The Oxford Book of Ballads - online book

A Selection Of The Best English Lyric Ballads Chosen & Edited by Arthur Quiller-Couch

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A LITTLE GESTE OF
CCCLXXX
' I have lain at Nottingham
This fortnight with our King, And spent I have full muche good On many a great lording.
CCCLXXXI
' And I have but forty pound,
No more I have with me : But if I had an hundred pound, I vouch it half on thee.'
CCCLXXXII
Robin took the forty pound, And departed it in twain;
Halfen-deal he gave his men, And bade them be full fain.
CCCLXXXIII
Full courteously Robin gan say, ' Sir, this for your spending !
We shall meet another day.'— ' Gramerci ! ' said our King.
CCCLXXXIV
' But well thee greeteth Edward our Kin
And sent to thee his seal, And biddeth thee come to Nottingham, Both to meat and meal.'
CCCLXXXV
He took out the broade targe, And soon he let him see ;
Robin could his courtesy, And set him on his knee.
lording] gentleman.              Halfen-deal] half,
disk (seal). 562
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