This work consists of two parts. In the first we are informed that Robin was the offspring of a "proper young wench by a hee-fayrie, a king or something of that kind among them." By the time he was six years old he was so mischievous and unlucky that his mother found it necessary to promise him a whipping. He ran away and engaged with a tailor, from whom also he soon eloped. When tired he sat down and fell asleep, and in his sleep he had a vision of fairies; and when he awoke he found lying beside him a scroll, evidently left by his father, which, in verses written in letters of gold, informed him that he should have any thing he wished for, and have also the power of turning himself "To horse, to hog, to dog, to ape," etc., but he was to harm none but knaves and queans, and was to "love those that honest be, and help them in necessity." He made trials of his power and found that he really possessed it. His first exploit was to turn himself into a horse, to punish a churlish clown, whom he induced to mount him, and gave him a fall that went well nigh to break his neck. The fellow then went to ride him through a great plash of water, "and in the middle of it he found himself with nothing but a pack-saddle between his legs, while Robin went off laughing, _Ho, ho, hoh_! He next exerted himself in the cause of two young lovers, and secured their happiness. In the Second Part we find him more in the character of the Nis or Brownie. Coming to a farmer's house, he takes a liking to a "good handsome maid," that was there, and in the night does her work for her, at breaking hemp and flax, bolting meal, etc. Having watched one night and seen him at work, and observed that he was rather bare of clothes, she provided him with a waistcoat against the next night. But when he saw it he started and said:-- Because thou layest me himpen hampen I will neither bolt nor stampen: 'Tis not your garments, new or old, That Robin loves: I feel no cold. Had you left me milk or cream, You should have had a pleasing dream: Because you left no drop or crum, Robin never more will come. He went off laughing _Ho, ho, hoh_! and the maid in future had to do all the work herself. A company of young fellows who had been making merry with their sweethearts were coming home over a heath. Robin met them, and to make himself merry took the form of _a walking fire_, and led them up and down till daylight, and then went off saying:-- Get you home, you merry lads: Tell your mammies and your dads, And all those that news desire, How you saw a walking fire. Wenches that do smile and lispe, Use to call me Willy Wispe. If that you but weary be, It is sport alone for me. Away: unto your houses go, And I'll go laughing, _Ho, ho, hoh_!