The stranger he drew out a good broad sword, And hit Robin on the crown, That from every haire of bold Robins head The blood ran trickling down. God a mercy, good fellow ! quod Robin Hood then, And for this that thou hast done, Tell me, good fellow, what thou art, Tell me where thou doest won. The stranger then answered bold Robin Hood, Ile tell thee where I do dwell ; In Maxwell town I was bred and born, My name is young Gamwell. For killing of my own fathers stewàrd, I am forc’d to this English wood, And for to seek an uncle of mine, Some call him Robin Hood. “But ‘art thou’ a cousin of Robin Hood then ? The sooner we should have done.” As I hope to be sav’d, the stranger then said, I am his own sisters son. {221} But, lord ! what kissing and courting was there, When these two cousins did greet ! And they went all that summers day, And Little John did [not] meet. But when they met with Little John, He ‘unto them’ did say, O master, pray where have you been, You have tarried so long away ? I met with a stranger, quod Robin Hood, Full sore he hath beaten me. Then I’le have a bout with him, quod Little John, And try if he can beat me. Oh [no], oh no, quoth Robin Hood then, Little John, it may [not] be so ; For he is my own dear sisters son, And cousins I have no mo. But he shall be a bold yeoman of mine, My chief man next to thee ; And I Robin Hood, and thou Little John, And ‘Scadlock’ he shall be. And weel be three of the bravest outlàws That live in the north country, If ‘you will’ hear more of bold Robin Hood, In ‘the’ second part it will be. {222} [PART THE SECOND.[299]] Now Robin Hood, Will Scadlock, and Little John, Are walking over the plain, With a good fat buck, which Will Scadlòck With his strong bow had slain. {223} Jog on, jog on, cries Robin Hood, The day it runs full fast ; For tho’ my nephew me a breakfast gave, I have not yet broke my fast. Then to yonder lodge let us take our way, I think it wondrous good, Where my nephew by my bold yeomèn Shall be welcom’d unto the green-wood. {224} With that he took ‘his’ bugle-horn, Full well he could it blow ; Streight from the woods came marching down One hundred tall fellows and mo. Stand, stand to your arms, says Will Scadlòck, Lo ! the enemies are within ken. With that Robin Hood he laugh’d aloud, Crying, They are my bold yeomèn. Who, when they arriv’d, and Robin espy’d, Cry’d, Master, what is your will ? We thought you had in danger been, Your horn did sound so shrill. Nay nay, now nay, quoth Robin Hood, The danger is past and gone ; I would have you welcome my nephew here, That has paid me two for one. In feasting and sporting they passed the day, Till Phœbus sunk into the deep ; Then each one to his quarters hy’d, His guard there for to keep.