18 Then cried the maide, 'My brethren deare, With ye Ile freely wend, But harm not this young forrester, Noe ill doth he pretend.' 19 'Stande up, sweete maide, I plight my troth; Fall thou not on thy knee; Ile force thy cruell brothers both To bend the knee to thee. 20 'Stand thou behinde this sturdie oke, I soone will quell their pride; Thoult see my sword with furie smoke, And in their hearts' blood died.' 21 He set his backe against a tree, His foote against a stone; The first blow that he gave so free Cleft one man to the bone. 22 The tanners bold they fought right well, And it was one to two; But Robin did them both refell, All in the damsell's viewe. 23 The red blood ran from Robins brow, All downe unto his knee; 'O holde your handes, my brethren now, I will goe backe with yee.' 24 'Stand backe, stand backe, my pretty maide, Stand backe and let me fight; By sweete St. James be no[t] afraide But I will it requite.' 25 Then Robin did his sword uplift, And let it fall againe; The oldest brothers head it cleft, Right through unto his braine. 26 'O hold thy hand, bolde forrester, Or ill may thee betide; Slay not my youngest brother here, He is my father's pride.' 27 'Away, for I would scorne to owe, My life to the[e], false maide!' The youngest cried, and aimd a blow That lit on Robin's head. 28 Then Robin leand against the tree, His life nie gone did seeme; His eyes did swim, he could not see The maiden start betweene. 29 It was not long ere Robin Hood Could welde his sword so bright; Upon his feete he firmly stood, And did renew the fight. 30 Untill the tanner scarce could heave His weapon in the aire; But Robin would not him bereave Of life, and left him there. 31 Then to the greenewood did he fly, And with him went the maide; For him she vowd that she would dye, He'd live for her, he said. * * * * * #A.# 4^2. _Ed. 1833 has ~or kens~._ #B.# 1^2. _If #A# 1^2 be right, gross injustice is done the father by changing ~I wat he weird her~ into ~he wad wed her~. One of the two is a singular corruption._ _There is another copy of #B# among Mr White's papers, with the title 'Sir Thamas,' which I have no doubt has been "revised," whether by Telfer, or by Mr White himself, it is impossible to say. The principal variations are here given, that others may be satisfied._ 1^2. wed her mang his ain kin. 1^4. this fair. 2^3. Till up cam Thamas her only true love. 3^2. O tirl nae langer at the pin. 3^3. I wadna for a hundred pounds, love. 3^4. can I.