Francis James Child

“ Were broken fast unto their hands.
* * * *
'Hold thy hand, hold thy hand,' said Robin Hood,
'And my merry men euery one;
For this is one of the best pinders
That ever I try'd with sword.
'And wilt thou forsake thy pinder his craft,
And live in [the] green wood with me?
. . . .
. . . .
'At Michaelmas next my covnant comes out,
When every man gathers his fee;
I'le take my blew blade all in my hand,
And plod to the green wood with thee.'
'Hast thou either meat or drink,' said Robin Hood,
'For my merry men and me?
. . . .
. . . . ”

“ Dare make a trespasse to the town of Wakefield,
But his pledge goes to the pinfold.'
But his pledge goes to the pinfold.'
All this beheard three witty young men,
'Twas Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John ”

“ And twise in a yeere thy clothing [shall] be changed
If my man thou wilt bee,
The tone shall be of light Lincolne greene,
The tother of Picklory.'
'Att Michallmas comes a well good time,
When men haue gotten in their fee ”