ROBIN HOOD

Now stand you forth my merry men all and hark what I shall say, Of and adventure I shall you tell the which befell this other day. As I went by the high way with a stout Friar I met. And a quarter staff in his hand, lightly to me he leapt And still he bade me stand. there were stripes two or three, But I cannot tell who had the worse but well I wot the whoreson Leapt within me and from me took my purse. Is there any of my merry men all that to the Friar will go, And bring him to me forth withal whither he will or no. Yield thee Friar in thy long coat my throat, I trow Friar thou beginnest to dote who made thee so malapert and so bold, To come into this Forest here, among my fallow deer. Listen my merry men all and harken what I shall say, Of and adventure I shall you tell that befell this other day: With a proud potter I met and a rose garland on his head, the flowers of it shone marvelous fresh this seven year & more he hath used this way Yet was he never so courteous a potter as one penny passage to pay. Is there any of my merry men all that dare be so bold, to make the Potter pay passage either stluer or gold. Of all the men in a morning thou art y e worst to meet with thee I have no lust, For he y to meeteth a friar or a fox in the morning to speed ill that day he stands in jeopardy therefore I had rather meet with the devil Friar I tell thee as I think, then meet with a friar or a fox in a morning or I drink. Hark friar what I say here, over this water thou shalt me bear the bridge is born away. Nay have over. Why thou lousy friar what hast thou done Therefore thou shalt aby And God send me good luck, Hold thy hand Friar and hear me speak In this Forest I have a hound I will not give him for and hundredth pound: Give me leave my horn to blow, that my hound may know. Peradventure they do so Whistle Friar evil might thou fare, until both thine eyes stare. How sayest thou Friar wilt thou be my man to do me the best service thou can, Thou shalt have both gold and fee, And also her is a lady free I will give his un to thee And her chaplain I thee make to serve her for my sake. I will lay with thee little John xx. pound so read if I with the potter meet I will make him pay passage maugre his head. Little John where art thou, Let me see are thy pots whole and found. I will them break-for the cuckold thy Master's And if they will break the ground thou shalt have three pence for a pound. Hark potter what I shall say. this 7. year and more thou hast used this way Yet were thou never so courteous to me as one penny passage to pay. For I am Robin hood chief governor under the greenwood tree. Passage shalt thou pay here under the green woodtree or else thou shalt leave a wed with me: