Francis James Child

“ The sheriffe he, and his companie,
No longer must be seen.
Then he stept to these brethren three,
And away he had them tane;
But the sheriff was crost, and many a man lost,
That dead lay on the plain. ”

“ Came kneeling down to his knee.
'What is your will, master?' they said,
'We are here at your command:'
'Shoot east, shoot west,' said Robin Hood then,
'And look that you spare no man.'
Then they shot east, and they shot west ”

“ His staff, and his coat, scarce worth a groat,
Yet merrilie passed he.
As Robin he passed the streets along,
He heard a pittifull cry;
Three brethren deer, as he did hear,
Condemned were to dye.
n Robin he highed to the sheriffs [house] ,
Some reliefe for to seek;
He skipt, and leapt, and capored full high,
As he went along the street.
But when to the sheriffs doore he came,
There a gentleman fine and brave,
'Thou beggar,' said he, 'Come tell vnto me
What is it that thou wouldest have?'
'No meat, nor drink,' said Robin Hood then,
'That I come here to crave ”