THIS

It is

HIS ballad is printed from a copy in Mr Collier's possession, collated with a second belonging to Mr David Laing ; and it is evidently founded upon the preceding work. illustrated by three cuts, of which one is a repetition; the title will be found in Hazlitt, p. 512. As both the known copies are more or less defective, a few lacuna are supplied between brackets by conjecture.

The merry pranks of Robin Good-fellow: very pleasant and witty.

CHAPTER I.-Shewing his birth, and whose sonne he

was.

Here doe begin the merry jests

of Robin Good-fellow;

I'de wish you for to reade this booke,

if you his pranks would know.

But first I will declare his birth,
and what his mother was,
And then how Robin merrily

did bring his knacks to passe.

In time of old, when fayries us'd
to wander in the night,

And through key-holes swiftly glide,
now marke my story right,
Among these pretty fairy elves
was Oberon, their king,
Who us'd to keepe them company
still at their revelling.

And sundry houses they did use,
but one, above the rest,
Wherein a comely lasse did dwell,
that pleased King Oberon best.
This lovely damsell, neat and faire,
so courteous, meek, and mild,
As sayes my booke, by Oberon
she was begot with child.

She knew not who the father was,
but thus to all would say—
In night time he to her still came,
and went away ere day.

The midwife having better skill

than had this new made mother, Quoth she, "Surely some fairy 'twas, for it can be no other."

And so the old wife rightly judg'd,
for it was so indeed.

This fairy shew'd himself most kind,
and helpt his love at need;
For store of linnen he provides,
and brings her for her baby;
With dainty cates and choised fare,
he serv'd her like a lady.

The Christening time then being come,

most merry they would be,

The Gossips Bak good store of sack

is the provided be.

Bad Room was this infant call'd,

sted then was he;

31-Er Rein Good-fellow carried him

siệt, but we ne raz sway from his mother.

The Lin was a pretty bud,

se in years of age,

me wish tricks to men,

ROAD would rage.

Chris mcer they complain'’d,

Fingered her to heare,

lat in these pranks she threatened him he should have whipping cheare,

be did not leave his tricks, is erring mocks and mowes : Qarch she. - Thoa vile untutor'd youth, these prities to breeding shewes : I am to the market goe,

bat ere I backe returne,

The soot my neighbours in such sort, maid mues my heart to mourne.

* Rat I will make you to repent these things, ere I have done : I will no frour have on thee,

although thou beest my sonne." Robin was griev'd to heare these words which she to him did say,

But to prevent his punishment, from her he run away.

And travelling long upon the way,
his hunger being great,
Unto a taylor's house he came,

and did entreat some meat:
The taylor tooke compassion then
upon this pretty youth,

And tooke him for his prentice straight,
as I have heard in truth.

CHAPTER III.-How Robin Good-fellow left his master, and also how Oberon told him he should be turned into what shape he could wish or desire.

Now Robin Good-fellow, being plac't
with a taylor, as you heare,

He grew a workman in short space,
so well he ply'd his geare.

He had a gowne which must be made,
even with all haste and speed;
The maid must have't against next day
to be her wedding weed.

The taylor he did labour hard

till twelve a clock at night;

Betweene him and his servant then
they finished aright

The gowne, but putting on the sleeves:

quoth he unto his man,

Ile goe to bed whip on the sleeves
As fast as ere you can."

So Robin straightway takes the gowne;

and hangs it on a pin,

Then takes the sleeves and whips the gowne;

till day he nere did lin.

His master rising in the morne,

And seeing what he did,

Begun to chide; quoth Robin then, "I doe as I was bid."

His Master then the gowne did take, and to his worke did fall:

By that time he had done the same, the maid for it did call.

Quoth he to Robin, "Goe thy wayes and fetch the remnants hither, That yesterday we left," said he, "wee'l breake our fasts together."

Then Robin hies him up the staires and brings the remnants downe, Which he did know his master sav'd out of the woman's gowne. The taylor he was vext at this; he meant remnants of meat, That this good woman, ere she went, might there her breakfast eate.

Quoth she, "This is a breakfast good I tell you, friend, indeed; And to requite your love I will send for some drinke with speed." And Robin he must goe for it with all the speed he may : He takes the pot and money too, and runnes from thence away.

When he had wandred all the day, a good way from the towne, Unto a forest then he came :

to sleepe he laid him downe. Then Oberon came with all his elves, and danced about his sonne, With musick pleasing to the eare; and, when that it was done,