“Robin Hood and the Scotchman”
Now bold Robin Hood to the north would go,
With valour and mickle might;
With sword by his side, which oft had been try’d,
To fight and recover his right.
The first that he met was a jolly stout Scot,
His servant he said he would be;
No quoth Robin Hood, it cannot be good.
For thou wilt prove false unto me.
Thou hast not been true to sire or cuz:
Nay marry, the Scot he said;
As true as your heart, I never will part,
Good master be not afraid.
But e’er I employ you, said bold Robin hood,
With you I must have a bout;
The Scotchman reply’d, let the battle be try’d,
For I know I will beat you out.
Thus saying, the contest did quickly begin,
Which lasted two hours and more;
The blows Sawney gave bold Robin so brave,
The battle soon made him give o’er.
Have mercy, thou Scotchman, bold Robin Hood cry’d,
Full dearly this boon have I bought;
We will both agree, and my man you shall be,
For a stouter I never have fought.
Then Sawney consented with Robin to go,
To be of his bowmen so gay;
Thus ended the fight, and with mickle delight
To Sherwood they hasted away.
Source: “Robin Hood and the Scotchman.” The Robin Hood Garlands and Ballads. Ed. John Mathew Gutch, William Hone, Francis Douce, and Edward Francis Rimbault. London: John Russell Smith and Joseph Lilly, 1750. 392-93. Google Books. Web. 24 June 2011.
How would you describe the rhyme scheme of this poem?
ABBA
AABB
ABAA
ABCB