Part 3 — The Ashupton Garland, OR A DAY IN THE WOODLANDS; Showing how a "righte merrie companie" went forth to seek a diversion in the Woodlands, aud what befell them there.

In summer time when leaves were green, With a hey derry down, you shall see; James Oakes he called his merry men all, Unto the green-wood tree. James Oakes he was a worthy squire, Full six feet high he stood; No braver chief the forest rang'd, Since the days of Robin Hood. Then some came East, and some came West, And Southrons there came three; Such a jovial band of fine fellows, You never more shall see. Nor fairer Maidens ever tripp'd, Than bore them companie; The wood-nymphs peep'd, in wonder all, As they were passing by. There was Sally of Riddings with her wit so sly, That young men's hearts beguil'd; And wilding Meg, with the hazel eye, And sweet maid-Marian mild. Then came blithe Helen of Osgarthorpe, With her sister, as you shall know; Two fairer maids in Sheffield town Did ne'er set foot I trow. Maid-Marian's sister too was there, And a merry little minx was she; And they were merry merry maidens all, When under the greenwood tree. Then followed straight a matron dame, That summers more had seen; Her kindly eye did sparkle bright, And she seemed the woodland queen. James Oakes the elder he went first, As captain of the band; Bill Graham of Skiers was by his side, And they shouted, "For merry England!" Sylvester next, that rover bold, (Some called him little John,) With Bob the tall, from London town, As you shall hear anon. Two stalworth blades, sworn friends, were there, Jem Oakes, and Asho'er Will; They wanted only a good cross-bow, The Queen's fat deer to kill. Then came Nick Milnes, that smart young man, Of fifteen winters old; With Charley Oakes, a proper young man, Of courage stout and bold. Next Tom of Riddings, the rural swain, (Their Allen-a-dale was he,) Came tripping o'er the heather bell, As blithe as blithe could be. Good Lord it was a pleasant sight, To see them all on a row; With every man his good cigar, And his little bag hanging low. Bill Graham, of Skiers, he then stepped forth, All buskined up to the knee; And he swore by all the fair maids there, Their champion he would be. When this the Captain he did hear, To Bill up stepped he; And thus he said before the face Of that goodly companie:— "The devil a drop, thou proud fellow! Of my whiskey shalt thou see, Until thy courage here be tried— Thou shalt not go scot-free." "By my troth," cried Bill "thourt a gallant knight, And worthy of me for thy squire, And I'll show thee how for a lady I'll fight, If thoul't meet me in good Yorkshire." When sweet maid-Marian this did hear, With a hey down down and a derry; Her rosy cheek did bleach with fear, But sweet Meg it made merry. "A boon, a boon," cried little John, "I'm sick, and fain would see, What thou hast got in thy leather bottel, I pray thee show to me." "Come hither, come hither, thou fine fellow, Hold up thy head again; I've that within my leather bottel, That shall not breed thee pain." Then the Captain took little John by the hand, And they sat them under the tree; "If we drink water while this doth last, Then an ill death may we dee." Then little John he rose up once more, Renewed with mirth and glee; And eke with a bound, he danced a round, In sight of that companie. These fine fellows all, did then take hands, And danced about the green tree; "For six merry men, for seven merry men, For nine merry men we be." Then on they walked the rocks among, All on a midsummer day; Every youth with a maiden by his side, While the birds sang from each spray. With kirtle tucked up to the knee, The maidens far did go; And Bob the tall to each and all, Great courtesie did show. Some plucked the green leaf, some the rose, As to Kinder-Scout they sped; Or wiled away the sweet summer's day, At lovely Derwent-Head. And some did shout, and some did sing, With the heart so blithe and merry; And some adown the hill did roll, With a hey derry down, down derry. And ever and anon they'd sit, On a mossy bank to rest; While the bag and the whiskey glass went round, With the ringing glass and jest. Then some among the heather strayed, Springing the bonny Moor-hen; And some did climb the green hills' side, Or roam in the tangled glen. The blackbird tried his golden bill, His sooty love to greet; Upon the bough, the throstle cock, Did carol blithe and sweet. And when the dews began to fall, And the glowworm's lamp to shine, To Ashupton Inn they did repair, In order for to dine. Then on the board did smoke roast beef, With pasties hot and cold; And many a right good stomach showed, And many a tale was told. And when the table it was cleared, And landlord brought them wine; He swore, that never there before, Such a companie did dine! So a health to the Queene, and long may she reign, And Albert long live he; Push the glass about,—old Kinder-Scout, We'll drink long life to thee. And here's a health to those fine fellows, And to all those maidens merry; May each take a heart from the Ashupton-hills, Singing hey derry down, down derry! And here's a health unto James Oakes! And many a year may he Rise up, and call his merry men all, Unto the greenwood tree.