“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