The Noble Fisher-Man.
Or, Robin Hoods perferment, shewing how he won a Prize on the Sea, and how he gave
one half to his Dame, and the other to the building of Alm-houses.
The Tune is, In Summer time, etc.
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IN summer time when leaves grow green,
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when they grow both green and long,
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Of a bold Out-law 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 Elephant,
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doth bud and spring with a merry cheer,
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This Out-law was weary of the Wood-side,
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and chasing of the Fallow-Deer.
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The Fisher-men brave, more money have,
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than any Merchant two or three,
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Therefore will I to Scarbrough go,
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that I a Fisher-man brave may be.
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This Out-law 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, ile to Scarbrough go,
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it seems to be a very fair day,
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Who took up his Inn at a widdow-womans house
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hard by upon the waters gray.
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Who asked him, where wert thou born,
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or tell to me where dost thou fare,
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I am a poor Fisher-man, 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 it 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 mayest well brook thy name,
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The Out-law was ware of her courtesie,
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and rejoycd he had got such a Dame.
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Simon, wilt thou be my man?
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and good round wages ile give thee,
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I have as good a Ship of mine own,
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as any sails upon the Sea.
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Anchors and Planks thou shalt want none,
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Masts and Ropes that are so long,
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And if that you thus 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 others 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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ere this great luber do thrive on the sea,
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Ile assure he shall have no part of our fish,
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for in truth he is no part worthy.
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The second Part, to the same tune,
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O Wo 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 Plomton Park,
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in chasing of the Fallow Deer.
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For every Clown laughs me to scorn,
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and they by me set nothing at all,
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If I had them in Plomton Park,
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I would set as little by them all.
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They pluckt up Anchor and away did sail,
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more of a day then two or three,
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But Simon espyed a ship of war,
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that sailed towards them valourously.
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O wo is me, said the Master then,
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this day that ever I was born;
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For all our Fish that we have got,
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is every bit lost and forlorn.
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For yon French Robber 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 the Prison strong.
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But Simon said, do not fear them,
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neither Master, take you any care,
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Give me my bent bow in my hand,
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and never a French-man will I spare.
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Hold thy peace thou long Lubber,
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for thou art naught but brags and bost,
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If I should cast thee 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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That he took his bent bow in his hand,
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and to the Ship-hatch go doth 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 French-man will I spare.
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He drew his Arrow to the very head,
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and drew it with all might and main,
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And straightway in the twinkling of an eye,
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doth the Frenchmans heart the arrow gain.
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The French-man fell down on the ship-hatch
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and under the hatches down below,
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Another French-man that him espyd,
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the dead corps into the Sea doth throw.
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O Master loose me from the Mast he said,
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and for them all take you no care,
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And give me my bent bow in my hand,
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and never a French man will I spare.
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Then straight 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 pound in money bright.
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The one half of the ship, said Simon then,
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ile give to my Dame and children small,
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The other half of the ship ile give,
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to you that are my fellows all.
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But now bespake 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 thee 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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