"If Michaelmas day was come and gone, And my master had paid me my fee, 50 Then would I set as little by him, As my master doth by me." 9, witty young men. RITSON 29, 30. This is the reading in one black-letter copy that has come under the Editor's notice, instead of "For this is one of the best pinders That ever I tried with sword."--GUTCH. 33, 34. From the same. ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER; OR, TRUE FRIENDSHIP AFTER A FIERCE FIGHT. "No ancient copy of this ballad having been met with, it is given from an edition of _Robin Hood's Garland_, printed some years since at York. The tune is _Arthur a Bland_." RITSON'S _Robin Hood_, ii. 137. When Ph[oe]bus had melted the 'sickles' of ice, _With a hey down, &c._ And likewise the mountains of snow, Bold Robin Hood he would ramble away, To frolick abroad with his bow. He left all his merry men waiting behind, 5 Whilst through the green vallies he pass'd, Where he did behold a forester bold, Who cry'd out, "Friend, whither so fast?" "I am going," quoth Robin, "to kill a fat buck, For me and my merry men all; 10 Besides, ere I go, I'll have a fat doe, Or else it shall cost me a fall." "You'd best have a care," said the forester then, "For these are his majesty's deer; Before you shall shoot, the thing I'll dispute, 15 For I am head forester here." "These thirteen long summers," quoth Robin, "I'm sure, My arrows I here have let fly, Where freely I range; methinks it is strange, You should have more power than I. 20 "This forest," quoth Robin, "I think is my own, And so are the nimble deer too; Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear, I'll not be affronted by you." The forester he had a long quarter staff, 25 Likewise a broad sword by his side; Without more ado, he presently drew, Declaring the truth should be try'd. Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best, Thus, ere he would take any wrong, 30 His courage was flush, he'd venture a brush, And thus they fell to it ding dong. The very first blow that the forester gave, He made his broad weapon cry twang; 'Twas over the head, he fell down for dead, 35 O that was a damnable bang! But Robin he soon recovered himself, And bravely fell to it again; The very next stroke their weapons they broke. Yet never a man there was slain. 40 At quarter staff then they resolvèd to play, Because they would have the other bout; And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood, Unwilling he was to give out.