Page:True tale of Robin Hood (1).pdf/16

 All things that he could think upon
 * to vex ſuch ſort of men,

He enterpriz'd with hateful ſpleen,
 * in which he was to blame;

For fault of one too wreak his ſpleen
 * on all that by him came.

With the wealth that he by robbing got,
 * eight almshouſes he built,

Thinking thereby to purge the blot
 * of blood that he had ſpilt.

Such were their blind devotions then,
 * depending on their warks:

Which if true we Chriſtian men
 * inferior are to Turk

But to ſpeak true of Robin Hood,
 * and wrong him not a jot

He would not ſhed any man's blood, ːthat him invaded not; Nor would he injure huſbandmen,
 * that toil'd at cart and plow

For well he knew t'were not for them
 * to live no men knew how.

The King in perſon with ſome lords,
 * to Nottingham did ride

To know what ſtrength and ſkil afford,
 * to tame this out-law's pride,

And as he once before had done,
 * he did again proclaim

That whoſoe'er would take upon
 * to bring to Nottingham,