The ship it was launched; but in sight of the land Such a storm there did rise as no ship could withstand. It bulged on a rock, and the waves rushed in fast: Round and round flew the Raven and cawed to the blast. He heard the last shriek of the perishing souls- And Death riding home on a cloud he did meet, sweet. XXX ODE TO THE CUCKOO Hail, beauteous stranger of the grove! What time the daisy decks the green, Hast thou a star to guide thy path, Delightful visitant, with thee The school-boy wandering through the wood Starts the new voice of spring to hear, What time the pea puts on the bloom Thou fliest thy vocal vale, An annual guest in other lands, Sweet bird thy bower is ever green, Thy sky is ever clear; Thou hast no sorrow in thy song, O could I fly, I'd fly with thee! Michael Bruce. XXXI ROBIN HOOD AND ALLIN A DALE Come listen to me, you gallants so free, All you that love mirth for to hear, And I will tell you of a bold outlaw That lived in Nottinghamshire. As Robin Hood in the forest stood, There he was aware of a brave young man The youngster was cloth'd in scarlet red, In scarlet fine and gay; And he did frisk it over the plain, And chanted a roundelay. As Robin Hood next morning stood There did he espy the same young man, The scarlet he wore the day before And at every step he fetch'd a sigh, Then stepp'd forth brave Little John, And Midge, the miller's son, Which made the young man bend his bow, When as he saw them come. 'Stand off, stand off!' the young man said, 'What is your will with me?' 'You must come before our master straight, Under yon greenwood tree.' And when he came bold Robin before, 'O, hast thou any money to spare 'I have no money,' the young man said, 'But five shillings and a ring; And that I have kept this seven long years, To have it at my wedding. 'Yesterday I should have married a maid, 'What is thy name?' then said Robin Hood, 'Come tell me without any fail:' 'By the faith of my body,' then said the young man, 'My name it is Allin a Dale.' 'What wilt thou give me?' said Robin Hood, 'In ready gold or fee, To help thee to thy true love again, And deliver her unto thee?' ‘I have no money,' then quoth the young man, 'No ready gold nor fee, But I will swear upon a book Thy true servant for to be.' 'How many miles is it to thy true love? Come tell me without guile :' 'By the faith of my body,' then said the young man, 'It is but five little mile.' Then Robin he hasted over the plain, He did neither stint nor lin, Until he came unto the church, Where Allin should keep his wedding. 'What hast thou here?' the bishop then said, 'I prithee now tell unto me :' 'I am a bold harper,' quoth Robin Hood, 'And the best in the north country.' 'O welcome, O welcome,' the bishop he said. 'That music best pleaseth me ;' 'You shall have no music,' quoth Robin Hood, 'Till the bride and the bridegroom I see.' With that came in a wealthy knight, Which was both grave and old, And after him a finikin lass, Did shine like the glistering gold. 'This is not a fit match,' quoth bold Robin Hood, 'That you do seem to make here, For since we are come into the church, Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth, When four-and-twenty bowmen bold Came leaping over the lea. And when they came into the churchyard, Marching all on a row, The very first man was Allin a Dale, 'This is thy true love,' Robin he said, 'Young Allin as I hear say; And you shall be married at this same time, 'That shall not be,' the bishop he said, They shall be three times asked in the church, |