Robin Hood and Maid Marian

Middle English Folk Ballads

Ballads, or poems with exciting or romantic stories, were very popular in the Middle Ages. Few people could read them, so they were sung or recited by minstrels. Popular ballads would get into print as anonymous creations.

Most ballads are written in rhymed short lines and short stanzas too, so that one can easily remember and sing them. The story often unfolds in a dramatic way, telling of mysterious death, fights and adventures; others tell about love, ghosts and fairies, or legendary heroes like King Arthur or Robin Hood. The Scottish Border, with its many battles, had lots to tell; ballads, originating there, such as Chevy Chase, have plenty of dialect words.

In the 16^lh century, when printing became cheap, ballads were sold on broadsides, or sheets of paper. Yet, the first big collection of ballads was printed as late a£ in the 18^lh century. It was Reliques of Ancient Poetry by Bishop Thomas Percy. It instantaneously became very popular, and encouraged others to discover old ballads or write new ones.

From among many Robin Hood ballads, such as A True Tale of Robin Hood, Robin Hood and the Bishop, Robin Hood and Allen a Dale, Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow, the following selection is marked by its straightforward plot, masterful poetic technique, and rich imagery.

A bonny fine maid of a noble degree,

With a hey down down a down down

Maid Marian called by name,

Did live in the North, of excellent worth,

For she was a gallant dame.

For favour and face, and beauty most rare,

With a hey down down a down down

Queen Helen she did excel;

For Marian then was praised of all men

That did in the country dwell.

The Earl of Huntington, nobly born,

With a hey down down a down down

That came of noble blood,

To Marian went, with a good intent,

By the name of Robin Hood.

With kisses sweet their red lips meet,

With a hey down down a down down

For she and the earl did agree;

In every place, they kindly embrace,

With love and sweet unity.

But fortune bearing these lovers a spight,

With a hey down down a down down

That soon they were forced to part,

To the merry green wood then went Robin Hood,

With a sad and sorrowful heart.

Perplexed and vexed, and troubled in mind,

With a hey down down a down down

She dressed herself like a page,

And ranged the wood to find Robin Hood,

The bravest of men in that age.

With quiver and bow, sword, buckler, and all,

With a hey down down a down down

Thus armed was Marian most bold,

Still wandering about to find Robin out,

Whose person was better than gold.

But Robin Hood, he himself had disguised,

With a hey down down a down down

And Marian was strangely attired,

That they proved foes, and so fell to blows,

Whose valour bold Robin admired.

They drew out their swords, and to cutting they went,

With a hey down down a down down

At least an hour or more,

That the blood ran apace from bold Robins face,

And Marian was wounded sore.

'0 hold thy hand, hold thy hand,' said Robin Hood,

With a hey down down a down down '

And thou shalt be one of my string,

To range in the wood with bold Robin Hood,

To hear the sweet nightingale sing.'

When Marian did hear the voice of her love,

With a hey down down a down down

Her self she did quickly discover,

And with kisses sweet she did him greet,

Like to a most loyal lover.

When bold Robin Hood his Marian did see,

With a hey down down a down down

Good lord, what clipping was there!

With kind embraces, and jobbing of faces,

Providing of gallant cheer.

A stately banquet they had full soon,

With a hey down down a down down

All in a shaded bower,

Where venison sweet they had to eat,

And were merry that present hour.

At last they ended their merriment,

With a hey down down a down down

And went to walk in the wood,

Where Little John and Maid Marian

Attended on bold Robin Hood.

In solid content together they lived,

With a hey down down a down down

With all their yeomen gay;

They lived by their hands, without any lands,

And so they did many a day. (26)

Дата добавления: 2014-01-04