Robin Hood & the Beggar.
Shewing how Robin Hood and the Beggar fought, and how he changed cloaths with the
Beggar, and how he went a begging to Nottingham, and how he saved three Brethren
from being Hanged, for stealing of the King's Deer.
To the Tune, of Robin Hood and the Stranger.
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COme light and listen you Gentlemen all,
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with a hey down, down and a down,
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That mirth do I love for to hear,
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and a Story true i'le tell unto you,
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If that you will but draw near.
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In elder times when merriment was,
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with a hey, etc.
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And Archery was holden good,
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there was an Out-law, as many did know,
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Which Men called Robin Hood.
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Upon a time it chanced so,
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with a hey, etc.
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Bold Robin was merrily dispos'd,
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his time to spend, he did intend,
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Either with friend or Foe.
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Then he got up on a gallant Steed,
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with a hey, etc.
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The which was worth Angels ten,
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with Mantle of green, most brave to be seen,
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He left all his merry men.
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And riding towards brave Nottingham,
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with a hey, etc.
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Some pastime for to spy,
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there was he aware of a jolly Beggar,
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As e're he beheld with his eye.
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An old patch'd Coat the Beggar had on,
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with a hey, etc.
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Which he daily did use to wear;
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and many a bag, about him did wag,
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Which made Robin Hood to him repair.
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God speed, God speed, said Robin Hood then,
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with a hey, etc.
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What Countrey Man? tell unto me,
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I am York-shire Sir, but e're you go far,
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Some Charity give unto me.
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Why what would thou have? said R. Hood,
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with a hey, etc.
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I pray the tell unto me;
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no Lands nor Livings, the beggar he said
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But a penny for Charity.
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I have no money, said Robin Hood then
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with a hey, etc.
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But a ranger in the wood,
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I am an Out-law, as many do know,
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My name it is Robin Hood.
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But yet I must tell thee bonny Beggar,
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with a hey, etc.
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That a bout with thee I must try,
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thy Coat of Gray, lay down I say;
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And my Mantle of Green shall lye by.
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The second Part, to the same Tune:
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COntent, content, the Beggar he said,
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with a hey, etc.
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Thy part it will be the worse,
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for I hope this bout to give thee the rout,
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And then have at thy Purse.
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The Beggar he had a muckle long staff,
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with a hey, etc.
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And Robin had a nut-brown Sword,
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so the Beggar drew nigh, & at Rob. let flye
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But he gave him never a word.
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Fight on, fight on, said Robin Hood then
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with a hey, etc.
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This Game well pleaseth me,
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for every blow that Robin did give,
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The Beggar gave buffets three.
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And fighting there full hardy and sore,
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with a hey, etc.
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Not far from Nottingham Town,
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they never fled, till from Robins head,
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The blood came trickling down.
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O hold thy hand, said Robin Hood then,
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with a hey, etc.
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And thou and I will agree,
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If it be true the Beggar he said,
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Thy Mantle come give unto me.
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Nay a change, a change, cry'd Robin Hood
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with a hey, etc.
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Thy Baggs and coat give me,
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and this Mantle of mine, i'le to thee resign,
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My Horse and my bravery.
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When Robin had got the Beggars cloaths,
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with a hey, etc.
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He looked round about,
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methink said he, I seem to be,
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A Begger brave and stout.
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For now I have a bag for my bread,
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with a hey, etc.
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So have I another for Corn,
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I have one for Mault, and another for salt,
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And one for my little Horn.
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And now I will a begging go,
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with a hey, etc.
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Some Charity for to find.
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and if any more of Robin you'l know,
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In the Second Part it's behind.
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NOw Robin he is to Nottingham gone,
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with a hey, etc.
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With his bags hanging down to his knee,
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his staff and his coat, scarce worth a groat,
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Yet merrily passed he.
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As Robin he passed the streets along,
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with a hey, etc.
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He heard a pittiful cry,
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three Brethren dear, as he did hear,
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Condemned were to dye.
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Then Robin he hyed to the Sherffs,
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with a hey, etc.
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Some relief for to seek,
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he skipt and he leapt, and capor'd full high
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As he went along the street.
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But when to the Sheriff's door he came,
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with a hey, etc.
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He met a Gentleman fine and brave,
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thou beggar said he, come tell unto me,
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What is't that thou would'st have?
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No meat nor drink, said Robin Hood then,
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with a hey, etc.
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That I come here to crave,
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but to beg the lives of Yeomen three,
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And that I fain would have.
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That cannot be, thou bold Beggar,
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with a hey, etc.
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Their Fact it is so clear,
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I tell to thee, hang'd they must be,
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For stealing of the Kings Deer.
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But when to the Gallows they did come,
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with a hey, etc.
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There was many a weeping eye,
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hold your peace said Robin Hood then
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For certainly they shall not dye.
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Then Robin he set his horn to his Mouth,
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with a hey, etc.
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And blew but blasts three,
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till an hundred bold Archers brave,
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Came kneeling down on their knee.
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What is your Will, Master, they said,
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with a hey, etc.
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We are at your command,
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shoot East, shoot West, said Robin then,
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And look that you spare no man.
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Then they shot East, and they shot West,
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with a hey, etc.
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Their Arrows were so keen,
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the Sheriff he, and his company,
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No longer must he seen.
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Then he stept to these Brethren three,
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with a hey, etc.
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And away he has them tane,
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but the sheriff was crost, & many men lost
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That dead lay on the Plain.
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Away they went into the merry green wood
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with a hey, etc.
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And sung with a merry glee,
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then Robin Hood took these Brethren good
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To be of his Yeomandry.
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