<!DOCTYPE ETS PUBLIC "-//UMDLPS//DTD EEBOPROOF 2.0//EN">
<ETS>
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<REVDESCR>
<CHANGE>
<DATE>2014-10-22</DATE>
<RESPSTMT>
<NAME>Mona Logarbo</NAME>
<RESP>MURP</RESP>
</RESPSTMT>
<ITEM>Proofed and reviewed as part of batch B140720.pdcc.</ITEM>
</CHANGE>
</REVDESCR>
</TEMPHEAD>
<EEBO>
<IDG S="marc" R="UM" ID="B43836">
<STC T="W">R1627</STC>
<BIBNO T="oclc">[ocn]767839749</BIBNO>
<VID>212294</VID>
</IDG>
<TEXT LANG="eng">
<BODY>
<DIV1 TYPE="ballad">
<PB REF="1">
<PB REF="2">
<PB N="33" REF="3" MS="y">
<HEAD>Robin Hood and Little John;</HEAD>
<ARGUMENT>
<P>BEING An Account of their fir&s;t Meeting, their fierce Encounter and Conque&s;t. To which is added, Their friendly Agreement, and how he came to be call'd <HI>Little John.</HI></P>
</ARGUMENT>
<OPENER>To the Tune of, <HI>Arthur a Bland.</HI></OPENER>
<HEADNOTE>
<P>Licens'd and Enter'd according to Order.</P>
</HEADNOTE>
<P><FIGURE>
<FIGDESC>depiction, probably of Robin Hood and Little John in Sherwood Forest</FIGDESC>
</FIGURE></P>
<LG>
<L>WHen <HI>Robin Hood</HI> was about twenty years old,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey down, down and a down,</HI></L>
<L>He happen'd to meet <HI>Little John,</HI></L>
<L>a jolly brisk Blade, right fit for the trade,</L>
<L>For he was a lu&s;ty young Man.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Though he was call'd <HI>Little,</HI> his limbs they were large,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>And his &s;tature was &s;even foot high;</L>
<L>where-ever he come, they quak'd at his name,</L>
<L>For &s;oon he wou'd make them to flie.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>How they came acquainted, I'll tell you in brief,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>If you will but li&s;ten a while;</L>
<L>for this very je&s;t, among&s;t all the re&s;t,</L>
<L>I think it may cau&s;e you to &s;mile:</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Bold <HI>Robin Hood</HI> &s;aid to his jolly Bowmen,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>Pray tarry you here in this grove.</L>
<L>and &s;ee that you all, ob&s;erve well my call,</L>
<L>While thorough the forte&s;t I rove.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>We have had no &s;port for their fourteen long days,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>Therefore now abroad will I go;</L>
<L>now &s;hould I be beat, and cannot retreat,</L>
<L>My horn I will pre&s;ently blow.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Then did he &s;hake hands with his merry Men all,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>And bid them at pre&s;ent good-by;</L>
<L>then as near a brook his journey he took,</L>
<L>A Stranger he chanc'd to e&s;py:</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>They happen'd to meet on a long narrow bridge,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>And neither of them wou'd give way;</L>
<L>quoth bold <HI>Robin Hood,</HI> and &s;turdily &s;tood,</L>
<L>I'll &s;how you right <HI>Nottingham</HI> play;</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>With that from his quiver an arrow he drew,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>A broad arrow with a goo&s;e-wing:</L>
<L>the Stranger reply'd, I'll licker thy hide,</L>
<L>If thou offer to touch the &s;tring.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Quoth bold <HI>Robin Hood,</HI> Thou do'&s;t prate like an A&s;s,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>For were I to bend but my bow,</L>
<L>I could &s;end a dart quite through thy proud heart,</L>
<L>Before thou could'&s;t &s;trike me one blow.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>You talk like a Coward, the Stranger reply'd,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>Well arm'd with a long bow you &s;tand,</L>
<L>to &s;hoot at my brea&s;t, while I, I prote&s;t,</L>
<L>Have naught but a &s;taff in my hand.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>The name of a Coward, quoth <HI>Robin,</HI> I &s;corn,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>Wherefore my long bow I'll lay by,</L>
<L>and now for thy &s;ake a &s;taff I will take,</L>
<L>The truth of thy Manhood to try.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Then <HI>Robin Hood</HI> &s;tept to a thicket of trees,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>And cho&s;e him a &s;taff of ground oak;</L>
