13 ‘I’le yield to thy weapon,’ said jolly Robin, ‘Since thou wilt not yield to mine; For I have a staff of another oke graff, Not half a foot longer then thine. 14 ‘But let me measure,’ said jolly Robin, ‘Before we begin our fray; For I’le not have mine to be longer then thine, For that will be called foul play.’ 15 ‘I pass not for length,’ bold Arthur reply’d, ‘My staff is of oke so free; Eight foot and a half, it will knock down a calf, And I hope it will knock down thee.’ 16 Then Robin Hood could no longer forbear; He gave him such a knock, Quickly and soon the blood came down, Before it was ten a clock. 17 Then Arthur he soon recovered himself, And gave him such a knock on the crown, That on every hair of bold Robin Hoods head, The blood came trickling down. 18 Then Robin Hood raged like a wild bore, As soon as he saw his own blood; Then Bland was in hast, he laid on so fast, As though he had been staking of wood. 19 And about, and about, and about they went, Like two wild bores in a chase; Striving to aim each other to maim, Leg, arm, or any other place. 20 And knock for knock they lustily dealt, Which held for two hours and more; That all the wood rang at every bang, They ply’d their work so sore. 21 ‘Hold thy hand, hold thy hand,’ said Robin Hood, ‘And let our quarrel fall; For here we may thresh our bones into mesh, And get no coyn at all. 22 ‘And in the forrest of merry Sherwood Hereafter thou shalt be free:’ ‘God-a-mercy for naught, my freedom I bought, I may thank my good staff, and not thee.’ 23 ‘What tradesman art thou?’ said jolly Robin, ‘Good fellow, I prethee me show: And also me tell in what place thou dost dwel, For both these fain would I know.’ 24 ‘I am a tanner,’ bold Arthur reply’d, ‘In Nottingham long have I wrought; And if thou’lt come there, I vow and do swear I will tan thy hide for naught.’ 25 ‘God a mercy, good fellow,’ said jolly Robin, ‘Since thou art so kind to me; And if thou wilt tan my hide for naught, I will do as much for thee. 26 ‘But if thou’lt forsake thy tanners trade, And live in green wood with me, My name’s Robin Hood, I swear by the rood I will give thee both gold and fee.’ 27 ‘If thou be Robin Hood,’ bold Arthur reply’d, ‘As I think well thou art, Then here’s my hand, my name’s Arthur a Bland, We two will never depart. 28 ‘But tell me, O tell me, where is Little John? Of him fain would I hear; For we are alide by the mothers side, And he is my kinsman near.’ 29 Then Robin Hood blew on the beaugle horn, He blew full lowd and shrill, But quickly anon appeard Little John, Come tripping down a green hill.