“Lamb have I that hath fed upon nought
     But the dainty dames pied,
 And the violet sweet, and the daffodil
     That grow fair streams beside.

 “And beef have I from the heathery words,
     And mutton from dales all green,
 And veal as white as a maiden’s brow,
     With its mother’s milk, I ween.

 “Then come, ye lasses, and eke ye dames,
     Come, buy your meat from me,
 For three pennyworths of meat I sell
     For the charge of one penny.”

Thus he sang blithely, while all who stood near listened amazedly.  Then, when he had finished, he clattered the steel and cleaver still more loudly, shouting lustily, “Now, who’ll buy?  Who’ll buy?  Four fixed prices have I. Three pennyworths of meat I sell to a fat friar or priest for sixpence, for I want not their custom; stout aldermen I charge threepence, for it doth not matter to me whether they buy or not; to buxom dames I sell three pennyworths of meat for one penny for I like their custom well; but to the bonny lass that hath a liking for a good tight butcher I charge nought but one fair kiss, for I like her custom the best of all.”

Then all began to stare and wonder and crowd around, laughing, for never was such selling heard of in all Nottingham Town; but when they came to buy they found it as he had said, for he gave goodwife or dame as much meat for one penny as they could buy elsewhere for three, and when a widow or a poor woman came to him, he gave her flesh for nothing; but when a merry lass came and gave him a kiss, he charged not one penny for his meat; and many such came to his stall, for his eyes were as blue as the skies of June, and he laughed merrily, giving to each full measure.  Thus he sold his meat so fast that no butcher that stood near him could sell anything.

Then they began to talk among themselves, and some said, “This must be some thief who has stolen cart, horse, and meat”; but others said, “Nay, when did ye ever see a thief who parted with his goods so freely and merrily?  This must be some prodigal who hath sold his father’s land, and would fain live merrily while the money lasts.”  And these latter being the greater number, the others came round, one by one to their way of thinking.

Then some of the butchers came to him to make his acquaintance.  “Come, brother,” quoth one who was the head of them all, “we be all of one trade, so wilt thou go dine with us?  For this day the Sheriff hath asked all the Butcher Guild to feast with him at the Guild Hall.  There will be stout fare and much to drink, and that thou likest, or I much mistake thee.”

“Now, beshrew his heart,” quoth jolly Robin, “that would deny a butcher.  And, moreover, I will go dine with you all, my sweet lads, and that as fast as I can hie.”  Whereupon, having sold all his meat, he closed his stall and went with them to the great Guild Hall.