This ballad, which has never been inserted in any of the publications intitled “Robin Hood’s Garland” (and, perhaps, was not worth inserting here), is given from an old black letter copy in the collection of Anthony a Wood. Its full title is, “A famous battle between Robin Hood and Maid Marian; declaring their love, life, and liberty. Tune, Robin Hood Reviv’d” (see before, p. 217). A bonny fine maid of a noble degree, _With a hey down, down, a down, down_, Maid Marian call’d by name, Did live in the North, of excellent worth, For shee was a gallant dame. {310} For favour and face, and beauty most rare, Queen Hellen shee did excell : For Marian then was prais’d of all men, That did in the country dwell. ’Twas neither Rosamond nor Jane Shore, Whose beauty was clear and bright, That could surpass this country lass, Beloved of lord and knight. The earl of Huntington, nobly born, That came of noble blood, To Marian went, with a good intent, By the name of Robin Hood. With kisses sweet their red lips did meet, For she and the earl did agree ; In every place, they kindly embrace, With love and sweet unity. But fortune bearing these lovers a spight, That soon they were forced to part : To the merry green wood then went Robin Hood, With a sad and sorrowfull heart. And Marian, poor soul, was troubled in mind, For the absence of her friend ; With finger in eye, shee often did cry, And his person did much comend. {311} Perplexed and vexed, and troubled in mind, Shee drest herself like a page, And ranged the wood, to find Robin Hood, The bravest of men in that age. With quiver and bow, sword, buckler, and all, Thus armed was Marian most bold, Still wandering about to find Robin out, Whose person was better then gold. But Robin Hood, hee himself had disguis’d, And Marian was strangly attir’d, That they prov’d foes, and so fell to blowes, Whose vallour bold Robin admir’d. They drew out their swords, and to cutting they went, At least an hour or more, That the blood ran apace from bold Robins face, And Marian was wounded sore. O hold thy hand, hold thy hand, said Robin Hood, And thou shalt be one of my string, To range in the wood with bold Robin Hood, And hear the sweet nightingall sing. When Marian did hear the voice of her love, Herself shee did quickly discover, And with kisses sweet she did him greet, Like to a most loyall lover. {312} When bold Robin Hood his Marian did see, Good lord, what clipping was there ! With kind embraces, and jobbing of faces, Providing of gallant cheer. For Little John took his bow in his hand, And ‘wandred’[326] in the wood, To kill the deer, and make good chear, For Marian and Robin Hood. A stately banquet ‘they’ had full soon, All in a shaded bower, Where venison sweet they had to eat, And were merry that present hour.