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EBBA 31630

Magdalene College - Pepys
Ballad XSLT Template
Robin Hood and the Bishop;
SHEWING
[Ho]w Robin Hood went to an Old Womans House, and changed Cloaths with her, to escape from the Bi-
shop; and how he robbed him of all his Gold, and made him Sing Mass.

To the Tune of, Robin Hood and the Stranger.

COme Gentlemen all, and listen a while,
with a hey down, down an a down,
And a story Ile to you unfold,
ile tell you how Robin Hood served the Bishop
When he robbd him of his Gold.

As it fell out of a Sun-shining day,
with a hey, etc.
When Phoebus 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 hel shew me I know,
[B]ut hanged shall I be.

Then Robin was stout, and turnd him about,
with a hey, etc.
And a little House there did he 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, hel 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,
Ile for thee provide, and thee I will hide
From the Bishop and his company.

For I remember one Saturday night,
with a hey, etc.
Thou bought me both shoes and hose,
therefore Ile 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 the Mantle of Green,
thy Spindle and twine unto me resign,
And take thou my Arrows so keen.

ANd when that Robin Hood was thus arrayd
with a hey down, down a an down,
He went straight to his company,
with his Spindle and Twine, he oft lookd behind
For the Bishop and his Company.

O who is yonder quoath little John,
with a hey, etc.
That now comes over the Lee,
an Arrow I will at her let fly,
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 Traytor 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.
Thats ranging within yonder wood
marry says the old woman I think it to be
A man calld Robin Hood.]

Why who are thou, the Bishop he said,
with a hey, etc.
Which I have here with me?
why I am a woman, thou Cuckoldy Bishop,
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
Calld him and bid him stay.

Then Robin took hold of the Bishops horse,
with a hey, etc.
And tyd him fast to a Tree,
then little John smild his Master upon,
For joy of his company.

Robin Hood took his Mantle froms back,
with a 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 a hey, etc.
Said little John that may not be,
for I vow I protest he shall sing us a Mass,
Before that he go from me.

Then Robin Hood took the Bishop byth hand,
with a hey, etc
And bound him fast to a Tree,
and made him sing a Mass God-wot,
To him and his Yeomandry.

And when they brought him thorow the wood,
with hey down, down an a down,
And set him on his da[pple Grey,]
and gave the Tayl [within his hand,]
And bad him for Ro[bin Hood pray.]


[?]ners-Arms in Green-Arb [?]ttle Old- [?]

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