[26] See some sensible remarks in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for March, 1793, by D. H., that is, says the courteous Ritson, by Gough, "the scurrilous and malignant editor of that degraded publication." ROBIN HOOD AND THE MONK. This excellent ballad, which appears to be the oldest of the class preserved, and is possibly as old as the reign of Edward II. (see Wright's _Essays_, &c., ii. 174), is found in a manuscript belonging to the public library of the University of Cambridge (Ff. 5, 48). It was first printed by Jamieson, _Popular Ballads_, ii. 54, afterwards in Hartshorne's _Metrical Tales_, p. 179, and is here given from the second edition of Ritson's _Robin Hood_, (ii. 221,) as collated by Sir Frederic Madden. The story is nearly the same in _Adam Bel, Clym of the Cloughe, and Wyllyam of Cloudeslè_. In somer when the shawes be sheyne, And leves be large and longe, Hit is full mery in feyre foreste To here the foulys song. To se the dere draw to the dale, 5 And leve the hilles hee, And shadow hem in the leves grene, Vndur the grene-wode tre. Hit befell on Whitsontide, Erly in a may mornyng, 10 The son vp fayre can shyne, And the briddis mery can syng. "This is a mery mornyng," seid Litulle Johne, "Be hym that dyed on tre; A more mery man then I am one 15 Lyves not in Cristianté." "Pluk vp thi hert, my dere mayster," Litulle Johne can sey, "And thynk hit is a fulle fayre tyme In a mornynge of may." 20 "Ze on thynge greves me," seid Robyne, "And does my hert mych woo, That I may not so solem day To mas nor matyns goo. "Hit is a fourtnet and more," seyd hee, 25 "Syn I my Sauyour see; To day will I to Notyngham," seid Robyn, "With the myght of mylde Mary." Then spake Moche the mylner sune, Euer more wel hym betyde, 30 "Take xii of thi wyght zemen Well weppynd be thei side.[L32] Such on wolde thi selfe slon That xii dar not abyde." "Off alle my mery men," seid Robyne, 35 "Be my feithe I wil non haue; But Litulle Johne shall beyre my bow Til that me list to drawe. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Thou shalle beyre thin own," seid Litulle Jon,[L39] "Maister, and I wil beyre myne, 40 And we wille shete a peny," seid Litulle Jon, "Vnder the grene wode lyne." "I wil not shete a peny," seyde Robyn Hode, "In feith, Litulle Johne, with thee, But euer for on as thou shetes," seid Robyn, 45 "In feith I holde the thre."