oden, as a vegetation deity; and half a century later Sir J. H. Ramsay suggested that he was a wood-spirit corresponding to the Hodeken of German tradition. Theo

of Robin Hood and the Potter, but in the later play-is a survival of the Strife between Summer and Winter. Certainly there is n

May,' the 'Induction of Autumn,' the 'Play of the King and the Queen,' which, separately or together, were performed at least as early as the thirteenth century-to the 'May-game' or 'King's game' of the middle of the fifteenth century. Going back again to the

, we can find many entries, in parish records from all parts of England, which show that the summer folk-festival has developed into a play of Robin Hood. Further, it has been very plausibly suggested8 that about

y to which Sir John refers, that of Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham,9 which is founded upon a story similar to that of the ballad of Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne (see p. 128). Besides this fragment, we have in William Copland's edition of the Gest a dramatic appendix of 'the playe of Robyn Hoode, verye proper to be played in Maye games' (printed c. 1560); this in fact consists of two play

borrowed therefrom not only Maid Marian but Robin Hood, Little John and Friar Tuck; so that amongst the later ballads and broadsides we find Robin's

of Robin Ho

ke King Arthur, he has become associated particularly with one or two haunts; and it is no easier-nor in the end more profitable-t

ar distant as Gloucestershire and Somerset; for many of these probably bear his name in much the same way as other natural freaks bear the Devil's name. A large

od; but it appears that even the ballads of the fifteenth century make little effort to discriminate between the two. Robin Hood and the Monk (MS. of c. 1450) introduces us, in its first five lovely stanzas, to Sher

first division of the Gest (Fyttes I. II. and IV.) is that of Barnsdale, while the second division (Fyttes III. V. and VI.), dealing with the Sheriff of Nottingham, mainly

ext, is c. 1650), the scene is specified as Barnsdale; yet at the end the Sheriff of Nottingham flees to his hous

nsd

ire, a district bounded by the East Riding and Lincolnshire to the east, Derby and Nottingham shires to the south, and the rive

en Doncaster and Pontefract, crosses the small slow river Went at Wentbridge (probably referred to in st. 135 of the Gest), which may be taken as the northern boundary of Barnsdale. That this part of the North Road was considered unsafe for travellers as early as Edward I.'s reign is

those explained in the foot

h to dine, is a dozen miles south of Doncaster, and in Nottingh

ersdale, a wild tract of the old Fo

Yorkshire; between the south-easterly turn

od's Death, 1.3). Kirklees Priory is on the left or north

ere besyde' (Gest, 54.

er

and, to the north, the district now known as 'the Dukeries,' i.e. the parks of Welbeck, Clumber and Rufford. There is a village of Sherwood, a northern suburb of Nottingham, and a Sherwood Hall near Mansfield; between the two may be foun

e Closse' (i.e. close) is mentioned in the Nottingham Chamberl

ous phrase in the fifteenth century, and may mean either the dram

he last phrase) by A. Co

gue of Romances, 506, under t

as originally made in the Gentleman's Magaz

glish Poetry (1774), p. 245: recently and in more det

right. It may be seen in facsimile as well as in type in the Collections (p. 117) of the Malone

says that Robin Hood plied his trade in I

London to Barnsdale' (v. 51) seems to assume that the 'king's co

IOGRAPHY O

cient Poems, Songs, and Ballads, now extant, relative

ith other Ancient and Modern Ballads and Songs relat

ro Robin Hood. London, 1852. (No.

den. In Herrig's Archiv, lxix. 241-34

ie. In Paul's Grundriss der German

über die Motivs der Robin-

al Stage. 2 vols. Oxford,

ed und Epos. D

ard Studies and Notes in Philology a

bin Hood. In University of To

TI

minster Review. Mar

rrespondence).

rly Review

OF RO

gestis tota Britannia

jo

texts of the Gest, to be

y David Laing, who then supposed it to be from the press of Chepman and Myllar, Edinburgh printers of the early sixteenth century; but he afterwards had reason to doubt this opinion. It is

rented at London in fletestrete at the sygne of the sone By Wynken de Worde.' This also is undated, and Child says it 'may be anywhere from 1492 to 1534.' Recent bibliographical research shows that Wynkyn de Worde moved to Fleet Street at the end of the year 1500, which give

agments in the Bodleian (the last presented by J. O. Halliwell-Phillipps). The first was lent to Ritson in or before 1790 by Farmer, who thought it to be Ras

nted 'at London vpon the thre Crane wharfe by wyllyam Copland,' who printed there about 1560. This ed

perhaps the 'pastorall plesant commedie' entered to White in the Stationers' Registers,

preserves are here numbered 1.-83.3, 113.4-124.1, 127.4-133.2, 136.4-208.3, and 314.2-349.3, omitting 2.2,3 and 7.1. A few variations are rec

ed out by Child, iii. 40, and elaborately classified by W. H. Clawson, The Gest of Robin Hood, 4-5. A possible alternative was to treat the Gest on the plan adopted for fifteenth-century texts by E. K. Chambers and the present editor in Early English Lyrics

ent parts are not now extant; although on the other hand there are later ballads founded on certain episodes in the Ges

' there came into use a secondary meaning-that of 'a story or romantic tale in verse,' or 'a metrical chronicle.' The latter meaning is doubtless intended in the title of the Gest of Robyn

' but it falls more naturally into three main sections, in each of

Hood and

st, Second,

le John, and the Sh

rd, Fifth,

ood and Ki

eventh an

eral notes are pref

ST FYTT

ght, to dine with him. They find a knight, and feast him beneath the greenwood tree: but when Robin demands payment, the knight turns out to be in sorry plight, for he has sold all h

s apparently derived from a well-known miracle of Mary, in which a Christian, wishing to borrow money of a Jew, takes him to a church and makes him lay his hand on a statue of the Virgin and Child, praying that, if he fails t

1519' in his catalogue of the early p

IRST

' hearken and listen:

bore,' f

listin,

of frebo

u tel of a

was Rob

tlaw': supplied from t

s a prud

walked o

an outlaw

er non

ode in B

yd hym

stode Lit

yeman

hy of a groom,

dyd gode

the mill

none ynch

as worth

'and

pake Lyt

oo Roby

nd ye wolde

doo you m

kouth,'

ake hym g

have I

have som b

unkou

ng in all

ied from Wynken

.

