The ballad, it will be observed, is first found in broadside copies of the latter half of the seventeenth century. The story is told of Scarlock in the life of Robin Hood in Sloane MS, 715, 7, fol. 157, of the end of the sixteenth century; Thoms, Early Prose Romances, II, p. 39. “Scarlock he induced [to become one of his company] upon this occacion. One day meting him as he walked solitary and lyke to a man forlorne, because a mayd to whom he was affyanced was taken from [him] by the violence of her frends, and given to another, that was auld and welthy; whereupon Robin, understandyng when the maryage-day should be, came to the church as a beggar, and having his company not far of, which came in so sone as they hard the sound of his horne, he ‘took’ the bryde perforce from him that was in hand to have maryed her, and caused the preist to wed her and Scarlocke togeyther.” Translated by Anastasius Grün, p. 146. 1 Come listen to me, you gallants so free, All you that loves mirth for to hear, And I will you tell of a bold outlaw, That lived in Nottinghamshire. (_bis_.) 2 As Robin Hood in the forrest stood, All under the green-wood tree, There was he ware of a brave young man, As fine as fine might be. 3 The youngster was clothed in scarlet red, In scarlet fine and gay, And he did frisk it over the plain, And chanted a roundelay. 4 As Robin Hood next morning stood, Amongst the leaves so gay, There did he espy the same young man Come drooping along the way. 5 The scarlet he wore the day before, It was clean cast away; And every step he fetcht a sigh, ‘Alack and a well a day!’ 6 Then stepped forth brave Little John, And Nick the millers son, Which made the young man bend his bow, When as he see them come. 7 ‘Stand off, stand off,’ the young man said, ‘What is your will with me?’ ‘You must come before our master straight, Vnder yon green-wood tree.’ 8 And when he came bold Robin before, Robin askt him courteously, O hast thou any money to spare For my merry men and me? 9 ‘I have no money,’ the young man said, ‘But five shillings and a ring; And that I have kept this seven long years, To have it at my wedding. 10 ‘Yesterday I should have married a maid, But she is now from me tane, And chosen to be an old knights delight, Whereby my poor heart is slain.’ 11 ‘What is thy name?’ then said Robin Hood, ‘Come tell me, without any fail:’ ‘By the faith of my body,’ then said the young man, ‘My name it is Allin a Dale.’ 12 ‘What wilt thou give me,’ said Robin Hood, ‘In ready gold or fee, To help thee to thy true-love again, And deliver her unto thee?’ 13 ‘I have no money,’ then quoth the young man, ‘No ready gold nor fee, But I will swear upon a book Thy true servant for to be.’