The Book of Brave Old Ballads Part 18

Every Sunday throughout the year, Chang'd shall thy garments be, If thou wilt to fair Nottingham go, And there remain with me.

The curtal friar had kept Fountain Dale, Seven long years and more; There was neither knight, lord, nor earl, Could make him yield before.

FOOTNOTES:

[129] Fat hart.

[130] Whistle.

ROBIN HOOD AND ALLEN-A-DALE.

Come listen to me, you gallants so free, All you that love mirth for to hear, And I will tell you of a bold outlaw, That liv'd in Nottinghams.h.i.+re.

As Robin Hood in the forest stood, All under the greenwood tree, There was he aware of a brave young man, As fine as fine might be.

The youngster was clothed in scarlet red, In scarlet fine and gay; And he did frisk it o'er the plain, And chaunted a roundelay.

As Robin Hood next morning stood Amongst the leaves so gay, There did he 'spy the same young man Come drooping along the way.

The scarlet he wore the day before, It was cast clean away; And ev'ry step he fetch'd a sigh, Alack and well a day!

Then stepped forth brave Little John, And Midge the miller's son, Which made the young man bend his bow, When he did see them come.

Stand off, stand off, the young man said, What is your will with me?

You must come before our master straight, Under yonder 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 s.h.i.+llings and a ring, And that I have kept these seven long years, To have it at my wedding.

Yesterday I should have married a maid, But from me she was ta'en, And chosen to be an old knight's delight, Whereby my poor heart is slain.

What is thy name then, said Robin Hood, Come, tell me without fail?

By the faith of my body, then said the young man, My name is Allen-a-Dale.

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?

I have no money, then quoth the young man, No ready gold or 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.

By the faith of my body, then said the young man, It is but five little mile.

Then Robin he hasted over the plain, And he did neither stint nor lin,[131]

Until he came unto the church, Where Allen should have kept his wedding!

What dost thou here, the Bishop then said, I prithee tell unto me?

I am a bold harper, quoth Robin Hood, And the best in the north country.

O welcome, O welcome, the bishop then said, That music best pleaseth me; You shall have no music, quoth Robin Hood, Till the bride and bridegroom I see.

With that came in a wealthy knight, Who was both grave and old; And after him a finikin la.s.s, That did s.h.i.+ne like glittering gold.

This is not a fit match, quoth bold Robin Hood, That you do seem to make here; For since we are come into the church, The bride shall choose her own dear.

Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth, And blew blasts two or three; Then four and twenty bowmen bold Came leaping over the lea.

And when they came into the churchyard, Marching all on a row, The first man was Allen-a-Dale, To give bold Robin his bow.

This is thy true love, Robin he said, Young Allen, as I have heard say, And thou shalt be married at this same time, Before we depart away.

That shalt not be, the bishop he said, For thy word shall not stand; They shall be three times asked in the church, As the law is of our land.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE MARRIAGE OF ALLEN A DALE.]

Robin Hood pull'd off the bishop's coat, And put it upon Little John; By the faith of my body, then Robin he said, This cloth doth make thee a man.

When Little John went to the quire, The people began to laugh: He ask'd them seven times in the church, Lest three times should not be enough.

Who gives this maid? said Little John; Quoth Robin, that do I; And he that takes her from Allen-a-Dale, Full dearly shall her buy.

And thus having ended this merry wedding, The bride she looked like a queen!

And so they returned to the merry green wood, Amongst the leaves so green.

FOOTNOTES:

[131] Stop.

VALENTINE AND URSINE.

PART THE FIRST.

When Flora 'gins to deck the fields With colours fresh and fine, Then holy clerks their matins sing To good Saint Valentine!

The king of France that morning fair He would a hunting ride: To Artois forest prancing forth In all his princely pride.

To grace his sports a courtly train Of gallant peers attend; And with their loud and cheerful cries The hills and valleys rend.

Through the deep forest swift they pa.s.s, Through woods and thickets wild; When down within a lonely dell They found a new-born child;