<L>now this being done, away he did run</L>
<L>To the Stranger, and merrily &s;poke:</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<PB N="34" REF="4">
<L>Lo, &s;<GAP DESC="illegible" EXTENT="1 letter">e my &s;taff, it is lu&s;ty and tough,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>Now here on the bridge we will play;</L>
<L>whoever falls in, the other &s;hall w<GAP DESC="illegible" EXTENT="1 letter">n</L>
<L>The battle, and &s;o we'll away.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>With all my whole heart to thy humour I yield,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>I &s;corn in the lea&s;t to give out:</L>
<L>this &s;aid, they fell ro't without more di&s;pute,</L>
<L>And their &s;taffs they did flouri&s;h about.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>And fir&s;t <HI>Robin</HI> he gave the Stranger a bang.</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>So hard that it made his bones ring:</L>
<L>the Stranger he &s;aid, This mu&s;t be repaid;</L>
<L>I'll give you as good as you bring:</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>So long as I am able to handle my &s;taff,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>To die in your debt, Friend, I &s;corn:</L>
<L>then to it both goes, and follow'd their blows,</L>
<L>As if they'd been thr<GAP DESC="illegible" EXTENT="1 letter">&s;hing of corn.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>The Stranger gave <HI>Robin</HI> a crack on the crown,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>Which cau&s;ed the blood to appear;</L>
<L>then <HI>Robin</HI> enrag d, more fiercely engag'd,</L>
<L>And follow'd his blows more &s;eve<GAP DESC="illegible" EXTENT="1 letter">e,</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>So thick and &s;o fa&s;t he did lay it on him,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>With pa&s;&s;ionate fury and eyre,</L>
<L>at every &s;troke he made him to &s;moke,</L>
<L>As if he had been all on a fire.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>O then into a fury the Stranger he grew,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>And gave him a damnable look;</L>
<L>and with it a blow, that laid him full low,</L>
<L>And tumbl'd him into the brook.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>I prithee, good Fellow, O where art thou now?</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>The Stranger in laugher he cry'd:</L>
<L>quoth bold <HI>Robin Hood,</HI> Good faith in the flood,</L>
<L>And floting along with the tide.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>I needs mu&s;t acknowledge thou art a brave Soul.</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>With thee I'll no longer contend;</L>
<L>for needs mu&s;t I &s;ay, thou ha&s;t got the day,</L>
<L>Our battle &s;hall be at an end.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Then, then to the bank he did pre&s;ently wade,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>And pull'd him&s;elf out by a thorn;</L>
<L>which done, at the la&s;t, he blowd a loud bla&s;t</L>
<L>Straitways on his fine bugle-horn:</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>The eccho of which through the vallies did flie,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>At which his &s;tout Bowmen appear'd.</L>
<L>all cloathed in green, mo&s;t gay to be &s;een,</L>
<L>So up to their Ma&s;ter they &s;teer'd:</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>O what's the matter? quoth <HI>William Stuteley;</HI></L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>Good Ma&s;ter, you are wet to the skin?</L>
<L>No matter, quoth he, the Lad which you &s;ee,</L>
<L>In fighting he tumbl'd me in.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>He &s;hall not go &s;cot free the others reply'd,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>So &s;traight they were &s;ei&s;ing him there,</L>
<L>to duck him likewi&s;e; but <HI>Robin Hood</HI> cries,</L>
<L>He is a &s;tout Fellow, forbear.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>There's no one &s;hall wrong thee, Friend, be not afraid,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>The&s;e Bowmen upon me do wait;</L>