pay for

nyght or

leth here

ssis,'

ner than

where tha

y or he

sis wold

r moste,' m

he worship o

er of the

was of Ou

oved allt

0

dout,'

ed Oure d

of dydl

ever do co

y woman

1

than sayde

r borde sh

eeler that

fe that we

2

eve,' p

l take, where

shall abi

robbe, where

hall bete

3

force,' n

force,' than

l do wel

e do no hu

th with hi

4

e shall no

h by grene-

yght ne

be a go

5

pes and these

them bete

herif of

ye in yo

6

lere,'

late in the day:

lbe holde,' say

lesson we

yes; God sen

ere at ou

7

bowe in thy hon

h wende w

al Willya

an abyde

8

small part of the m

treet = the gr

chaunce,'

e up to t

o Watlin

fter some u

e ye may

9

ight,'

rle, or

or ani

ym to lod

r shall

0

e up to t

emen al

est, they l

ght no

1

rete,' hidden

loked in t

ern? s

a knyght

they gan

2

was his

ll was h

e in the st

ere wavy

3

'iyn,

anged in h

in sym

man than

er in so

4

nn was ful

e hym on

e ye, gent

ar ye

5

Hend?,

thou to g

nyght a

ath abiden y

these ou

6

aister?' sayd

yde, 'Ro

yoman,' sayd

have herde

7

fere,' in

e sayde, 'with

erne, al

as to have

or Danc

8

ll chere,' s

lere,'

went this g

careful

oute of hi

downe by

9

t him to th

byn gan

esly dyd

e hym on

0

knight,' tha

art tho

den you fa

se ouri

1

eyn?,'

ed the gent

d?s fayr

save, go

thy fayr

2

umbles,'

togeder and

e to the

ne they had

bles of

3

ssauntes they

es of th

d none so l

was bred

4

elf at home; a hospitable exp

sir knight,'

y, sir,'

dinere

hese wek

5

me ageyn

y thys

yner I shal

haest ma

6

knyght,'

whan that

o gredy, by d

r for t

7

wende,' be

ye wende,'

th it is g

he maner, by d

o pay for

8

t,' leave no

n my coffers,' s

y prefer f

, go loke,'

not for

9

' perhaps means 'prote

th,' than s

ave parte

ut ten shelynges,

have par

0

e no more,'

nat on

have nede

all I l

1

urth, Litt

th tell

no more but

y that

2

n sprede dow

e upon th

fonde in the

halfe a

3

n let it lye

hys mayste

es, Johnn?'

knyght is

4

best wine,'

ght shal

nder thi

ynge is s

5

instituted in 1224, compelling military tenan

e worde,' s

nsel sha

wert made a k

ys of

6

kerer,'

u hast been a

in stroke

llis a lechoure

ge hast le

7

those,' sayd

that m

d wynter

res knyght

8

grate,' u

t hath bef

ath be

t sitteth i

nde his

9

erses have here been confused, especial

two yere, Rob

ours well

ed pounde o

than mygh

0

no gode,' sai

shapen suc

yldren an

yt may

1

ner,' than

lorne thy

eate foly,

r my ky

2

st,' jou

sone, fors

e have ben

as twenty w

olde just

3

(in another vers

knyght of

squyer

ve him in

eth sette

4

to wedde,' p

eth sette to

a certa

e abbot h

t Mari

5

he som?' s

han tell

de, 'foure hu

t told i

6

lese,'

lese thy lond

all fall

me buske,' sa

the sa

7

ke' = qui

Criste was q

ount of

ende, and ha

no bett

8

out of hy

have gone

ende, and ha

e no mor

9

blowe,

y frend?s?'

er one wo

s rych yno

than wolde

0

a rowe,

hey renne a

tis on

no more

y had me n

1

ruthe,

re,' ente

hanne wept

and Much

best wyne,'

is a sym

2

rrowe,'

ny frende,'

owe that

,' than sayd

that dyed

3

japis,' tha

wol I r

wolde have G

Poule,

4

hope,'

hym tha

both sonne

tter borowe,'

getest t

5

or,' b

other,' say

the for

be Our d

me never or

6

pay,'

rthy God,'

all Englon

I never

better

7

furth, Li

to my t

me foure hu

well told

8

n went Li

lok went

te foure hu

and twe

9

tolde?' sayd

e: 'What g

to helpe a g

fal in

0

han sayde L

inge is fu

e the knigh

his bod

1

scarlet and g

y a ric

archaunt in

I dare w

2

sured. So 73.1 '

re yerdes of

ell mete t

n toke none

s bow?

3

y handfull

d fot?s

s drapar,' sa

t thou f

4

oughe,'

de full sti

, 'By Go

gyve hym g

teth hym b

5

than said L

ill Rob

ive the kn

ome al th

6

ray coursar,'

saydl

Ladye's m

t that he

7

alfray,' sayd

ne hym in

of bot?s,'

s a genty

8

ene,' t

hou gyve him,

re of gilt

or all th

e hym out

9

day be,' sai

d your w

elve moneth,

is grene-

0

eat sham?,'

t alone

quyre, yom

? by hi

1

nave,'

l stand for thee i

lende Litell

halbe th

stede he ma

greate n

ND FYTTE

Queries, First Series, vol. vi. p. 479). The knight, pretending he has not brought the money, requests an extension of time; but the abbot will not hear of it, and is supported in his refusal by the justice: the knight's lands will be forfeited. The justice advises the

d to Robin Hood. As he sets out for Barnsdale with a goodly company, he finds

Chaucer, and twice in Sidney's Arcadia. 'Fremit,' the common Scots form, may be found in Burns. More recently, it appears in books of Westmorela

od and the Potter, 6.1. The river Went

ECOND

2

knight gone

hym though

loked on

syd Rob

3

18.3 the Edinburgh

e thought on

ok, Much

hem for the

er he i

4

that gent

Johan gan

I must to

nt Mar

5

e abbot of

red pounde

e there upo

is lost

6

vent' =

sayd to

stode o

fe moneth came

foure hond

7

g: supplied

unless: 'y

d four hond

l his l

ome this

ed shall

8

ever,'

erely,' sayd

not yet f

to pay an ho

y down

9

is ferre bey

nde is h

eth honge

y a sor

0

e pyt?,' said

have hi

lyght of yo

hym moc

1

er' cellare

in my berde,'

nd Saynt

am in a fat

ygh se

2

ught,' r

r hanged,' sa

hat bough

have to spend

red pounde

3

upplied from Co

and the

orthe fu

justyce

there dy

4

ustyce an

in to t

the kny

at knyght

5

emed,'

te,' disposse

the knyght

t and hi

come thi

te shal

6

come yet,' sa

well und

owe tym? f

t came to

7

ke that ge

l his

on your s

rought fr

8

ll editions: sup

n their sym

to the g

r was red

med them

9

knyght,' say

e to met

many a g

love o

0

ursed; i.e. a horse used in t

swore a ful

that m

he best c

r yet sa

0

n to the sta

ed myght

come therin,'

hat dyed

0

alved,'

ere to m

abbote

ent forth an

them gret

0

See

yr abbot,' sa

e to hold

rd that the

u brought

0

hrewed,'

eny,' sayd

that m

ewed dettour,'

yce, dryn

0

t,' unles

hou here,' sa

addest brou

than sayd

of a leng

0

'fone,

broke,' say

etest th

yr justyce,

e me of

0

y presents of cloth

h the abbot,' s

th cloth

yr sheryf, b

r God,'

