Ballads of Robin Hood and other Outlaws Part 25

ROBIN HOOD AND THE POTTER

1.

In summer, when the leaves spring, The blossoms on every bough, So merry doth the birdes sing In woodes merry now.

2.

Hearken, good yeomen, Comely, courteous, and good; One of the best that ever bare bow, His name was Robin Hood.

3.

Robin Hood was the yeoman's name, That was both courteous and free; For the love of Our Lady All women worshipped he.

4.

But as the good yeoman stood on a day, Among his merry meyne, He was ware of a proud potter Came driving over the lee.

5.

'Yonder cometh a proud potter,' said Robin, 'That long hath haunted this way; He was never so courteous a man One penny of pavage to pay.'

6.

'I met him but at Wentbridge,' said Little John, 'And therefore evil mote he thee!

Such three strokes he me gave, That by my sides cleft they.

7.

'I lay forty shillings,' said Little John, 'To pay it this same day, There is not a man among us all A wed shall make him lay.'

8.

'Here is forty shillings,' said Robin, 'More, and thou dare say, That I shall make that proud potter, A wed to me shall he lay.'

9.

There this money they laid, They toke it a yeoman to keep.

Robin before the potter he breyde And bade him stand still.

10.

Hands upon his horse he laid, And bade the potter stand full still; The potter shortly to him said, 'Fellow, what is thy will?'

11.

'All this three year and more, potter,' he said, 'Thou hast haunted this way, Yet were thou never so courteous a man One penny of pavage to pay.'

12.

'What is thy name,' said the potter, ''Fore pavage thou ask of me?'

'Robin Hood is my name, A wed shall thou leave me.'

13.

'Wed will I none leave,' said the potter, 'Nor pavage will I none pay; Away thy hand fro my horse!

I will thee tene else, by my fay.'

14.

The potter to his cart he went, He was not to seek; A good two-hand staff he hent, Before Robin he leaped.

15.

Robin out with a sword bent, A buckler in his hand; The potter to Robin he went And said, 'Fellow, let my horse go.'

16.

Together then went these two yeomen, It was a good sight to see; Thereof low Robin his men, There they stood under a tree.

17.

Little John to his fellows said, 'Yon potter will stiffly stand': The potter, with an ackward stroke, Smote the buckler out of his hand.

18.

And ere Robin might get it again His buckler at his feet, The potter in the neck him took, To the ground soon he yede.

19.

That saw Robin his men As they stood under a bough; 'Let us help our master,' said Little John, 'Yonder potter else will him slo.'

20.

These yeomen went with a breyde, To their master they came.

Little John to his master said 'Who hath the wager won?'

21.

'Shall I have your forty shillings,' said Little John, 'Or ye, master, shall have mine?'

'If they were a hundred,' said Robin, 'I' faith, they been all thine.'

22.

'It is full little courtesy,' said the potter, 'As I have heard wise men say, If a poor yeoman come driving on the way To let him of his journey.'

23.

'By my troth, thou says sooth,' said Robin, 'Thou says good yeomanry; And thou drive forth every day, Thou shalt never be let for me.

24.

'I will pray thee, good potter, A fellowship will thou have?

Give me thy clothing, and thou shalt have mine; I will go to Nottingham.'

25.

'I grant thereto,' said the potter; 'Thou shalt find me a fellow good; But thou can sell my pottes well, Come again as thou yode.'

26.

'Nay, by my troth,' said Robin, 'And then I beshrew my head, If I bring any pottes again, And any wife will them chepe.'

27.

Then spake Little John, And all his fellows hend; 'Master, be well ware of the sheriff of Nottingham, For he is little our friend.'

28.

'Heyt war howt,' said Robin; 'Fellows, let me alone; Through the help of Our Lady, To Nottingham will I gone.'

29.

Robin went to Nottingham, These pottes for to sell; The potter abode with Robin's men, There he fared not ill.

30.

Though Robin drove on his way, So merry over the land: Here is more, and after is to say The best is behind.

31.