Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
Narrative Poems: VIII. EnglandRobin Hood and Allan-a-Dale
AnonymousC
All you that love mirth for to hear,
And I will tell you of a bold outlaw,
That lived in Nottinghamshire.
All under the greenwood tree,
There he was aware of a brave young man,
As fine as fine might be.
In scarlet fine and gay;
And he did frisk it over the plain,
And chanted a roundelay.
Amongst the leaves so gay,
There did he espy the same young man
Come drooping along the way.
It was clean cast away;
And at every step he fetched a sigh,
“Alack and well-a-day!”
And Midge, the miller’s son;
Which made the young man bend his bow,
Whenas he see them come.
“What is your will with me?”
“You must come before our master straight,
Under yon greenwood tree.”
Robin asked him courteously,
“O, hast thou any money to spare,
For my merry men and me?”
“But five shillings and a ring;
And that I have kept these seven long years,
To have at my wedding.
But she was from me ta’en,
And chosen to be an old knight’s delight,
Whereby my poor heart is slain.”
“Come tell me without any fail.”
“By the faith of my body,” then said the young man,
“My name it is Allan-a-Dale.”
“In ready gold or fee,
To help thee to thy true-love again,
And deliver her unto thee?”
“No ready gold or fee,
But I will swear upon a book
Thy true servant for to be.”
Come tell me without guile.”
“By the faith of my body,” then said the young man,
“It is but five little mile.”
He did neither stint nor lin,
Until he came unto the church
Where Allan should keep his wedding.
“I prithee now tell unto me.”
“I am a bold harper,” quoth Robin Hood,
“And the best in the north country.”
“That music best pleaseth me.”
“You shall have no music,” quoth Robin Hood,
“Till the bride and bridegroom I see.”
Which was both grave and old;
And after him a finikin lass,
Did shine like the glistering gold.
“That you do seem to make here;
For since we are come into the church,
The bride shall chuse her own dear.”
And blew blasts two and three;
When four-and twenty yeomen bold
Came leaping over the lea.
Marching all in a row,
The very first man was Allan-a-Dale,
To give bold Robin his bow.
“Young Allan, as I hear say;
And you shall be married at this same time,
Before we depart away.”
“For thy word shall not stand;
They shall be three times asked in the church,
As the law is of our land.”
And put it upon Little John;
“By the faith of my body,” then Robin said,
“This cloth doth make thee a man.”
The people began to laugh;
He asked them seven times in the church
Lest three times should not be enough.
Quoth Robin Hood, “That do I;
And he that takes her from Allan-a-Dale,
Full dearly he shall her buy.”
The bride looked like a queen;
And so they returned to the merry greenwood,
Amongst the leaves so green.