Robin Hood pull'd off his bishop's coat,
And put it upon Little John;

"By the faith of my body," then Robin said,— "This cloth doth make thee a man."

When Little John went into the choir,
The people began to laugh:

He asked them seven times in the church,
Lest three times should not be enough.

"Who gives me this maid?" said Little John; Quoth Robin-"That do I.

And he that takes her from Allan-a-dale
Full dearly he shall her buy."

And thus having end of this merry wedding, The Bride look'd like a Queen;

And so they return'd to the merry green wood, Amongst the leaves so green.

ROBIN HOOD'S GOLDEN PRIZE.

I have heard talk of bold Robin Hood,
And of brave Little John,
Of friar Tuck, and Will Scarlet,
Loxley, and Maid Marian :

But such a tale as this before

I think was never known:
For Robin Hood disguised himself,
And from the wood is gone.

Like to a friar bold Robin Hood
Was accoutred in his array :
With hood, gown, beads, and crucifix,
He pass'd upon the way.

He had not gone miles two or three,
But it was his chance to spy

Two lusty priests, clad all in black,
Come riding gallantly.

"Benedicite!" then said Robin Hood,-
"Some pity on me take!

Cross you my hand with a silver groat,
For Our Dear Lady's sake!

"For I have been wandering all this day,
And nothing could I get,-

Not so much as one poor cup of drink
Nor bit of bread to eat."

"Now, by Our Dame," the priests replied,"We never a penny have:

For we this morning have been robb'd,
And could no money save."

"I am much afraid," said bold Robin Hood,— 66 That you both do tell a lie ;

And now before you do go hence
I am resolved to try."

When as the priests heard him say so,
Then they rode away amain;

But Robin Hood betook to his heels
And soon overtook them again.

Then Robin Hood laid hold of them both,

And pull'd them down from their horse; “O spare us, friar!" the priests cried out,— "On us have some remorse ! "

"You said you had no money," quoth he,-
"Wherefore without delay

We three will fall down on our knees,
And for money we will pray."

The priests they could not him gainsay, But down they kneel'd with speed; "Send us! O send us!" then quoth they,"Some money to serve our need!"

The priests did pray with a mournful cheer; Sometimes their hands did wring, Sometimes they wept and cried aloud,— Whilst Robin did merrily sing.

When they had been praying an hour's space,
The priests did still lament;

Then quoth bold Robin-" Now let's see
What money heaven hath us sent!

"We will be sharers all alike

Of money that we have ;

And there is never an one of us

That his fellow shall deceive."

The priests their hands in their pockets put, But money would find none;

"We'll search ourselves," said Robin Hood,— "Each other, one by one."

Then Robin took pains to search them both,
And he found good store of gold;

Five hundred pieces presently
Upon the grass was told.

"Here is a brave show," said Robin Hood,— "Such store of gold to see;

And you shall each one have a part,
'Cause you pray'd so heartily."

He gave them fifty pounds a-piece,
And the rest for himself did keep;
The priests durst not speak one word,
But they sighed wondrous deep.

With that the priests rose up from their knees,
Thinking to have parted so;

Nay! stay! says Robin Hood," one thing more
I have to say ere you go.

"You shall be sworn," said bold Robin Hood,—

"The second oath that you here must take,
That all the days of your lives
You shall never tempt maids to sin,
Nor lie with other men's wives.

"The last oath you shall take, it is this,
Be charitable to the poor :

Say you have met with a holy friar !
And I desire no more."

He set them on their horses again,
And away then they did ride;

And he return'd to the merry green wood,
With great joy, mirth, and pride.

THE SPANISH LADY'S LOVE.

Will you hear a Spanish Lady

How she woo'd an Englishman?
Garments gay and rich as may be
Deck'd with jewels she had on ;

Of a comely countenance and grace was she,
And by birth and parentage of high degree.

As his prisoner there he kept her,

In his hands her life did lie;

Cupid's bands did tie her faster
By the liking of an eye.

In his courteous company was all her joy;
To favour him in anything she was not coy.

But at last there came commandment
For to set all ladies free,
With their jewels still adorned,

None to do them injury;

Then said that Lady most mild-" Woe is me!
O let me still sustain this kind captivity!

"O gallant Captain! take some pity
On a woman in distress!
Leave me not within this city,

For to die in heaviness!

Thou hast set this present day my body free :
But my heart in prison still remains with thee."

66

'How shouldst thou, fair Lady! love me

Whom thou know'st thy country's foe?
Thy fair speech makes me suspect thee:
Serpents lie where flowers grow."

"All the harm I think on thee, most gracious knight!
God grant upon my head the same may light!

"Blessed be the time and season

That you came on Spanish ground!

If our foes ye may be termed,

Gentle foes we have you found.

With our city you have won our hearts each one : Then to your country bear away what is your own!"

"Rest you still, most gallant Lady!

Rest you still, and weep no more!
Of fair lovers there are plenty :

Spain doth yield you wondrous store."

"Spaniards fraught with jealousy we oft do find:

But Englishmen through all the world are counted kind.