The Noble fisher-man, or, Robin Hood’s preferment

The Noble Fisher-man.

Dr. Robin Hood’s Preferment, shewing how he won a Prize on the Sea, and how he gave one half to his Dame, and the other to the building of Alms-houses. Tune of, In Summer time.

IN Summer time when Leaves grow green,

when they grow both green and long,

Of a bold Out-low cal’d Robin Hood,

it is of him I sing this Song.

When the Lilly Leaf and the Elephant,

doth bud and spring with a merry cheer,

This Out-law was weary of the wood-side,

and chasing of the Fallow-Deer.

The Fisher-men brave more money have,

then any Merchant two or three,

Therefore will I to Scarbrough go,

that I a Fisher-man brave may he.

This Out-law called his merry men all,

as they sat under the green-wood tree,

If any of you have gold to spend,

I pray you heartily spend it with me.

Now, quoth Robin, I’le to Scarbrough go,

it seems to be a very fair day,

Who took up his Inn at a widdow-womans touse

hard by upon the waters grey.

Who asked him where wert thou born,

or tell to me where dost thou fare•

I am a poor Fisherman said he thou,

this day intrapped all in care.

What is thy name thou fine Fellow?

I pray thee heartily tell it to me,

In mine own Country where I was born,

men call me, Simon over the Lee.

Simon, Simon, said the good wife,

I wish thou mayst well brook thy name,

The Out-law was ware of her courtesie,

and rejoye’d he had got such a Dame.

Simon, wilt thou be my man?

and good round wages i le give thee,

I have as good a ship of mine own,

as any sails upon the Sea.

Anchors and Plancks thou shalt want none,

Masts and Ropes that are so long,

And if that you thus furnish me,

said Simon, nothing shall go wrong.

They pluckt up Anchor and away did sail,

more of a day than two or three,

When others cast in their baited books,

the bare lines into the Sea cast be.

It will be long said the Master then.

ere this long Lubber do thrive on the Sea.

Ile assure you he shall have no part of our fish,

for in truth he is no part worthy.

The Second Part,

to the same Tune.

 

O Woe is me said Simon then,

this day that ever I came here,

I wish I were in Plompton Park,

in chasing of the Fallow Deer.

For every Clown laughs me to scorn,

and they by me set nothing at all,

If I had them in Plompton Park

I would set as little by them all.

They pluckt up Anchor and away did sail,

more of a day then two or three,

But Simon espy’d a ship of war,

that sailed towards them valourously.

O woe is me, said the Master then,

this day that ever I was born,

For all our fish that we have got,

is every bit lost and forlorn.

For yon French Robber on the Sea,

they will not spare of us one man,

But carry us to the Coast of France,

and lay us in the Prison strong.

But Simon said, do not fear them,

neither Master take you any care,

Give me my bent bow in my hand,

and never o French-man will I spare.

Hold thy peace thou long Lubbber,

for thou art naught but brags and boast,

If I should cast thee Over-board,

there’s but a simple Lubber lost.

Simon grew angry at these words,

and so angry then was he,

That he took his bent bow in his hand,

and to the Ship-hatch go doth he.

Master, tye me to the Mast (he said)

that at my mark I may stand fair,

And give me my bent Bow in my hand

and never a French-man will I spare.

He drew his arrow to the very head,

and drew it with all might and main,

And straight way in the twinkling of an eye,

doth the French-mans heart the arrow gain.

The French-man fell down on the Ship hatch,

and under the Hatches down below;

Another French-man that him did espy

the dead Corps into the Sea did throw.

O Master loose me from the Mast (he said)

and for them all take you no care:

And give me my bent Bow in my hand

and never a French-man will I spare.

Then straight they boarded the French ship

they lying all dead in their sight:

They found within the Ship of War

twelve thousand pound in money bright.

The one half of the Ship said Simon then

i le give to my Dame and Children small:

The other half of the ship i’le give

to you that are my fellows all.

But now bespa • the Master then

for so Simon it shall not be

For you have won it with your own hands

and the owner of it you must be.

It shall be so as I have said

and with this gold for the opprest

An habitation I will build

where they shall live in peace and •est.