Then spake Moche the mylner sune,
Euer more wel hym betyde,30
"Take xii of thi wyght zemen
Well weppynd be [thei] side.
Such on wolde thi selfe slon
That xii dar not abyde."
"Off alle my mery men," seid Robyne,35
"Be my feithe I wil non haue;
But Litulle Johne shall beyre my bow
Til that me list to drawe.
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * *
"Thou shalle beyre [thin own]," seid Litulle Jon,
"Maister, and I wil beyre myne,40
And we wille shete a peny," seid Litulle Jon,
"Vnder the grene wode lyne."
"I wil not shete a peny," seyde Robyn Hode,
"In feith, Litulle Johne, with thee,
But euer for on as thou shetes," seid Robyn,45
"In feith I holde the thre."
Thus shet thei forthe, these zemen too,
Bothe at buske and brome,
Til Litulle Johne wan of his maister
V s. to hose and shone.50
A ferly strife fel them betwene,
As they went bi the way;
Litull Johne seid he had won v shyllyngs,
And Robyn Hode seid schortly nay.
With that Robyn Hode lyed Litul Jone,55
And smote hym with his honde;
Litul John waxed wroth therwith,
And pulled out his bright bronde.
"Were thou not my maister," seid Litulle Johne,
"Thou shuldis by hit ful sore;60
Get the a man where thou wilt, Robyn,
For thou getes me no more."
Then Robyn goes to Notyngham,
Hymselfe mornynge allone,
And Litulle Johne to mery Scherewode,65
The pathes he knowe alkone.