0

paid my dues. (Old Fr

syr abbot,

hy cu

my lond?s

ave made

0

be thy tru

wely se

e foure hon

good an

1

ware a full

hat dyed

ond? wher

getest no

1

y God,' then s

this world

e my lond

it shall

1

'Leve,

roverb is a favourite in Middle Eng

was of a ma

well t

good to as

a man ha

1

othely on h

nesly hym

ayd, 'thou

e out of

1

then sayd the

, in t

yght was

hat made

1

de that gen

abbot s

knyght to k

st no cu

1

prees,' in as thick

?s and in

re than

self as fe

that ev

1

gyve more,' sa

ght shall ma

dare I s

ver your lo

1

24.1 the Edinburgh f

pounde,' say

sayd, 'Gyv

od,' sayd

te ye i

1

r. Cp. Robin Hood a

olde gyve a

ye never

e never b

ustice,

2

ym to a bo

table

e shoke out

r hundre

2

lde, sir abbot,'

at thou l

n curtes at

huldest th

2

t styll, and

his ry

s hede on

began t

2

'toke,

lde agayne,' s

ce, that I

i,' said t

that dyed

2

, and ye m

I holde

have my lo

that you

2

stert out o

as all

ut his good

r he lef

2

le,' Wyresdale

forth full

ave told

met hym a

in Ver

2

ragment is again avai

y lorde,' s

t is all

ame,' sayd

y for Ro

2

tene,'

his soul? b

me out

e his ky

s had

2

and I acc

rved of

yoman le

m by th

3

han dwelled f

h? for

gete four hu

y for

3

ydyght,

him an hun

ng?s wel

shefe of

burneshed

3

ed' = i-nock

arowe an e

cok wel

l with why

a semel

3

are torn away in the Edinburgh fragment

stede,'

d him an h

essed in

lfe in tha

d in whyte

3

aunsgay,

,' baggage.

launsgay i

n ledde

with a l

Berny

3

Child suggests '? But at Went

t a brydge ther

e taryed

was all th

he west

3

i-pyght

burgh frag

e game ther

bulle up

er, with sadl

burnyssht f

3

loves, a red

of wyne

at bereth h

e shall

3

the position of a foreigner

a yoman in

t worth

s ferre and f

e shulde

3

had ruthe o

where tha

yoman shulde

e of Ro

4

'fere,' misprinted in the Camb

ende,' pu

presed in t

h folowed

bent and ar

ende that

4

'rome,

d all and ma

what he

e yeman bi

hym al

4

five marke f

lay on

shulde be s

who s

4

aried this g

t play w

bode Roby

?s after

D FYTTE

here and elsewhere the type of Robin Hood's enemies), and enters his service for a year under the name of Reynold Greenleaf. While the sheriff is hunting, Little John fights his servants, robs his treasure-house, and escapes back to Robin Hood with 'three hundred pound and more.' He then bethink

HIRD

4

lystyn, g

t now b

n, that was th

rth ye s

4

shete,'

fet,' f

upon a

men wolde

nn fet his

he wolde

4

itell Johnn

he slet

sherif of

ark?s ca

4

wore a full

hat dyede

is the be

r yet sa

4

ht,' stron

: both words mean dw

we, wight

nowe t

untr? were

is thy won

4

nes, sir,

al of

e Reynold

am at

5

Reynolde

ou dwell

yere I wol

arke to

5

ster,' sayde

ys knigh

ev? gete

ter may

5

f gate Li

eth?s of t

e gave him

ors and

5

ve him his

ll John the

us well

thought

hym wele

5

eutye,'

e helpe,' sayd

my tru

he worst ser

er yet

5

riete,' f

upon a W

on huntyn

John lay i

foriete

5

he was

as past

tuarde, I p

ynere,' said

5

onge for

thus fo

ray thee, s

ner g

5

ete ne drynke' s

rde be come

we to God,' sai

r to crake

5

r was full

stode o

t to th

t fast

6

'go' =

gave the bote

went ner

lived an h

s shuld

6

veray,' p

the dore wi

open wel

he made la

ale and

6

at dyne,' sayd

gyve you

e lyve an hu

ohnn ye sh

6

ete, and Lit

e that h

had in his k

man and

6

vowe to God,'

te a shr

ous for

ske thus

6

he lent

trokis

we to God,' say

rokis lyk

6

a bolde man

think

pas fro t

tter shalt

6

drew a ful

ook anothe

t no thynge

ly for t

6

takes to go two miles. See Early

ntnaunce,'

faught so

way and w

er other h

naunce of

6

we to God,' say

my tru

e of the be

r yit sa

7

u shote as w

e thou shuld

in the yere

ed shu

7

y yere of

erke to

swerde,' sai

owes wol

7

les,' entrai

fet to L

mbles o

, and full

and drank

7

hey had dr

thes togede

wolde be

k? sam?

7

em to the t

s they my

hat were of f

e them ev

7

,' cups; 'ma

way the sil

hat thei

asars, n

hei not

7

toke the

red pound

m streyte t

e grene

7

Waters, 2.2 (Fir

save, my d

e thee sa

yde Robyn to

e myght

7

that fa

est there

ng?s fro

hnn, tell

7

retith the p

th thee h

nd his sil

ndred pound

8

avowe to God,

o the

ver by hi

e is com

8

nn there h

hrewde

in the for

?d all h

8

t the prou

ith hounde

nn coude o

lyd hym

8

e 177.2

print, but 'shreeve' is ano

save, my d

e thee sav

nelefe,' sayd

ast thou

8

be in th

syght

of the fayr

r yet sa

8

ydene,'

awe a ryght

ure is o

e of dere

hym al

8

= tynes, forks

'slo,'

s are so sha

y, and

t not shote

y wolde

8

owe to God,' s

t wolde I

yderwarde, my

nd wende

8

rode, and L

e was ful

hey came be

re is the ma

8

e the prou

man w

the, Raynol

betrayed

9

we to God,' say

, ye be

served of

s with yo

9

as to sou

well with s

sherif sawe

e he mygh

9

here,' sayde

, for c

e love of

I graunt

9

y had so

y was

maunded L

his hosen an

9

'toke,

, and his c

fured wel

hym a gre

is body

9

ndyd his wig

e grene-

lye in tha

herif mygh

9

lay the pr

che and in

it was, in

syd?s gan

9

here,' sayde

, for c

is our or

grene-wo

9

r,' anchori

r order,' sayd

y ankir

golde in m

at longe

9

lve monthes,'

alt dwel

e tech?, pr

awe for

0

'Or,

nother nyght,'

nowe pra

hede rather

orgyve

0

' than sayd

aynt?

be the be

er yet

0

scathe,' lie in w

ere me an othe

bright

never awayt

r ne by

0

u fynde any

ht or

oth? thou

them that

0

ip (berry of the wild

sherif swor

he bega

full of

was hepe

TH FYTTE

carlok to wait for an 'unketh gest.' They capture a monk of St. Mary Abbey, and Robin Hood makes him disgorge

he wrestling-match, arrives to pay his debt to Robin Hood; who, however, r

d of repaying money lent on her security, is not withou

OURTH

0

dwelled i

ayne he

n and hi

o wode

0

ner,' sayde

ode say

Our Lady be

ent me na

0

maister,' sayd

t the sonn

say, and sa

is true a

0

repetition

in thy hande,

h wende w

al Wyllya

an abyde

0

up under

Watlyng

fter some u

e ye may

1

he be m

that my

he shall

e a por

1

d tene,' grief

n stert L

tray a

m with a ful

mantel o

1

up to th

emen al

est, they

ght no

1

e. Bene

y loked in

e hy?

