"O here is the bishop of Hereford, And no pardon we shall have:" "Cut off his head, master," said Little John, 55 "And throw him into his grave." "O pardon, O pardon," said the bishop, "O pardon, I thee pray, For if I had known it had been you, I'd have gone some other way." 60 "No pardon, no pardon," said bold Robin Hood, "No pardon I thee owe; Therefore make haste, and come along with me, For to merry Barnsdale you shall go." Then Robin he took the bishop by the hand, 65 And led him to merry Barnsdale; He made him to stay and sup with him that night, And to drink wine, beer, and ale. "Call in a reckoning," said the bishop, "For methinks it grows wond'rous high:" 70 "Lend me your purse, master," said Little John, "And I'll tell you bye and bye." Then Little John took the bishops cloak, And spread it upon the ground, And out of the bishops portmantua 75 He told three hundred pound. "Here's money enough, master," said Little John, "And a comely sight 'tis to see; It makes me in charity with the bishop, Tho' he heartily loveth not me." 80 Robin Hood took the bishop by the hand, And he caused the music to play; And he made the bishop to dance in his boots, And glad he could so get away. ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP. Ritson's _Robin Hood_, ii. 22. Shewing how Robin Hood went to an old woman's house and changed cloaths with her to scape from the bishop; and how he robbed the bishop of all his gold, and made him sing a mass. To the tune of _Robin Hood and the Stranger_. "From an old black-letter copy in the collection of Anthony à Wood." Two trifling corrections have been made from the copy in _Old Ballads_, 1723, (ii. 39,) which is very nearly the same. Come, gentlemen all, and listen awhile, _Hey down, down, an a down_, And a story Ile to you unfold; Ile tell you how Robin Hood served the bishop, When he robbed him of his gold. As it fell out on a sun-shining day, 5 When Ph[oe]bus was in his prime, Then Robin Hood, that archer good, In mirth would spend some time. And as he walk'd the forrest along, Some pastime for to spy, 10 There was he aware of a proud bishop, And all his company. "O what shall I do," said Robin Hood then, "If the bishop he doth take me? No mercy he'l show unto me, I know, 15 But hangèd I shall be." Then Robin was stout, and turn'd him about, And a little house there he did spy; And to an old wife, for to save his life, He loud began for to cry. 20