In Sherwood Livde Stout Robin Hood

Gutch's Robin Hood, ii. 393.

From A Musicall Dreamt, or the fourth booke of Ayres, &c., London, 1606. Ritson printed the same from the edition of 1609.

In Sherwood livde stout Robin Hood,
An archer great, none greater;
His bow and shafts were sure and good,
Yet Cupids were much better.
Robin could shoot at many a hart and misse,
Cupid at first could hit a hart of his.
Hey, jolly Robin, hoe, jolly Robin, hey, jolly Robin Hood,
Love finds out me, as well as thee, so follow me, so follow me to the green-wood.

A noble thiefe was Robin Hoode,
Wise was he could deceive him;
Yet Marrian, in his bravest mood,
Could of his heart bereave him!
No greater thief lies hidden under skies
Then beauty closely lodgde in womens eyes.
Hey, jolly Robin, &c.

An out-law was this Robin Hood,
His life free and unruly;
Yet to faire Marrian bound he stood,
And loves debt payed her duely.
Whom curbe of stricktest law could not hold in,
Love with obeyednes and a winke could winne
Hey, jolly Robin, &c.

Now wend we home, stout Robin Hood,
Leave we the woods behind us;
Love-passions must not be withstood,
Love every where will find us.
I livde in fielde and downe, and so did he,
I got me to the woods, love followed me.
Hey, jolly Robin, &c.

, to follow. Ritson.