_Shoe._ What is that, sir? _Jen._ Whensoever I go to fight with anybody, I use to flourish my staff thrice about my head before I strike, and then show no favour. _Shoe._ Well, sir, and till then I will not strike thee. _Jen._ Well, sir, here is once, twice:--here is my hand, I will never do it the third time. _Shoe._ Why, then, I see we shall not fight. _Jen._ Faith, no: come, I will give thee two pots of the best ale, and be friends. _Shoe._ [_aside_]. Faith, I see it is as hard to get water out of a flint as to get him to have a bout with me: therefore I will enter into him for some good cheer.--My friend, I see thou art a faint-hearted fellow, thou hast no stomach to fight, therefore let us go to the ale-house and drink. _Jen._ Well, content: go thy ways, and say thy prayers, thou 'scapest my hands to-day. [_Exeunt._ SCENE IV.--_At Wakefield._ _Enter_ GEORGE-A-GREENE _and_ BETTRIS. _Geo._ Tell me, sweet love, how is thy mind content? What, canst thou brook to live with George-a-Greene? _Bet._ O, George, how little pleasing are these words! Came I from Bradford for the love of thee, And left my father for so sweet a friend? Here will I live until my life do end. _Geo._ Happy am I to have so sweet a love.-- But what are these come tracing here along? _Bet._ Three men come striking through the corn, my love. _Enter_ ROBIN HOOD, MAID MARIAN, SCARLET _and_ MUCH. _Geo._ Back again, you foolish travellers, For you are wrong, and may not wend this way. _Rob._ That were great shame. Now, by my soul, proud sir, We be three tall[315] yeomen, and thou art but one.-- Come, we will forward in despite of him. _Geo._ Leap the ditch, or I will make you skip. What, cannot the highway serve your turn, But you must make a path over the corn? _Rob._ Why, art thou mad? dar'st thou encounter three? We are no babes, man, look upon our limbs. _Geo._ Sirrah, the biggest limbs have not the stoutest hearts. Were ye as good as Robin Hood and his three merry men, I'll drive you back the same way that ye came. Be ye men, ye scorn to encounter me all at once; But be ye cowards, set upon me all three, And try the Pinner what he dares perform. _Scar._ Were thou as high in deeds As thou art haughty in words, Thou well might'st be a champion for the king: But empty vessels have the loudest sounds, And cowards prattle more than men of worth. _Geo._ Sirrah, darest thou try me? _Scar._ Ay, sirrah, that I dare. [_They fight, and_ GEORGE-A-GREENE _beats him._ _Much._ How now! what, art thou down?-- Come, sir, I am next. [_They fight, and_ GEORGE-A-GREENE _beats him._ _Rob._ Come, sirrah, now to me: spare me not, For I'll not spare thee. _Ge._ Make no doubt I will be as liberal to thee. [_They fight_; ROBIN HOOD _stays._