Then stepped forth brave Little John, Which made the young man bend his bow, "Stand off! stand off!" the young man said, "What is your will with me?" "You must come before our master straight, Under yon greenwood tree.” And when he came bold Robin before. Robin asked him courteously, "O hast thou any money to spare For my merry men and me?" "I have no money," the young man said, But five shillings and a ring; And that I have kept this seven long years, To have it at my wedding. Yesterday I should have married a maid, And chosen to be an old knight's delight, "What is thy name?" then said Robin Hood, Come tell me without any fail." 24 28 32 36 40 "By the faith of my body," then said the young man, "My name it is Allen-a-Dale." 44 "What wilt thou give me," said Robin Hood, "In ready gold or fee, To help thee to thy true-love again, And deliver her unto thee?" 48 "I have no money," then quoth the young man, "No ready gold nor fee, But I will swear upon a book Thy true servant for to be." "How many miles is it to thy true-love? Come tell me without any guile." 52 "By the faith of my body," then said the young man, "It is but five little mile." Then Robin he hasted over the plain, He did neither stint nor lin, Until he came unto the church Where Allen should keep his wedding. 56 60 "What dost thou do here?" the bishop, he said, "I prithee now to tell me." "I am a bold harper," quoth Robin Hood, And the best in the north country." "O welcome, O welcome," the bishop he said, "That music best pleaseth me." 64 "You shall have no music," quoth Robin Hood, "Till the bride and bridegroom I see." 68 With that came in a wealthy knight, Which was both grave and old; And after him a finikin lass, Did shine like glistering gold. "This is no fit match," quoth bold Robin Hood, "That you do seem to make here; For since we are come unto the church, 72 76 Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth, And blew blasts two or three; And when they came into the churchyard. The very first man was Allen-a-Dale, To give bold Robin his bow. "This is thy true-love," Robin he said, "Young Allen, as I hear say; And you shall be married at this same time, Before we depart away." "That shall not be," the bishop he said, "For thy word shall not stand; 84 88 They shall be three times asked in the church, As the law is of our land." 92 Robin Hood pulled off the bishop's coat, "By the faith of my body," then Robin said, "This cloth doth make thee a man," When Little John went into the quire, He asked them seven times in the church, 96 100 "Who gives me this maid?" then said Little John, Quoth Robin, “That do I; And he that doth take her from Allen-a-Dale, Full dearly he shall her buy." 104 And thus, having ended the merry wedding, 108 Child, Pop. Bal., No. 138. ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE.. WHEN shales been sheen, and shradds full fair, And leaves both large and long, It is merry, walking in the fair forest, To hear the small birds' song. The woodweete sang and would not cease Now by my fay," said jolly Robin, "Methought they did me beat and bind, And took my bow me fro': If I be Robin alive in this land, I'll be wrocken on both them two." Swevens are swift, master," quoth John, For if it be never so loud this night, Busk ye, bown ye, my merry men all! For I'll go seek yond wight yeomen They cast on their gown of green; A-shooting gone are they, Until they came to the merry greenwood Where they had gladdest be; There were they ware of [a] wight yeoman ; His body leaned to a tree, |