y ware of two

a good p

1

wedde,'

pake Lyt

h he g

ay my lyf

nkes have bro

1

nowhere else, and i

nd sad,' resol

here,' sayd

e your bo

r hertes be

ges trusty

1

' = sumpters,

hath two an

somers ful

no bysshop

y, I und

1

' sayd Lyt

no more bu

yng? them

er dare w

1

prese,'

bowes,' sayd

yon prese

onke, his lyf

?d in m

1

e monke,' say

er that t

st, by dere

is in m

2

e on thy hede,' s

er thy hat

t made our m

stynge s

2

mayster?' s

an sayd, '

nge thefe,' s

erd I nev

2

' than sayd

t shall

eman of t

e hath bo

2

redy with

and

monke to-fo

unde that

2

fyfty wyght

abode

ll page an

somers with

2

e,' please

ugre,' in

the monke to

e were lo

eke with

in they

2

e adowne

e whan t

was not so

then le

2

force,'

, mayster, by d

yd Lyte

o force,'

teysy ca

2

men,' sa

s monke,

two whan

of them

2

aushyp' =

a horne,'

ushyp may

re of wyg

ckynge o

3

ye,' stri

of them a

let and

came to g

what he

3

monke to was

at his

e and Lyt

ed him bo

3

avow?,'

, monke,'

y, syr,'

abbay, whan y

is you

3

abbay,' sa

I be sym

offyce?'

he hye

3

everation = 'upon my life'

ore welcome,

er mot

best wyne,

e shall dr

3

rete mervayle

this l

Lady be wr

me not

3

, mayster,' sa

no nede

brought it, I

s of her

3

orowe,'

s a borowe,

a knygh

money that

e grene-

3

hast that syl

thee le

l help? th

have ned

3

ere,' cou

wore a full

sory

wehode thou

I neve

4

avowe to God

thou art

holde a r

is hi

4

st with thy

y not s

arte her

est her

4

rt made her

ey for

I cun the

e come a

4

e 234.2

your cofers?

han tell

sayd, 'twe

mote I

4

myster,

e no more,'

not on

st myster

I shall le

4

ynd? more,'

u shalte i

spendynge-s

wyll I r

4

orthe, Lyt

routh tel

no more but

y that

4

trunk. See 1

spred his m

ad done

e out of th

red pounde

4

n let it ly

o his mays

, 'the monke i

th doubled

4

avowe to God

hat tolde

is the tr

r yet fo

5

'pay,'

rthy God,'

all Englon

e I never

better

5

ende,' g

wyne, and do hym d

well thy

have nede t

she shall

5

nedeth ony

ou agay

token she h

l have s

5

mote,'

s goynge to

hold gr

hat rode so

e hym un

5

eves,' b

ye away?'

aners in t

with ou

done moc

5

forth, Lyt

ken to

yemen I k

a monk

5

rser,' co

yonder other cor

th must

y,' than sa

re no cu

5

e a man

hym bete

olde maner,

but lytel

5

oke the hor

r wolde

ynke,' than

ye fort

5

d,' than say

th I cam

chepe I myg

or in Da

6

your abbot,'

pryour,

m send me

er eve

6

e that mon

we of th

me to hol

at it wa

6

streyt to

e grene-

nde there

his me

6

ht doune of hi

han he

he dyde ado

hym on h

6

sav?, R

this c

thou, gent

t welcom

6

ake hym R

knyght

ryveth thee

e, syr knyg

6

be thou, ge

thou be s

bot and the

ve had m

6

y londe agayn

han tell

od,' sayd

thanke I G

6

refe, that I h

y a wras

I holpe a

ge was pu

6

God,' sa

t, that th

at helpeth

e than wy

7

ondred pounde,' th

che ye l

is also t

ur cur

7

enjoy. Cf. 27

God,' than

ke it wel

y, by her h

nt to m

7

I toke i

it wer

ly, genty

arte tho

7

leugh,'

had tolde

and had g

he,' then sa

ney is r

7

well,' s

tyll knyg

be thou, gen

y tryst

7

edred,' f

l these bow?s

arowes if

than sayd

present

7

forth, Lyt

to my t

there foure

over-tol

7

foure hon

ll knyght

ors and h

thy spores

7

u fayle ony

Robyn

uth thou shal

s I have

7

ll thy foure

I lent

y selfe no

counsel

8

holpe hym

t all of

syt in h

us well

H FYTTE

his oath (see the Third Fytte, stt. 202-4). Robin wins the prize, and is starting home to the greenwood, when the sheriff recognises and attacks him, but is beaten off by a shower of arrows. Robin and his men retire, shooting

st him. But the compiler of the Gest has carefully linked it to the preceding fyttes by such references as Robin's determination to try the sheriff's faith (st. 287), whic

IFTH

8

knyght his

e hym on

e and his

yll full m

8

sed to: cf. 'do yo

listen, g

n what I

ud sheryfe

a full f

8

best,' best o

best archer

come up

t shoteth

shall b

8

fynly,'

hoteth al

fayre a

e of fynl

grene wo

8

d arowe he

t of syl

feders of ryc

nd is no

8

n herde

is trys

edy, ye wyg

tynge wy

8

'wete,

'and

sible in the original;

, my mery

ll go

wete the sh

and yf

8

d fre,' full

ad theyr bo

kles fed

e of wyght

y Robyn

8

cam to N

were fayr

the bol

d with bow

9

de' = head,

l but syx s

shal kepe

with good

e not de

9

utlawe his b

was Rob

helde the p

e but as

9

ist,' sli

obyn sho

he slist

yde good

e whyt?

9

an and goo

hers goo

h and good

e wolde t

9

y had sh

ours fayre

e was t

h, Roby

9

eft,' gi

lyvred the

t worth

e yeft so

?-wode

9

d out on

horn?s gan

e, treason!'

l thou ar

9

ot?,' dids

hou, thou pr

ddynge t

se thou

er wyld

9

wedde,'

t?,' loyal

thee in g

y tryst

t leve me a

y trewe

9

a bow? the

?s let t

tell there

t many

0

blyve,'

es shot wa

an might

roud sher

d away f

0

,' ambuscade: 'to

the busshem

ode he wol

rowe ther

that

0

n was hurte

arowe in

ht neyther

full gr

0

then sayd L

thou lo

hat ylk?

ed upon

0

medes,'

e medes of

ave serv

r the pro

now fy

0

out thy br

e all of

wound?s de

on me be

0

ot that,'

hat thou

golde in m

lay now

0

de,' sayd

dyed o

holdest, Ly

our co

0

e hym on

hym wel

e he layd

t anoth

0

here a fay

within

ched it w

ed, by t

1

elled that g

hard at

n had len

e grene-

1

oke goo

l his

be thou,

arte tho

1

thanke thee o

thy cur

y gret? k

e grene-

rawe,' in a

1

man in all

as I d

proud sheryf

re shalt

1

tes, and dra

no man

well, and m

e walles

1

te,' promis

onnest,'

nge, Robyn,

by Saynt

ayes thou won

, ete, a

1

yde, and cloth

y and

e and his

can th

H FYTTE

is lands. The sheriffs raise the siege and go to London, where the king says he will be at Nottingham in two weeks and will capture both the knight and Robin Hood. The sheriff returns home to get together a band of archers to assist the king; but meanwhile Robin has escaped to the greenw

the previous fyttes, though he has not done so very thoroughly (e.g., the inconsistency of Robin's question to the knight's wife, 'What man hath your lord i-take?' with his knowledge of the knight's defiance of the sheriff). The compiler has also neatly prepared the way for

IXTH

1

lysten,

yn to yo

ud? shyref o

of armys

1

cam to the

tr? up

ette the kny

l?s all

1

shyref loud

'Thou trayt

here the k

he lawe a

2

yght,' c

avowe that

that her

he land?s

a trew

2

th, sirs,

no mo

t oure kyn

wyll say

2

'yede,

thus had

t any

ede to Lon

to tel o

2

de him of t

of Rob

f the bold

soo nobl

2

owe that he

the outlaw

rde, and set

he north

2

Notyngham,' s

his fourt

I wyll

wyll th

2

deyn,' le

, shyref,' sa

as I b

gode arch

he wyde

2

had his l

hym on

Hode to

certe

2

See s

hn was hole

t was in

streyght t

e grene

2

. 'Thereof' means '

walked in

he levy

shyref o

he had g

3

here fayled

not have

ted this gen

y nyght

3

ted the gen

arde at

haukynge by

his hau

3

re this gen

of army

m to Notyn

the fote

3

lever,'

sware a ful

hat dyed

r than an h

had Ro

3

e the kny

lady an

r on a god

wode anon

3

e cam in

e grene

there Ro

his fa

3

'bone,

sav?, go

l thy

der? Lad

graunte

3

er my wed

lly sla

bowne to No

love o

3

supplied from

n saide g

t lady

ath your lo

shirife,' t

3

hem overta

h as I

t yet th

on hi

harde,'

4

'wode,

sterte g

hat had

ou, my m

that dye

4

t this soro

hat dyed

never in

r dwel w

4

were gode

n seve

yche spare

s them

4

vowe to God,'

f wolde I

I may h

hen shal

4

hey came t

ked in t

he proud?

an the

4

proud? sher

and spek

dinges of

ayne here

4

'this'

yere, by der

this fas

we to God, tho

t for th

4

t a full

he drowe

the prou

ounde he la

4

And or'

e myght

fete to

of the sh

bright?

4

heve,' g

ere, thou pr

ote tho

no man to

s thou we

5

ne,' one af

out theyr br

so sharp

on the she

d them do

5

'toke,

rt to tha

a two hi

ym in his

hym by h

5

hors the

ne for

with me to

r?, mosse,

5

with me to

ony le

I have get

e, our co

TH FYTTE

and five of his men as monks, and goes into the greenwood. He is met and stopped by Robin Hood, gives up forty pounds to him, and alleges he is a messenger from the king. Thereupon Robin entertains him and his men on the king's own deer, and the outlaws hold an archery competition, Robin smiting those that miss. At his last shot, Robin himself misses, and

possess, The King's Disguise and Friendship with Robin Hood, is a late and a loose paraphrase of this fytte and the next. The commonest stories and ballads of this type in English are The King and the Barker (i.e. Tanner), King Edward the

VII. and VIII.; and one or two other points will

EVENT

5

'and y

came to

ht?s in g

e that gen

Hode, and

5

men of th

Roby

that genty

so bolde

5

had tolde

understode

sed in

ht?s lon

5

Camden in his Britannia to be i

asse of L

oth ferre

me to Plom

many of

5

nneth,'

kynge was

s man

neth fynde

e ony go

5

as wonder w

e by the

I had R

n I mygh

6

lde smyte of th

ynge i

ve the knyg

harde a

6

hym with

it with

d holde fo

mery En

6

e a fayre o

treue i

eg? lorde

e I shal

6

no man in

the knygh

Hode may r

bowe in h

6

ood' is a very early col

e shall le

best ball

man, my lor

wyll a

6

dwelled ou

ham, and

ot here of

ountr? th

6

lke,' hid

elt,' di

y went g

and eke

slewe the

them at

6

ostere,'

ke a proud

e by our

ll see go

t do a

6

of the be

in you

downe by

you mon

6

l be your

e you t

come to

then da

7

ll mete with

yf tha

me to No

ye shall

7

dyght,'

y our kynge

s knygh

them in m

d them th

7

e, however, not the hood

as grete ab

hat on h

he were a

up into

7

nt (as in 'Covent Gard

s our kyn

as I y

ngynge to

was cloth

7

pack-horse; 'some

lynde,'

rs and his

our kyng

came to

under t

7

met with

ge on t

many a bol

h as I

7

e the kyn

in tha

Syr abbot,

ye mus

7

men of th

e grene-

y our kyn

yft have

7

chyrches an

full gret

me of your

ynt ch

7

ake our c

than s

no more t

y pounde

8

ayne at N

ynyght wit

I have ful

a grete

8

ve but fo

than h

ad an hond

uch it saf

8

in Somerset dialect), the half portion: deal, as

e the for

ed it in t

he gave h

them mer

8

eysly Rob

this for yo

mete anot

' than say

8

e greteth Edw

to thee h

thee com t

mete a

8

' broad charter. Cf

ut the br

he lete

ud his c

hym on

8

man in al

as I do

s my lord

e, for th

8

t, for th

u shalt dy

love of

y tryst

8

tended for a past par

lad our c

re by th

re there

fast dy

8

a row':

e a full

de he g

e of wyght

edy on

9

kneled on

re befor

sayd hymse

e by Say

9

pyne,'

wonder se

th, by Go

e more at

men be

9

was theyr d

to gan t

r kynge with a

n and Lyt

9

re our kyn

tt? ve

e brede, the

the fyne al

9

'ylke,

chere,' s

, for

this ylk

mote t

9

'Or'

lende,'

thou se what

u hens

ay enfourme

togyde

9

tert? all

s were sma

as never so

to have b

9

stances between th

s there w

gan th

ase, our k

?s were

9

his arrow h

yde a rose

t under

of the rose-garl

yll he s

9

e it to h

never

an wyll

e I ale

0

a buffet o

yght al

t fell in R

them wo

0

byn shot

he cleved

yde good

e Whyt?

