Page:Life and death of Robin Hood, the renowned out-law.pdf/15



15

Only because he was undone By the cruel clergy then; All means that he could think upon, To vex such cruel men, He enterpris'd with hateful spleen, In which he was to blame, For fault of some to wreck his teen, On all that by him came.

With wealth which he by robbery got, Eight alm-houses he built; Thinking thereby to purge the blot Of blood which he had spilt; Such was their blind devotion then, Depending on their works; Which, if 'twere true, we Christians Inferior were to Turks.

But to speak true of Robin Hood, And wrong him not a jot, Yet never would shed any man's blood That him invaded not: Nor would he injure husbandmen, That toil at cart or plough; For well he knew were't not for them, To live no man knew how.