t of comfort so cold,
And he met his shepherd a going to fold_ 165

13. ROBIN HOOD AND THE CURTAL FRIAR.

_The friar took Robin Hood on his back,
Deep water he did bestride_ 174

14. THE MARRIAGE OF ALLEN-A-DALE.

_He ask'd them seven times in the church,
Lest three times should not be enough_ 187

15. VALENTINE AND URSINE.

_And kneeling down upon his knee,
Presents him to the king_ 197

16. THE MILLER OF MANSFIELD.

_Well, quo' the miller's wife, young man, ye're
welcome here;
And, though I say it, well lodged shall be_ 218

THE BOY'S BOOK OF BALLADS.

ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE.

When shaws[1] be sheen,[2] and swards full fair,
And leaves both large and long,
It is merry walking in the fair forest
To hear the small birds' song.

The woodweel[3] sang, and would not cease,
Sitting upon the spray,
So loud, he wakened Robin Hood,
In the greenwood where he lay.

Now by my faith, said jolly Robin,
A sweaven[4] I had this night;
I dreamt me of two wight[5] yeomen
That fast with me can fight.

Methought they did me beat and bind,
And took my bow me fro';
If I be Robin alive in this land,
I'll be wroken[6] on them two.

Sweavens are swift, master, quoth John,
As the wind that blows o'er a hill;
For if it be never so loud this night,
To-morrow it may be still.

Busk ye, bowne[7] ye, my merry men all,
And John shall go with me,
For I'll go seek yon wight yeomen,
In the greenwood where they be.

Then they cast on their gowns of green,
And took their bows each one,
And they away to the green forest,
A shooting forth are gone;

Until they came to the merry greenwood,
Where they had gladdest be,
There were they aware of a wight yeoman,
His body leaned to a tree.

A sword and a dagger he wore by his side,
Of many a man the bane;
And he was clad in his capull[8] hide
Top and tail and mane.

Stand you still, master, quoth Little John,
Under this tree so green,
And I will go to yon wight yeoman
To know what he doth mean.

Ah! John, by me thou settest no store,
And t