0

n and good

ge wolde t

ayled of th

te them f

0

shot that

his fren

yled of t

ngers a

0

ake good

us he

sayd, 'your

th and tak

0

e so,' s

ay no b

delyver the

, syr, serv

0

for myn ordre,

, by t

yte no go

I sholde h

0

boldely,'

thee lar

ynge, with

e up hi

0

'yede,

buffet he

e he yede

avowe to God

a stalwor

0

h in thyn arm

hou canst

kynge and

gan th

1

y,' observan

elde our

in th

r Rycharde

downe in

1

all the wy

y se the

the kynge

nowe yo

1

Robyn,' say

our trys

dnesse and

men a

1

God,' sa

so God

y, my lorde

my men I

1

sent' =

' provided that,

d,' than say

erto se

hou leve th

l thy

1

ome, syr, t

e dwell

avowe to God

ht so sh

1

ome to yo

rvyse f

e with me

core an

1

'But,'

'donne

ke well yo

e agayne f

at the d

wonte

TH FYTTE

hases off Robin Hood. The whole party proceeds to Nottingham, where the appearance of so many green mantles cause

pilgrimage to a shrine of St. Mary Magdalen in Barnsdale, and the king consents, but allows him only seven nights' absence. Robin comes to the greenwood, and shoots a great hart; and on blowing his horn, seve

hird Fytte, where the Sheriff of Nottingham is forced to wrap himself in a green mantle. In any case it is probable that most of this Eighth Fyt

a ballad which narrated the death of Robin Hood, no doubt an earlier version of the

too dear to him-and to the ballad-singers whose ideal he was-to allow him to go to the king voluntarily. Therefore the king must come to Robin

IGHTH

1

grene cloth,'

wylte sell

God,' s

yerdes a

1

sayd ou

pray

some of

and my

2

God,' then

s I were

y ye wyll

ayenst

2

cast off: 'col?,'

kest of hi

arment he

knyght a

had fu

2

e clothed in

e away th

hall to N

our kynge

2

'bente

fere,' i

yr bowes, and

e all i

e towne of

s as th

2

03-9. In the Romance of Richard C?ur de Lion, Richard even kills his opponent at this 'game.' '

nd Robyn ro

h as I

shote plu

went by

2

buffet ou

n Hode

ge spared

ge in h

2

help?,' say

is nough

t get a sho

hote all t

2

eople of

ode and

hynge but man

red all t

2

slone,'

man to ot

our kynge

Hode to the

e lefte n

2

hypped,

ly they be

men and

es that mygh

?d on the

3

loughe f

unded the

se our c

y were fu

3

dranke, and m

e with n

ake our c

charde at

3

there his

an he ba

ked our co

hym on

3

'fe,

elled in the

e monethe

spent an hon

his me

3

downe,' spe

lace where

e he lay

yght?s and

hym gret

3

e yere was

o man bu

n and good

all for

3

we yonge

yre upo

han sayd

he is we

3

was an ar

and eke a

ted the be

in mery

3

'sloo,

hen sayd

nd well

lenger with

wyll me

3

an went

came to

the kynge

me myn

4

chapell in

mely is

Mary Ma

reto wo

4

ver in this

to slepe

l these s

ete ne

4

skin, i.e. with a sheepskin turned

h sore to

ot be t

d wolwarde

for t

4

o,' than sa

no bet

ht I gyve

, to dwel

4

lorde,' the

hym on

leve full

wode then

4

ame to gr

ery mo

erde the n

s mery s

4

lyste,' I

ne,' dun (

re gone,'

was la

lytell fo

donn?

4

e a full g

than gan

outlawes of

e coud th

4

owe,' spac

ee 306.

ed them

ytell

e of wyght

edy on

4

dyde of th

them on

ey sayd, 'our

s grene-w

5

lled in g

yere

de of Edwar

olde he

5

as begyl

a wyck

resse of

was of

5

peciall,

p. 234.

love of

er of D

her own?

ll mote

5

anis,' m

togyder th

ood for

myght best

nis fo

5

pake goo

where as

I muste t

to be let

5

er of D

ryoresse

y betrayed go

theyr fa

5

e mercy o

?d on t

as a goo

pore men

AND GA

e famous carols: 'I sing of a maiden,' and 'Adam lay i-bounden.' This ballad was first printed by Ritson in his Ancient Songs (1790); but he misund

ith Robin Hood. Wright, in printing the Sloane MS., notes that 'Gandeleyn' resembles Gamelyn, whose 'tale' belongs to

AND GA

ng' = talk

burden: it is repeate

carping

yon woo

obin and

none oth

in greenwo

as in 'wenten,' etc.); 'children,' you

?s wern tho

en good

o wood to get

ould it

nten tho c

founden

were aga

ren would

red of fat

comen

wern fair a

?d was t

od,' said

e shall h

flo,'

nt his j

he set

est deer

t he cle

= flayed. Cp.

ot the d

out of t

shrewd arrow

ed Robert

ooked him e

very

h my mas

done th

er out of g

e his sid

ads 'and l

pen,' na

ooked him e

ht under

a lit

en Wrenno

bow in

arrow

nd twenty

d in a

e, ware the

ou shalt

0

d in imprecations: cf. in the Merlin romance,

e, ware the

ou gettes

another,' sa

have they

1

at the othe

shall our

Gand

at other?

rennok

ced in a thr

2

give the

Gand

l give thee

rennok

3

but it obviously means that th

ot a full

hot not

sanchoth?s o

?d neith

4

ou given me

to Wrenno

h the might

I shall g

5

bent his

therei

ough his gr

t he cle

6

yelp,'

slaw,'

hou never ye

ne at

hast slaw

knave Ga

7

hou never ye

e ne a

hast slaw

eleyn hi

OOD AND

e middle of the fifteenth century. We have also a single leaf of another MS. version, of about the same dat

had lost his temper with him in the morning. A most unfortunate hiatus after 30.2 prevents us from learning how Robin's fate was reported to his men; but as it stands it is a

OOD AND

ds, thickets: 's

when the sh

s be larg

merry in

the fowl

,' high.

deer draw t

e the hi

hem in the l

e greenw

can,'

on Whit

n a May

up fair

idd?s merr

ry morning,' s

that die

ry man tha

t in Chr

y heart, my

John

it is a ful

rning o

ng grieves me

my heart

y not no

nor ma

nce I took t

tnight and m

my Savi

ll I to N

ight of mi

n,' = miller's

slon,

Much the

e well h

e of thy wi

pon'd by

would thy

ve dare n

merry men,'

th I will

John shall

me list

0

so 'lynd' in 23.2.

r thine own,' s

nd I will

ot a penny,' sa

e greenwo

1

l give you odds

oot a penny,'

Little John

e as thou shoot

I hold t

2

y forth, thes

bush a

John won o

ngs to hose

3

erly,'

ife fell th

went by

id he had won

Hood said

4

d,' gave

bin Hood lie

him with

wax?d wrot

out his b

5

,' aby,

my master,' s

ldest by i

man where

gettest m

6

e' = each o

goes to N

mourni

John to mer

s he kne

7

in without leasing' = forso

came to N

y withou

to God and

him out s

8

to Saint M

down befor

r were the c

well Ro

9

tood a great

o God wo

he knew

as he

0

t: 'everychone,' ev

the doo

oon an

ates of N

be sparred

1

ready: cf. Guy o

said, 'thou

and make

ed the kin

he is in

2

t will be your faul

ied the fa

and?s at

of thee,' s

r he fro

3

ve: cf. 'milner son,' 8.

or name is

e greenw

once of a h

ever out o

4

' quickly: '

notes 8

se this pr

y made h

the mot

k with him

5

hrast,' strenu

wone,'

oors they t

?s full g

s!' said R

s I Litt

6

as' = where

ook out a t

?d down b

riff and his me

ward wo

7

ughout them

th as I

d many a m

e he slew

8

upon the s

y he bra

at thee made,

God work

9

ut if'

I weaponless

against

flee these

ey will

0

robably six stan

o the chu

t them ev

.

.

1

swooning as t

till as a

em were in

y Littl

2

,' behavio

rule,' said

ove that d

ould be do

eat sham

3

has been h

t scap

hearts and l

en what I

4

curly' =

v?d Our Lad

will,

I trust he

death sh

5

e glad,' sai

this mo

l be the m

ight of mi

6

.

l go bu

him,' said

.

7

el-tree,' t

keep well ou

he leav

none of th

s in thi

8

fere,' in

house,' the hous

went these

hn and Mu

on Much e

way lay

9

age': ? from

od at a window

d forth a

here the monk

him a lit

0

' said Little

e tell tid

the monk?

m by his

1

and,' g

t,' asked . . . of. (

iende' i

the way, thes

is men a

d tiding?s

ad been h

2

ome ye?' said

iding?s, I

utlaw, calle

ken ye

3

me and my f

y mark i

lse outlaw

we would

4

me,' said

dred poun

rst hand

ank me th

5

hank you,' sa

will whe

ith you, wit

g you on

6

od has many a

you in

st you rod

ye should

7

nt talking

and Lit

monk?s horse

oon an

8

that. Cp. 'for' in Child Wate

monk?s horse

h as I

ch the li

ould not

9

,' afraid of the c

ullet of

ed the mo

othing of

m fall on

0

n was sore

ut his swo

saw he shou

rcy can

1

ale,' t

aster,' said

hast brou

never come

tell hi

2

off the m

r would

ch the li

lest he w

3

y buri?d

er moss

John and

letters t

4

see,'

.

down upon

save, my

ou save

5

ave, my li

John was

the letters

g did i

6

. Gest,

ead the le

, 'So mo

er yeoman in

so sore

7

: 'by,' as w

k that these shou

ing c

th,' said

after t

8

ve Much and

ound in

em yeomen o

e them

9

dere,'

hn the sea

iff for

g Robin

man do

0

e' ( = ga

his leave

th as I

way to

he yede

1

arred':

came to

were sparr

l?d up t

er?d so

2

cause,' sai

?s the gate

obin Hood,' s

prison

3

auten,'

uch and Wil

th as I

ur men upon

en us ev

4

Cp.

spyrred afte

n he hi

the king?s

him in

5

riff saw the

ff his h

monk that bare

to Lit

6

n of him,' sa

th as I

him abbot of

of that

7

made John

im wine of

hey went t

y man to

8

heriff was

of wine

n and Much

way unto

9

call?d up

e him r

n Hood had b

of it

0

r rose an

he heard

was ready

him to

1

e porter,' sa

the keys

e way to R

he him

2

a good sword

herewith f

s the wall

n can th

3

commons': i.e

e cock beg

began to

found the

bell mad

4

arison,

y throughout

be yeoman

bring him

on he sho

5

never,' said

efore o

do, I w

he will

6

sty,'

made to seek

street

was in mer

as leaf

7

ursle, i.e. reward me. But t

ke good Li

Hood ca

hee a good tur

ee when

8

e a good turn,'

th as I

thee under gr

and have

9

troth,' said

ll it n

master,' sai

my men

0

I be,' I

troth,' said

ll it n

a fellow,' sai

her kee

1

fain,'

Robin Hood o

withou

saw him who

they were

2

n wine, and m

he leav

asties of

d? was w

3

? came to

n Hood w

sheriff of

ver look

4

hee':

ake our c

ange

has beguile

h so ha

5

n has begui

full we

sheriff of

g?d shou

6

' peace (Nor

m yeomen of

hem fee wi

grith,' sa

t all merr

7

See

grith,' then

so mot

ch a yeoman

gland are

8

his master,'

y sweet S

better

does us

9

ther on the r

is ever bo

street a

f this matter,'

has beguil

0

he talking

in Hood

s ever a cr

all to

OD AND T

refrom by Ritson in his Robin Hood (1795), vol. i. p. 81, on the whole very accurately, and with a few necessary emendations. He notes that the scribe was e

, is common to the legends of Hereward the Saxon, Wallace, Eustace the monk, and Fulk Fi

imilar to this; and part of the Play of Robin Hood i

OD AND T

when the le

oms on ev

doth the

d?s me

, good

ourteous,

best that e

was Rob

was the yeo

th courteou

love of

n worshi

ood yeoman s

is merr

re of a p

ving ove

vage,'

a proud potte

hath haunte

er so cour

of pavag

t Wentbridge,' s

ore evil mo

strok?s h

y sides c

,' pledg

hillings,' sai

it this

ot a man a

all make

'and

ty shillings

nd thou

make that p

me shal

toke,

de,' rush

s money t

it a yeoma

e the potte

him sta

0

n his hor

potter stan

shortly t

what is t

1

year and more, p

t haunted

u never so c

of pavag

2

name,' said

age thou a

Hood is

ll thou l

3

tene,'

one leave,' s

ge will I

hand fro

tene else,

4

to his ca

not t

-hand staf

Robin h

5

with a s

er in h

r to Robi

ellow, let m

6

ereat laughe

n went these

good sigh

low Robi

stood und

7

ard,' back

n to his f

r will sti

with an ac

uckler out

8

yede,'

bin might

ler at h

in the ne

ound soon

9

'slo,

w Robin

tood unde

ur master,' sa

ter else wi

0

breyde

en went wi

master

n to his m

h the wa

1

forty shillings,'

ter, shall

e a hundred,

they been

2

t,' stop

tle courtesy,'

heard wis

man come driv

m of his

3

'And,

thou says soot

ys good

rive forth

never be

4

ay thee, g

hip will

thing, and thou

o to Not

5

But,'

yode,'

ereto,' sai

find me a

n sell my p

in as th

6

y troth,'

I beshre

g any pot

fe will th

7

ake Lit

his fell

ware of the sheri

little o

8

ll to horses while driving

howt,' s

s, let

he help o

gham will

9

nt to No

tt?s for

abode with

e fared

0

in drove o

y over

e, and afte

st is

1

came to N

h if I s

p his ho

him oat

e,' bargai

2

' or instalment; 'mare' probably is 'more'; but

idst of

showed

?s,' he gan c

sel for t

3

ffare,' m

gainst the s

he his

widows abo

d fast of

4

chepe' = g

great chepe!

