Now Robin Hood is to Nottingham gone, _With a link a down and a day_, And there he met with a silly old palmer, Was walking along the highway. "What news? what news, thou silly old man? What news, I do thee pray?" Said he, "Three squires in Nottingham town Are condemned to die this day." "Come change thy apparel with me, old man, Come change thy apparel for mine; Here is forty shillings in good silvA"r, Go drink it in beer or wine." "O, thine apparel is good," he said, "And mine is ragged and torn; Wherever you go, wherever you ride, Laugh ne'er an old man to scorn." "Come change thy apparel with me, old churl, Come change thy apparel with mine; Here are twenty pieces of good broad gold, Go feast thy brethren with wine." Then he put on the old man's hat, It stood full high on the crown: "The first bold bargain that I come at, It shall make thee come down." Then he put on the old man's cloak, Was patched black, blew, and red; He thought it no shame all the day long, To wear the bags of bread. Then he put on the old man's breeks, Was patched from leg to side: "By the truth of my body," bold Robin can say, "This man loved little pride." Then he put on the old man's hose, Were patched from knee to wrist: "By the truth of my body," said bold Robin Hood, "I'd laugh if I had any list." Then he put on the old man's shoes, Were patched both beneath and aboon; Then Robin Hood swore a solemn oath, "It's good habit that makes a man."