INTRODUCTION. 



diverting' themselves in the neighbouring 

 woods and meadows on May-day, that in the 

 year 1515 it engaged the attention of this 

 bluff monarch, who, accompanied by his 

 Queen, and attended by the court, rode a- 

 maying from Greenwich to Shooter's-hill. 



When merry May first early calls the morn, 

 With merry maids a-maying they do go. 



Sidney. 



In this morning's excursion, their Majesties 

 were designedly met by two hundred yeomen, 

 clad in green, with green hoods, and fur- 

 nished with bows and arrows, the whole being 

 under the direction of a captain, named Robin 

 Hood, who invited his Majesty to stop and 

 see his men shoot, which they performed with 

 great dexterity at the sound of their captain's 

 whistle. Their arrows were so contrived at 

 the head, that, when flying through the air, 

 they made a loud whistling noise, that greatly 

 delighted the royal party, who were after- 

 wards conducted to the greenwood, and en- 

 tertained plentifully with wine and venison, 

 under arbours formed of boughs, and deco- 

 rated with flowers. — Halts Chronicle. 



