Quoth he, My brave yeomen, be true to your trust, And then we may range the woods wide. They all did declare, and solemnly swear, They would conquer, or die by his side. [Illustration] {290} [Illustration] XXI. ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN: “Being an account of their first meeting, their fierce encounter, and conquest. To which is added, their friendly agreement; and how he came to be called Little John. Tune of Arthur a Bland.” This ballad is named in a schedule of such things under an agreement between W. Thackeray and others in 1689 (Col. Pepys. vol. 5), but is here given as corrected from a copy in the “Collection of Old Ballads,” 1723. The notion that Little John obtained this appellation, ironically, from his superior stature, though doubtless ill-founded, is of considerable antiquity. See “Notes and Illustrations to the Life,” p. cxvi. When Robin Hood was about twenty years old, _With a hey down, down, and a down_ ; He happen’d to meet Little John, A jolly brisk blade, right fit for the trade, For he was a lusty young man. {291} Tho’ he was call’d Little, his limbs they were large, And his stature was seven foot high ; Whereever he came, they quak’d at his name, For soon he would make them to fly. How they came acquainted, I’ll tell you in brief, If you would but listen awhile ; For this very jest, among all the rest, I think it may cause you to smile. For Robin Hood said to his jolly bowmèn, Pray tarry you here in this grove ; And see that you all observe well my call, While thorough the forest I rove. We have had no sport for these fourteen long days, Therefore now abroad will I go ; Now should I be beat, and cannot retreat, My horn I will presently blow. Then did he shake hands with his merry men all, And bid them at present good b’ w’ye : Then, as near the brook his journey he took, A stranger he chanc’d to espy. They happen’d to meet on a long narrow bridge, And neither of them would give way ; Quoth bold Robin Hood, and sturdily stood, I’ll shew you right Nottingham-play. {292} With that from his quiver an arrow he drew, A broad arrow with a goose-wing. The stranger reply’d, I’ll liquor thy hide, If thou offer to touch the string. Quoth bold Robin Hood, Thou dost prate like an ass, For were I to bend but my bow, I could send a dart, quite thro’ thy proud heart, Before thou could’st strike me one blow. Thou talk’st like a coward, the stranger reply’d ; Well arm’d with a long bow you stand, To shoot at my breast, while I, I protest, Have nought but a staff in my hand. The name of a coward, quoth Robin, I scorn, Therefore my long bow I’ll lay by ; And now, for thy sake, a staff will I take, The truth of thy manhood to try. Then Robin Hood stept to a thicket of trees, And chose him a staff of ground oak ; Now this being done, away he did run To the stranger, and merrily spoke :