Robin Hoods Golden Prize:
Shewing how he Robed two Priests of Five Hundred Pounds.
Tune--Robin Hood was a tall young Man, etc.
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I Have heard talk of Robin Hood,
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Derry, derry down,
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And of brave Little John;
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O Fryar Tuck, and will Scarlet,
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Locksly, and Maid-marrion.
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Hey down, derry, derry down.
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But such a Tale as this before,
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I think was never known;
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For Robin Hood disguisd himself,
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and from the Wood is gone.
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Like to a Fryar, bold Robin Hood,
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was accoutred in his array;
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With Hood, Gown, Beads, and Crucifix,
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he passd upon the way.
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He had not gone past miles two or three,
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but it was his chance to espy
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Two lusty Priests clad all in black,
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come riding gallantly,
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Benedicte, then said Robin Hood,
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some pity on me take;
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Cross you my Hand with a single groat,
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for our dear Ladys sake.
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For I have been wandering all this day,
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and nothing could I get;
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Not so much as one poor cup of Drink,
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nor bit of bread to eat.
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Now byr holy Dame the Priests replyed,
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we never a penny have;
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For we this morning have been robd,
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and could no Money save.
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I am much affraid said bold Robin Hood,
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that you do both tell a Lie;
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And now before you do go hence,
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I am resolvd to try.
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When as the Priests heard him say so,
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then they rode away amain;
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But Robin Hood betook him to his heels,
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and soon overtook them again.
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Then Robin Hood laid hold of them both,
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and pulld them down from their horse:
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O spare us Fryar, the Priests cryed out,
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on us have some Remorse.
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You said youd no money, quoth Robin Hood,
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wherefore without delay,
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We three will fall down on our Knees,
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and for money we will pray.
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The Priests they could not gain say,
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but down they kneel with speed:
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Send us, O send us, then quoth they,
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some money to serve our need.
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The Priests did pray with a mournful chear,
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sometimes their hands did wring;
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Sometimes they wept and tore their hair,
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whilst Robin did merrily sing.
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When they had been praying an hours space,
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the Priests did still lament;
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Then, quoth bold Robin Hood, let us see,
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what money Heaven hath us sent.
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We will be sharers all alike,
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of money that we have;
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And there is never a One of us;
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that his Fellow shall deceive.
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The Priests their hands in their pockets put,
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but money they could find none;
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Well search ourselves, said Robin Hood,
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each other One by One.
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Then Robin Hood took pains to search them,
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and he found good store of Gold;
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Five hundred pieces presently,
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upon the Grass he told.
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Here is a brave show, said Robin Hood,
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such store of Gold to see,
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And you each One shall have a part,
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cause you prayd so heartily.
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He gave them Fifty pounds a-piece,
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and the rest for himself did keep:
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The Priests they durst not speak one Word,
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but sighed wondrous deep.
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With that the Priests rose up from their Knees;
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thinking to have parted so:
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Nay, stay, says Robin Hood, one thing more
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I have to say eer you go.
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You shall be sworn, says bold Robin Hood,
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upon this holy Grass,
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That you will never tell Lies again,
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which way soever you pass.
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The second Oath that you must make,
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that all the days of your lives,
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You never shall tempt Maids unto sin,
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nor lie with other Mens Wives.
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The last Oath you shall take, is this,
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be charitable to the Poor;
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Say you have met a holy Fryar,
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and I desire no more.
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He set them on their horses again,
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and away then they did ride;
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And he returnd to the merry Green Wood,
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with great Joy, Mirth and Pride.
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