“The Rabbins and, namely, Rabbi Abraham, writing upon the second of Genesis, do say that God made the fairies, bugs, Incubus, Robin Goodfellow, and other familiar or domestic spirits and devils on the Friday; and being prevented with the evening of the Sabbath, finished them not, but left them unperfect; and that therefore, that ever since they use to fly the holiness of the Sabbath, seeking dark holes in mountains and woods, wherein they hide themselves till the end of the Sabbath, and then come abroad to trouble and molest men.”

Discourse, &c., chap. xxi.

“Virunculi terrei are such as was Robin Goodfellow, that would supply the office of servants—­specially of maids:  as to make a fire in the morning, sweep the house, grind mustard and malt, draw water, &c.; these also rumble in houses, draw latches, go up and down stairs, &c....  There go as many tales upon this Hudgin[3] in some parts of Germany, as there did in England of Robin Goodfellow.”

* * * * *

STRANGE FARLIES

    Strange farlies[1] fathers told
    Of fiends and hags of hell;
  And how that Circes, when she would,
    Could skill of sorcery well;

    And how old thin-faced wives,
    That roasted crabs by night,
  Did tell of monsters in their lives
    That now prove shadows light;

    And told what Merlin spoke
    Of world and times to come;
  But all that fire doth make no smoke,
    For in mine ear doth hum

    Another kind of bee,
    That sounds a tune most strange,
  A trembling noise of words to me
    That makes my countenance change.

    Of old Hobgobling’s guise,
    That walked like ghost in sheets,
  With maids that would not early rise
    For fear of bugs and sprites.

    Some say the fairies fair
    Did dance on Bednall Green,
  And fine familiars of the air
    Did talk with men unseen.

    And oft in moonshine nights,
    When each thing draws to rest,
  Was seen dumb shows and ugly sights
    That feared[2] every guest

    Which lodged in the house;
    And where good cheer was great,
  Hodgepoke would come and drink carouse
    And munch up all the meat.

    But where foul sluts did dwell,
    Who used to sit up late,
  And would not scour the pewter well,
    There came a merry mate

    To kitchen or to hall,
    Or place where sprites resort;
  Then down went dish and platters all
    To make the greater sport.

    A further sport fell out
    When they to spoil did fall;
  Rude Robin Goodfellow, the lout,
    Would skim the milk-bowls all,

    And search the cream-pots too,
    For which poor milk-maid weeps. 
  God wot what such mad guests will do
    When people soundly sleeps!