[292] In the bowers. [293] Did him. [294] Made then. [295] Nicke. [296] Soon from. [297] Chiefest. [298] Full froe. [299] This (from an old black letter copy in Major Pearson’s collection) is evidently the genuine second part of the present ballad, although constantly printed as an independent article, under the title of “Robin Hood, Will Scadlock, and Little John: Or, a narrative of their victories obtained against the prince of Aragon and the two giants; and how Will Scadlock married the princess. Tune of Robin Hood; or, Hey down, down, a down:” Instead of which, in all former editions, are given the following incoherent stanzas, which have all the appearance of being the fragment of a quite different ballad:— Then bold Robin Hood to the north he would go, With valour and mickle might, With sword by his side, which oft had been tri’d, To fight and recover his right. The first that he met was a bonny bold Scot, His servant he said he would be. No, quoth Robin Hood, it cannot be good, For thou wilt prove false unto me ; Thou hast not been true to sire nor cuz. Nay, marry, the Scot he said, As true as your heart, Ile never part, Gude master, be not afraid. Then Robin turned his face to the east, Fight on, my merry men stout : Our cause is good, quod brave Robin Hood, And we shall not be beaten out. The battel grows hot on every side, The Scotchman made great moan ; Quoth Jockey, Gude faith, they fight on each side, Would I were with my wife Joan ! The enemy compast brave Robin about, ’Tis long ere the battel ends ; Ther’s neither will yield, nor give up the field, For both are supplied with friends. This song it was made in Robin Hoods dayes : Let’s pray unto Jove above, To give us true peace, that mischief may cease, And war may give place unto love. [300] Of a. [301] Forth. [302] Acaron. This termagant prince seems intended for a sort of Mahometan Pagan. Alcaron is a deity formed by metathesis from Alcoran, a book: a conversion much more ancient than the present ballad. Thus in the old metrical romance of “The Sowdon of Babyloyne,” a MS. in the possession of Dr. Farmer: “Whan Laban herde of this myschief, A sory man was he, He trumped his men to relefe, For to cease that tyme mente he. Mersadage kinge of Barbarye He did carye to his tente, And beryed him by right of Sarsenye, With brennynge fire riche oynemente ; And songe the _dirige_ of ALKARON, _That bibill is of here laye_ ; And wayled his deth everychon, Seven nyghtis and seven dayes.” Here Alkaron is expressly the name of a BOOK (_i.e._ the Koran or Alcoran); in the following passage it is that of a GOD: