Part 44 (1/2)

And when he had been seven long yeares, And never his love could see,-- ”Many a teare have I shed for her sake, When she little thought of mee.”

Then all the maids of Islington Went forth to sport and playe, All but the bayliffes daughter deare; She secretly stole awaye.

She pulled off her gowne of greene, And put on ragged attire, And to faire London she would go Her true love to enquire.

And as she went along the high road, The weather being hot and drye, She sat her downe upon a green bank, And her true love came riding bye.

She started up, with a colour soe redd, Catching hold of his bridle-reine; ”One penny, one penny, kind sir,” she sayd, ”Will ease me of much paine.”

”Before I give you one penny, sweet-heart, Praye tell me where you were borne.”

”At Islington, kind sir,” sayd shee, ”Where I have had many a scorne.”

”I prythee, sweet-heart, then tell to mee, O tell me, whether you knowe The bayliffes daughter of Islington.”

”She is dead, sir, long agoe.”

”If she be dead, then take my horse, My saddle and bridle also; For I will into some farr countrye, Where noe man shall me knowe.”

”O staye, O staye, thou goodlye youthe, She standeth by thy side; She is here alive, she is not dead, And readye to be thy bride.”

”O farewell griefe, and welcome joye, Ten thousand times therefore; For nowe I have founde mine owne true love, Whom I thought I should never see more.”

ROBIN HOOD AND THE WIDOW'S THREE SONS.

There are twelve months in all the year, As I hear many say, But the merriest month in all the year Is the merry month of May.

Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone, _With a link a down, and a day_, And there he met a silly old woman, Was weeping on the way.

”What news? what news? thou silly old woman, What news hast thou for me?”

Said she, ”There's my three sons in Nottingham town To-day condemned to die.”

”O, have they parishes burnt?” he said, ”Or have they ministers slain?

Or have they robbed any virgin?

Or other men's wives have ta'en?”

”They have no parishes burnt, good sir, Nor yet have ministers slain, Nor have they robbed any virgin, Nor other men's wives have ta'en.”

”O, what have they done?” said Robin Hood, ”I pray thee tell to me.”

”It's for slaying of the king's fallow deer, Bearing their long bows with thee.”

”Dost thou not mind, old woman,” he said, ”How thou madest me sup and dine?

By the truth of my body,” quoth bold Robin Hood, ”You could not tell it in better time.”

Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone, _With a link a down, and a day_, And there he met with a silly old palmer, Was walking along the highway.

”What news? what news? thou silly old man, What news, I do thee pray?”

Said he, ”Three squires in Nottingham town Are condemn'd to die this day.”