vil thus

that saw

d be no po

5

thee,'

hat were wor

hem for p

said man

ter shall n

6

in sold

ad pott?s

m took of

m to the she

7

fain,'

she was

sir,' the

me to this

thy pott?s, s

8

e of the best

e by the

ously she g

ith the sher

9

rcy,' sa

ding shal

n the pott

sheriff wife

0

urtesy,' knew how

ret,' g

into the

iff soon

r could o

the sheri

1

his potter hath

?s small

elcome,' said

sh, and go

2

sat at t

noble

sheriff's m

great

3

ing was go

e the o

llings, the

ld this

4

sat this pr

en thou

true Chri

oting wi

5

rest,'

had fared

, and ale,

s they made

and bolts

6

's men shot

rs that

none near n

good arc

7

'And,

stood the p

hen sa

a bow, by

should

8

ve a bow,' sai

t thou will c

a stalwart

] shall

9

anded a yeoman t

bows t

that the ye

et on a

0

I wot and t

it up to

lp,' said the

ut right w

1

iver Ro

olt out

to the mar

?d not

2

shot ab

iff's me

k he would

the prick

3

s men though

r the mas

aughed and ma

Potter, tho

4

s missing in th

.

.

worthy to

lace that

5

art I ha

e said, 'and

art is

e me Rob

6

Robin Hood?' s

pray thee t

urn I have s

s tryste

7

a hundred pound,

e by the

..

lse outlaw

8

rede,'

after my rede,'

ldly go

ow, ere we

od will

9

uite' =

ight,'

thee,' quoth

by God

y left and h

per was r

0

sked,' m

ray' =

rrow, when

him fort

his cart fo

not leav

1

e of the she

ed her of

love and you w

u here a

2

t thee,' rewa

y,' said

d yield

heart was ne

r fores

3

rest,'

came into

he leav

e sang on b

reat joy

4

ither = wit, k

merry to be,

that had ou

orn I s

n Hood

5

his horn t

last that wa

is men that

n in th

6

lines omitt

'wood

ter blow,' sai

.

.

as they w

7

to their m

hn would

have you fare

you sold

8

y troth, L

ou take

t the sheriff

our ch

9

elcome,' said

ing is fu

d liefer nor a

ver seen

0

ist that

gham when

not come i

is thousa

1

I well,' s

God that

l ye leave you

your oth

2

depre-cation: 'I p

s omitted in th

d's forbode,' q

loose

.

.

3

came on hor

shall ye

well thy w

an is f

4

r send a wh

eth, by

.

.

5

= ne were,

r send a wh

eth as

he love of

rrow shoul

6

obin Hood and

ham he too

air welcom

him gan

7

e you fared i

rought Ro

l speed him, bo

a full gr

8

d that I have l

take i

this fai

ath sent

9

e took up a

y him that

u paid for a

bin gav

0

come home t

have go

we of Ro

tter under th

1

at was thy

am that I l

orth two nob

I thriv

I have ha

had th

2

ave ten pound

y fair a

thou comest

potter,

3

in, the sheriff

the green

cy on Robin

all good

AND GUY O

ontinuously, it is almost impossible not to suspect an omission after 2.2. Child points out, however, that the abrupt transition is found in other

e sang, and w

upon the

he wakend

enwood whe

aye, said j

1 I had t

e of tow m

with me

nothing to show how Robin knows that the Sheriff of Nottingham holds Little John captive;

takes Robin Hood. The knight and Robin shoot and wrestle and fight; Robin wins, cuts off the knight's head, puts on his clothes, and takes the head away with him. A s

aven,

troductio

AND GUY O

'sheen,' beautiful

sheen, and shr

both larg

walking in th

e small bi

d, Murray, Hales, and Furnivall, have variously identified it with the w

sang, and wou

he leaves

by two wig

God, tha

.

lyne,

oken,'

hey did me b

k my bo

in alive in

ken on both

evens,'

swift, master

that blows

never so lo

it may

e, bown ye'

wn ye, my me

shall g

seek yond

ood where

n their gow

ng gone

me to the mer

y had gla

ey 'ware of a

leaned

l-hide,'

dagger he wo

many a ma

clad in his

tail a

l, master,' quo

his trus

go to yond

is meanin

y me thou se

's a fer

end I my

y myself

0

= if. So in

unning a kn

but hear

ot for bursti

uld thy he

1

ords they b

ed Robin

one to Ba

he knows

2

de,' vall

e came to

viness th

two of hi

n both in

3

et afoot

ocks an

iff with sev

ter him

4

I'll shoot,' s

st his mig

d fellow that

th glad

5

ttled,'

up a goo

led him

made of a

down to

6

e, boot,' t

wicked wood,' s

thou grew

ay thou ar

hen thou

7

t was but l

ow flew

ne of the sh

am a Trent

8

better for W

upon a

lie in the

ain with

9

said, when

o more th

ave ta'en

him fast

0

e sheriff' is

be drawn by

d high on

fail,' quoth

Christ's

1

talking of

bound fast

f Guy and

enwood whe

2

.2, where it is obv

yeomen toget

e leaves

merchandis

that s

3

good fellow,'

, good fello

is bow thou bea

her thou s

4

as lost his way, and does

of my way,' q

my morni

through the wo

w, I'll be

5

outlaw,' qu

l him Ro

meet with h

ty pound

6

h of the two. Robin,

it would be seen

e did p

e other pa

low, I t

7

ries,' feat

en,' unfixed tim

e other mas

walk in th

ce meet wit

unset

8

ggy,' wand

,' marks for

m down the s

both unde

three score r

he pricks

9

od fellow,'

, I do b

aith,' quoth

er thou s

0

ood shot th

t an inch th

archer go

uld ne'er

1

a circular wreath, hung upon the

d shot Si

ithin the

od shot it b

e the good

2

ng on thy hea

w, thy shoo

art be as goo

etter than

3

ame, good fell

e leaves

faith,' quot

have told

4

dale and dow

done many

calls me by

uy of good

5

t by' =

is in the woo

I set rig

obin Hood of

hou hast l

6

ry of Ballad Commonplace

neither been

seen a full

ogether thes

both brown

7

w these yeomen

of a sum

ther Guy no

ed them to

8

less on,'

reckless

bled at

quick and ni

m o'er the

9

ady!' said

both mothe

was never m

before

0

expected: another

ght on Our

leapt u

ame with an a

Guy he

1

Guy's head

d it on hi

een traitor

g must hav

2

hat' =

d forth an

Sir Guy i

never on a

l who Sir

3

re, lie there,

me be n

d the worse str

have the be

4

off his go

he did i

t on that

d him to

5

how Robin knew what

e arrows, an

me now

will go to

w my men

6

'low,

uy's horn t

st in it h

the sheriff o

aned und

7

arken!' said

no tiding

hear Sir Gu

h slain Ro

8

hear Sir Guy

so well

omes that wi

his ca

9

er, thou g

what thou

thy gold,' s

none of

0

e slain the ma

o strike