+The Story+, of an outlaw disguising himself in order to gain information from his enemies, is common to the legends of Hereward the Saxon, Wallace, Eustace the monk, and Fulk Fitz Warine, the first three of whom assumed the guise of a potter at one time or another. The ballad of _Robin Hood and the Butcher_ is a tale similar to this; and part of the Play of Robin Hood is based on this ballad (see Introduction, p. xxiii.). ROBIN HOOD AND THE POTTER 1. In summer, when the leavës spring, The blossoms on every bough, So merry doth the birdës sing In woodës merry now. 2. Hearken, good yeomen, Comely, courteous, and good; One of the best that ever bare bow, His name was Robin Hood. 3. Robin Hood was the yeoman’s name, That was both courteous and free; For the love of Our Lady All women worshipped he. 4. But as the good yeoman stood on a day, Among his merry meynë, He was ware of a proud potter Came driving over the lee. 5. ‘Yonder cometh a proud potter,’ said Robin, ‘That long hath haunted this way; He was never so courteous a man One penny of pavage to pay.’ 6. ‘I met him but at Wentbridge,’ said Little John, ‘And therefore evil mote he thee! Such three strokës he me gave, That by my sides cleft they. 7. ‘I lay forty shillings,’ said Little John, ‘To pay it this same day, There is not a man among us all A wed shall make him lay.’ 8. ‘Here is forty shillings,’ said Robin, ‘More, and thou dare say, That I shall make that proud potter, A wed to me shall he lay.’ 9. There this money they laid, They toke it a yeoman to keep. Robin before the potter he breyde And bade him stand still. 10. Hands upon his horse he laid, And bade the potter stand full still; The potter shortly to him said, ‘Fellow, what is thy will?’ 11. ‘All this three year and more, potter,’ he said, ‘Thou hast haunted this way, Yet were thou never so courteous a man One penny of pavage to pay.’ 12. ‘What is thy name,’ said the potter, ‘’Fore pavage thou ask of me?’ ‘Robin Hood is my name, A wed shall thou leave me.’ 13. ‘Wed will I none leave,’ said the potter, ‘Nor pavage will I none pay; Away thy hand fro my horse! I will thee tene else, by my fay.’ 14. The potter to his cart he went, He was not to seek; A good two-hand staff he hent, Before Robin he leaped. 15. Robin out with a sword bent, A buckler in his hand; The potter to Robin he went And said, ‘Fellow, let my horse go.’ 16. Together then went these two yeomen, It was a good sight to see; Thereof low Robin his men, There they stood under a tree. 17. Little John to his fellows said, ‘Yon potter will stiffly stand’: The potter, with an ackward stroke, Smote the buckler out of his hand.