human
It is not to be doubted but that many of subsequent songs are compiled from old ballads wrote in the time, or soon after Robin Hood, with alterations from time to time into the more modern language. Mr. Le Neve (Norroy) has a large half-sheet of paper which was taken from the inside of some old book, which preserves in an old hand a fragment of this sort. On the back of it is wrote, among other accounts, this, 'It^m, R. S. of Richard Whitway, penter for his house, sent in full payment, jx. _s._, the vij. day of November, Edw'^d iij. xv.'; and in a later hand as follows.
gpt
Syr Sheryffe, for thy sake Robyn Hode wull y take.
human
Robyn Hode ffayre and fre, 5 Undre this lynde shote we. With the shote y wyll, Alle thy lustes to fullfyll.
gpt
Have at the pryke, And y cleve the styke. 10
human
Late us caste the stone, I grante well, be Seynte John.
gpt
Late us caste the exaltrè,