"Nay, that is nothing," said the shepherd; "Either yield to me the daie, Or I will bang thy back and sides, 95 Before thou goest thy way. "What, dost thou think, thou proud fellow, That thou canst conquer me? Nay, thou shalt know, before thou go, I'll fight before I'le flee." 100 Again the shepherd laid on him, 'Just as he first begun;' "Hold thy hand," cry'd bold Robin, "I will yield the wager won." "With all my heart," said Little John, 105 "To that I will agree; For he is the flower of shepherd swains, The like I did never see." Thus have you heard of Robin Hood, Also of Little John, 110 How a shepherd swain did conquer them; The like was never known. ROBIN HOOD AND THE PEDDLERS. Communicated to Gutch by Mr. Payne Collier, and first published in Gutch's _Robin Hood_, ii. 351. Will you heare a tale of Robin Hood, Will Scarlett, and Little John? Now listen awhile, it will make you smile, As before it hath many a one. They were archers three, of hie degree, 5 As good as ever drewe bowe; Their arrowes were long and their armes were strong, As most had cause to knowe. But one sommers day, as they toke their way Through the forrest of greene Sherwood, 10 To kill the kings deare, you shall presently heare What befell these archers good. They were ware on the roade of three peddlers with loade, For each one had his packe, Full of all wares for countrie faires, 15 Trust up upon his backe. A good oke staffe, a yard and a halfe, Each one had in his hande; And they were all boune to Nottingham toune, As you shall understand. 20 "Yonder I see bolde peddlers three," Said Robin to Scarlett and John; "Wele search their packes upon their backes Before that they be gone. "Holla, good fellowes!" quod Robin Hood, 25 "Whether is it ye doe goe? Now stay and rest, for that is the best, 'Tis well you should doe so." "Noe rest we neede, on our roade we speede, Till to Nottingham we get:" 30 "Thou tellst a lowde lye," said Robin, "for I Can see that ye swinke and swet." The peddlers three crosst over the lee, They did not list to fight: "I charge ye tarrie," quod Robin, "for marry, 35 This is my owne land by right. "This is my mannor and this is my parke, I would have ye for to knowe; Ye are bolde outlawes, I see by cause Ye are so prest to goe. 40 The peddlers three turned round to see, Who it might be they herd; Then again went on as they list to be gone, And never answered word.