One night the usurer being in bed, Robin in the shape of a night-raven[7]
came to the window, and there did beat with his wings, and croaked in such
manner that this old usurer thought he should have presently died for fear.
This was but a preparation to what he did intend; for presently after he
appeared before him at his bed's feet, in the shape of a ghost, with a
torch in his hand. At the sight of this the old usurer would have risen out
of his bed, and have leaped out of the window, but he was stayed by Robin
Good-fellow, who spake to him thus--

If thou dost stir out of thy bed,
I do vow to strike thee dead.
I do come to do thee good;
Recall thy wits and starkled[8] blood.
The money which thou up dost store
In soul and body makes thee poor.
Do good with money while you may;
Thou hast not long on earth to stay.
Do good, I say, or day and night
I hourly thus will thee affright.
Think on my words, and so farewell,
For being bad I live in hell.

Having said thus he vanished away and left this usurer in great terror of
mind; and for fear of being frighted again with this ghost, he turned very
liberal, and lived amongst his neighbours as an honest man should do.

HOW ROBIN GOOD-FELLOW LOVED A WEAVER'S WIFE,
AND HOW THE WEAVER WOULD HAVE DROWNED HIM

One day Robin Good-fellow, walking through the street, found at the door