They all with a shout made the elements ring, So soon as the office was ore; To feasting they went, with true merriment, And tippld strong liquor gillore.
Then Robin he took the pretty sweet babe, And cloathd him from top to the toe In garments of green, most gay to be seen, And gave him a curious long bow.
“Thou shalt be an archer as well as the best, And range in the greenwood with us; Where we’ll not want gold nor silver, behold, While bishops have ought in their purse.
“We live here like squires, or lords of renown, Without ere a foot of free land; We feast on good cheer, with wine, ale, and beer, And evry thing at our command.”
Then musick and dancing did finish the day; At length, when the sun waxed low, Then all the whole train the grove did refrain, And unto their caves they did go.
And so ever after, as long as he livd, Altho he was proper and tall, Yet nevertheless, the truth to express, Still Little John they did him call.
When Robin Hood came into merry Sherwood, He winded his bugle so clear; And twice five and twenty good yeomen and bold, Before Robin Hood did appear.
“Where are your companions all?” said Robin Hood, “For still I want forty and three.” Then said a bold yeoman, “Lo, yonder they stand, All under the green-wood tree.”
As that word was spoke, Clorinda came by, The queen of the shepherds was she; And her gown was of velvet as green as the grass, And her buskin did reach to her knee.
Her gait it was graceful, her body was straight, And her countenance free from pride; A bow in her hand, and quiver and arrows Hung dangling by her sweet side.
Her eye-brows were black, ay, and so was her hair, And her skin was as smooth as glass; Her visage spoke wisdom, and modesty too; Sets with Robin Hood such a lass!
Said Robin Hood, “Lady fair, whither away? O whither, fair lady, away?” And she made him answer, “To kill a fat buck; For to-morrow is Titbury day.”
Said Robin Hood, “Lady fair, wander with me A little to yonder green bower, There set down to rest you, and you shall be sure Of a brace or a lease, in an hour.”
And as we were going towards the green bower, Two hundred good bucks we espy’d; She chose out the fattest that was in the herd, And she shot him through side and side.