6 An old patcht coat the beggar had on, Which he daily did vse for to wear; And many a bag about him did wag, Which made Robin Hood to him repair. 7 ‘God speed, God speed,’ said Robin Hood, ‘What countryman? tell to me:’ ‘I am Yorkeshire, sir; but, ere you go far, Some charity give vnto me.’ 8 ‘Why, what wouldst thou have?’ said Robin Hood, ‘I pray thee tell vnto me:’ ‘No lands nor livings,’ the beggar he said, ‘But a penny for charitie.’ 9 ‘I have no money,’ said Robin Hood then, ‘But, a ranger within the wood, I am an outlaw, as many do know, My name it is Robin Hood. 10 ‘But yet I must tell thee, bonny beggar, That a bout with [thee] I must try; Thy coat of gray, lay down I say, And my mantle of green shall lye by.’ 11 ‘Content, content,’ the beggar he cry’d, ‘Thy part it will be the worse; For I hope this bout to give thee the rout, And then have at thy purse.’ 12 The beggar he had a mickle long staffe, And Robin had a nut-brown sword; So the beggar drew nigh, and at Robin let fly, But gave him never a word. 13 ‘Fight on, fight on,’ said Robin Hood then, ‘This game well pleaseth me;’ For every blow that Robin did give, The beggar gave buffets three. 14 And fighting there full hard and sore, Not far from Nottingham town, They never fled, till from Robinś head The blood came trickling down. 15 ‘O hold thy hand,’ said Robin Hood then, ‘And thou and I will agree;’ ‘If that be true,’ the beggar he said, ‘Thy mantle come give vnto me.’ 16 ‘Nay a change, a change,’ cri’d Robin Hood; ‘Thy bags and coat give me, And this mantle of mine I’le to thee resign, My horse and my braverie.’ 17 When Robin Hood had got the beggars clothes, He looked round about; ‘Methinks,’ said he, ‘I seem to be A beggar brave and stout. 18 ‘For now I have a bag for my bread, So have I another for corn; I have one for salt, and another for malt, And one for my little horn. 19 ‘And now I will a begging goe, Some charitie for to find:’ And if any more of Robin you’l know, In this second part it’s behind. 20 Now Robin he is to Nottingham bound, With his bags hanging down to his knee, His staff, and his coat, scarce worth a groat, Yet merrilie passed he. 21 As Robin he passed the streets along, He heard a pittifull cry; Three brethren deer, as he did hear, Condemned were to dye. 22 Then Robin he highed to the sheriffs [house], Some reliefe for to seek; He skipt, and leapt, and capored full high, As he went along the street. 23 But when to the sheriffs doore he came, There a gentleman fine and brave, ‘Thou beggar,’ said he, ‘come tell vnto me What is it that thou wouldest have?’