"Now let him go," said Robin Hood; 85 Said Little John, "That may not be; For I vow and protest he shall sing us a mass, Before that he goe from me." Then Robin Hood took the bishop by the hand, And bound him fast to a tree, 90 And made him sing a mass, god wot, To him and his yeomandree. And then they brought him through the wood, And set him on his dapple gray, And gave him the tail within his hand, 95 And bade him for Robin Hood pray. 22, tell to me. RITSON. 75. Robin, RITSON. ROBIN HOODS GOLDEN PRIZE. He met two priests upon the way, And forced them with him to pray; For gold they prayed, and gold they had, Enough to make bold Robin glad. His share came to four hundred pound, That then was told upon the ground; Now mark, and you shall hear the jest, You never heard the like exprest. Tune is, _Robin Hood was a tall young man, &c._ "This ballad (given from an old black-letter copy in the collection of Anthony à Wood) was entered, amongst others, in the Stationers' book, by Francis Coule, 13th June, 1631, and by Francis Grove, 2nd June, 1656." RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 101. This piece is printed in _A Collection of Old Ballads_, ii. 121, with some variations. I have heard talk of bold Robin Hood, _Derry, derry down_, And of brave Little John, Of Fryer Tuck, and Will Scarlet, Loxley, and maid Mariòn. But such a tale as this before 5 I think was never knone; For Robin Hood disguised himself, And from the wood is gone.[L8] Like to a fryer, bold Robin Hood Was accoutered in his array; 10 With hood, gown, bedes, and crucifix, He past upon the way. He had not gone miles two or three, But it was his chance to spy Two lusty priests, clad all in black, 15 Come riding gallantly. "Benedicite," then said Robin Hood, "Some pitty on me take; Cross you my hand with a silver groat, For our dear ladies sake. 20 "For I have been wandring all this day, And nothing could I get; Not so much as one poor cup of drink, Nor bit of bread to eat." "Now, by our dame," the priests repli'd, 25 We never a penny have; For we this morning have been rob'd, And could no money save." "I am much afraid," said bold Robin Hood, That you both do tell a lie; 30 And now before you do go hence, I am resolv'd to try." When as the priests heard him say so, Then they rode away amain; But Robin Hood betook to his heels, 35 And soon overtook them again.