- When Robin Hood was a young
outlaw,
- He happened to meet this Little John,
- A jolly brisk blade, fit for the trade,
- For he was a lusty strong young man.
-
- Though he was called Little, his limbs were large
- And his stature was seven foot high.
- Where-ere he came, they quaked at his name,
- For soon he would make them all fly,
-
- They met by chance on a narrow bridge
- And neither of them would give their way.
- Quoth bold Robin Hood,
sturdily stood:
- 'With my staff I will show you fine play.'
-
- At first Robin gave the stranger a bang,
- So hard it made all his bones ring.
- The stranger said: 'This must be re-paid,
- I'll give you as good as you bring.'
-
- The stranger cracked Robin on his crown
- And soon some blood began to
appear.
- Then Robin, enraged, fiercely
engaged
- And followed his blows much more
severe.
-
- So thick and fast did he lay it on him
- With great passion, fury and ire,
- With every stroke, Robin made him smoke
- As if he had been all on fire.
-
- The stranger began to lose his cool
- And gave the outlaw a damning look,
- Then with a blow that laid him full low
- He tumbled Robin into the brook.
-
- 'I prithee good fellow, where art thou now?'
- The stranger in laughter he cried.
- Quoth bold Robin: 'Good faith in the flood,
- I'm floating along with the tide.'
-
- He presently waded to the bank
- And there pulled himself out by a thorn,
- Which done at the last, he blowed a blast
- Through the forest on his
bugle horn.
-
- The valleys did resound with its
echoes
- At which his stout bowmen
appeared,
- In Lincoln green, a sight to be seen,
- So up to their master they steered.
-
- The outlaw said: 'Don't fret my stout friend,
- These good bowmen all on me do wait,
- There's three score and nine if you'll be mine,
- For you shall have my livery straight.'
-
- 'I'll give you my good hand,' the
stranger said,
- 'And I'll serve you with all my heart.
- My name's John Little, a man of good mettle,
- Ne'er doubt me for I'll play my part.
