The copy in _A Collection of Old Ballads_, i. 67, is the same. Kind gentlemen, will you be patient awhile? Ay, and then you shall hear anon A very good ballad of bold Robin Hood, And of his brave man Little John. In Locksly town, in merry Nottinghamshire, 5 In merry sweet Locksly town, There bold Robin Hood he was born and was bred, Bold Robin of famous renown. The father of Robin a forrester was, And he shot in a lusty strong bow, 10 Two north country miles and an inch at a shot, As the Pinder of Wakefield does know. For he brought Adam Bell, and Clim of the Clough, And William of Clowdesle,[L14] To shoot with our forrester for forty mark, 15 And the forrester beat them all three. His mother was neece to the Coventry knight, Which Warwickshire men call sir Guy; For he slew the blue bore that hangs up at the gate, Or mine host of the Bull tells a lie. 20 Her brother was Gamwel, of Great Gamwel-Hall, A noble house-keeper was he, Ay, as ever broke bread in sweet Nottinghamshire, And a 'squire of famous degree. The mother of Robin said to her husbànd, 25 "My honey, my love, and my dear, Let Robin and I ride this morning to Gamwel, To taste of my brother's good cheer." And he said, "I grant thee thy boon, gentle Joan, Take one of my horses, I pray: 30 The sun is arising, and therefore make haste, For to-morrow is Christmas-day." Then Robin Hood's father's grey gelding was brought, And sadled and bridled was he; God wot a blue bonnet, his new suit of cloaths, 35 And a cloak that did reach to his knee. She got on her holyday kirtle and gown, They were of a light Lincoln green; The cloath was homespun, but for colour and make It might a beseem'd our queen. 40 And then Robin got on his basket-hilt sword, And his dagger on his tother side; And said, "My dear mother, let's haste to be gone, We have forty long miles to ride." When Robin had mounted his gelding so grey, 45 His father, without any trouble, Set her up behind him, and bad her not fear, For his gelding had oft carried double.[L48] And when she was settled, they rode to their neighbours, And drank and shook hands with them all; 50 And then Robin gallopt, and never gave o're, 'Till they lighted at Gamwel-Hall. And now you may think the right worshipful 'squire Was joyful his sister to see; For he kist her, and kist her, and swore a great oath, 55 "Thou art welcome, kind sister, to me."