OPENING LINES OF PIERS PLOWMAN'S VISION.

In a somer seson, whan soft was the sonne,
I 'shope me in 'shroudes as I a 'shepe were,
In habite as an heremit, unholy of workes,
Went wyde in this world, wondres to here.
Ac on a May mornynge, on Malverne hulles,1

put; rough clothes; Lshepherd.

1 Malvern Hills, in the counties of Worcester and Hereford.

[but.

Me byfel a 'ferly of fairy, methouyte;

I was wery forwandred, and went me to reste
Under a brode banke bi a bornes side;

And as I lay, and lened, and loked in the wateres,
I slombred in a slepyng, it 'sweyued so merye.

[wonder.

[by wandering.

[sounded.

A ROBIN HOOD BALLAD.

1. There are twelve months in all the year,
As I hear many men say,

But the merriest month in all the year
Is the merry month of May.

2. Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
With a link a down, and a day,

And there he met a silly old woman,
Was weeping1 on the way.

3." What news? what news? thou silly old woman,
What news hast thou for me?"

Said she, "There's three squires in Nottingham-town
To-day condemned to die."

4." Oh, what have they done?" said Robin Hood,
"I pray thee tell to me."

“It's for slaying of the king's fallow deer,
Bearing their long bows with thee."

5.“ Dost thou not mind, old woman,” he said,
"How thou madest me sup and dine?

By the truth of my body," quoth bold Robin Hood,
"You could not tell it in better time."

6. Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
With a link a down, and a day,
And there he met with a silly old 'palmer,
Was walking along the highway.

[pilgrim.

1 Was weeping, who was weeping; but the relative was often omitted by the old English writers.

7." What news? what news? thou silly old man,
What news, I do thee pray ?"

Said he, "Three squires in Nottingham town
Are condemned to die this day."

8." Come change thy apparel with me, old man,
Come change thy apparel for mine;
Here is ten shillings in good silvér—
Go drink it in beer or wine."

9. Then he put on the old man's hat;
It stood full high on the crown:
"The first bold bargain that I come at,
It shall make thee come down."

10. Then he put on the old man's cloak,
Was patched black, blue, and red;
He thought it no shame, all the day long,
To wear the bags of bread.

11. Then he put on the old man's breeks, Was patched from leg to side:

"By the truth of my body," bold Robin can say, "This man loved little pride."

12. Then he put on the old man's hose,

Were patched from knee to wrist:

"By the truth of my body," said bold Robin Hood, "I'd laugh if I had any list.

[wish.

13. Then he put on the old man's shoes,

Were patched both beneath and 'aboon;
Then Robin Hood swore a solemn oath,
"It's good 'habit that makes a man.”

[above.

[dress.

14. Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone,
With a link a down, and a down,

And there he met with the proud sheriff,
Was walking along the town.

15." Save you, save you, sheriff!" he said; "Now heaven you save and see!

And what will you give to a silly old man
To-day will your hangman be?"

16." Some suits, some suits," the sheriff he said,
"Some suits I'll give to thee;

Some suits, some suits, and pence thirteen,
To-day's a hangman's fee."

17. Then Robin he turns him round about, And jumps from stock to stone:

"By the truth of my body," the sheriff he said, "That's well jumpt, thou nimble old man.”

18." I was ne'er a hangman in all my life,
Nor yet intends to trade;

But curst be he," said bold Robin,
"That first a hangman was made!

19." I've a bag for meal, and a bag for malt,
And a bag for barley and corn;

A bag for bread, and a bag for beef,
And a bag for my little small horn.

20." I have a horn in my pocket,

I got it from Robin Hood,

And still when I set it to my mouth,
For thee it blows little good."

21." Oh, wind thy horn, thou proud fellów!
Of thee I have no doubt.

I wish that thou give such a blast,
Till both thy eyes fall out."

22. The first loud blast that he did blow
He blew both loud and shrill,

A hundred and fifty of Robin Hood's men
Came riding over the hill.

23. The next loud blast that he did give,
He blew both loud and 'amain,
And quickly sixty of Robin Hood's men
Came shining over the plain.

[strongly.

24." Oh, who are yon," the sheriff he said,

"Come tripping over the lea?”

"They're my attendants," brave Robin did say;
"They'll pay a visit to thee.”

25. They took the gallows from the 'slack,
They set it in the glen,

They hanged the proud sheriff on that,
Released their own three men.

[CHAPTER VII.]

SIR THOMAS MORE.

Born 1480-Died 1535.

[height.

PART OF A LETTER TO HIS WIFE.

1. I pray you to make some good ensearch what my poor neighbours have lost, and bid them take no thought therefore; for, if I should not leave myself a spoon, there shall no poor neighbour of mine bear no loss by any chance happened in my house. I pray you be, with my children and your household, merry in God; and devise [plan] somewhat with your friends what way were best to take, for provision to be made for corn for our household, and for seed this year coming, if we think it good that we keep the ground still in our hands.

2. And whether we think it good that we so shall do or not, yet I think it were not best suddenly thus to leave it all up, and to put away our folk off our farm, till we have somewhat advised us thereon. Howbeit, if we have more now than ye shall need, and which can get them other masters, ye may then discharge us of them. But I would not that any man were suddenly sent away, he wot not whither.

3. At my coming hither, I perceived none other but that I should tarry still with the king's grace. But now I shall, I think, because of this chance, get leave this next week to come home and see you, and then shall we further devise together upon all things, what order shall be best to take.

4. And thus as heartily fare you well, with all our children, as ye can wish. At Woodstock, the third day of September [1528], by the hand of your loving husband,

THOMAS MORE, Knight.