Page:The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield with Robin Hood Scarlet and John.jpg/1





N Wakefield there lives a jolly Pinder,
 * in Wakefield all on a Green,
 * in Wakefield all on a Green;

There is neither Knight, nor Squire, said the Pinder
 * nor Baron that is so bold,
 * nor Baron that is so bold;

Dare make a trespass to the town of Wakefield
 * but his Pledge goes to the Pinfold, &c.

All this beheard three witty young men,
 * 'twas Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John, &c.

With that they espy'd the jolly Pinder,
 * as he sat under a thorn, &c.

Now turn again, turn again, said the Pinder,
 * for a wrong way have you gone, &c.

For you have forsaken the King's High way
 * and made a path over the Corn, &c.

O that were great shame, said jolly Robin,
 * we being three, and thou but one, &c.

The Pinder leapt back then thirty good foot,
 * 'twas thirty good foot and one, &c.

He leaned his back fast unto a thorn,
 * and his foot against a stone, &c.

And there they fought a long Summers day
 * a Summers day so long, &c.

Till that their swords on their broad bucklers
 * were broke fast unto their hands, &c.

Hold thy hand, hold thy hand, said Robin Hood,
 * and my merry men every one, &c.

For this is one of the best Pinders
 * that ever I try'd with Sword, &c.

And wilt thou forsake thy Pinders Craft,
 * and live in Green-wood with me, &c.

At Michaelmas next my Cov'nant comes out,
 * when every man gathers his fee, &c.

I'le take my blew blade all in my hand,
 * and plod to the green-wood with thee, &c.

Hast thou either meat or drink? said Robin Hood
 * for my merry men and me, &c.

I have both bread and beef, said the Pinder,
 * and good Ale of the best, &c.

And that is Meat good enough, said Robin Hood
 * for such unbidden Guest, &c.

O wilt thou forsake the Pinder his Craft,
 * and go to the Green-wood with me? &c.

Thou shalt have a Livery twice in the year,
 * the one green, the other brown, &c.

If Michaelmas day was come and gone,
 * and my Master had paid me my fee,
 * and my Master had paid me my fee;

Then would I set as little by him,
 * as my Master doth by me,
 * as my Master doth by me.

Hen Arthur first in Court began,
 * and was approved King,

By force of Arms great Victories won,
 * and Conquest home did bring:

Then into Brittain straight he came,
 * where fifty stout and able

Knights, then repaired unto him,
 * which were of the Round Table.

And many Justs and Turnaments,
 * before him there were prest,

Wherein these Knights did then excell,
 * and far surmount the rest.

But one Sir Lancelot du Lake,
 * who was approved well,

He in his fights and deeds of arms,
 * all others did excell.

When he had rested him a while,
 * to play, and game, and sport,

He thought he would approve himself,
 * in some advent'rous sort:

He armed rode in Forrest wide,
 * and met a Damsel fair,

Who told him of Adventures great,
 * whereto he gave good ear;

Why should I not? (quoth Lancelot tho)
 * for that cause came I hither,

Thou seem'st, quoth she, a Knight right good,
 * and I will bring thee thither,

Where as the mightest Knight doth dwell
 * that now is of great fame,

Wherefore tell me what Knight thou art,
 * and then what is thy name.

My name is Lancelot du Lake,
 * quoth she it likes me then,

Here dwells a Knight that never was
 * o're-matcht of any man:

Who hath in Prison threescore Knights,
 * and some that he hath bound,

Knights of King Arthurs Court they be,
 * and of the Table round,

She brought him to a River then,
 * and also to a Tree,

Whereas a Copper Bason hung,
 * his Fellows Shields to see.

He struck so hard the Bason broke,
 * when Tarquin heard the sound,

He drove a Horse before him straight,
 * whereon a Knight was bound.

Sir Knight (then said Sir Lancelot)
 * bring me that Horse-load hither,

And lay him down and let him rest,
 * we'l try our force together:

For as I understand, thou hast
 * as far as thou art able,

Done great despight and and shame unto
 * the Knights of the round Table.

If thou art of the Table round,
 * quoth Tarquin speedily,

Both thee and all thy Fellowship,
 * I utterly defie.

That's overmuch, quoth Lancelot tho,
 * defend thee by and by;

They put their spurs unto their Steeds,
 * and each at other flye.

They couch their Spears and Horses run,
 * as though they had been thunder

And each struck then upon the Shield,
 * wherewith they brake asunder:

Their Horses backs brake under them,
 * The Knights they were aston'd;

To void their horses they made haste,
 * to fight upon the ground:

They took them to their Shields full fast,
 * their Swords they drew out then

With Mighty stroaks most eagerly,
 * each one at other run:

They wounded were, and bled full sore,
 * for breath they both did stand,

And leaning on their Swords a while,
 * quoth Tarquin hold thy Hand,

And tell to me what I shall ask,
 * say on, quoth Lancelot tho,

Thou art quoth Tarquin, the best Knight
 * that ever I did know.

And like a Knight that I did hate,
 * so that thou be not he,

I will deliver all the rest,
 * and eke accord with thee.

That is well said, quoth Lancelot then,
 * but sith it so must be,

What is the Knight thou hatest so,
 * I pray thee shew to me?

His name is Sir Lancelot du Lake,
 * he slew my Brother dear,

Him I suspect of all the rest
 * I would I had him here.

Thy wish thou hast, but now unknown,
 * I am Lancelot du Lake,

Now of King Arthurs Table round,
 * King Hands Son of Benwake:

And I defie thee do thy worst,
 * ha ha, quoth Tarquin tho,

One of us two shall end our lives,
 * before that we do go.

If thou be Lancelot du Lake,
 * then welcome shalt thou be,

Wherefore see thou thy self defend,
 * for now I do thee defie.

They hurled then together fast,
 * like two wild Boars so rashing,

And with their Swords & Shields they ran,
 * at one another slashing.

The ground besprikled was with blood.
 * Tarquin began to faint,

For he had backt and bore his shield
 * so low he did repent:

Which soon espy'd Lancelot tho,
 * he leapt upon him then,

He pull'd him down upon his Knee,
 * and rushed off his helm:

And then he struck his Neck in two,
 * and when he had done so,

From prison threescore Knights and four,
 * Lancelot delivered tho.