The Noble Fisherman:
Or, Robin Hoods Preferment.
Tune of, In Summer time.
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IN Summer Time, when Leaves grow green,
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when they do grow both green and long,
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Of a bold Outlaw calld Robin Hood,
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it is of him I sing this Song.
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When the Lilly leaf and the Cowslip sweet
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both bud and spring with merry Cheer,
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This Outlaw was weary of the Wood-side,
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and a chasing of the Kings Deer.
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The Fishermen brave more Money have,
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than any Merchant two or three;
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Therefore I will to Scarborough go,
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That I a Fisherman may be.
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This outlaw calld his merry Men all,
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as they sat under the green wood Tree;
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If any of you have Gold to spend,
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I pray you heartily spend it with me.
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Now, quoth Robin Hood, Ill to Scarborough go,
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it seems to be a very fine day;
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Who took up his Inn at a widow womans house,
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hard by the waters gray;
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Who asked him, where wert thou born,
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or tell me where thou dost fare?
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I am a poor Fisherman said he then,
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this day intrapped all in care.
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What is thy Name, thou fine fellow?
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I pray thee heartily tell to me.
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In mine own Country where I was born,
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men call me Simon over-the-lee.
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Simon, Simon, said the good wife,
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I wish thou mayst well brook thy Name:
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The Outlaw was ware of her courtesy,
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and rejoyced he had got such a Dame.
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Simon, wilt thou be my Man?
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and good round wages Ill give thee;
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I have as good a Ship of my own,
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as any that fails upon the sea:
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Anchors and planks thou shallt want none,
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Masts and Planks that are so long,
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And if that thou so furnish me,
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said Simon, nothing shall go wrong.
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They pluckt up Anchor, and away did sail,
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more of a day than two or three;
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When other cast in their baited Hooks,
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the bare Lines into the Sea cast he.
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It will be long, said the Master then,
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eer this great Lubber do thrive at Sea;
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He shall have no share of our fish,
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for in truth he is no part worthy.
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O woe is me, said Simon then,
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This day that ever I came here!
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I wish I were in Plumbton Park,
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chasing of the Fallow Deer.
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For every clown laughs me to scorn,
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and by me sets nothing at all;
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If I had them in Plumbton Park,
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I would set as little by them all.
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They pluckd up Anchors and away did sail,
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more of a Day than two or three;
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But Simon espyed! a ship of war,
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that saild towards them vigourously.
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O woe is me, said the Master then,
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this day that ever I was born;
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For all the fish that we have got
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is every bit lost and forlorn!
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For those French Robbers on the Sea,
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they will not spare of us one man,
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But carry us to the Coast of France,
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and lay us in a Prison strong.
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But Simon said, do not fear them,
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neither, Master, take you care;
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Give me my bent Bow in my Hand,
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and never a Frenchman will I spare.
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Hold thy Peace, thou long Lubber,
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for thou art nought but brags and boast;
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If I should cast you over board,
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theres but a simple lubber lost.
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Simon grew angry at these words,
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and so angry then was he;
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Then he took his bent bow in his hand,
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and in the ship-hatch goeth he.
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Master, tye me to the mast, he said,
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that at my mark I may stand fair,
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And give me my bent bow in my hand,
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and never a Frenchman will I spare.
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He drew his Arrow to the Head,
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and drew with might and main;
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And straight, in the twinkling of an Eye,
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to the Frenchmans heart the Arrow gain.
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The Frenchman fell down on the ship hatch,
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and under the Hatches down below;
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Another Frenchman that him espyd.
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the dead Corpse into the Sea did throw.
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O Master, loose me from the Mast, he said,
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and never a Frenchman will I spare
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Then strait they boarded the French Ship,
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they lying all dead in their Sight;
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They found within the Ship of war
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twelve Thousand Pounds in Money bright.
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The one Half of the Ship, said Simon then,
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Ill give to my Dame and Children small;
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The other Half of my Ship Ill give
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to you that are my Fellows all.
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But now bespoke the Master then,
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for so, Simon, it shall not be,
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For you have won it with your own Hands,
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and the owner of it you must be.
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It shall be so as I have said,
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and with this Gold for the opprest,
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An Habitation I will build,
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where they shall live in peace and rest.
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