Little John and the Four Beggers; Or,
[A] Song of Robin Hood, and little John, shewing how little John went a Begging, and
[fought] with four Beggers, and what a prize he got of the four Beggers.
To the Tune of, Robin Hood, etc.
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[ALL delight] to spend some time,
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[?] hey down down a down,
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[?] to sing,
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[Unto me draw] near and you shall hear,
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[?] John went a begging:
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[As Robin Hood] walked the Forrest along.
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[?] etc.
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[And all his yeo]mandree,
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[Says Robin] one of you must a begging go,
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[And Little John] it must be thee.
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[Says John, if I] must a Begging go,
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[?] etc.
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[I will have a]almers weed,
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[With a staff and] a Coat, and bags of all sorts,
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[The better then] shall I speed.
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[Come n]ow a bag for my bread,
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[?] etc.
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[And another for] my Cheese,
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[And one for a pe]nny, when I get any,
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[That nothing] I may leese,
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[Now Little John] is a begging gone,
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[?] etc.
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[Seeking for som]e relief,
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[But of all the ] beggers he met on the way,
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[Little John he wa]s the chief.
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But as he was walking himself alone,
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with a hey, etc.
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Four Beggers he chanced to spy,
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Some deaf and some blind, and some came behind,
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says John here's brave company.
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Good morrow, said John, my Children dear,
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with a hey, etc.
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Good fortune I had you to see,
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Which way do you go, pray let me know,
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for I want some company.
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O what is here to do, then said little John,
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with a hey, etc.
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Why rings all these Bells, said he,
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What Dog is a hanging, come let us be ganging,
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that we the truth may see.
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Here is no dog hanging, then one of them said,
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with a hey, etc.
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Good fellow we tell unto thee,
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But here is one dead will give us Cheese and bread,
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and it may be one single penny.
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We have brethren in London, another he said,
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with a hey, etc.
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So have we in the Country,
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In Barwick and Dover, and all the world over,
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but ne'r a crookt Carill like thee.
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THerefore stand thee back, thou crooked carl,
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with a hey, etc.
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And take that knock on the crown:
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Nay, said little John, i'le not yet be gone,
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for a bout will I have with you round.
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Now have at you all, then said little John,
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with a hey, etc.
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If you be so full of your blows,
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Fight on all four, and never give o're,
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whether you be friends or foes.
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John nipped the dumb, and made him to roar,
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with a hey, etc.
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And the Blind that could not see,
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And he that a Cripple had been seven years,
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he made them run faster than he.
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And flinging them all against the wall,
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with a hey, etc.
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With many a sturdy bang,
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It made John sing, to hear the Gold ring,
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which against the wall cry'd twang.
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Then he got out of the Beggers Cloak,
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with a hey, etc.
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Three hundred pound in Gold;
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Good Fortune had I, then said little John,
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such a good sight to behold.
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But what found he in a Beggers Bag,
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with a hey, etc.
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But three hundred pound and three;
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If I drink water while this doth last,
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then an ill death may I dye.
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And my begging trade I now [give o'er]
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with a hey, etc.
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My fortune it hath been so good
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Therefore I'le not stay, but I wi[ll away]
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to the Forrest of merry Sherwood
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But when to the Forrest of Sherwood [he came,]
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with a hey, etc.
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He quickly there did see,
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His Master good bold Robin Hood
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and all his company.
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What news? what news? then [said Robin Hood]
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with a hey, etc.
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Come little John tell unto me,
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How hast thou sped with the Beg[ger's trade]
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for that I fain would see.
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Now news but good, then said little [John]
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with a hey, etc.
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With begging full well I have [sped]
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Six hundred and three I have h[ere for thee]
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in silver and gold so red.
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Then Robin Hood took little [John by the hand]
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with a hey, etc.
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And danced about the Oak-Tree
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If we drink water while this [doth last]
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then an ill death may we dye.
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So to conclude my merry new S[ong]
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with a hey, etc.
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And you that delight to sing,
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'Tis of Robin Hood that Arch[er good]
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and how little John went a [begging.]
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