Robin Hood's Golden prise.  
He met two Priests upon the way,  
And forced them with him to Pray,  
For Gold they prayed, and Gold they had,  
Enough to make bold Robin glad:  
His share came to four hundred pound  
That then was  told upon the ground:  
Now mark and you shall here the jest,  
You never heard the like expressed.  
Tune is, Robin Hood was a tall young man.  
 
I Have heard talk of bold Robin Hood,  
derry, derry down,  
And of brave Little John,  
Of friar Tuck, and William Scarlet,  
Loxley, and Maid Marion,  
hey down, derry, derry down.  
But such a tale as this, before  
derry, &c.  
I think there was never none,  
For Robin Hood disguised himself,  
and to the green wood is gone.  
hey down, &c.  
Like to a friar bold Robin Hood  
derry, &c.  
Was accoutred in his array,  
With hood, gown, beads, and crucifix,  
he past upon the way.  
hey down, &c.  
He had not gone miles two or three  
derry, &c.  
But it was his chance to spy  
Two lusty Priests clad all in black  
come riding gallantly.  
hey down, &c.  
Benedicite then said Robin Hood,  
derry, &c.  
Some pitty on me take,  
across you my hand with a silver groat,  
for our dear Ladies sake.  
hey down, &c.  
For I been wandring all this day,  
derry, &c.  
And nothing could I get,  
Not so much as one poor cup of drink,  
nor bit of bread to eat:  
hey down, &c.  
Now by our holy dame the Priests replied,  
derry, &c.  
We never a penny have,  
For we this morning have been robbed,  
and could no money save:  
hey down, &c.  
I am afraid, said Robin Hood,  
derry, &c.  
That you both do tell a lie,  
And now before you do go hence  
I am resolved to try.  
hey down, &c.  
When as the Priests heard him say so,  
derry, derry, &c.  
They road away amain,  
But Robin Hood betook him to his héels  
and soon overtook them again.  
hey down, &c.  
Then Robin Hood laid hold on them both  
derry, &c.  
And pulled them down from their horse.  
O spare us friar, the Priests cried out,  
on us have some remorse.  
hey down, derry, derry down.  
 
YOu said you had no money, quoth he  
derry, derry down,  
Wherefore without delay.  
We three will fall down on our knees,  
and for money we will pray.  
hey down, derry, derry down.  
The Priests they could not him gainsay,  
derry, &c.  
But down they kneeled with speed,  
sand us, O sand us, then, quoth they,  
some money to serve our need.  
hey down, &c.  
The Priests did pray with a mournful cheer,  
derry, &c.  
Sometimes their hands did wring,  
Sometimes they wept and cried aloud,  
whilst Robin did merrily sing.  
hey down, &c.  
When they had been praying an hours space  
derry, &c.  
The Priests did still lament,  
Then, quoth bold Robin, now let us see,  
what money heaven hath us sent,  
hey down, &c.  
We will be sharers now all alike,  
derry, &c.  
Of the money that we have,  
And there is never a one of us,  
that his fellow shall deceive,  
hey down, &c.  
The priests their hand into their pockets put  
derry, &c.  
But money could find none,  
We'l search ourselves, said Robin Hood  
each other one by one.  
hey down, &c.  
Then Robin Hood took pains to search them both,  
derry, &c.  
And he found good store of gold,  
Five hundred pieces presently,  
upon the ground was  told,  
hey down, &c.  
Here is a brave show, said Robin Hood,  
derry, &c.  
Such store of Gold to see,  
And you shall each one have a part,  
Cause you prayed so hearty.  
hey down, &c.  
He gave them fifty pounds a piece,  
derry, &c.  
And the rest for himself did keep.  
The Priests durst not speak one word,  
but they sighed wondrous deep.  
hey down, &c.  
With that the Priests rose up from their Knees,  
derry, &c.  
Thinking to have partend so,  
Nay stay said Robin Hood, one thing more,  
I have to say, e're you do go.  
hey down, &c.  
You shal be sworn, said bold Robin Hood  
derry, &c.  
Vpon this holy grass,  
That you will never tell lies again,  
which way soever you pass.  
hey down, &c.  
the second Oath that here you must take  
derry, &c.  
All the days of your lives,  
You never shall tempt Maids to sin,  
nor lye with other mens wives.  
hey down, &c.  
The last Oath you shall take, it is this,  
derry, &c.  
Be charitable to the poor,  
Say you have met with a Holy friar,  
and I desire no more.  
hey down, &c.  
He set them on their horses again,  
derry, &c.  
And away then they did ride,  
And he return'd to the merry green wood  
with great joy, mirth, and pride.  
hey down, derry, derry down.   

Printed for F. coals, T. Vere J. Wright, and J. clerk