Robin Hood and the Beggar

Shewing how Robin Hood and the Beggar fought, and how he changed cloaths with the Beggar, and how he went a begging to Nottingham: and how he saved three brethren from being hang'd for stealing of deer. To the tune of Robin Hood and the Stranger.

"From an old black-letter copy in the collection of Anthony à Wood." Ritson's Robin Hood, ii. 126.

The three pieces which follow are all different versions of what is called the Second Part of this ballad.

Come and listen, you gentlemen all,
Hey down, down, an a down,
That mirth do love for to hear,
And a story true Ile tell unto you,
If that you will but draw near.

In elder times, when merriment was,
And archery was holden good,
There was an outlaw, as many do know
Which men called Robin Hood.

Upon a time it chanced so
Bold Robin was merry disposed,
His time to spend he did intend,
Either with friend or foes.

Then he got upon a gallant brave steed,
The which was worth angels ten,
With a mantle of green, most brave to be seen,
He left all his merry men.

And riding towards Nottingham,
Some pastime for to 'spy,
There was he aware of a jolly beggàr,
As ere he beheld with his eye.

An old patcht coat the beggar had on,
Which he daily did use to wear;
And many a bag about him did wag,
Which made Robin to him repair.

"God speed, God speed," said Robin Hood,
"What countryman? tell to me:"
"I am Yorkshire, sir; but, ere you go far,
Some charity give unto me."

"Why, what wouldst thou have?" said Robin Hood,
"I pray thee tell unto me:"
"No lands nor livings," the beggar he said,
"But a penny for charitie."

"I have no money," said Robin Hood then,
"But [am] a ranger within the wood;
I am an outlaw, as many do know,
My name it is Robin Hood.

"But yet I must tell thee, bonny beggàr,
That a bout with [thee] I must try;
Thy coat of gray, lay down I say,
And my mantle of green shall lye by."

"Content, content," the beggar he cry'd,
"Thy part it will be the worse;
For I hope this bout to give thee the rout,
And then have at thy purse."

So the beggar he had a mickle long staffe,
And Robin had a nut-brown sword;
So the beggar drew nigh, and at Robin let fly,
But gave him never a word.

"Fight on, fight on," said Robin Hood then,
"This game well pleaseth me;"
For every blow that Robin gave,
The beggar gave buffets three.

And fighting there full hard and sore,
Not far from Nottingham town,
They never fled, till from Robin Hoods head
The blood came trickling down.

"O hold thy hand," said Robin Hood then,
"And thou and I will agree;"
"If that be true," the beggar he said,
"Thy mantle come give unto me."

"Now a change, a change," cri'd Robin Hood,
"Thy bags and coat give me;
And this mantle of mine Ile to thee resign,
My horse and my braverie."

When Robin Hood had got the beggars clothes,
He lookèd round about;
"Methinks," said he, "I seem to be
A beggar brave and stout.

"For now I have a bag for my bread,
So have I another for corn;
I have one for salt, and another for malt,
And one for my little horn.

"And now I will a begging goe,
Some charitie for to find:"
And if any more of Robin you'll know,
In the second part 'tis behind.

. Robin Hood.

, he had.

[the Second Part.]

Now Robin he is to Nottingham bound,
With his bag hanging down to his knee,
His staff, and his coat, scarce worth a groat,
Yet merrilie passed he.

As Robin he passed the streets along,
He heard a pittiful cry;
Three brethren dear, as he did hear,
Condemned were to dye.

Then Robin he highed to the sheriffs,
Some reliefe for to seek;
He skipt, and leapt, and capered full high,
As he went along the street.

But when to the sheriffs doore he came,
There a gentleman fine and brave,
"Thou beggar," said he, "come tell unto me
What it is thou wouldest have."

"No meat, nor drink," said Robin Hood then,
"That I come here to crave;
But to get the lives of yeomen three,
And that I fain would have."

"That cannot be, thou bold beggàr,
Their fact it is so cleer;
I tell to thee, they hanged must be,
For stealing of our kings deer."

But when to the gallows they did come,
There was many a weeping eye:
"O hold your peace," said Robin Hood then,
"For certainly they shall not dye."

Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth,
And he blew out blastès three,
Till a hundred bold archers brave
Came kneeling down to his knee.

"What is your will, mastèr?" they said,
"We are here at your command:"
"Shoot east, shoot west," said Robin Hood then,
"And see you spare no man."

Then they shot east, then they shot west,
Their arrows were so keen,
The sheriffe he, and his companie,
No longer could be seen.

Then he stept to those brethren three,
And away he has them tane;
The sheriffe was crost, and many a man lost,
That dead lay on the plain.

And away they went into the merry green wood,
And sung with a merry glee;
Then Robin Hood took those brethren good
To be of his yeomandrie.