2. “The downfall of Robert earle of Huntington, afterward {l} called Robin Hood of merrie Sherwodde: with his love to chaste Matilda, the lord Fitzwater’s daughter, afterwardes his faire maide Marian. Acted by the right honourable, the earle of Notingham, lord high admirall of England, his servants. ¶ Imprinted at London, for William Leake, 1601.” 4to, b. l. 3. “The death of Robert, earle of Huntington, otherwise called Robin Hood of merrie Sherwodde: with the lamentable tragedie of chaste Matilda, his faire maid Marian, poysoned at Dunmowe, by king John. Acted, &c. ¶ Imprinted &c. [as above] 1601.” 4to, b. l. These two plays, usually called the first and second part of Robin Hood, were always, on the authority of Kirkman, falsely ascribed to Thomas Heywood, till Mr. Malone fortunately retrieved the names of the true authors, Anthony Mundy and Henry Chettle.[40] As they seem partly founded on traditions long since forgotten, and refer occasionally to documents not now to be found; at any rate, as they are much older than most of the common ballads upon the subject, and contain some curious and possibly authentic particulars not elsewhere to be met with, the reader will excuse the particularity of the account and length of the extracts here given. The first part, or downfall of Robert earle of Huntington, is supposed to be performed at the court and command of Henry VIII., the poet Skelton being the dramatist, and {li} acting the part of chorus. The introductory scene commences thus: “_Enter Sir John Eltam, and knocke at Skelton’s doore._ _Sir John._ Howe, maister Skelton! what, at studie hard? [_Opens the doore._ _Skel._ Welcome and wisht for, honest Sir John Eltam,— Twill trouble you after your great affairs, [i.e. _the surveying of certain maps which his majesty had employed him in_; To take the paine that I intended to intreate you to, About rehearsall of your promis’d play. _Elt._ Nay, master Skelton; for the king himselfe, As wee were parting, bid mee take great heede Wee faile not of our day: therefore I pray Sende for the rest, that now we may rehearse. _Skel._ O they are readie all, and drest to play. What part play you? _Elt._ Why, I play little John, And came of purpose with this greene sute. _Skel._ Holla, my masters, little John is come. [_At every doore all the players runne out: some crying_ where? where? _others_, Welcome, Sir John: _among others the boyes and clowne_. _Skel._ Faith, little Tracy, you are somewhat forward. What, our maid Marian leaping like a lad! If you remember, Robin is your love, Sir Thomas Mantle yonder, not Sir John. _Clow._ But, master, Sir John is my fellowe, for I am Much the miller’s sonne. Am I not? _Skel._ I know yee are, sir:— And, gentlemen, since you are thus prepar’d, Goe in, and bring your dumbe scene on the stage. And I, as prologue, purpose to expresse The ground whereon our historie is laied. [_Exeunt, manet Skelton._