Question

Read the poem below and answer the question that follows. “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.

What is the structure of this poem? ballad free verse sonnet blank verse

Answer 1

this poem is a ballad

Answer 2

Answer: The structure of the poem is a ballad.

Explanation: Although it is difficult to analyze the structure of the poem in this format (it has not been divided in stanzas), it is possible to say that this poem is a ballad, specifically one of the so-called Child Ballads, anonymous and traditional ballads from England and Scotland that were compiled in the 19th century by American scholar Francis James Child. A ballad is, esentially, a narrative song, a poem meant to be accompanied by music. This one, which tells the story of how a Scotchman offered himself to be Robin Hood's servant, features seven four-line stanzas. In each stanza, only the second and the fourth verses rhyme:

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.