Francis James Child

“ How haue you sold your ware?'
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. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
It proues bold Robin Hood.
'Yea, he hath robbed me of all my gold
And siluer that euer I had;
But that I had a verry good wife at home,
I shold haue lost my head.
'But I had a verry good wife at home,
Which made him gentle cheere,
And therfor, for my wifes sake,
I shold haue better favor heere.
'But such favor as he shewed me
I might haue of the devills dam,
That will rob a man of all he hath,
And send him naked home.'
'That is very well done,' then dsays his wiffe,
'Itt is well done, I say ”

“ Good fellow, thou'st haue it letten out.'
'He that does that deed,' sayes Robin,
'I'le count him for a man;
But that while will I draw my sword,
And fend it if I can.'
But Robin he stroke att the bloudy bucher,
In place were he did stand,
* * * *
'I [am] a younge bucher,' sayes Robin,
'You fine dames am I come amonge;
But euer I beseech you, good Mrs Sheriffe,
You must see me take noe wronge.'
'Thou art verry welcome,' said Master Sherriff's wiffe,
'Thy inne heere up [to] take ”