Robin Hood & the Beggar.
SHEWING
How Robin Hood and the Begger fought, and how he changed Cloaths with the Begger) and how
he went a Begging to Nottingham, and how he saved three Brethren from being Hanged, for stea-
ling of the Kings Deer.
To the Tune of, Robin Hood and the stranger.
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COme light and listen you Gentlemen all,
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with a hey down down an a down,
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That mirth do love for to hear,
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and a Story true i'le tell unto you,
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If that you will but draw near.
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In elder times when merriment was,
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with a hey, etc.
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And Archery was holden good.
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there was an Out-law, as many do know,
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Which men called Robin Hood,
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Upon a time it chanced so,
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with a hey, etc.
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Bold Robin was merry dispos'd,
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his time to spend, he did intend,
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Either with friend or foes.
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Then he got upon a gallant white Steed,
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wi[t]h a hey, etc.
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The which was worth Angels ten,
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with a mantle of green, most brave to be seen,
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He left all all his merry men.
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And riding towards fair Nottingham.
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with a hey, etc.
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Some pastime [f]or to spy,
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there was he ware of a jolly Begger,
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As e're he beheld with his eye.
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An old patch'd Coat the Begger had on,
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with a hey, etc.
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Which he daily did use for to wear,
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and many a Bag, about him did wag,
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Which made Robin Hood to him repair.
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God speed, God speed, said Robin Hood then,
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with a hey, etc.
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What Country-man? tell unto me,
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I am York-shire sir but e're you go far:
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Some Charity give unto me,
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Why, what wouldst thou have? said Robin Hood
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with a hey, etc.
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I pray thee tell unto me,
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no Lands nor Livings, the Begger he said,
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But a penny for Charity.
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I have no money, said Robin Hood then,
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with a hey, etc.
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But a Ranger within the wood,
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I am an Out-law, as many do know,
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My name is Robin Hood.
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But yet I must tell thee bonny begger[,]
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with a hey, etc.
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That a bout with thee I must try,
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thy Coat of Gray lay down I say[;]
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A[n]d my mantle of Green shall lye b[y.]
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The second part to the sam[e tune.]
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COntent, content, the begger he cry'd,
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with a hey down down an a down.
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Thy part it will be the worse,
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for I hope this hour, to give thee the rout,
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And then have at thy Purse.
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The begger he had a muckle long staff,
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with a hey, etc.
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And Robin had a nut brown Sword,
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so the begger drew nigh, & at Robin let flye,
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But he gave him never a word,
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Fight on, fight on, said Robin Hood then,
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with a hey, etc.
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This Game well pleaseth me,
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for every blow that Robin did give,
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The begger gave buffets three.
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And fighting there full hardy and sore,
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with a hey, etc.
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Not far from Nottingham Town,
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they never fled, till from Robins head,
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The blood came trickling down.
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O hold thy hand, said Robin Hood then,
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with a hey, etc.
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And thou and I will agree,
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If it be true the begger he said,
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Thy mantle come give unto me.
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Nay a change, a change, said Robin Hood,
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with a hey, etc.
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Thy bags and coat give me,
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and this mantle of mine, i'le to thee resine,
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My horse and my bravery.
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When Robin had got the Beggers cloaths,
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with a hey, etc.
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He looked round about,
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methinks, said he, I seem to be
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A begger brave and stout.
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For now I have a bag for my bread.
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with a hey, etc.
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So I have another for Corn,
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I have one for Malt, and another for Salt,
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And one for my little horn.
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And now I will a begging go,
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with a hey, etc.
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Some Charity for to find,
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and if any more of Robin you'l know,
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In the second part it's behind.
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NOw Robin he is to Nottingham gone,
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with a hey down, down an a down,
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With his bags hanging down to his knee,
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his staff and his coat, scarce worth a groat,
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Yet merrily passed he.
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As Robin passed the st[reets along,]
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with a hey, etc.
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He heard a pittiful c[ry,]
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three Brethren dear, as he [did hear,]
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Condemned were to dye.
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Then Robin he hyed to the Sher[ffs,]
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with a hey, etc.
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Some relief for to seek,
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he skipt and he leapt, and capor['d full high]
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As he went along the street.
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But when to the Sheriffs door he came[,]
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with a hey, etc.
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He met a Gentleman fine and brave,
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thou begger, said he, come tell unto me,
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What is't as thou wouldst have.
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No meat nor drink, said Robin then,
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with a hey, etc.
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That I come here to crave,
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but to beg the lives of Yeomen three,
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And that I fain would have.
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That cannot be, thou bold Begger.
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with a hey, etc.
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Their Fact it is so clear,
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I tell to thee Hang'd they must be,
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For stealing of the Kings Deer.
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But when to the Gallows they did come,
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with a hey, etc.
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There was many a weeping eye,
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hold your peace, said Robin then,
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For certainly they shall not dye.
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Then Robin he set his Horn to his mouth,
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with a hey, etc.
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And blew but blasts three,
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till an hundred bold Archers brave,
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Came kneeling down on their knee.
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What is your will Master? he said,
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with a hey, etc.
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We are at your command,
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shoot East, shoot West, said Robin then,
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And look that you spare no man.
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Then they shot East, and they shot West,
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with a hey, etc.
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Their arrows were so keen,
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the Sheriff he, and his Company,
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No longer must be seen.
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Then he stept to these Brethren three,
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with a hey, etc.
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And away he has them tane,
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but the Sheriff was crost, & many a man lost,
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That dead lay on the plain.
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And away they went into the merry green wood
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with a hey, etc.
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And sung with merry glee,
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[then Robin Hood took these Brethren good
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To be of his Yeomandry.
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