Page:True tale of Robin Hood (1).pdf/6

 The Yorkſhire woods frequented much
 * and Lancaſhire alſo

Wherein their practices were ſuch,
 * that they wrought mickle woe,

None rich to travel to and fro'.
 * tho' ne'er ſo ſtrongly arm'd,

But by thieves ſo ſtrong in ſhew,
 * they were both rob'd and harm'd.

His chief ſpite to the clergy was,
 * who liv'd in monſtrous pride.

Not one of them he would let paſs,
 * along the highway side;

But firſt to dinner they muſt go,
 * and afterwards to thrift

For they ſuppoſed that he was ta'en,
 * while thus he liv'd by theft

Not Monks nor he would let go,
 * without paying their fees.

If they pleas'd not be ,
 * their ſtones he made them leave.

For ſuch as theſe the country fill'd
 * with baſtards in thoſe days.

Which to prevent theſe ſparks did geld
 * all that came in their way:

But Robin Hood ſo gentle was,
 * and bore ſo great a mind,

If any in diſtreſs did paſs,
 * he was to them moſt kind:

That he would give or lend them,
 * and help them in their need,