But Robin Hood, hee himself had disguis'd, And Marian was strangly attir'd, That they prov'd foes, and so fell to blowes, Whose vallour bold Robin admir'd. 40 They drew out their swords, and to cutting they went, At least an hour or more, That the blood ran apace from bold Robins face, And Marian was wounded sore. "O hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said Robin Hood, 45 "And thou shalt be one of my string, To range in the wood with bold Robin Hood, To hear the sweet nightingall sing." When Marian did hear the voice of her love, Her self shee did quickly discover, 50 And with kisses sweet she did him greet, Like to a most loyall lover. When bold Robin Hood his Marian did see, Good lord, what clipping was there! With kind embraces, and jobbing of faces, 55 Providing of gallant cheer. For Little John took his bow in his hand, And wandred in the wood,[L58] To kill the deer, and make good chear For Marian and Robin Hood. 60 A stately banquet they had full soon, All in a shaded bower, Where venison sweet they had to eat, And were merry that present hour. Great flaggons of wine were set on the board, 65 And merrily they drunk round Their boules of sack, to strengthen the back, Whilst their knees did touch the ground. First Robin Hood began a health To Marian his onely dear; 70 And his yeomen all, both comly and tall, Did quickly bring up the rear. For in a brave vein they tost off the bouls,[L73] Whilst thus they did remain; And every cup, as they drunk up, 75 They filled with speed again. At last they ended their merryment, And went to walk in the wood, Where Little John and maid Marian Attended on bold Robin Hood. 80 In sollid content together they liv'd, With all their yeomen gay; They liv'd by their hands, without any lands, And so they did many a day. But now to conclude, an end I will make, 85 In time as I think it good; For the people that dwell in the north can tell Of Marian and bold Robin Hood. 58, wandring. 73, venie. THE KINGS DISGUISE AND FRIENDSHIP WITH ROBIN HOOD. This wretched production is evidently founded on the _Lytell Geste_. It was printed by Ritson from "the common collection of Aldermary Churchyard." One or two improvements were made by Gutch from a York edition. RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 166; GUTCH'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 281. King Richard hearing of the pranks Of Robin Hood and his men, He much admir'd, and more desir'd, To see both him and them.