, If you please it to see: And Ile make you as good assurance of it, As ever my father made me.” The sheriff he saddled his good palfrèy, And, with three hundred pound in gold, Away he went with bold Robin Hood, His horned beasts to behold. Away then the sheriff and Robin did ride, To the forrest of merry Sherwood; Then the sheriff did say, “God bless us this day From a man they call Robin Hood!” But when a little farther they came, Bold Robin he chancèd to spy A hundred head of good red deer, Come tripping the sheriff full nigh. “How like you my horn’d beasts, good master sheriff? They be fat and fair for to see;” “I tell thee, good fellow, I would I were gone, For I like not thy company.” Then Robin set his horn to his mouth, And blew but blasts three; Then quickly anon there came Little John, And all his company. “What is your will, master?” then said Little John, “Good master come tell unto me;” “I have brought hither the sheriff of Nottingham This day to dine with thee.” “He is welcome to me,” then said Little John, “I hope he will honestly pay; I know he has gold, if it be but well told, Will serve us to drink a whole day.” Then Robin took his mantle from his back, And laid it upon the ground: And out of the sheriffs portmantle He told three hundred pound. Then Robin he brought him thorow the wood, And set him on his dapple gray; “O have me commanded to your wife at home;” So Robin went laughing away. NOTES SIR PATRICK SPENS.—p. 1