Note 56 — 117 A GEST OF ROBYN HODE
Reading edition
The well-to-do Codrus says to the starving Menalcas, who has been venting his spleen against “rascolde” rivals,
‘Yet would I gladly heare some mery fit
Of Maide Marian, or els of Robin Hood.’
Codrus is here only suggesting themes which would be agreeable to him. We are not to deduce from his words that there were ballads about Maid Marian. But if there had been, they would have been distinct from ballads about Robin Hood.