Robin Hood & the Bishop;
SHEWING
How Robin Hood went to an Old Womans House, and changed Cloaths with her, to escape from [th]e
Bishop; and how he robbed him of all his Gold, and made him Sing Mass.
To the Tune of, Robin Hood and the Stranger.
|
C Ome Gentlemen all, and listen a while,
|
with a hey down down and a down,
|
And a story I'le to you unfold,
|
i'le tell you how Robin Hood served the Bishop
|
When he robb'd him of his Gold.
|
As it fell out of a Sun-shining day,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
When Phebus was in her prime,
|
that Robin Hood that Archer good,
|
In mirth would spend some time.
|
And as he walked the Forrest along,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
Some pastime for to spy,
|
there was he aware of a proud Bishop,
|
And all his Company.
|
O what shall I do, said Robin Hood then,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
If the Bishop he doth take me,
|
no mercy he'l shew, unto me I know,
|
But hanged shall I be.
|
Then Robin was stout, and turned him about,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
And a little House there he did spy,
|
and to an old Wife, for to save his life,
|
He aloud began to cry.
|
Why who art thou, said the old Woman,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
Come tell it to me for good,
|
I am an Out-Law, as many do know,
|
My name it is Robin Hood.
|
And yonders the Bishop and all his men,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
And if that I taken be,
|
then day and night, he'l work my spight,
|
And hanged I shall be.
|
If thou be Robin Hood, then said the Old woman
|
with a hey, etc.
|
As thou dost seem to be,
|
I'le for thee provide, and thee I will hide
|
From the Bishop and his Company.
|
For I remember on saturday night,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
Thou bought me both shooes and hose,
|
therefore i'le provide thy person to hide,
|
And keep thee from thy Foes.
|
Then give me soon thy Coat of grey,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
And take thou my mantle of green,
|
thy Spindle and twine unto me resign,
|
And take thou my arrows so keen.
|
A Nd when that Robin Hood was thus ar-rayed
|
with a hey down down and a down,
|
He went straight to his company,
|
with his Spindle and Twine, he oft look'd behind
|
For the Bishop and his company.
|
O who is yonder quoth little John,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
That now comes over the Lee,
|
an arrow I will at her let flye,
|
So like an Old Witch looks she.
|
O hold thy hand hold thy hand, said Robin then,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
And shoot not thy arrows so keen,
|
I am Robin Hood thy master good,
|
And quickly it shall be seen.
|
The Bishop he came to the Old Womans house,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
And he called with furious mood
|
come let me soon see, and bring unto me,
|
That Trayter Robin Hood.
|
The Old Woman he set on a milk white Steed
|
with a hey, etc.
|
Himself on a Dapple Grey,
|
and for joy he had got Robin Hood ,
|
He went laughing all the way.
|
But as they were Riding the Forrest along
|
with a hey, etc.
|
The Bishop he chanced for to see,
|
a hundred brave bow-men bold,
|
Stand under the Green-wood tree.
|
O who is yonder the Bishop then said,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
That's ranging within yonder wood
|
marry says the old woman I think it to be
|
A man call'd Robin Hood.
|
Why who art thou, the Bishop he said,
|
with a hey. etc.
|
Which I have here with me?
|
Why I am a woman, thou Cuckoldy Bisho[p]
|
Lift up my Leg and see.
|
Then woe is me the Bishop he said,
|
with a hey, etc.
|
That ever I saw this day,
|
he turned him about, but Robin Hood so stout
|
Call'd him and bid him stay.
|
Then Robin took hold of the Bishops Horse,
|
with hey, etc.
|
And ty'd him fast to a Tree,
|
then little John smil'd his Master upon,
|
For joy of his company.
|
Robin Hood took his Mantle from's back,
|
with hey, etc.
|
And spread it upon the ground,
|
and out of the Bishops Portmantle he
|
Soon told Five Hundred Pound.
|
Now let him go, said Robin Hood,
|
with hey, etc.
|
Said little John that may not be,
|
for I vow & protest he shall sing us a mass
|
Before that he go from me.
|
Then Robin Hood took the Bishop by'th han[d]
|
with hey, etc.
|
And bound him fast to a Tree,
|
and made him sing a Mass, Got-wot,
|
To him and his Yeomandry.
|
And when they brought him thorow the woo[d]
|
with hey down down and a down,
|
And set him on his Dapple Grey,
|
and gave the Tayl within his hand,
|
And bad him for Robin Hood pray.
|
|
|
|
|
|