And for that cause the outlaws were come, To rule all as they list ; And for to shun, which ‘way’ to run, The people did not wist. The plowman left the plow in the fields, The smith ran from his shop ; Old folks also, that scarce could go, Over their sticks did hop. The king soon did let them understand He had been in the green-wood, And from that day, for evermore, He’d forgiven Robin Hood. Then [when] the people they did hear, And [that] the truth was known, They all did sing, God save the king ! Hang care, the town’s our own ! {321} What’s that Robin Hood ? then said the sheriff, That varlet I do hate ; Both me and mine he caused to dine, And serv’d us all with one plate. Ho, ho, said Robin Hood, I know what you mean, Come, take your gold again ; Be friends with me, and I with thee, And so with every man. Now, master sheriff, you are paid, And since you are beginner, As well as you give me my due, For you ne’er paid for that dinner. But if ‘that it’ should please the king, So much your house to grace, To sup with you, for, to speak true, [I] know you ne’er was base. The sheriff [this] could not gainsay, For a trick was put upon him ; A supper was drest, the king was a guest, But he thought ’twould have outdone him. They are all gone to London court, Robin Hood with all his train ; He once was there a noble peer, And now he’s there again. {322} Many such pranks brave Robin play’d, While he liv’d in the green wood : Now, my friend, attend, and hear an end Of honest Robin Hood. [Illustration] {323} [Illustration] XXVI. ROBIN HOOD AND THE GOLDEN ARROW. A composition of a similar nature with the preceding, and from the same authority. When as the sheriff of Nottingham Was come with mickle grief, He talk’d no good of Robin Hood, That strong and sturdy thief. _Fal la dal de._ So unto London road he past, His losses to unfold To king Richàrd, who did regard The tale that he had told. {324} Why, quoth the king, what shall I do ? Art thou not sheriff for me ? The law is in force, to take thy course Of them that injure thee. Go get thee gone, and by thyself Devise some tricking game, For to enthral yon rebels all, Go take thy course with them. So away the sheriff he return’d, And by the way he thought Of th’ words of the king, and how the thing To pass might well be brought. For within his mind he imaginèd, That when such matches were, Those outlaws stout, without all doubt, Would be the bowmen there. So an arrow with a golden head, And shaft of silver-white, Who on the day should bear away For his own proper right. Tidings came to bold Robin Hood, Under the green-wood tree : “Come prepare you then, my merry men, We’ll go yon sport to see.” {325}