Classic Poem

In Nottingham there lives a jolly tanner,
His name is Arthur a Bland;
There is ne'er a squire in Nottinghamshire
Dare bid bold Arthur stand.

With a long pike-staff upon his shoulder,
So well he can clear his way;
By two and by three he makes them to flee,
For they have no desire to stay.

And as he went forth, one summer's morning,
Into the forest of merry Sherwood,
In view the red deer that range here and there,
He met with bold Robin Hood.

As soon as bold Robin Hood did him espy,
He thought some sport he would make;
Therefore out of hand he bid him to stand,
And thus to him he spake:

" Why, what art thou, thou bold fellow,
That ranges so boldly here?
In sooth, to be brief, thou look'st like a thief,
That comes to steal our king's deer.

" For I am a keeper in this forest;
The king puts me in trust
To look to his deer, that range here and there,
Therefore stay thee I must. "

" If thou beest a keeper in this forest,
And hast such a great command,
Yet thou must have more helpers in arms,
Before thou make me to stand. "

" Nay, I ask no more helpers in arms,
Or any that I do need;
But I have a staff of another oak graff,
I know it will do the deed. "

Then Robin Hood he unbuckled his belt,
He laid down his bow so long;
He took up a staff of another oak graff,
That was both stiff and strong.

" I'll yield to thy weapon, " said jolly Robin,
" Since thou wilt not yield to mine;
For I have a staff of another oak graff,
Not half a foot longer then thine.

" But let me measure, " said jolly Robin,
" Before we begin our fray;
For I'll not have mine to be longer then thine,
For that will be called foul play. "

" I pass not for length, " bold Arthur replied,
" My staff is of oak so free;
Eight foot and a half, it will knock down a calf,
And I hope it will knock down thee. "

Then Robin Hood could no longer forbear;
He gave him such a knock,
Quickly and soon the blood came down,
Before it was ten o'clock.

Then Arthur he soon recovered himself,
And gave him such a knock on the crown,
That on every hair of bold Robin Hood's head,
The blood came trickling down.

Then Robin Hood raged like a wild boar,
As soon as he saw his own blood;
But Bland was in haste, he laid on so fast,
As though he had been stacking of wood.

And about, and about, and about they went,
Like two wild boars in a chase;
Striving to aim each other to maim
Leg, arm, or any other place.

And knock for knock they lustily dealt,
Which held for two hours and more;
That all the wood rang at every bang,
They plied their work so sore.

" Hold thy hand, hold thy hand. " said Robin Hood,
" And let our quarrel fall;
For here we may thresh our bones into mesh,
And get no coin at all.

" And in the forest of merry Sherwood
Hereafter thou shalt be free. "
" God-a-mercy for naught, my freedom I bought,
I may thank my good staff, not thee! "

" What tradesman art thou? " said jolly Robin,
" Good fellow, I prithee me show:
And also me tell in what place thou dost dwell,
For both these fain would I know. "

" I am a tanner, " bold Arthur replied,
" In Nottingham long have I wrought;
And if thou come there, I vow and do swear
I will tan thy hide for naught. "

" God-a-mercy, good fellow, " said jolly Robin,
" Since thou art so kind to me;
And if thou wilt tan my hide for naught,
I will do as much for thee.

" But if thou will forsake thy tanner's trade,
And live in the greenwood with me,
My name's Robin Hood, I swear by the rood
I will give thee both gold and fee. "

" If thou be Robin Hood, " bold Arthur replied,
" As I think well thou art,
Then here's my hand, my name's Arthur a Bland,
We two will never depart. "

" But tell me, O tell me, where is Little John?
Of him fain would I hear;
For we are allied by the mother's side,
And he is my kinsman near. "

Then Robin Hood blew on the bugle horn,
He blew full loud and shrill,
But quickly anon appeared Little John,
Come tripping down a green hill.

" O what is the matter? " then said Little John,
" Master, I pray you tell.
Why do you stand with your staff in your hand?
I fear all is not well. "

" O man, I do stand, and he makes me to stand,
The tanner that stands thee beside;
He is a bonny blade, and master of his trade,
For soundly he hath tanned my hide. "

" He is to be commended, " then said Little John,
" If such a feat he can do;
If he be so stout, we will have a bout,
And he shall tan my hide, too. "

" Hold thy hand, hold thy hand, " said Robin Hood,
" For as I do understand,
He's a yeoman good, and of thine own blood,
For his name is Arthur a Bland. "

Then Little John threw his staff away,
As far as he could it fling,
And ran out of hand to Arthur a Bland,
And about his neck did cling.

Then Robin Hood took them both by the hand,
And danced round about the oak tree;
" For three merry men, and three merry men,
And three merry men we be!

" And ever hereafter, as long as I live,
We three will be all one;
The wood shall ring, and the old wife sing,
Of Robin Hood, Arthur, and John. "