"Several lines of this ballad are quoted in the two old plays of the _Downfall_ and _Death of Robert earle of Huntington_, 1601, 4to. b. l. but acted many years before. It is also alluded to in Shakespeare's _Merry Wives of Windsor_, act i. scene 1, and again in his Second Part of _King Henry IV._, act v. scene 3. "In 1557 certain 'ballets' are entered on the books of the Stationers' Company, 'to John Wallye and Mrs. Toye,' one of which is entitled _Of Wakefylde and a grene_; meaning apparently the ballad here reprinted." RITSON. In Wakefield there lives a jolly pindèr, In Wakefield all on a green, _In Wakefield all on a green_. * * * * * * * * * * "There is neither knight nor squire," said the pinder, "Nor baron that is so bold, 5 _Nor baron that is so bold_, Dare make a trespàss to the town of Wakefield, But his pledge goes to the pinfold," &c. All this beheard three wighty yeomen,[L9] 'Twas Robin Hood, Scarlet and John; 10 With that they espy'd the jolly pindèr, As he sat under a thorn. "Now turn again, turn again," said the pindèr, "For a wrong way you have gone; For you have forsaken the kings highway, 15 And made a path over the corn." "O that were a shame," said jolly Robìn, "We being three, and thou but one:" The pinder leapt back then thirty good foot, 'Twas thirty good foot and one. 20 He leaned his back fast unto a thorn, And his foot against a stone, And there he fought a long summers day, A summers day so long, Till that their swords on their broad bucklèrs, 25 Were broke fast into their hands. "Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said bold Robin Hood, "And my merry men stand aside; For this is one of the best pindèrs,[L29] That with sword ever I tryed.[L30] 30 "And wilt thou forsake thy pinders craft, And go to the greenwood with me? Thou shalt have a livery twice in the year,[L33] Th' one greene, 'tither brown shall be."[L34] "At Michaelmas next my cov'nant comes out, 35 When every man gathers his fee, Then I'le take my blew blade all in my hand, And plod to the green-wood with thee." "Hast thou either meat or drink," said Robin Hood, "For my merry men and me?" 40 * * * * * * * * * * "I have both bread and beef," said the pinder, "And good ale of the best:" "And that is meat good enough," said Robin Hood, For such unbidden 'guest.' "O wilt thou forsake the pinder his craft, 45 And go to the green-wood with me? Thou shalt have a livery twice in the year, The one green, the other brown [shall be]."