<L>there's three&s;core and nine; if thou wilt be mine,</L>
<L>Thou &s;halt have my livery &s;trait,</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>And other accoutrements fit for my Train&punc;</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>Speak up, jolly Blade, ne'r fear,</L>
<L>I'll reach thee al&s;o the u&s;e of the bow,</L>
<L>To &s;hoot at the far fallow-deer.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>O here is my hand, the Stranger reply'd,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>I'll &s;erve you with all my whole heart;</L>
<L>my name is <HI>John Little,</HI> a Man of good mettle,</L>
<L>Ne<GAP DESC="illegible" EXTENT="1 letter">r d<GAP DESC="illegible" EXTENT="1 letter">ubt me, for I'll play my part.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>His name &s;hall be alter'd, quoth <HI>William Stuteley,</HI></L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>And I will his Godfather be;</L>
<L>prepare then a fea&s;t, and none of the lea&s;t,</L>
<L>For we will be merry, quoth he.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>They pre&s;ently fetch'd in a brace of fat does,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>With humming &s;trong liquor likewi&s;e;</L>
<L>they lov'd what was good: &s;o in the green wood</L>
<L>This pritty &s;weet Babe they baptize.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>He was, I mu&s;t tell you, but &s;even foot high,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>And may be an ell in the wa&s;te;</L>
<L>a pritty &s;weet Lad; much fea&s;ting they had:</L>
<L>Bold <HI>Robin</HI> the Chri&s;t'ning grac'd,</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>With all his Bowmen, which &s;tood in a ring;</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>And were of the <HI>Nottingham</HI> Breed;</L>
<L>brave <HI>S<GAP DESC="illegible" EXTENT="1 letter">uteley</HI> comes then, with &s;even yeomen,</L>
<L>And did in this manner proceed:</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>This Infant was called <HI>John Little,</HI> quoth he,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>Which name &s;hall be changed anon,</L>
<L>the words we'll tran&s;po&s;e, &s;o where-ever he goes,</L>
<L>His name &s;hall be call'd <HI>Little John.</HI></L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>They all with a &s;<GAP DESC="illegible" EXTENT="1 letter">out made the elements ring,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>So &s;oon as this Office was o're,</L>
<L>to fea&s;ting they went with true merriment,</L>
<L>And tipl'd &s;trong liquor gallore.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Then <HI>Robin</HI> he took the pritty &s;weet Babe,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>And cloath'd him from top to the toe,</L>
<L>in garments of green, mo&s;t gay to be &s;een,</L>
<L>And gave him a curious long bow.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Thou &s;halt be <GAP DESC="illegible" EXTENT="1 letter">n Archer as well as the be&s;t,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>And range in the green wood with us,</L>
<L>where we'll not want gold, nor &s;ilver, behold,</L>
<L>While Bi&s;hops have ought in their pur&s;e.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>We'll live here like E&s;quires or Lords of Renown,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>Without e're a foot of free land;</L>
<L>we fea&s;t on good chear, with wine, ale and beer,</L>
<L>And ev'ry thing at our command.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>Then mu&s;ick and dancing did fini&s;h the day,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey,</HI> &amp;c.</L>
<L>At length when the &s;un waxed low,</L>
<L>then all the whole Train the grove did refrain,</L>
<L>And unto their caves they did go.</L>
</LG>
<LG>
<L>And &s;o ever after, as long as he liv'd,</L>
<L><HI>with a hey down, down and a down,</HI></L>
<L>Although he was proper and tall,</L>
<L>yet neverthele&s;s, the truth to expre&s;s,</L>
<L>Still <HI>Little John</HI> they did him call.</L>
</LG>
</DIV1>
</BODY>
<BACK>
<DIV1 TYPE="colophon">
<P><HI>LONDON:</HI> Printed by and for <HI>W. Onley,</HI> and are to be &s;old by the Book&s;ellers of <HI>Pye-corner</HI> and <HI>London-bridge.</HI></P>
</DIV1>
</BACK>
</TEXT>
</EEBO>
</ETS>
