This piece is the same as the fragment usually printed as the Second Part of _Robin Hood and the Stranger_, (see p. 409,) and both are undoubtedly relics of some older ballad. Now bold Robin Hood to the north would go With valour and mickle might; With sword by his side, which oft had been try'd, To fight and recover his right. The first that he met was a jolly stout Scot, 5 His servant he said he would be; "No," quoth Robin Hood, "it cannot be good, For thou wilt prove false unto me. "Thou has not been true to sire or cuz;" "Nay, marry," the Scot he said, 10 "As true as your heart, I never will part; Good master, be not afraid." "But e'er I employ you," said bold Robin Hood, "With you I must have a bout;" The Scotchman reply'd, "Let the battle be try'd, 15 For I know I will beat you out." Thus saying, the contest did quickly begin, Which lasted two hours and more; The blows Sawney gave bold Robin so brave, The battle soon made him give o'er. 20 "Have mercy, thou Scotchman," bold Robin Hood cry'd, "Full dearly this boon have I bought; We will both agree, and my man you shall be, For a stouter I never have fought." Then Sawny consented with Robin to go, 25 To be of his bowmen so gay; Thus ended the fight, and with mickle delight To Sherwood they hasted away. THE PLAYE OF ROBYN HODE. From Ritson's _Robin Hood_, ii. 192. Printed by Copland at the end of his edition of the _Lytell Geste_. The whole title runs: _Here beginnethe the playe of Robyn Hoode, very proper to be played in Maye games_. A few corrections were made by Ritson from White's edition of 1634. The fragment here preserved is founded upon the ballads of _Robin Hood and the Curtall Fryer_, (p. 271,) and _Robin Hood and the Potter_ (p. 17.) Were the whole play recovered, we should probably find it a _pot pourri_ of the most favorite stories of Robin Hood. ROBYN HODE. Now stand ye forth, my mery men all, And harke what I shall say; Of an adventure I shal you tell, The which befell this other day. As I went by the hygh way, With a stout frere I met, And a quarter-staffe in his hande. Lyghtely to me he lept, And styll he bade me stande. There were strypes two or three, 10 But I cannot tell who had the worse, But well I wote the horeson lept within me, And fro me he toke my purse. Is there any of my mery men all, That to that frere wyll go, And bryng hym to me forth withall, Whether he wyll or no? LYTELL JOHN. Yes, mayster, I make god a vowe, To that frere wyll I go, And bring him to you, 20 Whether he wyl or no. FRYER TUCKE.