A great many songs were made up about Robin Hood, and these songs were sung in the cot-ta-ges and huts all over the land for hundreds of years after-ward.

Here is a little story that is told in one of those songs:—­

Robin Hood was standing one day under a green tree by the road-side.  While he was lis-ten-ing to the birds among the leaves, he saw a young man passing by.  This young man was dressed in a fine suit of bright red cloth; and, as he tripped gayly along the road, he seemed to be as happy as the day.

“I will not trou-ble him,” said Robin Hood, “for I think he is on his way to his wedding.”

The next day Robin stood in the same place.  He had not been there long when he saw the same young man coming down the road.  But he did not seem to be so happy this time.  He had left his scarlet coat at home, and at every step he sighed and groaned.

“Ah the sad day! the sad day!” he kept saying to himself.

Then Robin Hood stepped out from under the tree, and said,—­

“I say, young man!  Have you any money to spare for my merry men and me?”

“I have nothing at all,” said the young man, “but five shil-lings and a ring.”

“A gold ring?” asked Robin.

“Yes?” said the young man, “it is a gold ring.  Here it is.”

“Ah, I see!” said Robin:  “it is a wedding ring.”

“I have kept it these seven years,” said the young man; “I have kept it to give to my bride on our wedding day.  We were going to be married yes-ter-day.  But her father has prom-ised her to a rich old man whom she never saw.  And now my heart is broken.”

“What is your name?” asked Robin.

“My name is Allin-a-Dale,” said the young man.

“What will you give me, in gold or fee,” said Robin, “if I will help you win your bride again in spite of the rich old man to whom she has been promised?”

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“I have no money,” said Allin, “but I will promise to be your servant.”

“How many miles is it to the place where the maiden lives?” asked Robin.

“It is not far,” said Allin.  “But she is to be married this very day, and the church is five miles away.”

Then Robin made haste to dress himself as a harper; and in the after-noon he stood in the door of the church.

“Who are you?” said the bishop, “and what are you doing here?”

“I am a bold harper,” said Robin, “the best in the north country.”

“I am glad you have come,” said the bishop kindly.  “There is no music that I like so well as that of the harp.  Come in, and play for us.”

“I will go in,” said Robin Hood; “but I will not give you any music until I see the bride and bridegroom.”

Just then an old man came in.  He was dressed in rich clothing, but was bent with age, and was feeble and gray.  By his side walked a fair young girl.  Her cheeks were very pale, and her eyes were full of tears.