#b.# Pepys, II, 107, No 94. #c.# Douce, III, 118 b. In the Roxburghe collection, III, 22. Not in the Garland of 1663 or that of 1670. #a# is printed in Ritson’s Robin Hood, 1795, II, 38; in Gutch’s Robin Hood, II, 264, “compared with” the Roxburghe copy. The ballad was printed by Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 118. The fewest words will best befit this contemptible imitation of imitations. Robin Hood meets a Tinker, and they exchange scurrilities. The Tinker has a warrant from the king to arrest Robin, but will not show it when asked. Robin Hood suggests that it will be best to go to Nottingham, and there the two take one inn and drink together till the Tinker falls asleep; when Robin makes off, and leaves the Tinker to pay the shot. The host informs the Tinker that it was Robin Hood that he was drinking with, and recommends him to seek his man in the parks. The Tinker finds Robin, and they fall to it, crab-tree staff against sword. Robin yields, and begs a boon; the Tinker will grant none. A blast of the horn brings Little John and Scadlock. Little John would fain see whether the Tinker can do for him what he has done for his master, but Robin proclaims a peace, and offers the Tinker terms which induce him to join the outlaws. It is not necessary to suppose the warrant to arrest Robin a souvenir of ‘Guy of Gisborne’; though that noble ballad is in a 17th century MS., it does not appear to have been known to the writers of broadsides. 1 In summer time, when leaves grow green, Down a down a down And birds sing on every tree, Hey down a down a down Robin Hood went to Nottingham, Down a down a down As fast as hee could dree. Hey down a down a down 2 And as hee came to Nottingham A Tinker he did meet, And seeing him a lusty blade, He did him kindly greet. 3 ‘Where dost thou live?’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘I pray thee now mee tell; Sad news I hear there is abroad, I fear all is not well.’ 4 ‘What is that news?’ the Tinker said; ‘Tell mee without delay; I am a tinker by my trade, And do live at Banbura.’ 5 ‘As for the news,’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘It is but as I hear; Two tinkers they were set ith’ stocks, For drinking ale and bear.’ 6 ‘If that be all,’ the Tinker said, ‘As I may say to you, Your news it is not worth a fart, Since that they all bee true. 7 ‘For drinking of good ale and bear, You wil not lose your part:’ ‘No, by my faith,’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘I love it with all my heart. 8 ‘What news abroad?’ quoth Robin Hood; ‘Tell mee what thou dost hear; Being thou goest from town to town, Some news thou need not fear.’ 9 ‘All the news,’ the Tinker said, ‘I hear, it is for good; It is to seek a bold outlaw, Which they call Robin Hood. 10 ‘I have a warrant from the king, To take him where I can; If you can tell me where hee is, I will make you a man.