Page:A famous battle between Robin Hood, and Maid Marian (Wood 401(21)).gif/1

 Rh



Bonny fine maid of a noble degree, with a hey down down a down down. Maid Marian call'd by name, Did live in the North, of excellent worth,
 * for shee was a gallant dame.

For favour and face, and beauty most rare,
 * with a hey down.
 * Queen Hellen shee did excell:

For Marian then was prais'd of all men,
 * that did in the Country dwell.

Twas neither Rosamond nor Jane Shore,
 * with a hey &c.
 * whose beauty was clear and bright:

That could surpass, this country Lass,
 * beloved of Lord and Knight.

The Earl of Huntington, nobly born,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * that came of noble blood;

To Marian went, with a good intent,
 * by the name of Robin hood.

With kisses sweet, their red lips meet:
 * with a hey, &c.
 * for shee and the Earl did agree,

In every place, they kindly imbrace,
 * with love and sweet unity.

But fortune bearing these lovers a spight,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * that soon they were forced to part:

To the merry green wood, then went Robin Hood,
 * with a sad and sorrowfull heart.

And Marian, poor soul, was troubled in mind:
 * with a hey, &c.
 * for the absence of her friend;

With finger in eye, shee often did cry,
 * and his person did much commend.

Perplexed and vexed, and troubled in mind,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * shee drest her self like a page,

And ranged the wood, to find Robin Hood,
 * the bravest of men in that age.

With quiver and bow, sword buckler and all,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * thus armed was Marian most bold,

Still wandering about, to find Robin out,
 * whose person was better then gold.

But Robin Hood, hee, himself had disguis'd,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * and Marian was strangly attir'd,

That they prov'd foes, and so fell to blowes,
 * whose vallour, bold Robin admir'd.

They drew out their swords, & to cutting they went,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * at least an hour or more,

That the blood ran apace, from bold Robins face,
 * and Marian was wounded sore.

O hold thy hand, hold thy hand, said Robin Hood
 * with a hey.
 * and thou shalt be one of my string

To range in the wood, with bold Robin Hood,
 * and hear the sweet Nightingall sing.

When Marian did hear the voice of her love,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * her self shee did quickly discover,

And with kisses sweet she did him greet,
 * like to a most loyall lover.

When bold Robin Hood his Marian did see,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * good Lord what clipping was there.

With kind imbraces, and jobbing of faces,
 * providing of gallant cheer.

For Little John, took his bow in his hand,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * and wandring in the wood,

To kill the deer, and make good chear,
 * for Marian and Robin hood.



A stately banquet the had full soon,
 * with a hey.
 * all in a shaded bower.

Where venison sweet, they had to eat:
 * and were merry that present hour.

Great flaggons of wine were set on the board,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * and merrily they drunk round,

Their boules of sack, to strengthen the back,
 * whilst their knees did touch the ground.

First Robin Hood, began a health;
 * with a hey, &c.
 * to Marian his onely dear:

And his yeomen all, both comly and tall,
 * did quickly bring up the rear:

For in a brave veine they tost off the bouls,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * whilst thus they did remain:

And every cup, as they drunk up,
 * they filled with speed again.

At last they ended their merryment,
 * and went to walk in the wood,

Where Little John and Maid Marian
 * attended on bold Robin Hood.

In sollid content together they liv'd,
 * with a hey.
 * with all their yeomen gay,

They liv'd by there hands, without any lands,
 * and so they did many a day.

But now to conclude an end I will make,
 * with a hey, &c.
 * in time as I think it good,

For the people that dwell, in the North can tell,
 * of Marian and bold Robin Hood.

Rh