THE JOLLY PINDER OF WAKEFIELD;
Reading edition
With Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John.
Several lines of this ballad are quoted in the two old plays of the "Downfall," and "Death of Robert, earl of Huntington," 1601, 4to., black letter, but acted many years before. It is also alluded to in Shakespeare's "Merry Wives of Windsor," Act I. Scene 1; and again, in his second part of "King Henry IV." Act V. Scene 3.
Sung "To an excellent tune." In Wakefield there lives a jolly pinder, In Wakefield all on a green, In Wakefield all on a green: "There is neither knight nor squire," said the pinder, "Nor baron that is so bold, Nor baron that is so bold, Dare make a trespass to the town of Wakefield, But his pledge goes to the pinfold, But his pledge goes to the pinfold." All this be heard three witty young men, 'Twas Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John; With that they espy'd the jolly pinder, As he sat under a thorn. "Now turn again, turn again," said the pinder, "For a wrong way you have gone; For you have forsaken the king's highway, And made a path over the corn." "O that were a shame," said jolly Robin, "We being three, and thou but one." The pinder lept back then thirty good foot, 'Twas thirty good foot and one. He leaned his back fast unto a thorn, And his foot against a stone, And there he fought a long summer's day, A summer's day so long; Till that their swords on their broad bucklers Were broke fast into their hands. "Hold thy hand, hold thy hand," said bold Robin Hood, "And my merry men every one; For this is one of the best pinders That ever I tryed with sword. "And wilt thou forsake thy pinder's craft, And live in the green-wood with me?" "At Michaelmas next my cov'nant comes out, When every man gathers his fee; "Then I'le take my blew blade all in my hand And plod to the green-wood with thee." "Hast thou either meat or drink," said Robin Hood, "For my merry men and me?" "I have both bread and beef," said the pinder, "And good ale of the best." "And that is meat good enough," said Robin Hood, For such unbidden guests. "O wilt thou forsake the pinder his craft, And go to the green-wood with me? Thou shalt have a livery twice a year, The one green, the other brown." "If Michaelmas-day was come and gone, And my master had paid me my fee, Then would I set as little by him, As my master doth by me."[34]